Jason Dunn at PocketPC Thoughts published an interesting article this morning that I thought everyone may want to read....
"I recently started using a Dell Axim X50v (for the second time) and before I started to load it up I checked for a ROM update because I was running the original ROM. Sure enough, ROM A02 was available. I installed it and began to load up my device with a whack of great apps. I also configured it with my five different email accounts, moved over my mobile favourites, installed some great themes, and punched in all those application registration codes. I'd say it took a total of 2-3 hours worth of time in total over a period of a few days. Shortly after, ROM A03 was released, and I found myself in a painful position: do I update to the latest ROM, and have to re-do all the work I put into building up my device? Or do I leave it as-is and ignore the benefits that the new ROM brings? So far I've opted for the latter, because I don't want to go through the hassle of setting up my device. The real question is, why is Microsoft putting their customers in a painful scenario like this?"
Along the same lines, Brighthand's Editor in Chief, Ed Hardy lays-out the simple reason why some current Pocket PCs -- including some HP iPAQs -- can be upgraded to Windows Mobile 5 and some can not. His article is brief, clear and very accurate -- as usual. I consider this a must read for anyone who has interest in Windows Mobile 5 -- upgrade or on a new unit.
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Chris Leckness, Microsoft MVP Windows Mobile To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. | To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. | To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. | To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. | To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. | To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. | To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 10 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
Something he said were false like Microsoft DOES include outlook in the box.
I think that MS products are very integrated with each other. Remember they are trying to satisfy millions of people and not everyone can be satisfied. I personally find no trouble with Activesync, my PPCs, and Outlook. Everything is smooth and easy. It is ALOT better then palm was (try automatically syncing your outlook express address book with the palm address book with out 3rd party apps....)
The thing of having to hard reset after a upgrade is normal to me...Palm you have to do the same thing with. And your pc you do also (changing from 98 to 2000 or 2000 to xp, etc. (i feel a ROM update is like an os upgrade as most do have so many big changes to the OS) Also, if you cant stand setting up the apps you have on your ppc, you have to many apps on your ppc. I can do a full reinstal in about 30 minutes and i have about 8 games, 2 gps apps, and about 5 other programs.
I agree with some of the things and not others. MS has done a good job overall with their Mobile devices in that they are so expandable and diverse just like the windows platform on pc. Thats just my thoughts...
The activesync and rom update difficulties are just two items on a long list of problems with this half-baked operating system. The handheld market is such a tiny portion of Microsoft's consumer coverage, I'm suprised the OS works as well as it does now. But make no mistake ladies and gentlemen, we pocket pc users are getting table scraps, and probably will until the pda and cellphone markets completely converge, whenever that happens.
it doesn't take that long! just go into activesync add/remove programs and check everything you want, then uncheck install into default location and press ok. loads everything up in 2-3 times (check everything you want in ran, install then go do the same for cf and sd)
i do not think it is a half baked os...have you used palm or other mobile devices lately? What problems are you having, check the forums for answers...
I have NO problems or complaints with my X50v or X5, both work perfectly and the OS has been very dependable and adaptable. For me, the PPC OS works great with no major issues...most issues are user error...I am sorry that PPC is not as simple as palm, but thats because the PPC os can do TONS more...
I have a question... Why the heck are these crazy rantings front page news on this site????
Good question. I think there is too much ranting going on and not enough intelligent discourse on ways to fix problems, or improve the pda w/ other apps.
However, I am one of the ones who installed the A03 update, and ended up with a new unit from Dell. I don't think this A03 update has all the bugs worked out totally.
i do not think it is a half baked os...have you used palm or other mobile devices lately? What problems are you having, check the forums for answers...
I have NO problems or complaints with my X50v or X5, both work perfectly and the OS has been very dependable and adaptable. For me, the PPC OS works great with no major issues...most issues are user error...I am sorry that PPC is not as simple as palm, but thats because the PPC os can do TONS more...
I'm not compairing WM to PalmOS, as I've never used it. I have no complaints about the x50v or x5 either, and in fact think they perform fantastically considering the software on which it runs. I find it unfortunate, however, that my x50v can potentially perform as well as my desktop computer 6 years ago (which is still amazing to me), yet I'm forced to purchase and install 3rd party plugins in order to access simple features that are normally available out of the box to any other gui-based operating system. From complex and sporadic deficiencies (ridiculous memory handling, bluetooth inconsistency) to basic shortcomings (inability to easily close programs, no shortcuts on today screen, featureless web browser, word processor & media player, no actual vga support [completely insane]), Windows Mobile is clearly holding back the potential of an awesome handheld device. As far as WM2005 goes, browsing the feature list reads much more like a collection of fixes for an already broken operating system than merely an upgrade. This is the same MacOS mentality that tends to accompany all single-os platforms (why offer bugfixes for free when, due to the lack of competing software, people are perfectly willing to pay for them?). And yet all of the these shortcomings could be forgiven if Microsoft were to make any support effort beyond a cursory rom upgrade every few months. Have you ever found the Windows Mobile section of the Windows Update site? Because I'm still looking for it...
What the pocket pc needs right now is an open-source mini revolution. Who's with me?!!?!?!?
How many apps is this guy running, that's what I'd like to know. Several HOURS over several DAYS to get his PPC running again? Seems fishy to me.
I have a folder on my hard drive which contains all the CAB and EXE files of the programs I actually use (funny how we buy things that we stop using), and if I was smart, I'd keep a Microsoft Word document with the passcodes for all these programs (instead, they're in my "filed" folder in Outlook). Although I have quite a few applications installed, I'd say that I'm up an running in far less than an hour...I install all the apps in one shot, and then go through and activate them all.
What his rant really shows is that he doesn't have a solid restore strategy in place, which is foolish with an OS that can lose everything but ROM should the main and backup batteries go dead. He may have Sprite Backup, which I also have, but Sprite alone is not a good strategy.
Furthermore, since I came on Aximsite last October, I've read repeatedly that some of you other major contributors to this site actually PLAN to hard reset your device about every three months, to clean out the memory and so on. That's not a bad plan at all, but it does require strategy. And it's clear that ROM updates are coming at about the same rate as some of you master users "start over" anyway.
I have a folder on my hard drive which contains all the CAB and EXE files of the programs I actually use (funny how we buy things that we stop using), and if I was smart, I'd keep a Microsoft Word document with the passcodes for all these programs (instead, they're in my "filed" folder in Outlook). Although I have quite a few applications installed, I'd say that I'm up an running in far less than an hour...I install all the apps in one shot, and then go through and activate them all.
Furthermore, since I came on Aximsite last October, I've read repeatedly that some of you other major contributors to this site actually PLAN to hard reset your device about every three months, to clean out the memory and so on. That's not a bad plan at all, but it does require strategy. And it's clear that ROM updates are coming at about the same rate as some of you master users "start over" anyway.
Wow... what a great idea/strategy. I'm going to do that as well!! Thank you :) I too have a folder, but it holds All of the programs I've used or tried for my Axim, even the ones I removed and never used again.
As for the rest, while I had no problems with the installation of A03, I did notice things were running differently (menus especially were amazingly slow). I had decided to pick a weekend and hard reset the Axim and reinstall everything... but then I forgot to charge it over a weekend and well... I had to do it all anyway
I'm still noticing menu slowness, but I'm wondering if this has anything to do with the upgrade, or is it wisbar adv.
Anyone else see this happen after the upgrade to the ROM?
what i do is i upgrade until i find a VER. that i like and sutes my needs..... i have A03 and have no intent on upgrading to win 5k (after i saw some stats about it..)
I use the same method as Choirguy, only i took it a step farther.
I did create the Word Doument that has not only the passcodes, but the Version number, and most importantly,location installed (ie Main Memory, BIS, or Storage Card)
Reinstalling is a breeze. Also included in this Word Document are little tweaks that i do, so i remember to do them next time. I keep a copy of this file in the My Documents on the PDA so i can keep it up to date with version numbers etc.
Mike
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man please. i get great pleasure in reinstalling applications after a fresh update, and sometimes do it for fun!
I have no problem with a hard reset now and again, either. I keep all my CABS in a folder (although you can do this with an SD card, and just copy to main memory before clicking on them) and all my passwords in a notes file in Outlook. I can be up and running from a hard reset in 10 minutes, 15 max.
I love Windows Mobile! It has all the features I want, and the ability to add additional items that I like with 3rd party software. Who wants the OS to include all the software that individuals like? It would be totally bloated! I think MS was smart to hit the 80/20 rule.
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