At 01:21 PM 10/6/97 Stuart Walker wrote:
>Hi,
>
>Does anyone have any experience of linking PC's to palm-top machines
Yes, absolutely. Using PsiWin (a software package often bundled with the
Psion 3c and Psion 5) one can upload to and download from a PC very easily.
>I specifically thinking of the Psion series here). Can they be of >use,
and if so, what for, and how effective are they? I appreciate >the
problems with such questions but I'm after general ideas. A >student of
mine with severe STM diffs and the need for structured >timetables everyday
is convinced that such a system would help him.
It's important to realise that the Psions are really palm-top computers,
not just organisers. Their prices are consistent with that. The 3c usually
costs about £350 (including PsiWin and serial cable, 2MB 'memory',
backlight, VAT from Dixons, et al). I would suggesting adding £15 for a
mains supply although two AA batteries last up to 80 hours. It is possible
to keep track of data (addresses, etc.), time (Agenda has various views
which allow for multiple "To Do" lists, anniversaries, timed (or not)
appointments, etc., with a variety of alarms. These can all be printed very
easily, either via infrared, PsiWin, or a cable directly to a printer. The
other built-in applications are "Word", with templates, outlining,
formatting, print preview, etc., "Sheet"- spreadsheet including graphing,
Calculator, Jotter, World Time and Time. There is a lot of freeware and
shareware available on the Internet, largely British-based.
The Series 5 (JUST released) is a more expensive 32bit, 4 or 8MB
minicomputer. It has a more laptop-like keyboard, full touchscreen
(including menuing, highlighting, etc.) It will cost about £450 inclusive.
At this stage one would probably have to wait a few weeks for the 5 and,
obviously, there is not yet as much software available.
There is a decent review of palm-tops in the Nov '97 Computer Shopper-
issue 117- pages 872-878.
All the best.
Celia
Welfare & Information Officer, King's College London, Macadam Bldng,
London WC2R 2LS Tel: 0171 873 2530 Fax: 0171 873 2754
Produced using voice activated software; apologies for uncorrected errors.
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