I had two perfectly good Handsprings, one in color, but I decided to switch over to Pocket PC for more compatibility when working on projects for my job. Plus my Handspring's couldn't get on the internet and I didn't want to throw money at an old PDA when I could throw it at a new one...so I made the switch.
Got me an X5 400mhz, delivered yesterday. So here are my initial thoughts, and if anyone has solutions to any of my comments/problems I would sure love to hear em.
1) ActiveSync install didn't go well at all, but that's user error - I should have actually read the instructions before installing it. Once I got it all set up I was ready to go
2) I started downloading freeware, only to discover that there isn't nearly as much quality freeware for PPC as there is for Palm. Good utility or game freeware suggestions would be welcome (or a link if there's a list elsewhere in this forum). Got confused when downloading things - what type of file do I need for installs? CABs? ARM? MIPS? SH3? The only extension I recognize is CAB (and the EXEs when I get so lucky) sigh....Last thing I did last night was find my pocket pc game heaven - Astraware. Ok, I'm set for games...next up apps...if I can find any good ones...I know, I know, any really good software I'll need to buy.
3) Tried to install AvantGo. It's like banging my head against the desk. I already had it on my computer for Palm so that may have made things more difficult. Downloaded new version for PPC, installed, sync, configure, sync, error message, no icon, no articles but the files are there. Uninstall, rinse and repeat. Rinse and repeat again. Discover I have three versions of AvantGo Connect on my PDA but I can't uninstall it. Welcome too my first Hard Reset
I gave up. I guess I'll try again tonight.
4) Figured out where to put files that I want uploaded to the PDA finally...woohoo...That helped on getting the Embedded VB runtime on as well as notes. That is really sweet how easy it is to move files onto the PDA.
5) Syncing to Desktop makes me sad
I use Outlook Express, not Outlook, so I can't sync my inbox/tasks/contacts. It wants me to upgrade to Outlook 2002. Well that would be all fine and dandy if I knew where my Office 2002 cds were but last time I remember seeing them they were scratched anyway and couldn't be used. I just lost some major functionality on that. There's got to be a way.
6) So if I can't sync right, I guess I hand type. But there's no grafitti
and there's no desktop PIM besides Outlook. I cannot tell you how much this Palm user is missing Grafitti right now. My efficiency has slowed to a crawl.
7) Takes me 10 minutes to find the @ symbol
...feel free to laugh, I had a V-8 moment and a good chuckle at myself, you might as well join in. I am not used to any method other than actual typing or writing in grafitti so I was stumped. I couldn't remember Shift-2
8) Netgear MA701 wireless cf card installs really easy initially but I haven't a clue how to configure it for T-Mobile, which I already bought a plan for. Guess I'm doing research tonight.
All in all, my first night (and day) haven't gone so hot. Does it usually take a while for a committed Palm user to make the transition to Pocket PC? I know this thing has features that my Handsprings don't but I keep longing for the ease of Palm so far. It gets better right? Please someone tell me it does....