Tip! If you are surfing the web, there are types of viruses and Trojan horses who ‘know’ how to penetrate your PDA and do their worst. You therefore need proper protection from infected files, just like any PC user who surfs the web, downloads files, reads emails etc.

IF you’ve been around a PDA for more than a few seconds, you understand that this device is a great invention. It has very little disadvantages. But one distinct disadvantage is the fact that it’s almost impossible to write more than a few words on the PDA’s keyboard. It’s too small and completely un comfortable. That why the PDA keyboards were introduced to the market. It’s a simple solution. You get yourself a portable, wireless keyboard, sync it with your Palm iPAQ, or whatever PDA you’re using and that’s it. You now can type all day long like you do on your PC and get all that fed right into your PDA for later use. And the keyboards are not expansive - less than $50 will get you a great wireless keyboard that will serve you well.

Tip! Make sure what brand of PDA you want. If you already own a PDA - that is easy.

There are quite a few keyboard models on the market, and it’s best to do a little research before buying. You’ll be wise to check a few parameters before you buy yourself a PDA keyboard, to make sure you’re choosing the right product.

1. Is it wireless? Most keyboards on today’s market are wireless. Sure you can get one with a wire but it makes no sense. Why limit yourself? You’ll want to use the keyboard in all kinds of situations, maybe with the PDA tucked down inside your handbag? Go for wireless - the price gap in insignificant.

Tip! The H6315 is an integrated PDA + cell phone. In the US, this device works perfectly along with the T-Mobile and Cingular networks.

2. Is it comfortable? Not all keyboards are nice and comfortable, and not all of them are agronomic. If possible, try to use a few keyboards before buying. Choose the one that is the most comfortable for you, even if costs a little more. You’ll thank yourself later.

3. Does it allow you to type as fast as you like to? If you chose a keyboard that is comfortable for you, typing fast will be easy.

4. What kind of power source does it need? Most keyboards need a few standard batteries to operate. Make sure your chosen keyboard doesn’t need anything exotic.

Tip! Understand that the items on ebay may not be presented as they really are. You don’t see the PDA with your own eyes.

5. Installation - make sure the installation process is easy. Make sure your version of the PDA and it’s Operating System support this keyboard. This sounds trivial but you’ll be amazed how many times people over look this.

Getting a portable keyboard will make your life a lot easier that having to get along with out one. In fact, many users claim that buying a $45 keyboard to add to their PDA saved then investing $1200 in buying a new notebook computer. So consider getting that keyboard - you’ll never understand how you managed without it.

Ron Heller is the owner and operator of www.pdaonlinecenter.com - a website devoted to PDA, iPAQ accessories, PDA accessories, PDA computers and more.

Tip! Full Internet and email capability. This is a standard feature among PDA’s today, but it’s worth mentioning.

In a word, no. Clients often ask me if electronic is better than paper, or if they should use a PDA (like a Palm Pilot or Blackberry) to manage their schedules, handle e-mail and such. The best advice is that it doesn’t matter what you use if you don’t have productive habits. Buying a piano doesn’t make you a pianist and buying a new electronic gizmo will not make you organized.

That’s the biggest problem with many of the time management and organization solutions being offered out there. Nothing is going to improve your productivity if you don’t develop new behaviors to replace ineffective ones.

Tip! Your own PDA in now being repaired. This is obvious - your PDA is broken or malfunctions and it’s being repaired.

If you aren’t getting the results you want, instead of reaching for the latest software or device to fix the problem, take time to think about out why things aren’t working and create new habits to replace the old.

Perhaps you want to remember to stop 15 minutes before the end of the day to clear off your desk. Deciding to do so is easy. Remembering to do so is harder. Creating new habits is one thing and sustaining them is another, so use these tips to make the new habits stick…

• Attach a new habit to an old habit — put a reminder note on your toothbrush (for new morning habits) or attach a note to your car keys.
• Use your computer to set reminder alarms.
• Use a special wristwatch or another electronic device that quietly vibrates for a few seconds at time you designate.
• Use big, obnoxiously-colored sticky notes in unexpected places, like in the middle of a white wall or on your desk phone cradle. A word of caution. If your office is very cluttered chances are you won’t see the sticky notes. You need a fairly crisp environment to make this one work.
• Only try to change one habit at a time and do the new behavior for at least 21 days before taking on another. More than that is overwhelming and you are less likely to succeed.

Tip! The battery the manufacturer gave you with the PDA is not satisfactory and you want another one. With today’s affordable PDA battery costs, it’s easy to acquire a new battery fast.

Mary Kutheis (kooth-ice) works with individuals, organizations, and businesses who want to be better organized in the workplace so they can be more focused, productive, and profitable. Through seminars and one-on-one work, Mary delivers real-life solutions to people who are buried in paper and e-mail and overwhelmed by “to do” lists. Visit http://openspaces4me.com/ for free tips, articles and other workplace productivity resources.

Tip! You need accessories. These are the basic, non essential goodies that are accompanying your PDA, like a nice leather case, a spare battery, a data/recharge cable, a recharge cradle and the like.

In the early days, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) were not much more than glorified calculators with the ability to store contact information and brief notes. Now, the line between personal computer and personal digital assistant is blurred thanks to the advanced capabilities of these useful little devices.

There are plenty of makes and models to choose from in the PDA market, and finding the right model to suit an individual’s needs can be a dizzying challenge. This Tech Tip will take a look at seven basic things to consider when choosing a PDA in an attempt to help simplify the process.

Tip! The H6315 is an integrated PDA + cell phone. In the US, this device works perfectly along with the T-Mobile and Cingular networks.

Software

The software on a PDA is capable of running completely independent of your computer, but being able to share files and resources between them is one of the key convenience features. Software availability is one issue, but compatibility is another. In general, a PDA will come with one of two operating systems: Palm OS or Microsoft Pocket PC, each with its own very different approaches to running one of these devices.

Palm OS is the modern version of the operating system that was found on some of the first PDAs, Palm Pilots. No longer just a dull, greyscale environment, the Palm OS is a sharp looking operating system with many software titles available (either included, as downloads, or for purchase separately) to do just about anything you would want to do on a PDA.

Tip! Understand that the items on ebay may not be presented as they really are. You don’t see the PDA with your own eyes.

Microsoft Pocket PC is themed after the familiar Windows operating system, and this similarity gives the millions of Windows users a comfortable environment to work with when transitioning to a PDA. The basic commands are the same, and of all the software titles available for a PDA running Pocket PC, many of them are reduced “pocket” versions of what might be found on a computer such as Microsoft’s Word and Excel. Multimedia applications are a strong point of the Pocket PC environment, with many titles developed to make these devices more enjoyable and versatile.

Tip! Make sure what brand of PDA you want. If you already own a PDA - that is easy.

Applications are available for either operating system to do just about the same thing, although specific titles available for one may not be available for the other.

Speed

The speed of the processors in PDAs is picking up, and some older desktop computers are being left in the dust by these little devices. Presently, the bulk of the devices on the market are running at clock speeds of 300 MHz or higher, sometimes much higher. The HP Ipaq HX4700 sports a 624 MHz Intel processor, which is also currently the processor found in the high-end Dell Axim X50v

Tip! Start with a research first. Always look for a few Internet forums about your PDA and ask around about the item you want to get.

(www1.us.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/
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In general, faster processors can be found in the Pocket PC devices, but that does not mean that Palm OS devices are slow. Many experts would argue that the Palm OS runs more efficiently, and may be able to get by on less system memory, which helps keep the speed comparison competitive.

The applications for PDAs have been optimized to run well with less processing power, less system memory, and to occupy a minimal amount of disk space, so either type of PDA should be able to handle typical tasks well. Speed may be the main concern on a desktop PC, but the focus is a bit different on handheld devices, where other features are definitely more important.

Tip! Full Internet and email capability. This is a standard feature among PDA’s today, but it’s worth mentioning.

Connectivity

Being able to connect a PDA to a computer or other device may be essential for utilizing all of the features to their full potential. Most now make connectivity to a PC via USB the base form of transferring data to the device, but there are a few wireless protocols that may be available on a PDA to make it even more convenient.

Infrared is a short range protocol that can allow for a PDA to exchange data with another PDA, as well as with a compatible laptop or desktop computer. Many PDAs feature an infrared port, but not all computers do. The communications on this protocol are relatively slow, but may be useful for transferring basic data or synchronizing with a PC.

Bluetooth is a protocol that operates on the 2.4 GHz radio band that provides greater range than infrared, but the speeds still aren’t that great. Bluetooth can be used for transferring data from computers, but it can also allow other devices to connect to a PDA. For example, a Bluetooth-enabled PDA linked to a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone may be able to access the Internet using the phone as a sort of wireless modem.

Tip! Do your won research and make up your mind as to the PDA model you want to get. DO this research before you go shopping, so you’ll have a good background about which model you want, and what are the potential problems it has.

WiFi, just as on your typical computer, is the high speed wireless protocol (802.11x) that also operates on the 2.4 GHz radio band. WiFi will not only allow compatible devices to exchange files, but the high speed will make streaming media and web surfing convenient at home, or at the numerous wireless “hot spots” popping up in public/commercial settings.

Extra Features & Accessories

It isn’t enough for PDAs to keep track of serious business items like appointments and contact information any more. They need to be able to multi-task, and most are now able to help their owners work and play. Many of these features may be considered nice extras by some, but others may insist on their availability when choosing a PDA.

Tip! Your own PDA in now being repaired. This is obvious - your PDA is broken or malfunctions and it’s being repaired.

Many PDAs can now surf the Internet, stream movies, or play video games thanks to the higher resolution color screens. Most now include a stereo sound processor for listening to MP3s or other audio sources, as well as being able to double as a digital voice recorder.

Other PDAs take the fun features to a whole new level. Some PDAs now double as mobile phones. Or is it that mobile phones that are doubling as PDAs? Many mobile phones have built-in cameras now. PDAs like the PalmOne Zire 72 (www.palmone.com/us/products/handhelds/zire72/index_gps.epl) include a digital camera for capturing stills and video clips at decent resolutions. Taking another look at the Zire 72 shows off another feature that has become popular in PDAs? GPS (Global Positioning System) receivers that will help plot and track routes during travel.

Many PDAs also offer a wide array of extra add-on accessories to add ease of use and maybe a touch of flash to your PDA. For example, most manufacturers offer such things as spare batteries, extra styluses, and upgraded leather cases. Other cool items may be a foldable keyboard that can be plugged into the PDA for easier typing, automobile charger so that you can charge your PDA while driving

Tip! If you are surfing the web, there are types of viruses and Trojan horses who ‘know’ how to penetrate your PDA and do their worst. You therefore need proper protection from infected files, just like any PC user who surfs the web, downloads files, reads emails etc.

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and even international power adaptors to use your PDA in different countries (www.palmone.com/us/products/accessories/chargerscablescradles/3172WW.html)

Like cellphones, some PDAs even come with removable covers so that you can totally customize how your PDA looks.

Expandability

PDAs generally come with a base amount of memory on board for storing data and applications, but they can be filled up quite quickly. Most of these devices now include slots that will accept some sort of flash memory to increase their capacity Typical formats supported by PDAs include: Compact Flash, SD, MMC, or Memory Stick.

Flash memory is fairly cheap these days, but selecting a PDA based on a format that one already uses could be a good idea. An SD card, for example, could be shared between a PC, digital camera, MP3 player, and a PDA to move various multimedia and application files between the devices.

Tip! The battery the manufacturer gave you with the PDA is not satisfactory and you want another one. With today’s affordable PDA battery costs, it’s easy to acquire a new battery fast.

A PDA such as the HP iPaq rz1715 offers an SD/MMC slot for expandability, while the Dell Axim X5 offers the convenience of multiple flash memory slots, providing support for Compact Flash, SD, and MMC.

In addition to choosing the proper format of flash memory for your PDA, it may also be necessary to consider the capacity of the card chosen. Although you may be able to purchase a 2GB flash memory card, for example, that does not mean every PDA will be able to access it. Check the PDA manufacturer’s specifications, especially on older models, to confirm that there is no maximum card size that it will accept.

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In addition to allowing additional storage space, expansion slots can be used for other devices, as well. GPS receivers are popular accessories for PDAs, and can be found with different interfaces to match the slots available on a PDA. Leadtek is one manufacturer offering both Compact Flash (www.leadtek.com/gps/gps_9534_1.html) and Secure Digital (www.leadtek.com/gps/gps_9534_1.html) based GPS receivers. Another innovation, from companies such as SanDisk, are combination memory and WiFi cards (www.sandisk.com/retail/sd.asp?nav=mobile). However, be sure to check compatibility with your current PDA as some PDAs have problems “using” the extra features.

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Size

The overall size may vary from model to model, but in general the length and width of a PDA will be in the range of a 3″ x 5″ index card. These values may vary slightly, and a difference of a few fractions of an inch may be important to a user with specific space constraints. For example, comparing the measurements of a Toshiba 830w (5.31″ by 3.03″ by 0.65″), to those of a Compaq Ipaq 3950 (4.54″ x 3.00″ x 0.61″), shows that the width and thickness are nearly identical. But, the difference of more than ?” in height may be a big deal when trying to fit into a briefcase pocket, or even a shirt pocket.

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The weight may be directly related to size, and is perhaps another relevant area worth considering. The weight of a typical PDA may be just a few ounces (several hundred grams), so you obviously aren’t going to strain yourself toting it. The difference between one model and another may be due to the variety and quantity of extra features included, and in general, an individual’s requirements for functionality may influence the overall weight.

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Another key aspect when referencing size as it applies to PDAs is the screen size. Large screens, with higher resolutions, will allow the user to operate more comfortably. Using the same two PDAs referenced in this section, we see that the Toshiba 830w sports a 4.0″ (480×640 resolution) screen while the Compaq Ipaq 3950 has a 3.8″ (240×320 resolution) screen. So, the overall size of the Toshiba is a bit larger but it makes good use of the space by including a larger display capable of twice the resolution of the Compaq.

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Battery Life

Most PDAs are now provided with an integrated rechargeable battery which recharges while connected to a base station or power adaptor. The most common type of rechargeable battery may be Lithium Ion (Li-Ion), and a general gauge of a battery’s capacity is provided in terms of mAh (milliAmp hours). Although real-world performance will vary among devices and how they are used, a battery with a higher mAh value will be able to hold a greater charge and last longer between charges.

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The general use of the device will obviously play a role in how long the batteries will last, and is a difficult number to provide with any certainty. Manufacturers may provide a figure on the normal life between charges, but this is most likely based on occasional use, where it is idling for a majority of the time. This figure may indicate battery life of up to several days on one charge, but under more intensive operation, the battery life could be cut significantly. Watching a movie, listening to audio files, or playing games may drop the life on one charge from a few days down to a few hours. Use of wireless networking and display backlighting are two other things that can seriously impact battery life on any PDA, regardless of the type or quality of batteries included.

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Your best bet for information on battery life is to seek out independent reviews or owner comments on a PDA of interest.

Final Words

With all of the options available, PDAs are far more versatile than they ever used to be. Finding a device with the flexibility to be useful for both business and pleasure doesn’t have to be a daunting task if a few key considerations are identified early in the process. A good balance of performance, size, and capabilities should be easily achieved, while still respecting a reasonable budget.

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Jason Kohrs
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