Pocket Informant 5.1 Released

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.pocketinformant.com/whatsnew.php?type=pocketinformant&amp;version=510">http://www.pocketinformant.com/whatsnew.php?type=pocketinformant&amp;version=510</a><br /><br />Pocket Informant 5.1 has been reased and with the usual tweaks and fixes, there are also a number of enhancements:<br /><br />• Custom View names now show in a list below the custom view text field. Select it and it auto-fills it in.<br />• Completing a task with autojournal on now adds the completed tasks' subject to the journal entry<br />• When in Search View and only one data type is selected to search on, the New menu will create that type<br />• New option for showing completed task dates<br />• Regenerating Tasks now supported<br />• Now support more styles for overdue tasks<br />• Backup Restore Journal, HT, and All<br />• Icon chooser now rewritten using the PI Grid - much faster and better use of memory<br />• Tapping on date in picker opens date picker<br />• 12 Year Month Date Picker with Category Colors applied as well as category filtering<br />• Company Pics are now used if no personal pic is found<br />• Quick Edit button with user choice for quick rename or direct to edit screen<br />• Much much more!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2004/20040630-pi51.gif" /><br /><br />It is a free upgrade to all Pocket Informant 5.0 users and $12.95 for upgrades from a previous version. If you don't already own Pocket Informant, you can buy it <a href="http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=10226">for $24.95 at the Pocket PC Thoughts Handango store</a>.

[OSUKid7]

I've held off buying a PIM replacement app so far. I just haven't seen the benefits outweigh the high cost of these programs. There's some nice features, but for a high school student with no income, PIM replacement isn't at the top of my list of things to buy.

[Vincent M Ferrari]

I see where you're coming from.

For me, the integration between the contacts, tasks, and calendar applets, plus the myriad of views makes it all worth it.

I didn't originally like using PIM replacements on the PPC. In older iterations of PI, the performance was miserable.

Now, PI is the second app I install, second only to Pocket Plus.

I know there are people who love Agenda Fusion, and to each their own, but I have to say that nothing can touch PI as far as I'm concerned.

[dlangton]

If nothing else, this article emphasizes the prejudice of PPCT towards Pocket Informant over Agenda Fusion. There have been a couple of updates of AF over the past month, but no news on PPCT. PI has an update, and it shows immediately.

[Derek]

I gave it a try several times, and I got to admit, PI is very nice. The only thing is, I don't need it, it has the same functionality as the standard PIM but it only looks diffrent. I think ill pass this release until they come up with some brand spanking new features no-one has ever seen before :!:

[Ed Hansberry]

If nothing else, this article emphasizes the prejudice of PPCT towards Pocket Informant over Agenda Fusion. There have been a couple of updates of AF over the past month, but no news on PPCT. PI has an update, and it shows immediately.
Checking my inbox, I have seen no announcements on AF being updated, and I personally don't use AF. We got 3 alerts this morning on PI being updated and I use it anyway so I also got an email directly from PI.

You should be careful about assumptions... :|

[tanalasta]

Yep :P I've got an email in my inbox telling me PI 5.1 was released :) The previous version was fairly stable and it's been a while since the last release (a while in PI terms being a couple of weeks)!

Off to d/l the new version and to check out the PI forums to see if there're any bugs or what not.

But a PIM is definitely a worthwhile investment. Even for a student (wait for the 50% or use another voucher to get a discount). You'll use it every single day of the week.

[Kathy_Harris]

The ability to view a month at a time with actual words in the boxes (not colored bars or icons) is worth it alone to me. Works great in VGA and even fixes the tasks cut off problem in VGA.

I purchased AF a couple of times and never used it. PI, I use many, many, many times a day.

[CTSLICK]

I gave it a try several times, and I got to admit, PI is very nice. The only thing is, I don't need it, it has the same functionality as the standard PIM but it only looks diffrent. I think ill pass this release until they come up with some brand spanking new features no-one has ever seen before :!:

Ummmm...wow...PI really does offer quite a bit of functionality that exceeds the standard PIM. Even the "looks different" part is important (to me any way) as PI offers so many useful ways to display my information that simply are not are not available in the standard PIMs. Maybe give this version another look, there is some very nice stuff. :)

Off Topic: What kind of Subaru is that in your avatar?

[Bruno Figueiredo]

Just installed it. It Rocks!!!

Wish that the icons were a little better, though. Maybe I should design my own set! :D

Wished that there was a yearly calendar in the appointments like in Pocket Outlook and that in landscape there were a sort of yearly planner, a month by line, 12 lines.

Anyway, anyone else noticed that the installer states Pocket Informant PRO 5.1?

Maybe Pocket Informant is thinking of lauching a Lite version. Cool!

[SHC]

You can buy extra Icon sets for $5.00, they even have some large icons. There is a current thread on the PI site about a Lite version.
Also you may want to look at PIToday which is a today plugin especially for PI.

[markan]

Maybe Pocket Informant is thinking of lauching a Lite version. Cool!

It would appear from discussion over at the PI website that they are planning to do just that - although I can't imagine that anyone here would be interested in a "Lite" version when you can have "Full-Fat" :twisted:

[OSUKid7]

I'm almost afraid to install the trial...I mean, if I do that, and end up liking it, it'll be that much harder to go back to Pocket Outlook. :lol:

[Zack Mahdavi]

I just installed the new update, and I must say it looks like it's a very solid update. The calendar view has been slightly updated, and I like the new location of the "date" bar.

I highly recommend Pocket Informant for those of you who have been looking for a good PIM replacement for your Pocket PC. As a student, I use a ton of the features the application offers.

[ChrisW]

The new version provides auto-regeneration of tasks. This is the one thing I've been missing for years, since I traded in my Palm and Datebk4.

[OSUKid7]

The new version provides auto-regeneration of tasks. This is the one thing I've been missing for years, since I traded in my Palm and Datebk4.Maybe I'm not thinking of the same thing, but hasn't Pocket Outlook Tasks been able to do this for years?

[ChrisW]

The new version provides auto-regeneration of tasks. This is the one thing I've been missing for years, since I traded in my Palm and Datebk4.Maybe I'm not thinking of the same thing, but hasn't Pocket Outlook Tasks been able to do this for years?

Not unless I missed it as a result of using PI for the past few years.

I don't mean repeating tasks, like "my birthday happens January 19 of every year" or "the school board meets the 3rd Monday of every month". Rather, it applies to my how I refill the salt in my water softener. I need to refill it every 7 weeks. But if I fill it early, it's going to start being used from the date I filled it, not when I was scheduled to do so. So filling it a week early means that I must regenerate the task from that point, so the next due date will be 7 weeks hence, not the 8 weeks that would have been projected otherwise (1 week remaining in this cycle + 7 for the next cycle).

It sounds complicated, but it's actually very useful for anything that's based on real-world phenomena rather than mindless calendar-following.

[Janak Parekh]

The new version provides auto-regeneration of tasks. This is the one thing I've been missing for years, since I traded in my Palm and Datebk4.
Ohhhhhh! That's awesome. :D Do you know what happens if you "check off" the task in Outlook on the desktop, though?

I'll have to play with it tomorrow myself and see how it works.

--janak

[ChrisW]

Do you know what happens if you "check off" the task in Outlook on the desktop, though?

I'll have to play with it tomorrow myself and see how it works.

--janak

Dunno, please let us all know what you find.

[OSUKid7]

The new version provides auto-regeneration of tasks. This is the one thing I've been missing for years, since I traded in my Palm and Datebk4.Maybe I'm not thinking of the same thing, but hasn't Pocket Outlook Tasks been able to do this for years?

Not unless I missed it as a result of using PI for the past few years.

I don't mean repeating tasks, like "my birthday happens January 19 of every year" or "the school board meets the 3rd Monday of every month". Rather, it applies to my how I refill the salt in my water softener. I need to refill it every 7 weeks. But if I fill it early, it's going to start being used from the date I filled it, not when I was scheduled to do so. So filling it a week early means that I must regenerate the task from that point, so the next due date will be 7 weeks hence, not the 8 weeks that would have been projected otherwise (1 week remaining in this cycle + 7 for the next cycle).

It sounds complicated, but it's actually very useful for anything that's based on real-world phenomena rather than mindless calendar-following.Ah, that makes more sense now. Neat idea. :way to go:

[Derek]

I gave it a try several times, and I got to admit, PI is very nice. The only thing is, I don't need it, it has the same functionality as the standard PIM but it only looks diffrent. I think ill pass this release until they come up with some brand spanking new features no-one has ever seen before :!:

Ummmm...wow...PI really does offer quite a bit of functionality that exceeds the standard PIM. Even the "looks different" part is important (to me any way) as PI offers so many useful ways to display my information that simply are not are not available in the standard PIMs. Maybe give this version another look, there is some very nice stuff. :)

Off Topic: What kind of Subaru is that in your avatar?
I mean it's all nice with all the fancies thingies, and useless extra things, but I want to have a PIM with functionality that I will really use, I never use icons e.g.!

Offtopic: It's a 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi WR1 (now that's a mouthfull :roll:)

[CTSLICK]

I mean it's all nice with all the fancies thingies, and useless extra things, but I want to have a PIM with functionality that I will really use, I never use icons e.g.!

Offtopic: It's a 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STi WR1 (now that's a mouthfull :roll:)

I guess I was just surprised that PI can't meet your needs...have you tried it since it hit version 5? I depend on things like the task priority manager, hierarchical tasks, linking, journaling, custom views, etc. The new task regeneration feature is useful too. But you would know better than anyone what you need...but still I wonder :wink:

Off Topic: Nice Subie, I only have a 2003 WRX without all the fun new letters after it. A fun car, no doubt, but its not the STi. Trying to find a way to trade mine in on a new one without damaging my bank account (or my marriage) too heavily. Really, I NEED that extra horsepower. :twisted:

[Pony99CA]

I mean it's all nice with all the fancies thingies, and useless extra things, but I want to have a PIM with functionality that I will really use, I never use icons e.g.!
So you consider

contact photos
contact File As support
contact dialing
hierarchical tasks
more than three task priorities
journaling
links between PIM items
easier time entry

and so on useless fancies?

I was skeptical about how useful I'd find Pocket Informant, too. Then I won a copy during the New Year's Day 2003 contest and thought I'd give it a try. It's still on my iPAQ over a year and a half later.

Steve

[Derek]

I mean it's all nice with all the fancies thingies, and useless extra things, but I want to have a PIM with functionality that I will really use, I never use icons e.g.!
So you consider

contact photos
contact File As support
contact dialing
hierarchical tasks
more than three task priorities
journaling
links between PIM items
easier time entry

and so on useless fancies?

I was skeptical about how useful I'd find Pocket Informant, too. Then I won a copy during the New Year's Day 2003 contest and thought I'd give it a try. It's still on my iPAQ over a year and a half later.

Steve
Maybe I should win a free copy too, and I might start using it :lol:

Offtopic: It's not my subbie *pitty* but I'm a huge fan of Subaru. I wish I could get one of those WR1's :?
If you get a new one, be sure it's the WR1, because it is the most powerful Impreza EVER. Should have plenty of horsepower :lol: (and a little bit of joy after your devorce :lol: )

[tanalasta]

Anyone who thinks they do not need an extra PIM on top of what Microsoft provides for free, I strongly recommend trying the free trial of PI. You may find your wallet that little bit lighter! I used to be in the same boat and bought it on impulse and it's one of the few programs I have yet to regret paying for. (besides when has MS provided something good that was free that something you pay for isn't better?!? :twisted: )

The moment you use it, you find things you never knew you missed! It's a great PIM. The only nasty is that if you hard-reset your device, you still lose all your data :oops:

[mrkablooey]

Also you may want to look at PIToday which is a today plugin especially for PI.

Try PocketBreeze (http://www.sbsh.net/products/pocketbreeze/) instead. It's a nicer "version" of PIToday (not related but does what PIToday does and more. Support is great (check the forums at sbsh.net) and the product is top-notch.

I had PIToday for as long as I've used PI (6-8 months or so I guess) and since finding PB, PIToday is no longer installed.

[Derek]

PocketBreeze is very nice indeed, not very customizable though :!:

[Bruno Figueiredo]

I'm using PIToday already.

I tried PocketBreeze but didn't find it as useful. Less costumization features, and a little bloat.

Being an Interface Designer - among other things - what I find in this products is a lack of a polished and consistent interface. They are a bit "amatourish" to my liking.

Still, PI is a great product, despite the fact that I still think it could use an interface overhaul, 'cause of the bloat it is getting from the adding of features from the latest releases.

I think it would be great if every app developer and interface designer followed this rules, by the 37 signals folks (compiled by Gadgetopia (http://www.gadgetopia.com/2004/06/29/TheBuildingOfBasecampReview.html)):

* Develop a set of "mantras" or rules for how you want things to work.
* Say "no" by default to any feature request. Make a feature work very hard to be implemented.
* Remember that there are significant hidden costs with new features. Besides the actual time to code there's (1) time spent supporting it, (2) unforseen changes that result because of it, (3) time spent documenting it, (4) the overall degradation of the user experience if it makes things more complicated, etc. Sometimes, the coding time is just the tip of the iceberg.
* Start everything with the screen design. The screen IS the application. The screen drives the functionality, not the other way around. The screen design is the requirements document.
* Get something built quickly. Iterate, iterate, iterate. Release early and often. Plan a major feature upgrade within 30 days of release.
* When designing a screen, find the epicenter — the main section of the screen where the user's eye will be drawn first. Design that and work outwards.
* Avoid preferences. Preferences can be cop-outs to tough problems. Whenever you have the user set a preference, you're having them make a decision. It's more challenging to come up with a solution, and mandate it.[/url]

[Pony99CA]

Those user interface rules all sound OK except for this one.

Avoid preferences. Preferences can be cop-outs to tough problems. Whenever you have the user set a preference, you're having them make a decision. It's more challenging to come up with a solution, and mandate it.
This sounds like a one-size-fits-all approach, which is rarely good. Imagine a car where the seat didn't adjust.

Cars are different than computer programs, but can you give an example of where this rule was applied and worked?

Steve

[Bruno Figueiredo]

Well, I think they don't mean avoid Preferences at all, but rather avoid giving too much preferences. I think that in that aspect Pocket Informant went WAAAAY overboard...

There's just too much to choose.

I think that for some things, you should just choose for the user and stick with it. For example, the options for tabs in PI. The default works great, so why giving you the abilty of just text, text with icons, icons... Who cares?

[Ed Hansberry]

I think that for some things, you should just choose for the user and stick with it. For example, the options for tabs in PI. The default works great, so why giving you the abilty of just text, text with icons, icons... Who cares?
I do. Does anyone have screenshots of this? Where are the calendar view selectors? Are they still up top or can they be moved around?

[CTSLICK]

I do. Does anyone have screenshots of this? Where are the calendar view selectors? Are they still up top or can they be moved around?

The calendar view selectors (agenda, 1 day, 7 day or month) always stay at the top when looking at a calendar view, no matter what display option (icon, text, both when selected) is selected for the tab. In addition, you can always tap and hold on the calendar tab to select a calendar view if you like.

[CTSLICK]

Well, I think they don't mean avoid Preferences at all, but rather avoid giving too much preferences. I think that in that aspect Pocket Informant went WAAAAY overboard...

There's just too much to choose.

I think that for some things, you should just choose for the user and stick with it. For example, the options for tabs in PI. The default works great, so why giving you the abilty of just text, text with icons, icons... Who cares?

And by default PI is set up in a way that requires very little in the way of customization. That, in my opinion, is one of its strengths. The first time user normally does not have to do much to starting using PI. PI preferences only enter into the equation as your needs or tastes evolve. Thus PI can evolve with you.

PIM's are such a personal choice that any attempt to cater to one crowd or force standardization ends up alienating too many other users. Its been said so many times...the operative word in PIM is "personal". This makes preferences, lots of them, necessary. Once again...just my opinion. :)

[mrkablooey]

PocketBreeze is very nice indeed, not very customizable though :!:

:?:

[baker]

PocketBreeze is very nice indeed, not very customizable though :!:

:?:

:?: :?: :?: Now if you're talking about Calendar Plus, I might agree a wee little bit. I couldn't for PocketBreeze. Head over to SBSH's forums. When a suggestion is made they usually implement it. http://www.sbsh.net/forums/