Pocket Informant 3.45 Released

[Ed Hansberry]

<a href="http://www.pocketinformant.com">http://www.pocketinformant.com</a><br /><br />Pocket Informant 3.45 will be available later today. It has lots of tweaks and performance enhancements and one very cool feature. A very impressive search engine. The Search tab is a new one and now allows you to query your PIM data (contacts, appointments, tasks and journal entries) on a variety of fields. Also, unlike the Pocket PC's built in Start|Find menu, these results are "live" meaning you can tap-and-hold on them and get the proper context menus to manipulate as you see fit.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2002/20021222-pi345search.gif" /><br /><br />There are some graphical enhancements too. Check out the new Agenda View bars (normal, underlined and half or full tubes) available as well as the enhanced task completion boxes. <!><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/hansberry/2002/20021222-pi345av.gif" />

[Rirath]

Woah, thanks for the heads up. I'm a little confused over how they manage to include "performance enhancements" in every single release. I mean, pretty soon the code is going to be so enhanced it'll have to write your tasks and appointments for you. After that I guess they'll have to find a way to make it do it before you even open the app. Soon enough, we won't even need to look at the screen... they'll just feed the information directly to the appropriate synapses. :wink:

However they do it, I'm glad they do. :)

[mookie123]

Pocket informant 6.1,
You don't even need to own PDA, you just wish for one, and all your to-do list will be instantly done.

[MobiliT]

A new PI update... what a nice Christmas gift!

[JoshB]

It doesn't seem to be posted on www.pocketinformant.com yet - latest version they're showing is 3.4.1, released on 11/29...

Hopefully it will be there soon - I'm going out of town tomorrow morning, and I'd like to snag it before I leave.

Thanks for the heads up, Ed! :D

JoshB

[thanos255]

Has there been any mention of @mail with this new PI release?

Thanks
Thanos

[Jaap van Ees]

But Agenda Fusion had it first Didn't you guys notice? :wink:

The 4.82 update of DeveloperOne's Agenda Fusion was released December 18 and added a great search feature. And in 6 languages too! :D

[Rirath]

But Agenda Fusion had it first Didn't you guys notice?

Perhaps PI has just had time to perfect the concept. 8) :wink:

[mookie123]

Well if you mention one you just have to bring up the other. It's jsut the way it is. :D


Agenda Fusion page
http://www.developerone.com/pocketpc/fusion/

[Janak Parekh]

But Agenda Fusion had it first Didn't you guys notice? :wink:
The two of them have been trading features for some time now. For the heck of it, I installed AF on my PPC (I use PI as my main organizer). Extremely, extremely similar. AF is a little faster but I like PI's views a little more.

--janak

[Mr. Anonymous]

Argh, where for art thou PI today page plugin?!?!

[Rirath]

Argh, where for art thou PI today page plugin?!?!

Good question. :-/ Also starting to wonder if the release will indeed be today.

[TheNewSteve]

I just bought PI at CompUSA on the 14th. When I downloaded it (it's 3 days before I can use the Axim), it said there was a newer version that was available, so I downloaded that. Since this version was just released, it was probably the previous version that I'd downloaded.

Is the update free?

-Steve

[ChrisW]

Argh, where for art thou PI today page plugin?!?!

Unless I misunderstood his post recent on his web site, that effort is now officially cancelled :( . He said that he's given some third party some help in doing something, but this will never be part of the PI product.

However, there's a pretty good free alternative called tAgenda. I don't have the URL handy, but it combines the best features of Calendar+ and Tasks+ into a single plugin, and works quite well with PI :) .

[Ed Hansberry]

Just consulted Carnac on this. He said he was getting good vibes that it would be posted soon - as in during waking hours today. :)

[JoshB]

I just bought PI at CompUSA on the 14th. When I downloaded it (it's 3 days before I can use the Axim), it said there was a newer version that was available, so I downloaded that. Since this version was just released, it was probably the previous version that I'd downloaded.

Is the update free?

-Steve

Yes, the update should be free, as long as the version you have is 3.x. Alex Kac, the developer, has been really good about delivering feature-packed point releases at no charge to registered users. (PI it at 3.5 now, but so much has been added with each point release that Alex could easily call it version 8.0 or higher if he wanted :)).

I'm downloading tAgenda now, to check it out - I'll post with my impressions, if I get a chance.

JoshB

[Ed Hansberry]

Yes, the update should be free, as long as the version you have is 3.x.
I think his policy is pretty much point upgrades are free. When 4.0 comes out, there will probably be a small upgrade fee like there was for 3.0 for 2.x users.

Very worth it IMHO.

[cnyprecast]

3.45 is up now.....
and it is very very good!!!

The best by far!

[bdeli]

tAgenda - http://www001.upp.so-net.ne.jp/kohgo/index_en.html

Calendar+ - http://mohairsofa.com/Main.aspx?page=7&article=26

[Roosterman]

It doesn't seem to be posted on www.pocketinformant.com yet - latest version they're showing is 3.4.1, released on 11/29...

Hopefully it will be there soon - I'm going out of town tomorrow morning, and I'd like to snag it before I leave.

Thanks for the heads up, Ed! :D

JoshB
It is there now if anyone is interested.

[alex_kac]

Janak - makes sure you try PI 3.45 against AF.

Honestly, code can always be optimized. One day I could write PI in assembler :) Seriously, we always just find smarter ways to do things than brute force methods. Sometimes we find smarter ways than the previous smarter ways.

As for comparing AF's Fusion Find to PI's Search tab - I don't think there are any comparisons.

Here are a few things that our customers are saying about 3.45:
Alex:

Still playing arround with 3.45 and ... well, how can I tell... GREAT!!! icon_biggrin.gif

1.- UI got a major face lift the right way, views are clearer and new details make them better.
2.- Search Tab makes PI useful in a new way.
3.- As Month Inline View, Zoom View is much more than nice allowing info views go through very different ways, he, eh, surprising friends again, eh, icon_eek.gif !!!
4.- The whole app seems faster.

BTW, at Handango poll, first for business and productivity, not so bad. icon_biggrin.gif

Hard headed men and women, you and your beta testers, it deserved a 3.5 at least. icon_evil.gif

Thanks for my present, merry Christmas to you and the team.

Cheers.

and

OMG. It's fantastic!

Alex, you've outdone yourself. Task completion boxes are bigger (and easier to hit), category icons appear in the selection screen, we have 3 new Agenda view styles, the options tool loads faster...you didn't miss a trick. I'm still finding new little tweaks here and there. Don't you ever sleep? icon_biggrin.gif

Your new search feature is awesome and FAST! (I don't wish to be uncharitable to your competition, but just for fun compare it to AF's latest global search, which is agonizingly slooooow...)

Thanks for the early Christmas gift and Happy Holidays!

[Mark R Penn]

I've been a PI user sinse 2.6. I downloaded AF last week to give it a try, and used it continuosly in place of PI for a week. I really really wanted it to be better (or at least as good), because it has one feature that PI does not (but will soon), that I want a lot.

BUT, it's now in the bin. It does not come close to PI. I have always tried to be open minded about this particular comparrison (see any of my posts on the subject on various boards), but now the point has been reached where it is simply impossible to recommend AF over PI.

AF is marginally quicker to open, but once open there is no discernable difference (so I keep PI running in the background - problem solved). However it is infinately less customisable and far less feature rich.

On the face of it both programmes are simillar, but use both for a period of time, and there is no competition.

Plus, for the moment at least, PI is cheaper!

Mark

[surur]

Oh this is Brilliant!! :D

Its really cool to have the developers of software you use everyday on this board! :lol:

I love the software, only prob at the mo is that its a bit slow, but I can live with that.

There is *one* thing I was wondering if you could address.

In the inline calender view, the inline window for that date is always the same size, its usually too big, and doesnt scale with the content of the calender for that day. Could this be changed so that there is less unnecessary white space on that view.

Anyways... I love your product, and especially the frequent updates and tweaks. Keep up the good work!

Surur :D

[alex_kac]

Well, if you go to our forums, you'll see I post there quite a lot :) I used to try and post at all the different boards all the time, but I just don't have time for it. Instead, I focus on the PI community right on our own site - http://pocketinformant.com/forums/

I visit PPC Thoughts daily though - but mostly as a viewer.

As to you request - the main reason its that way is for muscle memory. It keeps a consistent look to that screen. But its quite easy to do as you ask. Post on our forums your request with a poll. I'd love to see what others think.

[looxuser]

Hello Alex, personally I preferred the formatting/color scheme of 3.4 in the calender view. Can I select the previous style somewhere?

Andy - Editor, http://www.looxuser.com :(

[dml]

I've just been trying out the new global search feature. It's excellent! It's great being able to easily query all of the data stored in PI - especially as I use tasks extensively. Very fast too!

I wonder if when we get @Mail it will allow you to query your inbox as well?

[Zensbikeshop]

PI is a great, great piece of software!

I can hardly keep up with the updates! 3.45 is superb!!

The search is great and the UI tweaks are marvellous - plus it is so much quicker.

Thanks Alex!

[Rirath]

Hello Alex, personally I preferred the formatting/color scheme of 3.4 in the calender view. Can I select the previous style somewhere?

Do you mean the date bars in the Agenda view? If so, I preferred the old style too. Just hold down the stylus on the right hand side agenda-view button and a menu pops up. You can select the style there. If you mean the full calendar view, trying doing the same on the right hand side calander-view button, maybe it's there.

Not sure if it helps, but just gave it a shot.

[alex_kac]

Yes, the old style can be selected for Month View and the Agenda View.

I know that many people DO prefer the old style - its why the old style was created in the first place. But there are a LOT of people who also really like more whitespace and cleaner looks, and so part of what we started with AV, we hope to expand to the rest of the system. The idea is to let people decide what kind of look they prefer and what works, not only aesthetically, but just productivity wise for them.

[MarkV]

I really believe that third-party PIMs like Pocket Informant or Agenda Fusion are a must-have for every PPC owner. Too many folks are still plugging away at the dull, lifeless built-in Pocket Outlook apps and whenever they see PI running on my PDA their reaction is always the same...."how did you do that?!" :D

If you're on the fence trying to decide between AF or PI, I heartily recommend PI. This latest version is simply stunning and it just keeps getting better. The developer (Alex) really listens to feedback and there is a great community of users over at the PI forums.

And last time I checked, PI is even cheaper than AF. I don't know how long THAT will last, but it's a steal at the current price.

[ChrisW]

OK, I give up. How the heck do you get the differend Agenda View styles, like the tubes?

[MarkV]

OK, I give up. How the heck do you get the differend Agenda View styles, like the tubes?

Tap and hold the AV tab (top right in Calendar), select "Day Name Styles" and then choose any of the four styles. I still prefer the Standard style, but the others are nice too.

[PHactotum]

I've never tried a third party PIM for PPC. I've only been using PPC since June. I currently sinc the standard PIM with Lotus Notes using PDAsync from Laplink.

Would I be able to sync Lotus Notes with PI?`

[alex_kac]

If you can sync to the standard Pocket Outlook PIM, you can sync to PI.

[Janak Parekh]

Janak - makes sure you try PI 3.45 against AF.

Honestly, code can always be optimized. One day I could write PI in assembler :) Seriously, we always just find smarter ways to do things than brute force methods. Sometimes we find smarter ways than the previous smarter ways.
Of course, I'm a "Computer Scientist", so I've been there. :) I've stuck with PI, and have no desire to switch -- it's just always a good thing to be aware of the alternatives. I personally prefer PI's visual style, and the performance has never been a big issue for me. And if 3.45 is that much faster, I'll be even happier. :D

Your responses here are also really appreciated. People really like hearing straight talk from the developer.

--janak

[alex_kac]

Just FYI - I'd encourage everyone to come look at the "Increase Your Productivity" section of our site:

http://www.pocketinformant.com/forums/viewforum.php?f=9

It includes info on how the Zoom works as well as a short movie on that subject. I am going to try and make the movie a GIF animation in the future to hopefully make it smaller as its about 700k and I don't want to bankrupt us from the bandwith charges.

[WindWalker]

I've never tried a third party PIM for PPC. I've only been using PPC since June. I currently sinc the standard PIM with Lotus Notes using PDAsync from Laplink.

Would I be able to sync Lotus Notes with PI?`

Just for information's sake...

The third party PIMs do not actually affect the data in Pocket Outlook. That being said, there are things that PI can do that Notes and Outlook cannot pick up, like the Hierarchical Tasks (I'm not sure which one blew up my HTs, but one of them did).

[carlosgp]

Well, the spanish translation really needs work. Among other things, the 'New' elements in the Today screen are in english. The spanish translation of Agenda Fusion is a way better.

[djguk47]

I've never tried a third party PIM for PPC. I've only been using PPC since June. I currently sinc the standard PIM with Lotus Notes using PDAsync from Laplink.

Would I be able to sync Lotus Notes with PI?`

If you use Lotus Notes you need to look at Cadenza from Common Time ( www.commontime.com ) as this has been specifically developed for Lotus Notes. It replicates Lotus Notes rather than synchronises. It is not cheap but it does a great job and the support (if needed) is outstanding. I have been using it for about 18 months now and cannot fault it.
David G

[alex_kac]

Well, the spanish translation really needs work. Among other things, the 'New' elements in the Today screen are in english. The spanish translation of Agenda Fusion is a way better.

We use volunteers for the translations. Spanish is the new one, so yes, its going to need a lot of work. Now the New menu stuff - well, that's my fault. I forgot to give them that part since its a registry issue.

But if you look at our translations, French and German were not very good when we first came out with those. But in the last 6 months that we've had both, they have become VERY good translations. Spanish is only a month old. We've also uploaded the actual resources on our website for anybody to improve and modify for their own use or to give back to us.

Even further, we've established email addresses for all our translators to receive comments and improvements. For Spanish its:
[email protected]

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I have to admit, I'm one of those people who registered both PI and AF. PI came out of the gate first, but I switched over the AF b/c of the noticeable speed improvements.

Well with all the recently added features and UI enhancements, I've once again switched back to PI.

These PIM enhancers is one area where we really have top-notch developers going toe-to-toe. I wish all areas of PPC software had such talent.

[philipab]

:( I just installed the new version of PI, only to find out that the tabs for month, week and agenda views in the calendar are gone! I am now stuck using the day view! I noticed this after I entered an appointment using the plugins: City Appointment while in Calendar.

I tried everything. Changing and resetting options. Even uninstalling and reinstalling several times. :x

Anyone please who knows how to bring them back, i would be very grateful. I like the software but this really really bugs me.

Thanks,

Philip

[alex_kac]

Here is what I think is your answer. You hit PI's Calendar Maximize mode:

http://www.pocketinformant.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=195

[Doug Raeburn]

Since there have been comparisons made in this thread between PI's Search and AF's Find features with negative comments about AF's speed, I just did a little playing around with both. When the settings are apples to apples, mostly regarding searching through notes, and searching all PIM data, I find them to be essentially identical in speed. When searching through notes is added, they're both slower, but still essentially the same. This is on a large data set, concentrating heavily on the Contacts data, which has around 5000 entries. Tasks and Calendar are also fairly heavily populated, but nothing like Contacts.

One thing that might be a factor if users don't realize it is that AF and PI use different default settings for their Find/Search modules. Both default to all types of PIM data, but AF defaults to searching notes while PI does not. If you compare default installations, PI will look faster because it won't search notes while AF will, but with comparable settings comes comparable results, at least in my experience.

John Psuik's goal is to make Fusion Find as fast as or as close to as fast as the built-in Find. I helped test it before release and while John was tweaking it, and as far as I can determine, he hit that goal.

I don't want to start a performance flamefest, but I've been using Fusion Find for a couple of months, and the comment about it being "agonizingly slooooow..." sure didn't match my experience. So I feel that a counterpoint is fair and warranted.

For what it's worth, I help John Psuik alpha and beta test his software (mostly AF). My involvement with D1 is strictly as a volunteer.

[alex_kac]

I don't think anybody wants a flame fest here. Let me add a few things about AF and PI.

They are really marketed towards different people, I think. I've even been hearing a LOT of that lately. I haven't installed AF in about 6 months, but I just too a look at the AF website to see what Fusion Find was and saw that its focus looked quite a bit different from Pocket Informant's search tab.

Its just another example of how the two different products just focus on two different markets. Now I do believe those markets overlap about 50% or so, but I believe that all users should try both products and see which fits better for them.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Since there have been comparisons made in this thread between PI's Search and AF's Find features with negative comments about AF's speed...
I didn't notice any negative quotes regarding the speed of AF or their find feature... if anything, I saw a couple of posts that observed AF to be a little faster overall...

[Janak Parekh]

I didn't notice any negative quotes regarding the speed of AF or their find feature... if anything, I saw a couple of posts that observed AF to be a little faster overall...
There's a quote inside an earlier post, anonymous. But let's not belabor the point :) The two are quite fast, now, and are both very good products. Leave the debates to another thread. ;) Competition is a good thing, IMO.

--janak

[Doug Raeburn]

I didn't notice any negative quotes regarding the speed of AF or their find feature... if anything, I saw a couple of posts that observed AF to be a little faster overall...
There's a quote inside an earlier post, anonymous. But let's not belabor the point :) The two are quite fast, now, and are both very good products. Leave the debates to another thread. ;) Competition is a good thing, IMO.

--janak

As I said, my intention was not to start a debate, just to present a relevant counterpoint in the interest of fairness and balance. Had no reference been made to AF, I wouldn't have posted at all.

Enough said.

[Ed Hansberry]

As I said, my intention was not to start a debate, just to present a relevant counterpoint in the interest of fairness and balance. Had no reference been made to AF, I wouldn't have posted at all.
that is the beauty of both products. I am glad there isn't a hands down winner. It makes both authors strive to make their product better, and both offer generous fully functional trials. :) The end user wins!

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

As I said, my intention was not to start a debate, just to present a relevant counterpoint in the interest of fairness and balance. Had no reference been made to AF, I wouldn't have posted at all.
that is the beauty of both products. I am glad there isn't a hands down winner. It makes both authors strive to make their product better, and both offer generous fully functional trials. :) The end user wins!
Indeed... you could argue that these two products are the best you'll find on the PocketPC, period... and both developers have outstanding reputations for customer service... it just so happens that they both compete against eachother as Pocket Outlook replacements...

As Alex pointed out, these two products do not completely overlap and that there is a market for each.

[Ed Hansberry]

Just a heads up - 3.46 is out. Minor improvements in some areas. The UI is even faster now when switching between views.