How to get educated on the best software available?

[MROX]

Hi,

I should receive my X50V in 1 day or 2. So now I'm looking for softwares. :D

I was wandering if the "14-Page Special Report (2 MB PDF file download)
2004 Best Software Awards, Winners and Finalists." from Pocket Pc Mag is a good tool (for about 5.95) ?

Or is there something else to get educated on software? (Without spending weeks reading forums...) I'm new in PPC, so I need to go fast to catch up!

Thank!

[Ripper014]

Save your money... go to one of the software sites such as Handango or Pocket Gear and have a look at what they promote as hot software. Then come back to the forums when you find the specific type of application that you are looking for and ask for advice.

I think you will get a lot of responses good and bad for whichever product you inquire about.

Oh.. maybe do a search on the application before posting... that is always good to do.

[wyrd]

Pretty much all software has a trial/demo version that you can download. I suggest doing that before purchasing anything.

[MROX]

Thanks, I will certainly do all that.

And I think that mean there is no easy shortcut... :?

[Ripper014]

Creating a shortlist... and posting for help on a forum will help you narrow down the possibles... This should at least help you get rid of the garbage applications.

[koppee1]

a good place to start would be www.pocketpcmag.com and check out their software 2004 awards. And they also have a "new products" list where people post new software as it comes out. :)

[Jereboam]

If you search through the forums you will also see many "essential software" threads where people will list their top apps. I take user feedback over any other recommendation.

Here are a few of my personal favourites to get you started -

Resco Explorer 2003
Resco Photo Viewer
Resco Keyboard Pro (a good choice for VGA devices)
Spb Today Plus
Wisbar Advanced 2
Marsware Weather Panel
WebIS Pocket Informant
SBSH PocketBreeze
SBSH ContactBreeze
Dinarsoft MemMaid
Sprite Backup
Tweaks2K2
Flexwallet

Those are all commercial applications. There are also many freeware choices available to you...don't immediately think that because it's free it will be inferior. It might just do the job.

Also - be aware that those are my personal choices...there are alternatives in every instance...almost every Pocket PC application worth having comes as a trial version...so you can try it, and others, before you decide. This is often the best way to make up your mind.

Also, double check that the built-in applications aren't sufficient for your needs before you spend a fortune on third-party software! Once you start it's difficult to stop... ;)

Hope you enjoy your Pocket PC!

J'bm

[Menneisyys]

Also check out http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=36205

[MROX]

Cool thanks!

I see many hours of fun to learn all those utilities.

While we are here...
Does any of you use software to:

-Check road map of north America. With a data base of maps I could load in my PPC if needed (like the Vancouver town or Texas state...) but WITHOUT GPS.

-A good English-French Dictionary. And maybe a French definition dictionary.

:?:
Thk!

[Menneisyys]

-A good English-French Dictionary. And maybe a French definition dictionary.

http://www.download.com/SlovoEd-French-English-French-Dictionary-Gold/3000-2156_4-10300131.html

[Lex]

If this is your first PPC I encourage you to use it as it comes, 'out of the box' for a couple of days and begin to realize what you need that it doesn't do. The front page of PPC Thoughts has replaced my browsing at Handango and PocketGear. Good, new apps and updates of existing titles are regularly posted there.