This is a live post from the meeting. I am typing this into the AvantBlog posting area.
The above was part of showing how AvantBlog works. If you've got a Blogger Account, as well as an AvantGo account, you can blend the two and post quickly and easily from within AvantGo. The single problem I have found with this channel is that syncing requires secure authentication, which sometimes is not available from a public hotspot over AvantGo's wireless sync utility.
We also had a chance to get our eager hands on a Treo 650 (thanks Bill!)
December 20, 2004
December 09, 2004
November 16, 2004
Panera Bread in Brier Creek
The November 2004 meeting of TAPIT found more than a dozen happy handheld enthusiasts gathered in a formerly quiet corner of this purportedly WiFi enabled restaurant. There was an access point somewhere nearby called PANERA, and everyone got a fairly strong signal, but there were huge gaps in connectivity. Several Palms and laptops never got online at all. A few got on sporadically, but none really enjoyed what I would call full wireless connectivity. I guess this was due to the fact that this place is just on the fringes of the known part of the Internet. Does anyone REALLY live out this far!?!? Sheesh!
That being said, we still had fun. Several folks from Motricity were there, and even brought swag! The main subject of the meeting was a presentation on Facer, a very versatile application that can be downloaded from the link in our listserv for a 25% discount ($15, rather than $21). It's a launcher, a to-do list and appointment reminder, and a file manager all in one. And, as Jeff, our presenter said, it's got some nice eye candy going as well! And that's not always a bad thing.
In addition to Facer, we again went over the requirements of Margi's Presenter Pro. Since we couldn't get online reliably enough to check the web sites, however, we had to rely on what we each had experienced. Guess that's why they call these things user groups!
That being said
In addition to Facer, we again went over the requirements of Margi's Presenter Pro. Since we couldn't get online reliably enough to check the web sites, however, we had to rely on what we each had experienced. Guess that's why they call these things user groups!
September 22, 2004
Report from September meeting
Leave it to us to arrive at Bear Rock on "Teachers Eat Free" night! The line was out the door. For over an hour! Amazing. We did manage to find a corner in back with a power outlet, and finally got Patrick's 15" flat panel connected to my Tungsten|C. Then came the "D'oh!" moment - I had only loaded a single test slide over from my laptop, and didn't bring a sync cable! I had planned to show the Margi Presenter-To-Go, and we all had the right pieces, but, as noted in earlier posts, I had experienced crashing in one of the apps. I had put in a message about this to Margi, after I had checked all versions on their website, of course, but was still having problems. (What I forgot was that I had registered the software using my new gmail account, and since I rarely give that one out, I had forgotten to check it! They had sent back an answer and updated .prc files almost immediately. I tried it tonight and it works perfectly, just like it did with Alan's T|T!)
Getting back to the meeting, I did show that slide, which had been "printed" to the software included with the Presenter-to-go device from AppleWorks. I showed how you can draw on slides by drawing on the Palm, then remove those marks. I later hooked up the laptop and showed how to create a slideshow from any app using the virtual printer-type driver Margi gives you. It's quite a slick little package, all told.
The Mirror app was still crashing, however, even with this smaller monitor. (Previous tests had been with a 19 inch CRT.) This program is supposed to allow you to turn on the display and show any Palm app through the Presenter-To-Go. As a teaching or presenting tool, this is what I had really bought the Presenter-To-Go package for. If I want to run a slideshow, I'm gonna pull out Keynote. I asked Alan (sitting across the table) if he was up to giving the Mirror app a try, and, surprisingly, he accepted. ("This program crashes my Palm every time I run it with the PtG device in it. How about trying it in yours?" That's right up there with "I think this milk is sour. Smell it and tell me what you think.")
I beamed the Mirror app over to his T|T. he pulled out his SD card (very reluctantly), plugged in the Presenter-To-Go, launched Mirror, and - BAM! - there was his screen, larger than llife! He then showed off various little items - graphics in Plucker, the launcher he's using, the datebook, and a cribbage game or two. Cribbage started a rabbit trail that may still be going on - I was the only person there, I think, who did not know how to play. Everyone else not only plays, but had their own favorite cribbage game, and they started beaming them back and forth, and discussing the AI in this one versus this other one. Really high geek factor for a while.
We did come back to earth for a few mintues to talk about moving the group from place to place within the Triangle. Several places were tossed out, and we finally decided on the Bear Rock at University Mall in Chapel Hill for the October meeting. More info will be sent out or posted later, and we may have another couple of places chosen before the next meeting, so we can send out the schedule for several meetings ahead. Hopefully we can dodge the next Teacher Feed!
Getting back to the meeting, I did show that slide, which had been "printed" to the software included with the Presenter-to-go device from AppleWorks. I showed how you can draw on slides by drawing on the Palm, then remove those marks. I later hooked up the laptop and showed how to create a slideshow from any app using the virtual printer-type driver Margi gives you. It's quite a slick little package, all told.
The Mirror app was still crashing, however, even with this smaller monitor. (Previous tests had been with a 19 inch CRT.) This program is supposed to allow you to turn on the display and show any Palm app through the Presenter-To-Go. As a teaching or presenting tool, this is what I had really bought the Presenter-To-Go package for. If I want to run a slideshow, I'm gonna pull out Keynote. I asked Alan (sitting across the table) if he was up to giving the Mirror app a try, and, surprisingly, he accepted. ("This program crashes my Palm every time I run it with the PtG device in it. How about trying it in yours?" That's right up there with "I think this milk is sour. Smell it and tell me what you think.")
I beamed the Mirror app over to his T|T. he pulled out his SD card (very reluctantly), plugged in the Presenter-To-Go, launched Mirror, and - BAM! - there was his screen, larger than llife! He then showed off various little items - graphics in Plucker, the launcher he's using, the datebook, and a cribbage game or two. Cribbage started a rabbit trail that may still be going on - I was the only person there, I think, who did not know how to play. Everyone else not only plays, but had their own favorite cribbage game, and they started beaming them back and forth, and discussing the AI in this one versus this other one. Really high geek factor for a while.
We did come back to earth for a few mintues to talk about moving the group from place to place within the Triangle. Several places were tossed out, and we finally decided on the Bear Rock at University Mall in Chapel Hill for the October meeting. More info will be sent out or posted later, and we may have another couple of places chosen before the next meeting, so we can send out the schedule for several meetings ahead. Hopefully we can dodge the next Teacher Feed!
September 17, 2004
'Atta Girl, Margi!
I have a new Margi Presenter Pro that works pretty nicely with the presentation package. Having a few issues with the mirroring, but I still like it. (Of course, mirroring is the main thing I wanted it for.....)
We also have some swag from PalmSource, since we're officially recognized as a Palm User Group. We'll draw for several items over the next few months.
Also, two review opportunities. First, I have some Palm anti-virus software by a rather well-known anti-virus company. It's the corporate pack, but would probably work for just a single installation as well. Unless we want to get a server set up and consider ourselves a corporation and all test it. Now THAT would be a review!!
Second review item is a PC TableTote. It's a portable desk that folds down to about two Powerbooks stacked together, but only weighs 3.5 pounds. (For comparison, most modern full-featured laptops are in the 7-10 range.) It's pretty interesting, and I'd like to get several opinions. After we've had a chance to use it, we can raffle it off or have a drawing for it.
And I'm still having problems with the network at Bear Rock. Not that we always need it, but I was there last weekend and couldn't get on, but the help desk was closed. Anyone know of a better free network somewhere in the general area? Anyone interested in becoming a mobile group and traveling to various hotspots from month to month? That would certainly make for some variety, as well as reward those Durham/Chapel Hillians who have been driving over lo, these four+ years. I'll post online so we can start the discussion there, then maybe have a poll after the meeting, if we still need one.
Meanwhile, stay dry, and stay within reach of something tall and solid.
Smythe
We also have some swag from PalmSource, since we're officially recognized as a Palm User Group. We'll draw for several items over the next few months.
Also, two review opportunities. First, I have some Palm anti-virus software by a rather well-known anti-virus company. It's the corporate pack, but would probably work for just a single installation as well. Unless we want to get a server set up and consider ourselves a corporation and all test it. Now THAT would be a review!!
Second review item is a PC TableTote. It's a portable desk that folds down to about two Powerbooks stacked together, but only weighs 3.5 pounds. (For comparison, most modern full-featured laptops are in the 7-10 range.) It's pretty interesting, and I'd like to get several opinions. After we've had a chance to use it, we can raffle it off or have a drawing for it.
And I'm still having problems with the network at Bear Rock. Not that we always need it, but I was there last weekend and couldn't get on, but the help desk was closed. Anyone know of a better free network somewhere in the general area? Anyone interested in becoming a mobile group and traveling to various hotspots from month to month? That would certainly make for some variety, as well as reward those Durham/Chapel Hillians who have been driving over lo, these four+ years. I'll post online so we can start the discussion there, then maybe have a poll after the meeting, if we still need one.
Meanwhile, stay dry, and stay within reach of something tall and solid.
Smythe
May 08, 2004
Birthday Greetings!
Just noticed some info on the main page to this group. I started this (as an eGroup) in May of 2000, so, with this May meeting, we will celebrate four years of being a club! I kept no records of who was at the first meeting, how many came to each meeting, etc., but it might be fun to talk about that, and to dream about the future a little more - not just for the club, but about what the handheld space is doing.
I have a little money left in the kitty from the raffle we had a few years back, so I'll get some gift certificates or software or something fun for an anniversary party. (Maybe we should have one entry per year the person has been attending?)
See you folks in a week!
Smythe
I have a little money left in the kitty from the raffle we had a few years back, so I'll get some gift certificates or software or something fun for an anniversary party. (Maybe we should have one entry per year the person has been attending?)
See you folks in a week!
Smythe
April 21, 2004
A varied collection
After our discussion on the list about broadening the scope of TAPIT to include more than just Palms, we didn't see a huge influx of PocketPC devices or Newtons this past Monday night. But Jim did break the tie (half PalmOne, half Clie) by bringing out an Acer convertible tablet computer. What a cool little device! It was about three times the size of my old Newton 2100, and, when folded screen-out, was almost all screen. Too bad it runs XP! (Just kidding, Jim!) It's not something you're going to haul around in your pants pocket, but I could see it being a whole lot more at home in a university student's bag than a 10 lb. laptop and charger.
Here's an interesting article about Microsoft's CTO and his love for gadgets. I found it interesting that not only does he not seem to eat his own dog food (why is that funny when talking about PPC?), but he flies in the face of the folks who insist that convergence is the way of the future. Rather than depend on a single device that does all things poorly, David Vaskevitch choses instead to haul around an iPod for his music, a BlackBerry for PDA functions (and by that, I'll assume mobile email), and a digital camera. No camera-phone with organizer aspirations, no PDA/phone that does dial-up connection to a server somewhere for loading email 20 words at a time to a screen where you'll have to respond using T9. Just the best mobile email unit, the best digital music unit, and a dedicated camera (one would assume with more than e-mail resolution and an actual glass lens). What a Luddite!
Steve Ballmer, of course, demands more from his devices by settling for less. ("The thing I put in my pocket has got to do more for me.") I am not surprised by such from the ape-man, but this question looms large for proponents of convergence: do you want to emulate someone who has the strength of character to forge their own path, even though it is not what is expected by their direct boss (who happens to be the richest person in the world and a known hothead about people using his technology)? Or do you want to follow someone who tries to force the universe into his mold to the extent that he is universally ridiculed as less civilized than your neighborhood zoo resident?
I am putting together a few polls to get the general feeling from TAPIT about your feelings on convergence. Are you all for it? Do you have certain things that you just won't fold into another device, but want all the others combined? Are you of the seperate-but-excellent school? Check the discussion board and let us know!
If you're not on our listserv, know that this list is tightly controlled to prevent spam. The only mail you'll get is mail from other members, and you can control that by getting daily digests or just reading the messages on the website, if you please. There's a subscription form on the upper left. Use it. And bring your PocketPC (or cameraphone/PDA/mp3 player) to the next meeting!
Here's an interesting article about Microsoft's CTO and his love for gadgets. I found it interesting that not only does he not seem to eat his own dog food (why is that funny when talking about PPC?), but he flies in the face of the folks who insist that convergence is the way of the future. Rather than depend on a single device that does all things poorly, David Vaskevitch choses instead to haul around an iPod for his music, a BlackBerry for PDA functions (and by that, I'll assume mobile email), and a digital camera. No camera-phone with organizer aspirations, no PDA/phone that does dial-up connection to a server somewhere for loading email 20 words at a time to a screen where you'll have to respond using T9. Just the best mobile email unit, the best digital music unit, and a dedicated camera (one would assume with more than e-mail resolution and an actual glass lens). What a Luddite!
Steve Ballmer, of course, demands more from his devices by settling for less. ("The thing I put in my pocket has got to do more for me.") I am not surprised by such from the ape-man, but this question looms large for proponents of convergence: do you want to emulate someone who has the strength of character to forge their own path, even though it is not what is expected by their direct boss (who happens to be the richest person in the world and a known hothead about people using his technology)? Or do you want to follow someone who tries to force the universe into his mold to the extent that he is universally ridiculed as less civilized than your neighborhood zoo resident?
I am putting together a few polls to get the general feeling from TAPIT about your feelings on convergence. Are you all for it? Do you have certain things that you just won't fold into another device, but want all the others combined? Are you of the seperate-but-excellent school? Check the discussion board and let us know!
If you're not on our listserv, know that this list is tightly controlled to prevent spam. The only mail you'll get is mail from other members, and you can control that by getting daily digests or just reading the messages on the website, if you please. There's a subscription form on the upper left. Use it. And bring your PocketPC (or cameraphone/PDA/mp3 player) to the next meeting!
January 20, 2004
PalmOne Resource Site
I mentioned a new website during the meeting, but didn't have a chance to wholy explain what it is. PalmOneCity is a forum based website concentrating on the PalmOne branded handhelds. PalmOne handhelds seem to dominate the meetings, so I wanted to post a link to this great online community. I suggest anyone who needs help, or likes to share information, sign up for a member name (totally free) and become a part of this great website. The people who run PalmOneCity (Joel and Reggie) are top-notch guys. They founded Cliesource.com, which has grown to be the largest Sony Clie online community in only a couple years. They are well on thier way to do the same thing with PalmOneCity.
PalmOneCity.com
Cliesource.com
PalmOneCity.com
Cliesource.com
January 15, 2004
Tools for a New Year
Well, I hope everyone is over the holidays and settled into a great new year! As I've been pondering TAPIT, my resolution for the year is to have a little more planned structure for meetings. Not that they won't turn into free-for-all beam-fests, but I'm going to have a plan for a topic or two, and try harder to get some corporate support (read: Door Prizes!) While I've enjoyed the meetings and have gotten good feedback from some who have been attending, I feel the total lack of a planned agenda (well, not total, but almost. :D) has put off some folks who thrive on structure. So 2004 will be the year of planned programs. (Yeah, right.)
Speaking of Topics
So, for January, you decided to drop a few pounds, exercise more regularly, or otherwise change and document your life? You're probably not alone, even within TAPIT. So I thought we could share the programs you've found for your Palm to track or inform your diet and/or exercise plans. I've spoken to several of you about specifics, but if you've got one that you like, bring it on! We'll all benefit from seeing the whole gamut.
So, this holiday, were you one of the eight bazillion folks that got a new digital camera? And now you're dealing with how to turn your PalmOS device into a digital brag book? Well, other have been there as well. If you've solved the picture-to-Palm problem, bring your program ready to show off. I have one that I've loved for a while, but had to get a really nice Palm before finally buying it. And am I glad I did! Come on out and see what my Minolta has been up to!
Last month brought out yet another couple of new folks to our midst. We've had at least one new face for a few months now. We keep scaring them off, however, so we need to work on that. We could fill the place if we tried! So let's see what the new year has brought to TAPIT! We'll meet at the same place, time, and day. See you all on Monday, Jan 19th (third Monday) at 6:30 PM at the Bear Rock Cafe in Crossroads Plaza. (Wifi is good!)
Speaking of Topics
So, for January, you decided to drop a few pounds, exercise more regularly, or otherwise change and document your life? You're probably not alone, even within TAPIT. So I thought we could share the programs you've found for your Palm to track or inform your diet and/or exercise plans. I've spoken to several of you about specifics, but if you've got one that you like, bring it on! We'll all benefit from seeing the whole gamut.
So, this holiday, were you one of the eight bazillion folks that got a new digital camera? And now you're dealing with how to turn your PalmOS device into a digital brag book? Well, other have been there as well. If you've solved the picture-to-Palm problem, bring your program ready to show off. I have one that I've loved for a while, but had to get a really nice Palm before finally buying it. And am I glad I did! Come on out and see what my Minolta has been up to!
Last month brought out yet another couple of new folks to our midst. We've had at least one new face for a few months now. We keep scaring them off, however, so we need to work on that. We could fill the place if we tried! So let's see what the new year has brought to TAPIT! We'll meet at the same place, time, and day. See you all on Monday, Jan 19th (third Monday) at 6:30 PM at the Bear Rock Cafe in Crossroads Plaza. (Wifi is good!)
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