Customer Reviews

PalmPilot Resource Kit

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Do unsophisticated users of the PalmPilot and Palm III connected organizers need a basic reference guide other than the manufacturer's user manuals, like the Basic Handbook and Applications Handbook that come with the Palm III? Glenn Brown obviously thinks so. Brown's Quick Reference book with companion CD-ROM, collectively entitled "PalmPilot Resource Kit" (IDG Books Worldwide, 179 pp.), is one of two recent how-to books about the PalmPilot/Palm III connected organizers that start from the premise that the PalmPilot/Palm III may not be quite as intuitive as many of us think.

The paperback Quick Reference book is physically and coincidentally the same size as the paperback 3COM user manuals that are included with the Palm III. Brown's book also covers many of the same topics - getting started, setting up the hardware and software, built-in applications, the Graffiti handwriting recognition system, HotSyncing, Palm Desktop software, third-party applications, and websites and other resources. Unlike the 3COM manuals for the Palm III, however, Brown's book covers the Palm III as well as the earlier PalmPilots, and draws appropriate distinctions in features and functions. He also effectively uses screen shots of the PalmPilot display and special call-outs for tips and warnings.

The CD portion of "The PalmPilot Resource Kit" -- or "PPRK", as Brown sometimes likes to refer to his book and CD-ROM--includes the complete Quick Reference book in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. It turns out that the hardcopy Quick Reference stops at Chapter 9, while the CD-ROM version includes another seven chapters and three appendices that are not in the hardcopy version. The CD-ROM also includes 300 software applications for the PalmPilot, in addition to commentary from the PalmPilot's creator and founder of Palm Computing, Jeff Hawkins. The added value of the CD-ROM accounts for a price more than double that of another basic how-to PalmPilot guide that was also just recently published, Michael Steinberg's "SAMS Teach Yourself PalmPilot and Palm III in 10 Minutes" (Macmillan Computer Publishing, 256 pp.).

The split-content approach of the PPRK sort of works. It certainly makes sense, following Palm manufacturer 3COM's lead of including sample or light versions of a number of useful Palm applications on a CD-ROM. Less clear is whether reserving some chapters of the book for the CD-only really adds anything, other than the hardcopy reader's frustration. This is particularly true given that the CD version of the book is in Adobe Acrobat PDF format. This requires that the hardcopy reader who wants all the chapters must not only go to another medium, the CD-ROM, to get them, but needs to have installed the Adobe Acrobat Reader on his or her PC or laptop - a lot of unnecessary trouble to pick up some chapters on third party applications, easter eggs, and Jeff Hawkins' commentary, among other things.

If you're not a pick-it-up-and-start-using-it PalmPilot owner, who only consults the user manual or a reference book when you're stumped, then this book and CD combo might be a real comfort in helping you learn your way around. Still, the day cannot be far off when a publisher like Peanut Press-the first Palm text format publisher--will start publishing these kinds of reference resources as Palm texts that you can install and find right in your PalmPilot/Palm III when you need them, wherever you happen to be.

The PalmPilot Resource Kit is positioned as a quick reference for owners of the PalmPilot and Palm III organizers. As a Palm III owner, I was disappointed in this book. While it is well organized, there is little information on the built-in applications that is not contained in the handbooks that accompany the Palm III. The difference between the PPRK and the handbooks is more a matter of emphasis than substance in this area. For example, the PPRK suggests that the alternate Graffiti strokes for the letters V and Y are less intuitive but more reliable, while the handbook just displays the alternate strokes with the suggestion that you use what works best for you.

Where the PPRK does have value is as a source of, and review of, third party software that is available for the Palm III and the PalmPilot. One chapter is devoted to an overview of the numerous Web sites that are devoted to Pilot news, software, and technology. Seven chapters are devoted to a review of third party software, comprising freeware, shareware, and commercial applications. In addition, the included CD contains copies of most of the freeware and shareware that is reviewed.

One production choice that I disagree with is the decision to have roughly half of the book available only on the CD as .pdf files. This gives the reader only two choices, both of which I feel are less than satisfactory: to read the last eight chapters and two additional appendices on your monitor, or to print them out. This decision subverts the basic premise of the book, which is to be the reference work for PalmPilot and Palm III users. Either you need to be near a computer to access half the book, or you need to carry around a sheaf of loose paper along with the book. In either case, the book, in and of itself, falls short of its goal.

If you are looking for a tutorial on how to use the applications built into the Palm III, save your money and use the handbook that came with it. If, however, you want a fairly complete overview of software that can extend the capabilities of your Palm III, this book fills the bill. However, I question whether it offers fair value for the money.

It is a very good book on PalmPilot... It talks about lots of freeware/shareware. It is a must-have book for all Pilot users. (Althought some software version was kinda out dated, but I can understand that. It is hard to press a CD and book with the lastest update)

BTW, is there anyway I can contact Glenn Brown via e-mail?