WM5 upgrade CD being delivered in Australia

[G M Fude]

Yes, it does exist Downunder. I received my Windows Mobile 5.0 System Upgrade Utility CD by courier in Melbourne today.

Small VHS tape-sized package contains one sheet of Important Upgrade Instructions, and two CDs. One is the CD referred to above, the other is for ActiveStink 4.0, so a download for the latest version of that will be required. No big deal.

Unfortunately I learned late last week that some software I use and will need for an overseas trip in December and January, MapKing (http://www2.mapking.com/en/), is not compatible with WM5. So, basically, that stops me upgrading until I return to Oz in mid-January. D'Oh. I was really looking forward to the upgrade, also a reason to do a hard reset to fix the bits that are busted on WM 2003SE. Like WiFi and PIE, for example.

[MleB]

On the plus side, that will give Dell and Microsoft till mid-January to get their act together and produce a WM5 Upgrade that won't turn your PDA into a BRICK.

You've read the horror stories, no doubt, from those keeners who got the first wave of the CDs, and you may have heard that other PDA manufacturers have already pulled the Upgrade CD for their units.

The inability to use MapKing might have been the least of your worries.

My CDs are staying firmly wrapped until a little stability is offered in the OS / AS Upgrade. Mid-January sounds as likely a time as ever, based on previous Microsoft OSs.

Now if I could only figure out what to do with the two additional sets of the CD they sent me...

;)

[G M Fude]

I know what you mean, but I would have given it a try this weekend other than for the MapKing incompatibility.

I remember many years ago when I upgraded my old Palm III from OS 3 to OS 4; the forum boards lit up with problems people had. There were slowdowns and dead PDAs and software that refused to work, and threats of class actions against Palm for releasing an unworkable upgrade.

But the majority had few issues -- forums tend to skew towards failures, members write in when they have a problem and need help. My OS 3 to OS 4 upgrade was a no-brainer and I saw only benefits.

Not saying that is the case with WM5 but I do not like WM2003SE so I'd definitely give it a shot...

..but for the tardiness in the MapKing guys releasing their compatible software. I guess they are doing their best. Even leader products like Spb Pocket Plus and Sprite Backup aren't there yet, reportedly.

[MleB]

True enough, Steve - it is the keeners who regularly populate online Forums of any kind - so if there is a problem, it is usually all over the place on a Forum site.

Having said that, can you imagine the reaction by 'just plain folk' who get this shiny new OS CD from Dell and install it - and find they have created the Spawn From Heck - or, with luck, maybe just a paperweight?

I have no 'real' problem with WM3 SE - okay, I'd like Pocket Office to work as the name implied and I hate, loathe and detest Outlook - but little eems to have really improved on those fronts with WM5 - providing the OS is working.

Times like this I almost pine for my old Palm, Docs2Go and Palm Desktop...

Here's hoping that the wait till January works best for you!

Regards,

Baz

[G M Fude]

Well on the plus side, Baz, aside from a ROM fix probably being released by then, installing a shiny new OS is something to look forward to when my holiday in Hong Kong finishes in January!

I may do a hard reset just before I leave, to get WiFi and PIE working again. Then only install MapKing; the rest of the stuff I can probably do without while on holiday. Well, maybe TCPMP as well, for the flights over and back, but I'm flying with Qantas and even their Cattle Class has this awesome "video on demand" system now. It's a thing of beauty for frequent travellers...