I am appreciating reading the differing opinions about PI8. I have version 7 and use it daily; it is a reliable and powerful bit of software. Reading about the many features and issues with version 8 is helpful as I debate whether to upgrade. Two things strike me from what I've read here and on the forums at WebIS: first, there seem to be a series of bugs with the new release; second, WebIS's Alex is quite responsive and works very hard to answer the concerns of those using his product--he posts frequently on his forum, and he releases fixes rather quickly.
I can wait a bit to see how things pan out with version 8--the early bugs and the features in versions 7 and 8 that I would like to use on my Axim.
I am appreciating reading the differing opinions about PI8. I have version 7 and use it daily; it is a reliable and powerful bit of software. Reading about the many features and issues with version 8 is helpful as I debate whether to upgrade. Two things strike me from what I've read here and on the forums at WebIS: first, there seem to be a series of bugs with the new release; second, WebIS's Alex is quite responsive and works very hard to answer the concerns of those using his product--he posts frequently on his forum, and he releases fixes rather quickly.
I can wait a bit to see how things pan out with version 8--the early bugs and the features in versions 7 and 8 that I would like to use on my Axim.
My impression of Alex is the same - no question about it, he's coming by this honestly. PI8 does have some bugs, yes, but I'm sure he'll iron them out in time. It might simply be that they made the mistake of getting in a rush and releasing it earlier than they should have. Heck ... the company I work for has done that kind of thing for years [despite my constant nagging to wait!]. They'll get it right.
As for myself (and already pointed out) I'm not a "heavy-duty" user so I'm not in quite as much of a rush to get the new one. I like the interface of PI8 I think I'm just going to wait a bit until they hammer out the bugs. I've got my license for it - so it won't hurt to wait.
Although I've been using PI 2008 (yes, the latest version) since it was launched and had no problems but it finally had a problem so I'm back to 2007. PI wouldn't open so I soft reset and when it came back up, iLauncher was missing most icons (they showed as the default icon) and PI still wouldn't open. I tried rerunning the PI cab file but it wouldn't run. I soft reset again with the same result. I deleted PI and the icons showed up immediately. I'll wait until this thing gets fixed or I'll keep running 2007.
I don't recall a program launch of a major product that has generated as much negative publicity as PI2008 has on this site and at the Webis home site.
I've been a long time PI user, starting back before 2005, did the 2005, 2007 and now 8 upgrade. To be honest, I find this to be better than 2007 as I had more problems with 2007 version. The latest 2007 build eventually fixed it, but I think the current build of PI 8 is terrific. As for lag I've only got about 4 - 5 seconds with 12 appointments and a 8 tasks all in agenda view. Once in, I find that using the views is easier for me to do one handed while driving and instant. But to be honest, if I need to find a contact, I use voice command.
Although I've been using PI 2008 (yes, the latest version) since it was launched and had no problems but it finally had a problem so I'm back to 2007. PI wouldn't open so I soft reset and when it came back up, iLauncher was missing most icons (they showed as the default icon) and PI still wouldn't open. I tried rerunning the PI cab file but it wouldn't run. I soft reset again with the same result. I deleted PI and the icons showed up immediately. I'll wait until this thing gets fixed or I'll keep running 2007.
I don't recall a program launch of a major product that has generated as much negative publicity as PI2008 has on this site and at the Webis home site.
I just downloaded 8.01 to give it a shot. Better, but still crashes when I try to save contact notes. I like the new UI OK - but it's a major change. Not surprised it's a bug-fest right now. Maybe some other time.
I don't remember it ever going into a public beta, so I am not surprised it's a "bug fest" but I am surprised that registered users are expected to pay to be the guinea pigs. (Granted, there's a 2 wks trial period, but you know what I mean). And it takes longer than 2 wks to work out the bugs. Hopefully, 5-6 years from now there will be a handheld capable of running a real OS and we will have the "mainstream" buggy software to worry about. I may be just in a bad mood but it seems the whole PDA market has been steadily going downhill since about 2004 - the Palm OS is hopelessly outdated, most great titles on PPC side are getting slower, buggier, and sometimes just stop working altogether (name a single financial application that simply works with either Money or Quicken).
I haven't tried version 8, but 6 and 7 have been great for me in the past. Other software programs I have from SBSH, Resco, SPB, PhatWare, Softmaker, and other top PPC software makers have regularly been fine products and loaded and worked smoothly and effectively. I haven't tried the financial software packages, but in general, my ppc software seems better than my desktop software, which causes me more troubles. When I've had small issues with the ppc software, including one little problem with PI7, I received very prompt support, as I have with the other makers.
I don't remember it ever going into a public beta, so I am not surprised it's a "bug fest" but I am surprised that registered users are expected to pay to be the guinea pigs. (Granted, there's a 2 wks trial period, but you know what I mean). And it takes longer than 2 wks to work out the bugs. Hopefully, 5-6 years from now there will be a handheld capable of running a real OS and we will have the "mainstream" buggy software to worry about. I may be just in a bad mood but it seems the whole PDA market has been steadily going downhill since about 2004 - the Palm OS is hopelessly outdated, most great titles on PPC side are getting slower, buggier, and sometimes just stop working altogether (name a single financial application that simply works with either Money or Quicken).
Well, I'm not sure about the PDA software market "going downhill" - but I get your drift. The software industry in general has always had a problem with "feature overload" many times to the point where quality goes down the spout.
As for PI ... I believe I'm just going to stick with 2007 for the life of this machine which I just bought. I mean ... it's not like PI2007 is old or anything! ;) I like the User Interface (it's quite intuitive) and it seems to have no issues (not any that I've noticed in my use anyway). Everything I do in it or Outlook synchronizes perfectly - so why screw around with it, eh? At this point "upgrading" it (or any of the other apps on my PPC) is nothing more than "tinkering" with it so I'm probably just going to leave it alone now. This machine ought to last at least 3 years if not longer. (I take pretty good care of them). If the next box (whatever it is then) requires that I upgrade because it can't run 2007 or something then I'll upgrade. I'm getting kind of tired of upgrading things just to upgrade them. I have better things to do with my time.
I think that's what I'll do, to. After taking a hard look at it I just don't see any features worth upgrading, or performance improvements. As a matter of fact, on a "classic" PDA 2007 is probably faster due to interface layout differences.
As to the whole PDA software market going downhill - well, I guess it really depends on what you use it for. Compared to say 2004/2005, the PIMs have gotten twice as slow (while not offering twice as much useful features), the financial applications have gotten some major sync issues while not adding support for investments or taxes (and the only one that was absolutely reliable, MS Money for PPC, is now discontinued). The Outliners lost most titles - PocketThinker is no longer developed or supported, ADB Idea Library seems dead, Streamliner is gone. The first two at least were very feature rich and useful but never got there. The newcomers (e.g. SBSH's MyList) are rather lame, at least at this point. There's still ListPro and Trenotes, that's about it. Compare to several dozen great titles on PC, many of them freeware. The Mobile Office is still a bastard child of its "big daddy" with few improvements. I could continue on and on. For me at least, the change from PPC 2002 to 2003 was a leap forward both in hardware and software. The change from 2003 to WM5 / 6 resulted in better hardware (faster processor, more memory, beautiful VGA screen) but slower software with many new performance and syncronization issues and no really great new features to show for it. Perhaps not all of it is going downhill but stagnating at least.
Good point, Amamba. I would like my ppc to operate a little faster on occasion, and PI7 seems to be one of the applications that load most slowly. I've decided not to upgrade to version 8 right now because, like CB, I'm very happy with 7--it works and has more features than I use.
The fact that this software can perform all these functions in a device that fits in a pocket still amazes me. Perhaps the technology should progress even more, but PI and TextMaker and the other packages are so useful that I don't mind waiting a couple of seconds here and there. I've not faced the issues you're describing, but I've not ventured into most of that software.
Geez, you guys are downright depressing. I haven't had any serious problems with major developer software and find this PI 2008 issue to be an oddball. I do agree that a public beta might have resolved the problems and I wonder why one wasn't done. I remember being part of a Phatware beta and I had to take it off of my device until it worked, the final version worked and it's been perfect since.
Personally I prefer PI2008 over 2007 but it caused some kind of problems on my Ipaq so for now it's gone. When Alex gets it fixed I'm back and will be happier about the $17 than I am right now.
Well, if I only needed basic PIM I'd stick with Palm, DateBK was great, startup speed was not an issue and you can't beat $99 device price. However with a 624 MHz processor, VGA screen, 64MB RAM and several gig of storage this PDA sounds better than my old Windows 98 machine. (well, it had a bit more RAM). It is nowhere near W95/8 abilities, though, is it ?
Well I am running PI8 on my 8525 updated with the newest WM6 HTC rom, works great with NO issues. Sync's great and does everything better then older versions.
Forgot to add, I have not updated my Ax x51v yet with this
Does anyone else have a positive experience with the WM6 OS? It does appear that WM5 may not be suited to the PI8 based on the generic theme from feedback here.
PI8 may in the end be much more functional the PI 2007, but first the bugs need fixing. Alex what say you?
There has been quite a lot of activity the past few days on the WebIS Stable FTF Fixes/Public Betas Forums. I've tried each and every interim update myself, and found Build 1104 to be quite good on my PDA for the way I use it. I am running PI8 Build 1104 full-time and have no intention of going back to PI2007. The latest interim build of PI8 is 1109, but there will likely be another today or tomorrow, which I will also try!
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