I'm a newbie to PDAs, so forgive this one...

[tnantz]

I just got my Dell Axim, and I am anxious to play on it. Problem is, I dont know a thing about handhelds. :oops:

I was looking at TUCOWS and saw some neat apps that I could download. But I don't know which version to get. The Axim comes loaded with Pocket PC 2002.

Should I get Strongarm, MIPS, or SH3 versions of the software?

Any other tips or literature you could point me in the direction of would be great. I appreciate the help!

[daninnj]

Pocket PC 2002 runs (Strong)ARM software.

DanInNJ

[tnantz]

Thanks Dan.

Anyone else have any ideas on any information that they can point me to? I'm fluent with desktops, as well as my laptop - but this PDA is out of my area of expertise, so if any of you esteemed gurus could grace me with some tips to boost performance or any interesting applications that you might suggest, please let me know.

[PhatCohiba]

Here is a list of things to know.

1) If you have a WiFi Network already, you need a CF (CompactFlash) Wireless Ethernet card. I have the Socket LowPower, it works great for me.

2) The built-in Memory won't be enough once you start loading MP3s, eBooks, Games, and Divx Videos, if you get a CF WiFi card then you should use your SD (SecureDigital) slot for memory. I personally think that the 256mb cards are the best price-performance right now.

3) What software you try depends on what sort of things you'd like to do:

Play music (mp3s or WMA)

Convert DVD's or other Videos to PPC size

Read eBooks (in MS reader format)

Download Mail, Calendar, Tasks, contacts from Outlook or an Exchange Server

Browse the Internet (from Wifi or cell phone connection)

Play Games, Play Games, and More Game Playing.

Give us a hint, we can help you.... :twisted:

[tnantz]

Well...

Our school just implemented a campuswide wireless "net" over the entire campus - theoretically allowing access anywhere. So it'll mostly be for net browsing for things to use in class discussion (or debates, Poli Sci major :wink: ). I would like to keep some eBooks on there, and maybe some mp3s.

I wasn't aware that you could convert DivX or DVDs to play on a PPC. That's pretty cool. Not something I look to do, but it's cool. (It'd distract me in class, lol!)

[PhatCohiba]

Ok.

The WiFi is a must. Make sure your campus uses standard 802.11b. I recommend the Socket Card, but I'd post in the Dell forum and make sure its working well with drivers, etc.

eBooks. I just downloaded a bunch of free American History related (Constitution, Federalist Papers, etc.) from http://etext.lib.virginia.edu/ebooks/. I used the Microsoft eBook catalog at mslit.com to find other free and $$ eBooks.

The easiest way to get MP3's on you ppc is to use a Desktop version of Windows media "Copy to Device." You can set WM to automatically convert your mp3s to 96k or 64k depending on how sensitive your ears are and how bad your headphones are :).

If your eMail account is hosted through IMAP or POP3, you can read and compose mail directly on your Ax'm.

[tnantz]

Very cool. Thanks for the suggestions.

[ThomasC22]

Although I would in no way not recommend the Socket Communications card (they make very solid products) you also might want to look into the Linksys WCF12 (http://www.linksys.com/Products/product.asp?grid=22&prid=434). It was way cheaper when I bought mind and works like a charm in the Axim.

[Pony99CA]

The easiest way to get MP3's on you ppc is to use a Desktop version of Windows media "Copy to Device." You can set WM to automatically convert your mp3s to 96k or 64k depending on how sensitive your ears are and how bad your headphones are :).

I don't know if that's the easiest way. I rip (or occasionally download :-)) 128 kbps MP3s. To copy them to my device, I just use Windows Explorer and copy them to Mobile Device\My Pocket PC\Storage Card\My Documents\Music (where I keep my music files).

I haven't listened to many files encoded at less than 128 kbps, so I don't know how much worse 96 or 64 kbps would sound.

Steve

[Kati Compton]

I haven't listened to many files encoded at less than 128 kbps, so I don't know how much worse 96 or 64 kbps would sound.


I don't know about WMA, but for MP3's, 64 is very noticeable. Flat 96 is starting towards acceptable, but I'd go with a variable encoding if you want that. I did some that varied from 64-256 with an average of 96 (no, it never got up to 256), and they were quite acceptable. But I could tell that my desktop ones encoded at 192 were more "full". For my listening, it's fine, though. I don't need complete perfection to enjoy it. Wouldn't recommend it for audiophiles or classical music, though...

I notice *slightly* a change when I average at 112 instead of 96. At 128, I can't really tell the difference between it and 192, although my husband thinks he can.

[mookie123]

Depending on the music type, but in general under 128 things start to get really lossy. If the music has a lot of higher frequency combined with rowdy mid frequency. You'll notice it immediately. Accoustic music is the worst, since it depends those effects.

The oft talked examples are Bach or Haydn concertos. Plenty of hapsicord on top that get shopped off. Forget solo concertos. Use Ogg instead if you need to cross under the 128 rate. Solo violin, hapsicord, Piano definitely demand for the highest rate possible given memory space. You'll definitely notice the difference even on semi decent headphone. It sounded somewhat "falsed", little artificial, since a lot of the resonance and echoes got chopped off.

The most undestructable type of music i find out is Blues, fallowed by classic rock. (but I think it's just because the original recording are lousy to begin with and they don't generally rely on delicate top frequencies) Buddy Guy survives as low as 64, even 32 and still rocking, just like listening to AM radio. heh....

well, that's me at least.

[szamot]

I find that running mp3's at 160 on the Axim more than compensates for its poor sound quality. Besides I am too lazy to convert stuff all the time so I just use SanDisk Cruzer and USB to copy my mp3’ onto my SD card and off I go. Usually I can fill a256mb card in less than 6 minutes which works for me

[PhatCohiba]

1) if you are listening in perfect conditions with good quality external Headphones or a direct connection to good speakers, then I agree 128 MP3 / WMA is a minimum.

2) If you are listening on the built-in speakers, crappy stolen airpline headphones, a cassette converter to a car tape deck, then 96k wma is hardly noticeable.

3) Answer this question: If a song you like comes on the radio from a station with poor reception, do you listen anyways? If so, you could "Tolerate" 64k WMA (don't do MP3, its bad at this level.) The files are relativly tiny.

The point about useing Windows Media, is that It will automatically downsize your songs. This is really usefull if you listen to 160 / 192k mp3 on your desktop but each song is 6 mb. If you dropped this to 96k WMA you'd get 2-4 times as many songs.

(Man I love hiding these debates in threads about something completely different ;-)

[tnantz]

Actually it really is helping me understand certian ways certian folks go about using their device. I really appreciate the input.

Maybe now I can actuall find a use for Windows Media on my laptop (I'm a winamp person). lol.

[Janak Parekh]

I don't know about WMA, but for MP3's, 64 is very noticeable. Flat 96 is starting towards acceptable, but I'd go with a variable encoding if you want that. I did some that varied from 64-256 with an average of 96 (no, it never got up to 256), and they were quite acceptable. But I could tell that my desktop ones encoded at 192 were more "full". For my listening, it's fine, though. I don't need complete perfection to enjoy it. Wouldn't recommend it for audiophiles or classical music, though...
I'm a psuedo-wannabe-audiophile, and 64kBps WMA really, really bothers me. It's not good with any reasonable headset.

I, myself, use 160kbps Ogg. There is definitely a noticeable difference between 128kbps and 160kbps, especially with subtle cymbals and lush harmonies. The VBR aspects of Ogg (or MP3) also make a difference. I can easily tell between 128kbps fixed and 160kbps fixed/VBR given the right music.

--bdj

[Janak Parekh]

The point about useing Windows Media, is that It will automatically downsize your songs. This is really usefull if you listen to 160 / 192k mp3 on your desktop but each song is 6 mb. If you dropped this to 96k WMA you'd get 2-4 times as many songs.
Honestly, you want to avoid transcoding. If you do a lossy recompression of compressed music, you're going to get nasty compression artifacts. It might be OK for subway or highway listening, but percussion is absolutely destroyed by this. I tried it once - never again for me :)

--bdj

[szamot]

I find that if you compress it with WMP it does strip the depth out of the music, it does sound thin and tinny even on a highway ride.