Brand new x51v: essential tools & conversion from PalmOS

[awf]

OK, my father just got a brand new Dell Axim x51v. His previous PDA was a Handspring Visor (PalmOS). He is technologically inept, so I am helping him get everything in working order. He is a Physician, so there are quite a few programs that I've been installing for him. I know almost nothing about PDAs, at least specifically, so I have some questions for you experts out there.

1) What open source software is available out there for the Axim? I'm looking for things like lightweight browsers, mail clients, scientific calculators, etc.

2) Are there any recommended tweaks to a factory fresh Axim? Specifically useability and GUI tweaks.

3) Is there a way to convert things like Contacts and Memos automatically? He doesn't use Outlook at all, on his Visor or his Axim, and keeps them solely on his handheld (not exactly my recommendation).

4) How does Graffiti translate to Block Recognizer? Is he going to need to relearn things?

5) What type of screen protectors and cases do you recommend? He bought a case from Dell but it is rather poorly designed.

Thank you for your help. I've been browsing all over this site for the past day or two but haven't been able to find good resources for switching from PalmOS to WM, although I may just have been looking in the wrong places.

[flogisto]

He is technologically inept, so I am helping him get everything in working order. He is a Physician, so there are quite a few programs that I've been installing for him.

I am a physician too! A pediatrician, of course ;)

1) What open source software is available out there for the Axim? I'm looking for things like lightweight browsers, mail clients, scientific calculators, etc.

First at all, you don't need to take out those PalmOS apps that are only available for this OS, like Johns Hopkins Abx Guide, Growth-BP, Kidometer, etc. StyleTap gives you the power to run PalmOS apps inside the X51v :).

2) Are there any recommended tweaks to a factory fresh Axim? Specifically useability and GUI tweaks.

The general ones that could be found here at the X51v forums. What I did found very useful is iLauncher, which permit to work with tabs and list apps icons at the main view of the screen. This is the most like to a PalmOS PDA with LauncherX ;).
I do hate the PPC calendar, tried other PPC apps and didn't like it, so finally modificed the calendar button to open PalmOS DateBK5 under StyleTap. It cannot sync my calendar with Outlook since StyleTap lacks this functionality, but it's what I do need.

3) Is there a way to convert things like Contacts and Memos automatically? He doesn't use Outlook at all, on his Visor or his Axim, and keeps them solely on his handheld (not exactly my recommendation).

There is a free app, don't remember the name, which makes the move from your PIM data in your PC (Palm Desktop) and import it to Outlook and then your PPC. There is another freeware app to delete duplicates in Outlook.

4) How does Graffiti translate to Block Recognizer? Is he going to need to relearn things?

Some things... this is part of the learning curve... ;)

5) What type of screen protectors and cases do you recommend? He bought a case from Dell but it is rather poorly designed.

I love hard screen protectors, like those from MartinShields or Brando Workshop. Actually I do use Brando brand. They have the one fitted to the X51v.
For cases, well, this unit is somewhat bulky, specially for a physician. I did found an excellent option to protect my unit without making it a lot more bulky: a silicone soft case by Boxwave. I did bought the one with transparent removable plastic cover for screen (this is to protect screen from direct shock, and doesn't prevent a screen protector in place ;).

Thank you for your help. I've been browsing all over this site for the past day or two but haven't been able to find good resources for switching from PalmOS to WM, although I may just have been looking in the wrong places.

This site rules for Axim content! Just expand your search ;).

[sargetalon]

Welcome to the site awf. Your dad has a great device there. These forums have a ton of useful info. Good luck getting everything straightened out.

I got out of Palm before getting serious about using a PDA for medicine so I can't comment on any of that functionality but I hear that StyleTap is really good. I definitely don't recommend keeping everything on the device without a backup. These things are great but when they go wrong, they go really wrong and data recovery can be real hit and miss. Outlook, especially the new version, is really good for e-mail, calendar, notes, and tasks. Quick to get used to as well.

In my experience, Opera Moible is the best web brower. FlexMail2007 is the best email client, especially for wireless Pop3 access. Pocket Informant and PocketBreeze are my 2 must have apps for information managers. Links to all these apps are available in the MyPDA link below.

Finally, I really like iLauncher for launching programs and use it with a tab dedicated to Medicine. I run a lot of Skyscape apps and that is a nice way to get to them.

Hey flogisto...Just finished my OMSII Peds final exam today. I admire the peds docs but don't think I could see kids all day long. Cheers.

[awf]

Do either of you all use the Washington Manual from SkyScape? It took me a few hours to figure out how to get it downloaded, registered, installed, license transferred, and unlocked. The problem is that, now, I can load the manual and get to the Table of Contents and the Index, but as soon as I select a term (Diabetes mellitus for example) it goes to that page, starts loading, and doesn't stop. I have to soft reset the Axim. Obviously something is wrong here, but I just don't know what to do.

Thank you all for all the advice, especially the case and screen protector stuff. He's going to need a good one :D

[sargetalon]

That shouldn't be happening...All of the skyscape apps that I have load fairly quickly. I would uninstall the program, soft reset, and then reinstall it.
Under Start --> Settings --> System --> Remove Programs. Like I said, I'm running 15 skyscape apps from a storage card on an x51v and have never encountered that problem.

[flogisto]

Skyscape apps runs flawlessly on Axim X51v. The some medical apps that I do prefer in PalmOS version running under StyleTap are:

- Shots2007 (the PPC version is a pain)
- PedsHTN (the PPC version freezes, very unstable compared with the PalmOS one)
- Lexi-Drugs (well, I remain with PPC versions because of difficulties changing to PalmOS versions and ROM space for all the databases). I really don't know how did Lexicomp could not made the a reader as good as the PalmOS version. PPC version is very slow and remain asking for what book title you want to use each time you run the app. Very foolish programming.

I am making my Axim a best replacement for my still working Clié NX80V. Now a 16GB CF card coming home :), and found that Pocket Informant Tasks module is a very good replacement for PPC as the like-ToDo from PalmOS. Well, don't expect a perfect replacement ;).

EDIT: Does anybody knows a way to put ToDo app under StyleTap?

[AKAJohnDoe]

I use StyleTap for some Palm applications that have no counterpart on the PPC, but you are really better off going native PPC where it is possible.

The basic PIM apps, for example, there are several very good programs that make the PPC almost as functional as a Palm with DateBk5. I use PocketBreeze for the front-end and PocketInformant behind the scenes. I find that most of the functionality can be accomplished from the Today screen in PocketBreeze, but PocketInformant adds a number of enhancements (recurring events and the like).

See my website, link below, for more details.

BTW, Although done somewhat differently on a PPC than a Palm PDA, I find that either platform can do the job.

[flogisto]

Interesting. I do use iLauncher and PocketInformant. Tried PocketBreeze but didn't work as DateBK5. It's simple graphic presentation is awesome compared to PPC options. I do remain stick to DateBK5 under StyleTap.