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View Full Version : Just Another Mobile Monday Reviews PhatPad 4


Paul Martin
01-07-2007, 01:30 AM
<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://justanothermobilemonday.com/Wordpress/2007/01/02/review-phatpad-4-taking-a-memo-was-never-so-easy/' target='_blank'>http://justanothermobilemonday.com/...-never-so-easy/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"[I]n today’s world , there is considerably more and more complex information to be recorded. For example, you need to design a new organizational chart. On the phone, a client is giving you a new address or telephone information. You are being given a confirmation number on a telephone order. You want to record this information, but the on-screen keyboard is too cumbersome. What you need is a program that allows you to jot on-screen notes, doodles, or diagrams in your own handwriting. What you need is PhatPad 4."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/JAMM_PhatPad4.jpg" /><br /><br />Doug Goldring offers an in-depth look at PhatPad 4, including the ability to add a background image to your notes, as pictured above, and create a short animation of notes. I really like the idea of one piece of software, such as PhatPad, to capture all of those random pieces of information that float throughout my day. I even installed PhatNotes which comes with PocketInformant, in hopes it would serve as a catch-all. I just find it hard to be personally disciplined to jot notes there, much less the fact I don't carry my Pocket PC around with me during the day. 8O Do you use a program like PhatPad and if so, what are some successful strategies for making use of it?

howiebcn
01-07-2007, 01:18 PM
The PhatPad looks interesting but what really caught my eye is the super 3D Vista theme. Is this part of PhatPad or is this a separate skin?

Most Pocket Pc Vista themes I've come across have all been in 2D (flat one dimension looking).

This 3D theme is so nice, I'm seriously considering getting a Pocket Pc :wink: I'm currently only a smartphone user.

Sorry for being off topic but does anyone know where to get this exact theme?? Thanks!

corleno
01-07-2007, 05:21 PM
that there is the wisbar advance
It skins the topbar and bottombar of WM devices (Ppc)

here is the link to the various themes out there
http://www.lakeridgesoftware.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=34
its like window blinds for ppc :D

Cheers

palur
01-07-2007, 07:21 PM
I have been using Phatpad and I am very impressed with it for 3 reasons.
1)Easy to use.
2) Animation: I have created medical animations for explaining to patients (not at professional level) at a very practical and easy to understnd.
3) has encryption and I could safely store passwords etc in my writing safely.

howiebcn
01-07-2007, 07:53 PM
Hey Corleno,

Thanks lots for the links. I see you are the maker of those Vista skins too. Keep up the fantastic work!

Once those fancy new pocket pc models are launched at CES 2007, I'll be picking one up and putting your Vista skin on.

Thanks again :D

Howard

dgoldring
01-07-2007, 08:45 PM
Paul and the folks at Pocket PC Thoughts, thanks for posting a link to another of my reviews. I really enjoyed PhatPad. One thing I have been trying to figure out is how PhatPad and PhatNotes are different. I mayhave to review PhatNotes soon to figure that out. PhatPad is a great program. Like Paul mentioned, though, when I need to jot something down, more often than not, I have a pen and scrap paper in front of me. Then, it goes into my Pocket PC later.

As for the Vista theme, that is WisBar Advanced that I was using. The skin on it was designed by Xcilion (www.xcilion.com) -- I think I have that link correct. I am not big on skinning so once I found this one, it is all I have used.

Doug

alese
01-07-2007, 10:18 PM
I think I use PhatPad since version 2.
And it's one of most used programs I have on my devices together with Pocket Informant, E-Wallet and List Pro.

For me PhatPad is my scrap paper + pen, for jotting most of daily notes.
I even use PhatPad for taking notes on meetings it's much easier and faster to just use handwriting than any other input method.

Paul Martin
01-07-2007, 10:45 PM
For me PhatPad is my scrap paper + pen, for jotting most of daily notes. I even use PhatPad for taking notes on meetings it's much easier and faster to just use handwriting than any other input method.

Actually, that's not a bad idea. My hand writing is really bad. I purchased Calligrapher hoping for great results. It's recognition is about 60% for me, if I were to guess. It almost seemed better in the beginning. Maybe I was trying harder. :)

kamikun
01-08-2007, 04:54 AM
One thing that was not mentioned yet is that the new version's text boxes are unicode enabled. Which means you can type any language in there.

There is a slight bug with this feature that Phatware tags as an MS bug (at least in WM2003 FE) - non western characters will not wrap properly within the PPC's text boxes. The same file when synched to the desktop version will wrap all text correctly, but if you want the text to conform to the box you'll have to manually insert carriage returns.

But that is the only nit I've got about this great note-taking app. And, BTW, this thing in VGA on a 4" screen simply rocks. Wish I had had this back in my college days.

alese
01-08-2007, 12:59 PM
For me PhatPad is my scrap paper + pen, for jotting most of daily notes. I even use PhatPad for taking notes on meetings it's much easier and faster to just use handwriting than any other input method.

Actually, that's not a bad idea. My hand writing is really bad. I purchased Calligrapher hoping for great results. It's recognition is about 60% for me, if I were to guess. It almost seemed better in the beginning. Maybe I was trying harder. :)

You can allways do the recognition of your note in PhatPad later. All you need is have Calligrapher installed.
Unfortunatelly, this is not an option for me, as Calligrapher does not support Slovenian...