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JeffLewis · 09-22-03, 06:39 AM

My first question would be: why are you using a PocketPC? Clearly, you don't like it, you don't like Microsoft or Windows - and to be honest, your attitude is going to get in the way of your enjoyment. Maybe you'd be happier with a Sharp Zaurus?

However, if you really want to slog through this:

1) Click on the main menu (the Windows icon on the upper left of most screens), select 'Settings', select the 'System' tab, click on 'System Information' (you may have to scroll to the bottom of the list). Look on the list for ROM Version. If you have A00 to A03, you have PocketPC 2002, if you have A04 or A05, you have Windows Mobile 2003.

Given that the build you have is a 3.xx.xx version, you more than likely have PocketPC 2002.

2) The Dell comes with a Palm-like desktop called Home. You can activate it by pressing the "Home" icon button (right most). There are other desktop replacements, but it's a matter of personal choice. Check www.freewareppc.com or www.tucows.com for some examples.

3) You need to encode your video at no more than 250kbps. If you download a copy of the Windows Media Encoder for free (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...r/default.aspx) and use it to recode your video.

Some hints: if you use the default settings for PocketPC, you'll get a video optimised to be used in the player with the skin which wastes a lot of screen. I usually delete the 250kbps default and add a 155kbps setting with 320x240x15fps and check WMP7.1 compatibility, two pass turned off. That gives me a fairly good video that plays smoothly and is small enough to put a lot of video on each CF card. Of course, you can tinker until you find a setting you like.

When watching, it's best to only have the WMPlayer running if you can, but you should get good playback with other apps if they're not CPU intensive.

4) In the Settings panel I mention in question 1, there's another app there called Switcher Bar. This adds another icon (and a battery gauge) to the top of your screen. It lets you switch and close one or all applictions fairly easily.

If you want it to always run, launch File Explorer, navigate to My Device/Windows/Shortcut/System and click and hold on Switcher Bar until the popup menu comes up and select copy. Then navigate to My Device/Windows/Startup and click and hold in the empty space until the popup appears and select Paste Shortcut.

Hope this helps.

09-22-03, 06:39 AM	#4 (permalink)
JeffLewis Aximsite Minor League Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 206 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	My first question would be: why are you using a PocketPC? Clearly, you don't like it, you don't like Microsoft or Windows - and to be honest, your attitude is going to get in the way of your enjoyment. Maybe you'd be happier with a Sharp Zaurus? However, if you really want to slog through this: 1) Click on the main menu (the Windows icon on the upper left of most screens), select 'Settings', select the 'System' tab, click on 'System Information' (you may have to scroll to the bottom of the list). Look on the list for ROM Version. If you have A00 to A03, you have PocketPC 2002, if you have A04 or A05, you have Windows Mobile 2003. Given that the build you have is a 3.xx.xx version, you more than likely have PocketPC 2002. 2) The Dell comes with a Palm-like desktop called Home. You can activate it by pressing the "Home" icon button (right most). There are other desktop replacements, but it's a matter of personal choice. Check www.freewareppc.com or www.tucows.com for some examples. 3) You need to encode your video at no more than 250kbps. If you download a copy of the Windows Media Encoder for free (http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...r/default.aspx) and use it to recode your video. Some hints: if you use the default settings for PocketPC, you'll get a video optimised to be used in the player with the skin which wastes a lot of screen. I usually delete the 250kbps default and add a 155kbps setting with 320x240x15fps and check WMP7.1 compatibility, two pass turned off. That gives me a fairly good video that plays smoothly and is small enough to put a lot of video on each CF card. Of course, you can tinker until you find a setting you like. When watching, it's best to only have the WMPlayer running if you can, but you should get good playback with other apps if they're not CPU intensive. 4) In the Settings panel I mention in question 1, there's another app there called Switcher Bar. This adds another icon (and a battery gauge) to the top of your screen. It lets you switch and close one or all applictions fairly easily. If you want it to always run, launch File Explorer, navigate to My Device/Windows/Shortcut/System and click and hold on Switcher Bar until the popup menu comes up and select copy. Then navigate to My Device/Windows/Startup and click and hold in the empty space until the popup appears and select Paste Shortcut. Hope this helps.