My Ax is my first PDA, and I have been finding hard to get used to using it. I have read so many posts where people are saying how much they love it and how they use it for everything. Well, I would love to use it for everything too, but I find it has made me less efficient than before!
I find that it takes so long to enter calendar items and just to navigate through each appointment, etc. Am I missing something? Is this just a slow learning curve for me?
(BTW, I feel very comfortable with PCs and technology, so I don't think it's being a newbie to all of this.)
I use my Ax to keep me "efficient" by not letting me forget impotant things to do. I have a tendancy to get sidetracked or go off on a tangent at work and then forget to do things that should have been done. And like most men, remembering things like birthdays, ph#'s, etc...well...you know how we are. :D
I use Calendar+ and TaskPlus on my Today screen to ensure I remember the important things. I have Calendar+ is set to show major items and repetitive items due today and tomorrow. I set TaskPlus to show my next 5 little "To Do's" I've entered for the upcoming days.
Entering the items in Tasks and Calendar are easiest using either the "New" tab (bottom-left of screen) or if you're using Calendar+/TaskPlus you can tap the calendar/task icon set up by these apps to take you directly to their respective entry screens. This saves having to navigate to them via the regular icons. Make simple, quick reminder titles. I mark the entry title with an asterisk to let me know if I added some important Notes related to that item. Setting "Reminder" alarms for some Calendar items can be really handy if you know you'll be busy doing something that won't allow you to check the time frequently.
Also, creating an email NOW, while you're thinking of something is great, as opposed to trying to remember to do it when you get back to the office/home.
Then there are all the other little applications out there that tend to come in handy. I always like to have a converter calculator that will let me convert units (Km-miles, Lbs-Kg, etc). I want to get a dictionary app, perhaps and encyclopedia app, and other reference applications that might be handy. A good Checklist program is a great thing to have, too.
The main thing to having PDA's become really exceptional tools is finding the right software that you can use to cover almost anything thrown at you during the day.
I think you are right about finding the right applications. I was using a trial for Pocket Informant, and now that it's over, Outlook seems useless. Calendar + and TaskPlus seems like good add-ons...I will check into those.
The other problem I seem to be having is that it takes me too long to enter in data using the stylus. I have been trying both the keyboard and the letter recognizer, but ithey're still so slow compared to writing with a pen. Does this just take time to master, or are there shortcuts that I am not aware of?
It does take awhile to get used to. Have you tried the transcriber? At least you can write normally using that. That will take a little time to get used to as well, but it may be easier for you. :)
__________________ What God has brought together, let man not part. Matt 19:6
In a word...try Transcriber! It has been a great asset for me and was easy to start using. Recognizes handwriting very well, and if it can get mine right then it is a great product...
I'm bound to say that for me the Axim is just a really useful toy although when my EM500 died I realised it was essential. I guess it depends on what you need it for. Personally I think trying to write anything substantial on it is a waste of time. As a lawyer what its essential for is the diary which I know is the same as that on the PC so I know when I'm free and its vital when I have a jury out and I'm bored and I can read a book or listen to music or play solitaire. The writing on the screen thing is handy when I don't have a pen and paper to hand but Calliagrapher was a big waste of money - even I can't read my handwriting. Think of it as an amusing Filofax with a calculator and you won't go far wrong. Then try living without it after a few months :)
Showing it off to people who don't have one is fun too.
Only when I am away from my home or office computer do I enter any appointments, tasks or make lists. Do it in Outlook or modify the file with word and let it sync the info to the Axim. The Ax is also a great reading, tune listening etc. tool for the John.
I'm not sure why you're doing the majority of your input on the Axe, Most of what I input is done from my PC.
Appointments, Tasks are all done in Outlook and Activesync takes care of transferring to the Axim. I still do some input on the Axim, but that is minimal. Where I find it most effective is in keeping track of those appointments and tasks. I can carry it around and view almost any place in the house as well as on the road.
It's only when I'm away from my desktop that I really do input directly on the Axim.
Originally posted by wpeace I'm not sure why you're doing the majority of your input on the Axe, Most of what I input is done from my PC.
Appointments, Tasks are all done in Outlook and Activesync takes care of transferring to the Axim. I still do some input on the Axim, but that is minimal. Where I find it most effective is in keeping track of those appointments and tasks. I can carry it around and view almost any place in the house as well as on the road.
It's only when I'm away from my desktop that I really do input directly on the Axim.
Well, that's why I do most of my input. I'm not always at my desktop when I have to set an appointment, have a task, have a new contact, take notes, etc. :)
__________________ What God has brought together, let man not part. Matt 19:6
Maybe if you cary around a small notepad
in your case, you can write apts and such on
that, then enter them on your PDA, or PC
later....
I personally dont use mine for productivity
i use mine mostly for my enjoyment....
but I also dont have much of a schedule
either...(work, sleep, take care of kids)
does not vary much from day to day...
some times its (work, work, take care of kids..)
but nothing I usually need to enter into my
pda...
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It takes time to be organized and to save time, so the time it takes to enter information may be hard to recover, depending on the individual person. The advantage of the PDA is that you can enter a larger volume of information into it and it will keep that information sorted and easily accessible, easily allow changes, etc. You will do a better job of meeting your appointments or getting your tasks done, which has other value besides possibly saving time.
I think a pen and a small notebook are the best for recording information, IF it will handle your volume of information and changes, and IF you will keep it with you when you need it.
With me, I add and subtract information frequently so a simple pad eventually gets too confusing, and I never could keep up with a pad so I ended up with scraps of paper crumpled up in my pocket or wallet. This became so unwieldy that I would not review them frequently and would forget or miss stuff.
You may want to experiment with different methods for organizing your information, and possibly try programs that are available to replace the built-in notes and calendar programs.
I to am haveing a hard time getting my act together. It's just so naturel to pull out the pen and paper.
As i've gotten more useto it, the AX has gotten easer to use when the stress is on.
I work in a casino as a host so I'm always getting information or giving it.
I tried leaving the pen and paper and going full ax. That just wont work. I now balance the load. I put functions we are having and i add ppl to it off the paper. I make the notes as i go through the night, putting the important stuff on as i get the time.
Instead of a purse type tote, Which might work well, I carry my ax on my belt and a little spiral note pad in my pocket. I have alot of info i need, dates, times, prices, winnings, the list goes on. Instead of a brief case size load i have an AX!
I've gotten some cool games on it to!
Hi all, I'm a new Axim user and am proud to say this is my first ever PDA that I own. I have found it to be quite useful for normal, simple everyday stuff like keeping track of appointments and tasks list.
I guess it all depends on how the person uses the Axim and for what purpose it as bought originally for. If one expects too much (such as PC functionalities), then the owner might probably find it useless. Just my two cents ... :)
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