ShaunLeeClarke

When I think of it, I think the the accessories built-in to Windows Mobile are inadequate.

To give you an example, here are some simple utilities present on any desktop which are not included in Windows Mobile.

• Paint
• FreeCell
• Spider Solitaire
• Minesweeper
• Scientific Calculator
• Format Command (For memory cards)

And I'm sure there are more which I just can't think of right now.

Not to mention that Pocket Word might as well have been called WordPad given its restricted features and limitations.[list]
Although I am well aware that you can get third party software to do all of those, most of it is not free. Even Microsoft offers a commercial copy of Minesweeper and Freecell. When have you ever had to pay for Freecell on a desktop computer?

Software developers seem to take advantage of the Pocket PC environment. You need to pay money to get a copy of Freecell on your PDA, something that is included by default on every Windows based PC since 3.1. Something that is easily freeware on a desktop, is commercial on PDA's. But I suppose development for the Pocket PC platform is less common than the desktop platform.

My point is that I just can't see why Microsoft didn't do a better job at implementing some more essential software. Yes, I know memory limitations are an issue on PDA's, but I don't think adding scientific features to calculator, a paint program or freecell would make that much of a difference and would save the hastles of installing third party software just to get some essentials.

And although third party software fills in these gaps, I still wish Microsoft did a better job at implementing these, or more third party software was freeware.

This is just my opinion, let me know what you think.

Also, if you know of any freeware programs to solve some of the limitations I mentioned, do share !

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psionandy

Adequate but not great.

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matthewp

All freeware:

For Minesweeper and Freecell, look at Moore Games (I don't have a link, you'll have to google).

Calculators: http://www.freewareppc.com/calculator/calculator.shtml

Paint: http://www.freewareppc.com/graphics/paintwince.shtml

deskdata

One of the many problems with Microsoft is their penchant for including second-rate "features" in their OS's. Does anyone actually use the firewall or CD writing capabilities built into WinXP? I think not. They simply add complexity.
I don't want to see this bloatware mentality migrated to the PPC platform.

ShaunLeeClarke

matthewp,
I did a Google search fro 'moore games' but I couldn't find anything. Do you have a link or some more information to help me find it?

deskdata,
While I agree with that comment, I don't think that adding some small card games, and a paint program can be considered bloatware. It's not like we are are adding large 3D games, or Photoshop.

__________________
Dell Axim X5 Advanced (Broken LCD) > hp iPAQ H2210 (Broken) > Dell Axim x50v

Dell Axim x50v, 4GB Hitachi Microdrive, 1GB Apacer SD, Bluetooth GPS, VGA out adapter.
i-mate JAMin.

deskdata

Originally Posted by ShaunLeeClarke

matthewp, deskdata, While I agree with that comment, I don't think that adding some small card games, and a paint program can be considered bloatware.

Maybe not, but neither are they essentials. I have no problem with MS shipping freeware with their OS's as long as they don't become integral parts of the operating system. The reason their desktop OS's are such disc space gobbling monsters is that they've been "feature enhanced" over the years, so that the OS now has features that I personally think shouldn't be part of the OS. I think an OS should be lean and mean (and hopefully therefore more stable), especially on the PPC platform where currently, at least, space is at a premium.

MattB

I have to say that I always use the CD writing features that are built into XP. They make it very simple to back up or transfer files to CD.

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psionandy

Originally Posted by deskdata

Maybe not, but neither are they essentials. I have no problem with MS shipping freeware with their OS's as long as they don't become integral parts of the operating system. The reason their desktop OS's are such disc space gobbling monsters is that they've been "feature enhanced" over the years, so that the OS now has features that I personally think shouldn't be part of the OS. I think an OS should be lean and mean (and hopefully therefore more stable), especially on the PPC platform where currently, at least, space is at a premium.

I was going to post something along these lines, but you said it better than i was going to.

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How can you think about gumbo at a time like this? I was almost eaten by a gorg!

- Boober Fraggle

matthewp

Sorry, didn't see your post made four days ago. Here's Moore Games:

http://www.freewareppc.com/games/mooregames.shtml

RobertCF

but this is a rather pointless thread. "Built in accessories"? How much memory do you really want to sacrifice for something petty like Freecell, Minesweeper or Paint? I don't know anyone who uses those on the DESKTOP, let alone on a PocketPC. And there are tons of completely free or extremely inexpensive third party utilities and games out there if you need them.

I mean, look, I've got WinXP Pro on my desktop. However, I use Stardock suite (which has Desktop X, Windows Blinds, etc.) to completely change the look and functionality of my desktop. Often you can't tell what operating system I'm running just by looking at the screen. I do similarly with my PocketPC...I've got Dashboard and Wisbar Advance 2, which so thoroughly change the look and super-enhance the operation that it makes the stock PocketPC look 'inadequate'.

As it has in the past, Microsoft is much less an innovator than it is a renovator. They like to take someone else's good idea and make it great. As each new version of the OS comes out, you find more features that have been added, usually because so many people were using this third party app or that utility. But they don't just throw a bunch of stuff in there for the heck of it. PDAs still aren't quite at the point that they have the horses or headroom to allow as much bloatware as M$ puts in their desktop.

So, yes, their PocketPC 'accessories' are perfectly adequate for what the PocketPC was created to do. If you want it to be like your desktop (which is pretty much how I use mine) then include your voice among the thousands who are encouraging M$ to force more standardization and include those things. In the mean time, go grab any of the many third party apps and utilities that so many fantastic programmers have made available---not everything has to come from Microsoft, you know

jrdaigle1000

There is a program (freeware) allowing you to play Minesweeper on the Pocket PC.It's called BF Mines(I really didn't like it)

msb2ncsu

RobertCF, you are not an average user though. Most people aren't going to have the know-how to find, choose, install, and tweak apps/plug-ins like those of us on this site do (or at least try to do). Microsoft (oh and can we please drop the $ crap, we aren't in 7th grade) has to target general use, and that is going to include many meaningless and antiquated utilities. I wish Freecell and Minesweeper came with it, just two more time killer games that I don't have to mess with downloading and installing (and ones that the general population are familiar with and seem to like). MS always has the option to let people remove system installed "superfluous" apps in teh Add/Remove Programs dialog. Why can't Windows Mobile be the same? Space is hardly a premium for PDA's now (jsut think of some of the crap we don't hesitate to throw on them).

psionandy

Originally Posted by msb2ncsu

, Space is hardly a premium for PDA's now (jsut think of some of the crap we don't hesitate to throw on them).

Yes it is! another 5mb of memory (in the right place) would make a lot of difference to me. personally i don't think solataire should be here.

The model you propose would need you to install extra apps from some form of storage. the only difference is you want the extra stuff installed by default!

MrKlaatu