Not Using a Pocket PC [Archive] - Thoughts Media Forums

Jason Dunn

11-30-2002, 04:00 PM

As I mentioned yesterday, I sent my XDA off to get an upgrade to 128 MB of RAM. Today, rather than load up my HP 565, I thought I'd try something that I haven't done in three years - I went a day without a Pocket PC. The results? It was...interesting. First I went to get my hair cut - I was stuck waiting, and normally I'd take the time to play a game of <a href="http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&jid=6E46A874DB1EXFXD9B319CXF9765DE19&platformId=2&productType=2&productId=24938&sectionId=0&catalog=30">Snails</a>. Instead I was stuck reading a six month old copy of Teen People with Justin Timberlake on the cover. 8O After that I was off to the bank, where once again I was waiting in line. Normally I'd check my email with the XDA. Instead, I was stuck staring at the walls. :? What I wouldn't have given to read some Sci-Fi channel news through AvantGo. As I was standing in line, I got the idea for this post - but rather than being able to whip out the Pocket PC and jot down some notes (or use the voice recorder), I had to <gasp> remember it! Anyone who knows me understands that I have practically no short term memory, so it's a miracle I remembered the concept for this post. And it's a good thing I recently started wearing a watch, or I would have had no clue what time it was - let alone know if I had any appointments (thankfully I didn't!). Sometimes I wonder if I need a Pocket PC so badly because I have ADD, or if the rest of the world doesn't know what it's missing. What about you? What's the biggest thing you miss when you go without your Pocket PC?

mookie123

11-30-2002, 04:17 PM

I think you have ADD. :lol:

how about maybe run some calculation inside your head with all that extra brain cycle you have? wouldn't it be great if we can donate some idle brain cycle in super massive networked computer?

TMAN

11-30-2002, 04:18 PM

I feel your pain. I have been thinking about sending in my 3970 for the 128MB upgrade as well. The thought of being without my Pocket PC for a week is maddening.

I had to do it once before. Luckily or maybe unluckily, I had a Clio-1050. Dragging that thing around as a replacement was a nightmare. At least I still made it to meetings on time.

The biggest thing I miss? The whole thing. But on a daily basis I would miss reading and listening to books and music, taking notes, having every number at my disposal, and having my schedule with me.

Duncan

11-30-2002, 04:23 PM

I can understand where you are coming from on this!

I have a memory disorder as a result of an 'incident' in 1987. For years I struggled through my days failing to get things done, not remembering why I was going places etc. (pen and paper never worked - I would forget them!!).

Buying the Philips Velo was a life changer and I was never without a Win CE PDA from that point on. Having Tasks, Calendar and Contacts permanently to hand, being able to record by pen or voice anything I thought of (instead of inevitably forgetting them). Having student records easily accessible ('cos I would never remember them otherwise!).

Then I sold my iPAQ 3870 back in April expecting to get my Loox very soon after. As things turned out it was months before I had my new PPC. I found the hole my absent PDA left in my life was a huge one (with constant list writing by my wife being a poor replacement!).

So - in future I'm not even going one day without a Pocket PC by my side (I even have two now - just to be safe!).

paris

11-30-2002, 04:40 PM

I totally understand you Jason.

I have been without my Pocket PC for over a week now. I sold my one year old H3850 to get the new kick ass H5450.

Day one - I was reading some articles on the internet and as i maintain a greek news site i wanted to convert some $ to £ but :cry: but i did not have my pocket PC to use worldmate.

Day two - Well i was about to go to the toilet and i realized again that i did not have Pocket PC so i had to stare at the walls :?

Day three - I was in the university and i wanted to check my bank acount status but i did not have a ppc to use ewallet.

Day four - Well i missed a lecture in the morning since i did not have an alarm as loud as my iPaq to wake me up.

Day five - I did manage to get my T68i to synch with outlook so i could have some sort if info on me.

Day six - Well i was about to start Cash Organizer and write down all my expences for the past few days but no ppc, i had to use excel on my pc(thank god i did export my data to excel)

Day seven - Well i found a few new appz a cool new wisbar skin by Lightman but :( i did not have my ppc to try them on.

Day eight - Well i went bellistic when i saw that expansys.com had set the availability of the iPaq H5450 in 21 days. agh :evil:

Day nine - Well things got even wost taday when i received my Pocket PC magazine :( and i do not have a pocket pc.

Janak Parekh

11-30-2002, 04:53 PM

No one who's posted so far, except Duncan, has gone through what I did - I had to have my 3870 repaired 3 consecutive times by Compaq. I didn't have my iPaq for a month. (My right-button was firing automatically; the first time returned, they messed up the backlight and left the record button out; the second time they fixed the record button but still had the backlighting problem; the third time they replaced the screen entirely. Yay.)

It's real hard, once you've gotten used to depending on it daily. The worst was the loss of my MP3's -- on the train, with a lot of background (esp. obnoxious people) noise, the music helps me sleep. Let's put it this way, I slept a lot less. Tried listening to FM, and rediscovered how terrible modern radio is.

I dealt with the organizer tasks by firing up my laptop a lot more. Awkward, but I managed.

I was the happiest guy on earth the day the 3870 actually came back and worked and I could use everything. Just then my T68 died, but that's another story for another time. Suffice it to say that having both is essential for me. I'll be getting the 5450, but I won't give up my 3870 until that 5450 is in my hands. :)

--bdj

Ed Hansberry

11-30-2002, 04:58 PM

What's the biggest thing you miss when you go without your Pocket PC?
Feeling its soft cool curves in my pocket, knowing those smooth edges are right there waiting for me to touch it.

Wait... did I type that or just think that? :lol: 8O

I don't know what I'd do without a Pocket PC anymore. I keep my trusty old 3600 around for just such emergencies if my main device has to go for repairs.

Steven Cedrone

11-30-2002, 05:00 PM

Nice experiment, I don't think I would ever try it! :wink:

I really don't think I could go a whole day without having my Pocket PC with me. I have way too much data on it that I reference continually throughout the day...

Steve

Rirath

11-30-2002, 05:07 PM

As I was standing in line, I got the idea for this post - but rather than being able to whip out the Pocket PC and jot down some notes (or use the voice recorder),

I'm still busy picturing Jason in line at the bank dictating PPC Thoughts. :) I must admit, I've been shunning my PPC just a bit over the last week. Half because it's so cold I don't go anywhere long, half because I'm just too excited about all the new things the Axim brings. I still bring it every time I know I'll be out for more than a few minutes though. I'd hate sitting through a 3 1/2 hour class without it.

malcolmsharp

11-30-2002, 05:23 PM

Kati Compton

11-30-2002, 06:01 PM

I read somewhere, and I can't remember where, that someone was testing using PDA's for elderly people as a memory aid... alarm beeps when it's time to take meds, important phone numbers, doctor appointments.

I've had family members that took care of other older members, and the number one thing they did was remind them constantly of important things. I would imagine it would be more convinent, not to mention less humiliating, to get such things from a machine.

My memory isn't that great (starting a couple years ago) and it does get upsetting when my husband (rightly and helpfully) reminds me of stuff all the time. He's not doing it on purpose, but it gets annoying. Mainly because it reminds me that I can't remember (;)) and makes me feel overly dependent on him. Another reason why I'm getting back into PDAs after not using one for a while. I'd rather be dependent on a fun electronic toy, as it doesn't have feelings and won't feel like I'm it's "responsibility", which is part of what I don't like.

JonnoB

11-30-2002, 06:42 PM

Some people call me the absent-minded professor. I don't know if that is a complement (professor) or a slam because I am so forgetful. It may be the latter.

In fact, I am so forgetful, that there are occasions where I even forget my Pocket PC at home when running out the door. 8O I then miss appointments and get bored waiting in lines while running my errands. Yes, like others who have commented here - I too am very dependant on my Pocket PC and when I use it regularly, I am much less 'absent-minded.'

MacBirdie

11-30-2002, 06:46 PM

I try to use my Pocket PC the way that I don't lose my BrainFlash Memory (TM). I remember my bank account numbers, some of the passwords, good friends' phone numbers, I even remember PI number with accurancy to 50 digits. :D
I have it all in my Pocket PC though. :) Except for the PI ;)

PPCWidow

11-30-2002, 06:53 PM

... it was my darling hubby who got me to enter all of my appointments and to-do's.

I think I most appreciate the little reminders to pick up my kids at school. There has been more than one occasion where my little kindergartener would have been left crying had it not been for my handy reminder to pick him up :D

Steven Cedrone

11-30-2002, 07:06 PM

I read somewhere, and I can't remember where, that someone was testing using PDA's for elderly people as a memory aid... alarm beeps when it's time to take meds, important phone numbers, doctor appointments.

Not quite the same thing: My dog was recently diagnosed with Epilepsy. I have reminders going off twice a day to let me know when it's time to give her medication...

Steve

mookie123

11-30-2002, 07:35 PM

With all the posting on this thread,

I wonder if somebody with seriously naughty sense of humor will write an agenda plug in "with attitude".

-insted "beep beep, display appointment"

guilty trip version: it will say. call your mom, she gave birth to you.....
patronizing verison: If you are a responsible person, you will call now...
nagging versionL: You almost forgot to call again.....
Kubricks 2000 version: I am afraid I can do that dave... (when you try to change your call mom schedule with lower priority to do.)

(okay. it's weekend. I can'resist..... :lol: )

aner

11-30-2002, 08:49 PM

Bob Anderson

11-30-2002, 09:15 PM

Although I don't use my iPaq all the time, I can't even imagine not having access to it. I use it when I go to the gym to work out (thanks Windows Media) and like Jason, I'm always using it when I'm in line somewhere... to read some AvantGo channels or to update some notes or tasks.

When my 5450 arrives, the 3635 will be the "backup" so that I've got easy access to a PDA at critical times!

Dave Beauvais

11-30-2002, 09:48 PM

My memory isn't that great (starting a couple years ago) ...
Doesn't it suck having "senior moments" at our age? :? I was at the parent's house for Thanksgiving, went down to the basement to get something and forgot what it was by the time I got down there. My mom thought that was hilarious since for years I've poked fun at her for doing the same thing.

I do have a problem remembering to do things, though, and my Pocket PC has become a vital part of my life. At my last job I used my PPC to organize and prioritize my work orders, keep track of meetings, and other assorted things. I have technical documents, a database of software serial numbers and product keys, and all manner of other goodies at my fingertips. All I need now is a job. I asked Santa for one for Christmas, but it doesn't look like that's gonna happen. (Pssst... anyone in the central Ohio area looking to hire a geek? ;) )

--Dave

Kati Compton

11-30-2002, 10:17 PM

I'd like a program that will let me input a brief description of one of my students (e.g. 'spotty, spiky haircut, slouches a lot') and have it pull up a selection of names and photos to help me remember who they are... I can dream...! :wink:

Hehehehe! That's one thing about my chosen career path (Professor) - I'm terrible with names...

BruceG

11-30-2002, 10:21 PM

I have been without a PDA for two months now, since my HP Jornada died a sudden death :angel: . I wanted to wait until the new PDAs (from HP and Dell) came out before I got another one, and I am now eagerly awaiting my Dell Axim 400MHz. First I tried to use my Nokia mobile phone, since it would store addresses and keep reminders, and it had a calculator. I had too many addresses in Outlook, and the reminders didn't quite work out. I have since taken to keeping little pieces of paper in my pocket, and I use them to write things down (so I can enter them into my laptop later).

I miss having a PDA badly :( . I miss being able to enter appointments (I originally got a Palm Vx to keep track of my kids' appointments and contacts). I miss being able to read eBooks in the airline terminals and on the plane, instead of lugging paper around. I miss being able to listen to music while I go jogging. I have had to find alternatives for the alarm clock. I have to think about what information I will need before I step away from my laptop - it was always there on my PDA. I was never interested in playing games on my PDA or my laptop, so I don't miss that. However, I do miss all those little things that my personl digital assistant did for me. I may buy the lower-cost Dell Axim, just to have as a backup in case something happens to my future PDA :robot: .

Master O'Mayhem

11-30-2002, 10:26 PM

thats why you have to get more than one!!! no more jitters, no more feelings of emptiness.... send one in and use the spare :)

yawanag

11-30-2002, 10:36 PM

I empathize with everyone who had to live with out their PDA for a day. I already posted that I had to go without for 7 days after I downloaded "Nice Start." It was on back order 'cause T-Mobile is pretty fast at getting another unit to you.

Thank God I had my HP Jornada 548 to fall back on or I would have sunk into such deep depression they would have enrolled me in to some 12-step program.

I didn't know what was coming on TV 'cause I cancelled my subscription for TV Guide when I downloaded PTVL. It was worse with T-Mobile because I had no cell phone either. I had just cancelled Verizon Wireless.

I took no vows but I think I'm married to my PDA for life!

Steven Cedrone

12-01-2002, 02:17 AM

The discussion about Teachers/Professors and ther Pocket PC use has been moved to this thread: Profs and their Pocket PC's (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=5252&highlight=)

Steven Cedrone
Community Moderator

dazz

12-01-2002, 05:50 PM

I'm thinking a formal support group would be a real value to all of us. I laughed :lol: and cried :cry: reading this post and an glad I have a backup PocketPC...just in case!

The thing I'm not sure of is if the support group should be for those of us without their trusty side kick or for us to start to reconnect with the outside world again 8O

Ah, screw it! Give me my PocketPC or give me...forgot what I was going to say. My son is using the PocketPC.

dazz

Glisson

12-01-2002, 06:39 PM

I am still working off the tail end of my first year with a PDA. I started noticing I was forgetting things and needed some help. I bought a BE-300 and soon found that I wanted more. I sold it within 3 months and bought an Audiovox Maestro and my wife a Toshiba e310. I work construction so I don't use my PDA constantly at work even though I have tons of reference material stored in it as close as my truck if I need it. I catch a lot of crap for having it but I continually am able to call up info to awnser questions that the techno-neanderthals around here ask. Like most I origonally was planning on using the contacts and calendar but once in you find an endless array of helper apps. I get razzed quite often here in Kansas for always wearing my PDA but why have it if you don't carry it? It doesn't help you much if it's at home right? It has been a great help in keeping my wife's shcedule and mine on track using outlook. I have yet to have to be without my PDA for any time but have carried it for a couple of days at a time and not needed it. Just nice to know it's there to refer to if I need it. There is rarely more than 3 people in line here unless you are at the DMV so I don't find myself constantly breakin it out to fill a few minutes but I dare you to get between my wife and her solitare!

Glisson

acronym

12-01-2002, 07:13 PM

I hope that message was partially tounge-in-cheek
waiting in line @ the bank ... waiting for a haircut... I may be old fashioned, but you could have, you know, talked to someone.

being that I'm on what? my 7th pda and waiting for my dell to ship, you'd think I'd rely on the thing more - but I still find them a tad bit slow to take the place of a good laptop (believe me, I tried - wifi, bluetooth, gprs - lack of fast memory is the culprit here). I thought the tablet pc would take up the slack, but I'm extremely disappointed in what is offered in the first round.

seanturner

12-01-2002, 07:50 PM

I know! I've grown so dependent that if an appointment doesn't go in my iPaq, i won't be there. The other day I forgot to put a meeting in there and people were like "Where were you" when they got out.

I've gotten so used to carrying my iPaq in my right pants pocket that when I don't have it I feel wierd, empty, I notice the loss. Its almost as if my body itself senses the absence of its technilogical counterpart.

Ekkie Tepsupornchai

12-01-2002, 08:20 PM

No one who's posted so far, except Duncan, has gone through what I did - I had to have my 3870 repaired 3 consecutive times by Compaq. I didn't have my iPaq for a month. (My right-button was firing automatically; the first time returned, they messed up the backlight and left the record button out; the second time they fixed the record button but still had the backlighting problem; the third time they replaced the screen entirely. Yay.)

<...>

I dealt with the organizer tasks by firing up my laptop a lot more. Awkward, but I managed.

I've got that beat hands down. I was just recently without my PPC for six straight weeks as I had to have my iPaq3835 repaired 5 consecutive times. Worse than that, I'm working in Munich 3 out of every 4 weeks (my home is in Los Angeles), so there were two different occasions where I sent out my iPaq at the beginning of my week at home, received it back a few days later (which is good) only to have to send it back b/c of another defect (which is bad as I would have to leave for Munich w/o seeing it for another 3 weeks).

Relied on a combination of:
-Outlook on my laptop
-Ericcson T68m
-lots of scratch paper

I felt so UN-MOBILE during that time!!

Ekkie

Janak Parekh

12-01-2002, 11:32 PM

Ekkie Tepsupornchai

12-02-2002, 06:28 PM

I've got that beat hands down. I was just recently without my PPC for six straight weeks as I had to have my iPaq3835 repaired 5 consecutive times.
Ouch, sorry. You really should have propagated the issue up. At least two techs told me that if after the third time the repair wasn't working, I could talk to "Executive Care" or "Customer Retention" or something and negotiate. I know people on the Brighthand board that have gotten new units in exchange.

Well, at least this way you've got the record... or so I think ;)

--bdj

On the final attempt, the issue was escalated and finally handled (just before Thanksgiving). They actually did replace my unit with a new unit on a previous repair but it came back with a faulty battery that they failed to acknolwedge for a long time.

All a moot point now, because after my flight from LA to Munich this morning I left my iPaq on the plane (6 weeks without it made me forgetful of it... either that or the 5 hours of sleep made my mind groggy)... ran back to the plane 10 minutes later to find the unit gone with nothing reported to Lost&Found... iPaq + PC Sleeve + 128MB SD + 512MB CF... all gone!!

I guess it's time that I start seriously considering the crop of new PPCs!!

Kati Compton

12-02-2002, 07:42 PM

Oooh... Sorry to hear about your lost iPaq.... :(

Janak Parekh

12-02-2002, 10:18 PM

All a moot point now, because after my flight from LA to Munich this morning I left my iPaq on the plane (6 weeks without it made me forgetful of it... either that or the 5 hours of sleep made my mind groggy)... ran back to the plane 10 minutes later to find the unit gone with nothing reported to Lost&Found... iPaq + PC Sleeve + 128MB SD + 512MB CF... all gone!!
:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

I'm also really sorry to hear that. Hope you had password protection or something. Might as well call the carrier a day or two later to see if someone reports it as lost...

Maybe that iPaq was just a bad-luck charm...

--bdj

Ekkie Tepsupornchai

12-03-2002, 05:41 PM

Thanks for the sentiments. The iPaq itself was not password protected, but all of my sensitive information is in CodeWallet Pro which is password protected (I'm glad I don't maintain that info in HPC Notes anymore). Luckily, DeveloperOne provides a desktop version of CodeWallet and I had a backup of my CodeWallet data file on my laptop. Other than that, the thief has free reign to my tasks, contacts, and appointments.

Unless they're into crank-calling from Germany to the US, I think everything should be fine.

Frustrating though to wrestle with HP customer care for six weeks before finally getting the unit up-and-running correctly, only to have it stolen a week later.