PalmPilot and Palm Organizers! I Didn't Know You Could Do That... [ILLUSTRATED] (Paperback)

by Neil J. Salkind (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
A startling number of Palm owners don't use their HotSync cradles for anything more than performing routine backups of their telephone lists. The awkwardly titled PalmPilot and Palm Organizers! I Didn't Know You Could Do That... sets out to prove that the cradle has other uses, and does a fine job of cataloging some of the best aftermarket software you can install on your hand-held pal. For the 82 programs he covers, author Neil J. Salkind explains where each comes from and how much it costs, if anything, to register the program. He then documents--rather tediously--each menu command and shortcut in each program. Salkind and his production team lose points for leaving "Palm OS Emulator" at the top of all their screen shots--creating a frame for the illustrations that was more Palm-like in appearance would not have been hard.

The most valuable aspect of this book is its companion CD-ROM, which contains more than 100 Palm applications for easy installation. Though it's not mentioned by name here, the Visor--a newly released personal digital assistant from Handspring--runs the Palm OS, just like the Palm products this book describes. You might also consider David Pogue's PalmPilot: The Ultimate Guide, which contains much more extensive documentation of the PalmOS, a better CD-ROM, and more thorough coverage of the Palm VII. --David Wall

Topics covered: PalmOS applications of all kinds, including HackMaster, GoType!, BrainForest, Quicksheet, AportisDoc, and various games.

Product Description
Reveals some of the best, easily available PalmPilot applications. Provides an in-depth description of 83 different PalmPilot applications that best represent the capacity of the PalmPilot. Softcover.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Sybex Inc (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0782125883
• ISBN-13: 978-0782125887
• Product Dimensions: 11.7 x 9.8 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,849,684 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, April 14, 2000

By	MC Brown "MC, MCslp" (Southampton, UK) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a one of those books that really ought to be bundled with your Paln. I've just upgraded from a Psion 5 to a Palm IIIc. Within just a few minutes with this book I've managed to duplicate most of the software and utilities I'd been using on the S5 with Palm equivalents.

The guide is clear and concise, with loads of options to choose from for different solutions. Need a practical DB solution? There are three or four in the book, and on the CD. Need a simple alarm reminder? There are at least 4 included with the book, and references for many more. There are even recommended replacements for the built-in applications.

At no time is the book patronising, and the information and guidance is always complete. Never do you get the impression that the suggestions have been planted - these are genuine recommendations and examples of some great Palm software. If you a Palm user, new or existing, this book is an excellent resource for the software you need.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Repetitive album of screenshots, August 1, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Palm Handhelds! I Didn't Know You Could Do That... (Paperback)

To be fair this review is based on the first edition, but, unless there have been MAJOR changes to the format then it's best to give this a miss.

The book is mainly a set of screenshots and for some reason only known to the author - a list of the menu options and the shortcut strokes. I'm sure it put a lot of effort to put together but it doesn't tell you what is possible with an app (and more importantly, whats not possible) - and its not detailed enough to replace a manual for the app. Mind you, if you ever buy the app it may be useful to photocopy and keep with your organiser.

There isn't much else to each review - what little there is seems like a cut and paste of brief advertising by the s/w suppliers.

There is a list of apps in the back of the book but the description is a one-liner leaving you wanting more info - and many of these listings are neither featured in the book nor on the CD. The CD is the same one line .txt file for all apps. One nice thing is that it doesnt insist that you use some "simple" front end interface to navigate the CD and install apps. Unfortunately the filing system requires you to navigate down a blank directory for every app - Hmmm...

All in all save your money and get the PalmOS Bible.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Additional Applications, March 30, 2001

By A Customer

While this book (and the CD that comes with it) has many useful additional aaplications, it does not show you how to use applications already on your PDA as the title leads you to belive. If you are comfortable with your PDA and are looking for additional software however, it does give you a pretty good description of about 80 applications, their cost (if any) and where you can find them if they are not on the CD.