The new forums will be named Coin Return (based on the most recent vote)! You can check on the status and timeline of the transition to the new forums here.
The Guiding Principles and New Rules document is now in effect.
cheap PDA/palmtop? unfamiliar with portables
Chaotic Descent
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
(I tried to search for an existing thread on this, but nothing on "palm" or "portable" showed up, and "pda" is too short a term. (lovely)
I've only recently used a laptop, so in general, I'm unfamiliar with portable electronics. I've never used a PDA or... I can't even remember what all the different kinds of portable computing devices are called. Palm...Pilots? Tablet PCs?
I'm mostly looking for something that can be my electronic to-do list.
Maybe also keep track of what I do throughout the day, like activities, diet, mood, etc.
For me, at least, right now, the most important thing is for it to be small/light (which is why it's not a laptop) and cheap. (no more than maybe $200? I think ideally $100. no problem buying used, older models) I'll re-evaluate the cheap part based on features, but I suspect that at some point it will just be easier to get a laptop. I'm not sure where I want to draw the line on PDA features.
Can I customize it to run programs off the net, or program my own? is there a PDA version of Linux? ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_digital_assistant#OS that would seem to suggest I can get Linux, although I don't know if they are a good alternative, and if so, if there are clear winners among those )
I'm sort of thinking of a personal organizer util that uses a hexagonal-shaped tree system, rather than a dull list, even if it's displayed in 2 dimensions instead of just 1. I want something customized to me.
I'm not too comfortable with the idea of input interfaces for such small devices, but I just can't have a full-size keyboard. I'm not sure how I'll type on a tiny keyboard, (I have long fingernails, which can sometimes make it easier or harder, depending I suppose on the shape and texture of the keys) or if drawing with a stylus will be any easier. I despite the idea of using a phone with only the numbers as a typing device... that seems very inefficient.
I did see someone with a full-size foldable keyboard on his PDA. I'm not sure what sorts of situations would require it and which wouldn't though... if you're a writer, is it just easier to have a laptop at all times, or is this actually a good solution? (not that I am a writer)
How common is cell phone ability in a PDA? I still have the same resistance to owning a cell phone as I do a car, but in both cases I'll make temporary exceptions when the necessity calls.
Does a color screen bump up the price? Does being able to browse the internet on wireless?
What are my options? What's the price range at which removing features no longer drops the price? :>
I'm also considering getting a cheap laptop at some point, since I last borrowed a roommate's to go to a convention and it was REALLY NICE to have. (battery life was crap though)
I've only recently used a laptop, so in general, I'm unfamiliar with portable electronics. I've never used a PDA or... I can't even remember what all the different kinds of portable computing devices are called. Palm...Pilots? Tablet PCs?
I'm mostly looking for something that can be my electronic to-do list.
Maybe also keep track of what I do throughout the day, like activities, diet, mood, etc.
For me, at least, right now, the most important thing is for it to be small/light (which is why it's not a laptop) and cheap. (no more than maybe $200? I think ideally $100. no problem buying used, older models) I'll re-evaluate the cheap part based on features, but I suspect that at some point it will just be easier to get a laptop. I'm not sure where I want to draw the line on PDA features.
Can I customize it to run programs off the net, or program my own? is there a PDA version of Linux? ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_digital_assistant#OS that would seem to suggest I can get Linux, although I don't know if they are a good alternative, and if so, if there are clear winners among those )
I'm sort of thinking of a personal organizer util that uses a hexagonal-shaped tree system, rather than a dull list, even if it's displayed in 2 dimensions instead of just 1. I want something customized to me.
I'm not too comfortable with the idea of input interfaces for such small devices, but I just can't have a full-size keyboard. I'm not sure how I'll type on a tiny keyboard, (I have long fingernails, which can sometimes make it easier or harder, depending I suppose on the shape and texture of the keys) or if drawing with a stylus will be any easier. I despite the idea of using a phone with only the numbers as a typing device... that seems very inefficient.
I did see someone with a full-size foldable keyboard on his PDA. I'm not sure what sorts of situations would require it and which wouldn't though... if you're a writer, is it just easier to have a laptop at all times, or is this actually a good solution? (not that I am a writer)
How common is cell phone ability in a PDA? I still have the same resistance to owning a cell phone as I do a car, but in both cases I'll make temporary exceptions when the necessity calls.
Does a color screen bump up the price? Does being able to browse the internet on wireless?
What are my options? What's the price range at which removing features no longer drops the price? :>
I'm also considering getting a cheap laptop at some point, since I last borrowed a roommate's to go to a convention and it was REALLY NICE to have. (battery life was crap though)
Chaotic Descent on
0