Spb Diary-Pocket Informant-Pcoket breeze...oh my! Please advise!

04-27-06, 02:06 PM

Hi! While I have had my dell x30 mid axim for a couple years now...I would still say I am pretty new to playing around. Over the last few months I have purchased and tried out some different software (thanks to aximsite and all the good things I read I just get addicted to trying them out-then love one, buy it then try another and love it and buy it-not good for my pocketbook!!)

Anyway...I have tried searching around the boards and reading as much as I can but I am still at a loss. I am hoping some of the more experienced users as well as other newbies could share their thoughts on some good or the best combo of software based just on the stuff I have listed below. I can't really afford to go out and buy a bunch of new software right now and since I do have all that I think I need, I just need to figure out the best way to use it all since I know some have different features and can be used together or customized. sorry for such a noob type of question but I really just want to make my axim most efficient for me and for my axim. I tried looking at all those "top application" threads but that is just like window shopping when i shouldn't!

So, here is what I have....

SPB Diary (I am not sure if I am using it or its just installed...I get it confused with Pocket breeze and now PI) Not sure if this replaces the PIM or just reads from it-I thought it just took its information from it to display on the today screen which I liked the idea of but I have confused myself more than ever these days!

SPB Weather (love this!)-and want to keep it on my today screen

Pocket Informant-I just got this and I really like the interface so far. Am I correct that it is basically just a replacement for the default PIM stuff?
ilauncher-i like this a lot too for being able to just click on the icons from the today screen. I work in blindness accessibility and I am so used to teaching others to utilize their desktop that I love being able to do it myself on the axim.

Pocket Breeze
Contact Breeze

Those are the programs I really get confused about. I am sure I will have tons of other questions and such later but for now I am trying to work with my today screen and the basic functions of the axim.

Of course this is all in between my time playing Plant Tycoon that I am thoroughly addicted to right now....

Thanks for any help I can get-sorry my questions are so basic for all the experts!

Colleen

x-posted in newbie thread

04-27-06, 03:08 PM

Well, as a basic overview (of the apps I do know), here goes.

SPB Diary and PocketBreeze are today screen plugins. If you go to Settings | Today and click on the items tab, you can see which one(s) are showing on the today screen. They are both similar in function (in that they display information from your calendar, tasks, etc.). I have found that Pocket Breeze is more configurable (and therefore can be a bit intimidating upon first look - but the sbsh forums are helpful) while SPB Diary is pretty straightforward with fewer options. (I'm not saying that one is better than the other - it really depends on if you need the added configurability.)

Pocket Informant (PI) is a full blown PIM replacement (can be used instead of the standard Calendar, Tasks, Contacts apps). It is highly configurable. It does not display stuff on the today screen (but the above today screen plugins can integrate with PI somewhat - usually displaying additional information such as category icons and such you might have defined in PI). Personally, I use it to edit, create, etc. my PIM stuff (mainly events and tasks) while I use Pocket Breeze (or SPB Diary) to just quickly look at my upcoming agenda.

iLauncher is just as you say it is. It makes programs accessible from the today screen rather than having to go through the Start | Programs thing (and then scrolling through a big list). Just easier to do this way.

SPBWeather is nice. I like the detailed forecasts (morning - afternoon - evening), but I wish it had current conditions as well. For that reason, I keep Pocket Weather around (another SBSH product).

I'm not familiar with Pocket Contacts.

Some other interesting things. PocketBreeze allows you to have custom tabs in it. For example, I put iLauncher and Pocket Weather in custom tabs so I can devote more space to Pocket Breeze (and can see more of my calendar at a glance). I also can have 3rd party today screen plugins such as alarmToday, etc. You can see some screenshots and such over at the SBSH forums. It may sound confusing at first, but it's really pretty simple and can save screen real estate. SPB does offer similar function in Pocket Plus, but only for its applications (SPB Diary, SPB Weather, and SPB Backup). They have some good screenshots on their site as well.

Hope that helps a little, or sparks some other questions, etc.

Cheers!

04-27-06, 03:11 PM

Thanks for the information. I just edited my post to correct that Pocket contacts is actually Contact Breeze--my brain is fried today!

04-27-06, 03:14 PM

Well in that case, Contact Breeze is a PocketBreeze plugin. (Confused yet? :) ) It basically appears as another tab in PB that can provide access to your contacts.

04-27-06, 03:17 PM

Ok now that I fully read your post I do appreciate your help. It does make it seem to make more sense. I tihnk I just really need to decide between pocket breeze and spb diary now.... I will play around a bit tongiht nad I am sure to come back with more questions!!thanks!

04-27-06, 03:18 PM

ok-so I think I have it now...

Pocket breeze and contact breeze work together to show me basically all my stuff from my PIM (now Pocket informant) on the today screen. and SPB Diary does the same thing as those two together....

04-27-06, 03:44 PM

Pretty much it.

It comes down to what your preference is. Take the time to try each one out. Visit the forums over at SBSH for more hints, tips, etc. (And there will be an update to PocketBreeze soon.) I don't know if SPB has forums or not (I don't recall seeing any). SBSH might take a little time to get configured how you want it, but I personally find it a better fit (most days) for my use. Plus they are constantly updating it. I do own SPB Diary as well and do use it occasionally. It's pretty straightforward, but generally less configurable (which isn't necessarily a bad thing). I usually go back to PB just because it fits my needs (and there are more skins for it to match the rest of my device).

Cheers!

04-27-06, 03:51 PM

so its not unusual to have them both on your axim and switch between them based on what you might be in the mood for?

thanks for your help:) I am very appreciative!

04-27-06, 03:57 PM

Well, I wouldn't say it's not unusual. :) I'm always tweaking my device just to give me something to do during the down periods at work (after I've checked all my email, read my RSS feeds, etc.) Almost to the point of being obsessive compulsive. I imagine most people only have PB/CB or the SPB stuff installed.

(Just wait until you find WisBar Advance 2 and WisBar Desktop. A whole new level of O-C behavior. :) )

Ba-gug · 04-27-06, 04:13 PM

Just my 2 cents, after trying the three you listed I preferred Pocket Informant, but I also like to drive old VW's.

tiger_splash · 04-27-06, 04:36 PM

I love Sbsh! At first all the customization was a little daunting, but now I can't live without it. my pocket breeze and ilauncher had settings I didn't understand at first, but now, I can't live without access to those settings.

04-27-06, 07:28 PM

Thanks for the input all! I appreciate it (Keep it coming!) Like i said originally, I have had my axim for a while but I have been slow to expand upon the basics it came with and now I can't stop. I too like to fiddle and change things up to keep me entertained in the downtime...if I could just get my wireless to work on my home network (never have gotten it to work...)i might have more fun...

now I have heard of Wisbar....is it the same as Icbar?? I might have to investigate further but I must wait til I get this sorted out...or so I say!!

04-27-06, 09:17 PM

re: WisBar Advance 2: http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com

Be sure to check out the forums (especially the various "skins" sections).

If you're a tweaking fool, then right now PocketBreeze is probably a better fit. It has lots of options (and skins). Add WisBar Advance 2 (and WisBar Desktop if you're really feeling adventurous), and you'll be in tweaking heaven.

04-27-06, 09:22 PM

Thanks for the info-i really appreciate it. Have you used the SPB full screen keyboard...i just downloaded the trial to check it out. i have the thumbpad keyboard (that I bought way overpriced-and have used I think twice!) but its just one more thing to carry and i have to take my axim out of its case to use...maybe i will ebay it someday....but i tought i would try this screen keyboard but if I like it i might haveto get some screen protectors or something too-got any recommendations?? sorry for all the questions!!

04-27-06, 10:18 PM

Never tried the SPB keyboard. (I'm a Palm person, so the block recognizer is easiest for me.) As far as screen protectors. I'd recommend one of the higher end ones such as the ones from Boxwave, Brando, or PocketPCTechs. They cost more, but they last a lot longer than the "disposable" ones that come 12 to a pack or whatnot. Plus I've found that those cheapies stick too well to the screen, and removing them makes me feel like I'm ripping off the digitizer. Not a good feeling. Right now I'm using the Boxwave anti-glare, and it's fine. I've used the Brando's on just about all my Palms with similar luck. The WriteShields from PocketPCTechs also come highly recommended by a lot of folks (not to be confused with the cheapo WriteRights available in office supply stores).

It may take a little effort to get the protector on just right, but with any of these, you shouldn't have to remove it for a year. (I used to go through the cheap ones at about 1 per week back in my uninformed days.)

http://www.boxwave.com/
http://shop.brando.com.hk/
http://www.pocketpctechs.com/

Cheers!