New Travel Application From Two Peaks

[Brad Adrian]

<a href="http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&amp;platformId=2&amp;productType=2&amp;catalog=0&amp;amp;sectionId=0&amp;productId=61285">http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&amp;platformId=2&amp;productType=2&amp;catalog=0&amp;amp;sectionId=0&amp;productId=61285</a><br /><br /><a href="http://www.twopeaks.com/main/default.aspx">Two Peaks Software</a> has released its brand new travel software, TripTracker. This is a complete rewrite of its earlier travel application, Traveller, and effectively replaces that product.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/triptracker.gif" /><br /><br />This is a full-featured travel tool and includes everything the frequent traveller needs, including frequent flier account tracking, appointment scheduling, flight information organization, expense accounting and more. And, if you used the earlier Traveller program, you'll be glad to see these enhancements in this new version:<br /><br />• Completely redesigned desktop version <br />• Simultaneously view the time in any 4 cities <br />• Auto-completing dropdown combo boxes <br />• Customizable lists of expense categories <br />• Export itineraries to Microsoft Word <br />• World time calculator<br />• Export frequent flyer account activity to Microsoft Excel<br />• New fields for storing important travel details <br />• Improved Outlook integration <br />• Expanded database, containing 30 currencies, 475 cities, and a phone book of over 85 airlines, hotels and car rental companies<br /><br />If you really want to know more about this new version, be sure to visit the <a href="http://www.twopeaks.com/main/software/triptracker/upgradefaq.aspx">FAQ</a> on the Two Peaks site.<br /><br />You can download a demo or purchase the Pocket PC/Desktop combo suite for $29.95. However, if you currently own the old Traveller program, you can purchase the new TripTracker for only $9. To get this upgrade discount, though, you'll have to purchase TripTracker directly from the Two Peaks Web site.<br /><br />I have been using the old Traveller for over a year now and really like the enhancements that I've seen with this new product. The only shortcoming I've seen is that you cannot import data from the old program into the new one. I really don't care about old trip itineraries and such, but I dread entering all my frequent traveller account information into TripTracker again. *sigh*

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

Yeah, I purchased it myself right-on-the spot after receiving the email from them.

I haven't even had a chance to play with it, but I've heard positive things about Traveller and getting the new version for $9 just b/c I happened to be a FlexWallet customer (which I paid $4) was too good to pass up.

Slightly OT, but while the purchase is made directly via the Two Peaks website, they still use the Handango system to secure the purchase (the purchase even shows on my Handango member account). Having just read a thread about how much percentage Handango takes, I wonder if Two Peaks gets to keep a larger percentage of the revenue in a setup like this.

[gorkon280]

How is this better then just writing down the info you need into a Excel spreadsheet? World time: The bult in stuff with this has been sufficient for me. Hotel Numbers: Already have the 800 number for all of them in a hanDBase that I have not ever loaded. Usually I insert the number as I make the reservation. Also, keeping track of expenses can be done in Excel as well (although for me they just give me a straight dollar figure and say spend it as you want.....). Of the other travel tools, even when I was travelling alot, I have never needed to have all of that crap on my PDA. I will save the space for MP3's and other data. I never understand some of these apps. While it seems kind of nice, I just use the tools already provided and spend my bucks on the stuff that I truely want like Mapopolis or HanDBase. Besides...with soemthing like this, a custom spread sheeet or datbase will always rival the ease of use. Sure might be a tad harder to keep track of, but if I want another field on a table for keeping track of how many times I eat at a certain restaurant in a trip or something useless to others, but not to me thing I can add it. If I want a feature added to a programn. I can suggest it and it MIGHT be added.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

In a word: organization. I don't need this for hotel numbers. HanDBase? You could store phone numbers in a text file if you wanted to...

The convenience is in the way it arranges all the details of your trip. With one trip you have records for your hotel reservation, car reservation, flight information, etc. All in an easy to organize format that allows you to get to any bits of info at the drop of a hat. Enter your flight times at the local time and have it adjust it to your current time. Keep track of seat reservations, confirmation numbers, flight times, connections, etc. The ability to manage your Frequent Flyer accounts as well as your expenses, etc.

Sure you can do this with Excel. You could do nearly everything in either Word or Excel (and I used to do that), but there's a point in time where the headache of entering and managing the data is more trouble than it's worth, which obviously defeats the purpose of having the device at organization in the first place.

I'm not trying to say what you do isn't worth the effort, but for me (a constant traveler), if the app saves me hassle, it certainly justifies $9.

[gorkon280]

In a word: organization. I don't need this for hotel numbers. HanDBase? You could store phone numbers in a text file if you wanted to...
.

Um.....organization can be done with something called files and folders. If you ascribe to the Microsoft dump it all into a folder called my documents then I guess this might be worth something. When I start planning a trip, I create a folder on the desktop or PDA for it (or both). Then everything gets dumped in there. Maps, bus schedules, Excel Spreadsheets, and whatever else I think I might need. I start planning as early as I can. Sometimes I know this is not possible. But usually, for me anyway, these rush around and plan a trip in a day or two things are to a place I have already been. Case in point....I went to Phoenix for a trip (to take a Certification Exam) and then a couple months later, I rushed around and planned another trip to Phoenix. I went back to my notes and found everything I needed to get the other trip planned in a instant. Now I am not saying that it will work for everyone, but it works fine for me. Only reason you'd need all of these hotel and airline numbers is if you just hunt for the best price. Me, I look for good prices, but when that fails to provide a good choice, I go with what I know. Marriot Residence Inn is now my favorite hotel and if it costs me a few more bucks to go there, I don't care. The advantage I gain is I have a kitchen and a fridge and everything I need to keep myself from stuffing my face with Mickey D's. Granted, for some, that is an ideal program. It isn't for me. When I stick to a short list of hotels and the like, then all I need is the one or 2 numbers I have. And those can and are stored in my contacts list. My first thing I always do is try to make do with what came with a device. This maximises my money for items that I do need (like Pocket Streets). Programs such as this, to me anyway, breeds laziness. It also does not force you to LEARN how to use the tools you are given. Outlook can be very effective in managing your itinerary and your phone numbers. Personally, I would rather have all of this kind of stuff in Outlook anyway. Now if they had a way to insert my flight sched right into Outlook from the web (and Update it if I connect to the net at the hotel....show if it's delayed or not) now that would be useful. Plug into what I got and I will buy it. This way to see my itinerary I just go to my daily calendar and bam it's there! This is why I like JournalBar a aweful lot! :) From the today screen I can see everything. This is a cool app.(JournalBar that is). Oh...one more thing about using Excel and Word to do this....once it's done, it's done. I can import from the old to the new easily. That's one thing that was said you can't do with this software! :)

[Steven Cedrone]

gorkon280,

Others may be interested in this software, and may want to purchase it.

While your use of the tools provided with the device you bought is impressive, this thread is about TripTracker. Feel free to start another thread about how you utilize the Pocket PC's built in apps for travel...

Steven Cedrone
Community Moderator

[PeterLake]

Steven -

My 2 cents: Although Gorkon's posting is a bit unrestrained, I am interested hearing alternate solutions -- and especially free ones -- to postings on new software.

Respectfully,
Peter Lake

[Steven Cedrone]

I am interested hearing alternate solutions -- and especially free ones -- to postings on new software.

I am sure you are not alone, this is why I suggested for him to: "Feel free to start another thread about how you utilize the Pocket PC's built in apps for travel... "

Steven Cedrone
Community Moderator

[BugDude10]

I've used Two Peaks apps for awhile now, and have been generally pleased with them. One thing that sold me on TP was it's "free updates/upgrades for life" promise.

However, it appears that that promise was bunk. TripTracker is a re-write of Traveller, which I purchased and use on occasion, but by re-naming and re-styling it, TP now feels it is appropriate to charge me for the new version. I thought "free updates/upgrades for life" meant what it said; apparently it meant "free updates/upgrades until we decide to re-package our software to force you to buy the updated/upgraded version".

I'm very disappointed by this tactic by Two Peaks, and will seriously reconsider whether I will continue to use TP apps and recommend them to the many people who seek my input on PDA matters.

Just my $0.02.

[ppeltier]

I purchased the software, actually was able to use same discount code to purchase other titles (shhhh :twisted: )
I think that Two peaks have good ideas, but generally feel that many of their products are unfinished , unrefined, and unsupported by the web site...full price for them would be a bit to high, in my opinion....(compare value with; developer one, illium, webIs, Resco for example)
One thing that is certain; they need to fix and make it easy to synchronise between desktop and ppc application...

[Brad Adrian]

How is this better then just writing down the info you need into a Excel spreadsheet?
For me, this kind of application has several benefits:
• It allows me to see all of my trip details in one place, on one screen.
• It makes it easy for me to print an itinerary for others.
• It automatically calculates frequent flier miles.
• It integrates several travel-related applications into one, especially expense tracking.
• It allows me to enter the times for flight segments, meetings, etc. while automatically making adjustments for the time zones in which they take place. That way, when they're transferred into my Calendar, they're scheduled appropriately. (THAT'S a huge benefit for me.)

Your'e right; some of this can be done just as easily with other tools like Excel. The integration with Outlook and Calendar, though, make this kind of software worth every penny to me.

[Kati Compton]

How is this better then just writing down the info you need into a Excel spreadsheet?

I've travelled a LOT (and am doing some more) the past few months. 13 trips over the span of 2 months (yes I'm insane). This program (actually the previous version - I haven't tried this new version yet) has helped a LOT for looking up info I need quickly.

If I want a feature added to a programn. I can suggest it and it MIGHT be added.

I suggested a number of features that made it into this version. I don't know how many of them were already planned, but they did get in.

[Jeff Rutledge]

The integration with Outlook and Calendar, though, make this kind of software worth every penny to me.

You hit the nail on the head as far as I'm concerned Brad. I travel a lot and Traveler was one of the first apps I loaded after rebuilding my iPAQ.

I've already paid the $9 for the update and am very happy with what I've seen so far.

I find it such a timesaver that I can see all of my trip arrangements in one place. The most important feature, however, is that I can make changes on the fly and my Outlook calendar (and thus my iPAQ and Blackberry) and instantly updated. My travel plans invariably change so this is a huge timesaver for me.

And my two cents on the complaint some have made regarding the upgrade fee, I can see your point. However, I don't feel that Twopeaks is trying to pull one over on us. They did create a new product from scratch. It was the next step in the concept, but the code was all new. Add to that the fact that they're offering the DT + PPC combo for (IMO) the very reasonable cost of $9, and it's evident to me that they're just trying to recover some of the costs associated with the additional development cost. I think everyone can agree that it costs a fair bit more to develop a new product from scratch than to patch/upgrade existing code. That reason alone makes me feel OK shelling out a couple "fins".

As I said, my two cents...