I'm new, and have a few questions

[V I P E R X]

Hi, I'm probably the n00b around here, and I have a few questions. For Christmas, I got introduced into the Pocket PC world with an HP iPAQ 1935. I absolutely love it, and I find these lightyears ahead of Palms (My brothe has a Tungsten E). I just ordered a Rhino Skin Aluminum case to protect it, and have screen overlays too. My questions are:
1. Does it hurt the battery just to plug it in even when it's not fully discharged (say at 65%) or even when it's full?
2. About how long do Pocket PC's live before they die (I take godly care of all my electronics)?
3. What good programs do I need to install to mine (like battery pack 2004)?
4. Does anyone know of good games (I got Warefare Incorporated and love it)?
Thanks to all!

[portnoy]

Hi, I'm probably the n00b around here, and I have a few questions. For Christmas, I got introduced into the Pocket PC world with an HP iPAQ 1935. I absolutely love it, and I find these lightyears ahead of Palms (My brothe has a Tungsten E). I just ordered a Rhino Skin Aluminum case to protect it, and have screen overlays too. My questions are:
1. Does it hurt the battery just to plug it in even when it's not fully discharged (say at 65%) or even when it's full?

Actually, you SHOULD NEVER wait until it is fully discharged to recharge it. Unlike NiCAD batteries, LIon batteries do not suffer "memory effects" but instead the cells deteriorate when fully discharged. I never let mine go below 50% if I can help it and seldom let it go below about 70%.

2. About how long do Pocket PC's live before they die (I take godly care of all my electronics)?

If you let the battery drain completely you can kill one in just a few months. Also life in back pocket of your pants can shorten its life to about the first time you sit on it. ;)

3. What good programs do I need to install to mine (like battery pack 2004)?

I like PDAMill Viewer for showing pictures, Palm Reader for reading Palm formatted books, OliveTree Bible Reader for, well, reading Bibles, and the Microsoft Reader Dictionary because that is really kind of cool too. Oh, M$ Pocket Streets and Trips can come in kind of handy sometimes. There is a pretty good M$ Reader book creator pluggin for M$ Word. I use it to convert Word or HTML formatted books into M$ Reader .lit files to read while I'm at work.

4. Does anyone know of good games (I got Warefare Incorporated and love it)?

Bejeweled is probably the best game out for PocketPC or Palm. I've also been wasting some time with Drive_Thru Poker.
Thanks to all!

[ntractv]

IMHO, Pocket Informant is a must have PIM app. Beats the native calender and contacts on the device hands down. You can also check out Agenda Fusion, but, I'm biased towards PI.

[Ripper014]

Always nice to see a N00B that is happy with his new PocketPC purchase... The first thing I want to point out to you is that there is a search feature on most boards that will help you locate your answers faster... rather than waiting on us to respond....

Below is a link to a bunch of freeware... (meaning: does not cost you a penny) that I think are as good as any commercial software. Best of luck with your new unit...

If it is still possible to return it you may wish to upgrade to the next unit. The HP1940 it has the same housing so the case you ordered would work with it. But with the Hp1940 series you get 1 year warranty, a slightly faster processor (266mhz as opposed to a 200mhz), file store, bluetooth technology and maybe the most important a back-up utility... I do not know where you are but in Canada... But at Staples the difference was only $50 and you get a USB cradle thrown in worth $79....


Almost forgot your link.

http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=93740&highlight=freeware

[jjdyer]

I have to cast my vote for Pocket Informant. This app really increases the usability of my PPC.

[tanalasta]

Hmm... i know an Albert in WA who always uses the nickname viperx.... 8)

Anyways, here's another vote for pocketinformant. To be fair, I'd suggest try agenda fusion also but i use PI and i've never ever had a problem with it :) A quick search of the forums will show what people's favourite programs are. But most people use at least one today plugin/program manager (batterypack 2004 is one), a PIM and then various other programs depending on what their intended use of their pocketpc is.

For a rundown of games i suggest www.pocketgamer.org
However, Handmark and pdamill traditionally produce "benchmark" games... Recomendations go to warfare inc, age of empires, snails, anthelion and bejewelled.

The battery should last at least 2 years of regular use before you should consider replacing it (by that time you ought to buy a new device anyway!). Li-ion batteries unfortunately do have a limited shelf life as well as recharge cycles but charging it at 65% is certainly better than letting the battery drain all the way then charging it. As a rule of thumb, leaving it on your charger all the time shouldn't hurt the device as it's built in electronics should prevent overcharging. Otherwise they will last as long as any good electronic device - Years until you drop, break, sell or throw it away.

[Mitchybums]

to see whats all out there, go to www.pocketgear.com
it is so far the most complete listing of all software that is out there for the pocket pc. They host demo versions and descriptions and ratings of the programs/games as well.

[Thinkingmandavid]

welcome to the forum and congrats on a ppc :)
there are many calendars PIM's to choose from, so here is a small list connecting to them.
here is a few free
Pocket Calendar http://www.freewareppc.com/clock/pocketcalender.shtml

Calendar+http://www.freewareppc.com/clock/calendar.shtml

tAgenda http://www.freewareppc.com/utilities/tagenda.shtml

Taskplushttp://www.freewareppc.com/utilities/taskplus.shtml

here is a few affordale
calendar plushttp://pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=7822

Super calendarhttp://pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=6064

Kai's week viewerdhttp://pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=5390

Agenda Plus Packhttp://pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=277

Agenda Fushionhttp://pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=10115

Ulti-Plannerhttp://pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=9682


MTUX SideXhttp://www.mtux.com/info_sx.aspx
http://www.mtux.com/info_ps.aspx

I-Focus Organizerhttp://pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=3990

Pocket ON Schedulehttp://pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=2431

VoCalendarhttp://pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=7195

Pen Agendahttp://pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=4543

Pocket Dayhttp://pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=7320

Kai's Outook Cleanerhttp://pocketgear.com/software_detail.asp?id=11810

[David Prahl]

Welcome to the community - you picked the right site!

I've seen half a dozen "best games" message theads in the past year. Hit "search" in the top right blue bar on this page, and look for "games" or "favorite games".