By Clifford Brooks
You might think it's difficult to get excited about a program that's been designed to create and manage lists. I did. Until I discovered ListPro 2.0 from Ilium Software, which can be found at http://www.iliumsoft.com. ListPro is one of those programs that adds power to the Windows CE platform, and, on a more personal note, makes your Windows CE device even harder to live without.
ListPro is really a small database that has been written with a small form factor and limitless functionality in mind. It's available for palmtops, handhelds, and even your desktop, to make entry and backup as convenient as possible. For this review, I worked with the palmtop version of ListPro 2.0.
So what kind of lists can you manage with ListPro?
You can create lists with check-off boxes and radio buttons; lists with extensive notes; lists with indented, collapsible subheadings; lists with the ability to sum. Now, you can take your hobby on the road with you, or keep tabs on your collection, or outline procedures or steps. And don't forget the grocery list! If you're anything like me (and many other users of ListPro 2.0), you're likely to find more uses for ListPro than you thought imaginable.
FIGURE A
ListPro is also available for the H/PC (pictured here), H/PC Pro, and your Windows 95/ 98/NT machines. (click for larger image)
Installation
Installation was a snap. Ilium uses the standard Windows CE script, so if you've done it once, you've done it a million times. No problems here.
Support
I didn't have much need for Ilium's customer support, but from the little contact I did have, I've no doubt it's top notch. They offer both email and telephone support. You can't argue with that.
Documentation
I don't know why it is, but I've always been one for documentation. My satisfaction with a product is often tied pretty securely to the level of documentation that accompanies it. If I were in the ratings game, I'd probably give ListPro's documentation a seven, with a caveat or two. As with most Windows CE software, ListPro provides you with a help file that can be accessed from the Start Menu or the Help menu. You're then presented with a standard table of contents with hyperlinks. So far, so good. Until you try to find the answer to a specific question. The answers are there but, as with many such help files, it's a little more difficult to find your answer than it should be. The documentation was a bit spotty and hard to follow at times. This was due, in part, to the fact that there were no graphics included in the documentation. Getting started took a little longer than necessary but, once the basics were out of the way, it was smooth sailing.
