.KEYWORD officesuite
.FLYINGHEAD PRODUCT REVIEW
.TITLE Handango Office Suite Platinum Edition: an office in your pocket
.OTHER
.SUMMARY You can take the time to seek out and assemble all the software you need to turn your Palm handheld into a fully-functional mobile office. Or you can let the folks at Handango do the work for you. Bill Mann reviews the Handango Office Suite Platinum Edition, which combines eight cool applications in one convenient package.
.AUTHOR Bill Mann
If you’re like me, you carry your handheld wherever you go. My handheld is my taskmaster, auxiliary memory, and address book, all in one. In the old days, when it came to heavy-duty tasks like working with spreadsheets, viewing PDF files, or writing magazine articles, I had to wait until I got back to my office. With Handango Office Suite Platinum Edition from http://www.handango.com, I don’t have to wait any longer.
The Office Suite consists of eight applications that add power and flexibility to your handheld. The eight components of the Office Suite are:
.BEGIN_LIST
.BULLET WordSmith for portable documents;
.BULLET TinySheet for spreadsheets;
.BULLET BigClock as a Clock replacement;
.BULLET Adobe Acrobat Reader as a PDF viewer;
.BULLET HanDBase for databases;
.BULLET powerOne Personal as a replacement Calculator;
.BULLET PalmPrint for printing;
.BULLET Launch ‘Em, an application Launcher.
.END_LIST
You should note that Handango also offers Gold and Silver editions of the suite. These editions include fewer applications than the Platinum edition. PalmPrint is only in the Platinum edition. HanDBase, powerOne Personal, and Launch ‘Em are part of the Gold and Platinum editions.
Be aware that the Handango Office Suites are not like the Microsoft Office suites. Each version of Microsoft Office is an integrated suite, where the applications can all interact with one another. For example, you can embed an Excel spreadsheet in your Word document, or use Word as Outlook’s email editor.
The applications in the Handango Office Suites are not integrated. While they all help you perform common office tasks with your Palm OS handheld, you can’t do things like embed a TinySheet spreadsheet in a WordSmith document.
.H1 Downloading the Office Suite
The Office Suite is available at the Handango Web site (at http://www.handango.com). Unfortunately, Handango sells so many products that it can be hard to find the one you’re looking for. If the link above doesn’t work, the best way to find the Office Suite is to go to the Palm OS section of Handango.com, and search for "Office Suite". Include the quotation marks around the words Office Suite, or you’ll get over one hundred hits.
Once you find the Office Suite, click the Add to Cart button on the page and follow the usual steps to make the purchase. The Handango Office Suite Platinum Edition costs $99.95, so have your credit card ready. The Office Suite comes as a very large file (about 18 MB) that will take over two hours to download with a 56K modem. Make sure you can devote around three hours to the download.
.H1 Installing the Office Suite
Double-click the file you downloaded to start the installation process. The process is pretty standard. The installer displays the window shown in Figure A, where you can select the components of the Office Suite to be installed. Select Install to continue the process.
.FIGPAIR A Choose the Office Suite components you want to install from this list.
The separateness of the applications in the Office Suite extends to their installation too. The Office Suite installer gets the job done by running the installers for the individual applications. This means you’ll see multiple registration screens and the like, as well as run multiple HotSync operations. It isn’t hard and only takes ten minutes or so, but it can be a bit confusing. Carefully follow the on-screen instructions, and you’ll have no problems.
Once you have the Office Suite components installed, you need to register some of them. WordSmith, TinySheet, and PalmPrint all require registration. While the details of the registration process differ, the basic approach is the same: open the program on your handheld, find the registration screen (the About screen for TinySheet and PalmPrint, and the Register screen on the Options menu for WordSmith) and follow the directions. Be sure you do this while you’re at your PC, as you’ll be required to visit company Web sites and receive email to complete the registration processes.
.H1 Using the Office Suite
Here’s a quick overview of each application, enough information to help you decide whether that program will suit your needs. In addition, for each program, I’ve indicated whether or not it supports color, and I’ll let you know if there’s a trial version of that particular program available at Handango.com.
.H1 WordSmith
WordSmith, from Blue Nomad (at http://www.bluenomad.com/ws/prod_wordsmith_details.html), is a feature-rich word processor that lets you view and edit Microsoft Word documents (or any documents stored in RTF format) on your handheld. You can stash the program in Flash memory and enter text with Graffiti or an add-on keyboard, as well as the virtual keyboard built into your handheld. WordSmith supports color, and there’s a trial version available.
WordSmith supports all the basic formatting in your documents, including:
.BEGIN_LIST
.BULLET Fonts (including size, bold, superscript and so on);
.BULLET Justification (left, center, right);
.BULLET Indenting;
.BULLET Tables;
.BULLET Pictures;
.BULLET Spacing (within and between paragraphs);
.BULLET Page breaks;
.BULLET Keep together and keep with next paragraph;
.BULLET Outline levels.
.END_LIST
Figure B shows some of the formatting possibilities.
.FIG B WordSmith handles common document formatting tasks.
You can easily specify the documents you want synchronized with your handheld during the next HotSync and set rules for how that synchronization will occur. The process works smoothly and has never given me any problems.
Another major feature of WordSmith is FineType. This technology lets any handheld display reasonable renditions of Windows TrueType fonts, and color handhelds display high-resolution monochrome fonts. FineType greatly increases the readability of your documents and memos.
WordSmith can also serve as a replacement for the Memo Pad program that comes installed on your handheld. The advantage to doing this is that memos created with WordSmith can use multiple fonts and effects like underline or bold, as well as basic paragraph formatting. While installing WordSmith, you have the option of re-mapping the Memo Pad button on your device to use the WordSmith Memo Pad.
While working on this review, I was impressed with the Blue Nomad support staff. I had a problem registering WordSmith, so I sent them email at 6:15 a.m.. At 6:34 a.m. I received an email from a real live person, with the solution to my problem. That’s great support.
.H1 TinySheet
If you work with spreadsheets while you’re on the move, TinySheet (pictured in Figure C) could be just what you need. TinySheet supports color and there’s a trial version available.
.FIG C TinySheet provides Excel-like spreadsheet capabilities on your handheld.
TinySheet from iambic (at http://www.iambic.com/english/palmos/tinysheet/) allows you to create spreadsheets with over 8,000 rows, 250 columns, and 64 individual sheets. It also reads and writes basic Microsoft Excel spreadsheets so you can work with whichever tool makes the most sense at any given time.
TinySheet provides over 100 built-in functions including a pop-up calculator style keyboard for entering formulas. It understands Graffiti, and works with third-party keyboards and flash memory.
TinySheet worked well for the basic spreadsheet shown above. Once I told the Synchronization Manager to synchronize that spreadsheet, I could make changes on either my PC or handheld. They synchronized with each other smoothly.
When I tried to synchronize a spreadsheet with a chart that TinySheet couldn’t handle, the Synchronization Manager detected the problem, aborted the synchronization for that spreadsheet, and added a note to the synchronization log. This is sensible behavior and exactly what I would expect.
.H1 BigClock
BigClock does just about anything you could ask of a clock program. It works like an alarm clock, supports world time for up to four simultaneous time zones, functions as a stopwatch, and, of course, provides a big time display, as you can see in Figure D.
.FIG D Here, BigClock is in its guise as a desk clock with calendar.
Even better, BigClock is almost totally customizable. You can alter the layout for each of the four BigClock screens, as well as tweak the sounds BigClock uses for its alarms. What more can you ask for?
If you have a color handheld, you can download background images (called themes) that appear on the clock face.
.H1 Adobe Acrobat Reader
Adobe PDF is the format of choice for documents that must retain their formatting, yet be viewable on a variety of systems. Adobe Acrobat Reader for Palm OS (at http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readerforpalm.html) makes it possible to view PDF files on your handheld. Adobe Acrobat supports color.
To be able to display PDF files on tiny handheld screens, Acrobat Reader must do some serious manipulation of standard PDF files, "reflowing" them to a form suitable for your device. A PC-based transfer program works, creating a new version of the PDF that gets sent to your handheld. Most existing PDF files do not contain all the information needed by the transfer program, so it does the best it can with the information it has. The warning message in Figure E summarizes the situation nicely.
.FIGPAIR E Converting most existing PDF files for your handheld is an inexact science.
There is a good chance the PDF on your handheld won’t exactly match the original. However, in my experience, the results you get are good enough to work with, and it sure beats carrying printed documents around or going without the documents altogether.
.H1 HanDBase
HanDBase, from DDH Software (at http://www.ddhsoftware.com/handbase.html), is a powerful Palm OS database manager. There is a trial version available. The Office Suite includes the standard version of HanDBase, along with more than two-dozen databases. Among the included databases, you’ll find:
.BEGIN_LIST
.BULLET Airline phone numbers;
.BULLET A password manager;
.BULLET A table for figuring out how much to tip;
.BULLET A way to track URLs you want to be able to find again.
.END_LIST
In addition, over 1000 free databases are available at the DDH Software Web site (at http://www.ddhsoftware.com/gallery.html).
When you start HanDBase, it displays the screen shown in Figure F, which lists the databases on your handheld, along with five modes you can work in.
.FIG F Use HanDBase to work with any Palm database.
The modes are:
.BEGIN_LIST
.BULLET Info mode, which gives basic information about a database;
.END_LIST
.BEGIN_LIST
.BULLET Beam mode, which beams a database to another device;
.END_LIST
.BEGIN_LIST
.BULLET Properties mode, which lists information like the names of the fields in a database;
.END_LIST
.BEGIN_LIST
.BULLET Delete mode, which deletes the database you select;
.END_LIST
.BEGIN_LIST
.BULLET Open mode, which opens a database so you can work with it.
.END_LIST
You can work with the databases on your device, and any changes you make are automatically transferred to the HanDBase Desktop application the next time you perform a HotSync operation. Likewise, changes you make in HanDBase Desktop get transferred to your handheld during the next HotSync operation.
Note that I said changes get transferred, not synchronized. If you make changes on both your handheld and your desktop, the desktop database overwrites the one on the handheld. If you want to be able to make changes in both places without worrying about losing your handheld database, consider upgrading to HanDBase Plus, which includes a two-way synchronization conduit.
Once you open a database, HanDBase provides all the capabilities you would expect, including the abilities to add new records, search the database, filter the records to be displayed, and sort the records.
HanDBase does everything I could ask of it.
.H1 powerOne Personal
I have mixed feelings about the powerOne Personal calculator from Infinity Softworks (at http://www.infinitysw.com). It’s not that there’s anything wrong with this replacement calculator. It supports color and does everything a basic calculator should do, and it includes a set of math and business functions. Figure G shows the powerOne Personal calculator.
.FIG G powerOne Personal adds math and business functions to a basic calculator.
My concern about powerOne Personal is that it’s actually far less powerful than the calculator that comes standard on Handspring Visors. If you’re a Visor user and you compare it to the included calculator into Advanced mode, you’ll see what I mean.
The powerOne Personal calculator fits in between the basic calculator found on many Palm OS devices and the full-featured one found on Visors. You’ll need to play with this one a bit to decide whether it should replace the calculator you already have.
.H1 PalmPrint
PalmPrint appears to be a great solution for printing data directly from your handheld, but due to lack of access to a supported printer, I was unable to test it. PalmPrint works with printers that have an IR port, as well as those that accept a serial cable. For compatibility information, visit the PalmPrint section of the Stevens Creek Software website at http://www.stevenscreek.com/palm/palmprint.shtml. PalmPrint supports color and there’s a trial version available.
.H1 Launch ‘Em
Launch ‘Em replaces the application launcher on your handheld. Its benefits include flexibility in organizing your applications into categories, and a set of plug-ins that add features like a trash can and a power off button. It supports color and there’s a trial version available. Figure H shows one of the many ways you can arrange things with Launch ‘Em.
.FIG H Use Launch ‘Em to organize and manage your handheld applications.
The latest version of Launch ‘Em, available at the Synergy Solutions Web site (at http://www.synsolutions.com/software/launchem/index.html), adds color and support for SD/MMC (Secure Digital/Multimedia Card) memory cards, along with a number of other enhancements. Follow the instructions that came with the Office Suite to register Launch ‘Em and get the latest version of the software and manual.
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.H1 Conclusion
The Handango Office Suite Platinum Edition greatly increases your ability to do real office work on your handheld. The included applications are among the best available, and the price is right. It’s better than buying each program individually because you save around 20%. If you want to do serious work on your handheld, the Handango Office Suite Platinum Edition is worth a serious look.
.BEGIN_SIDEBAR
.H1 Product availability and resources
For more information on any of the Handango Suites, visit http://www.handango.com.
For more information on WordSmith, from Blue Nomad, visit http://www.bluenomad.com/ws/prod_wordsmith_details.html.
For more information on TinySheet from iambic, visit http://www.iambic.com/english/palmos/tinysheet/.
For more information on Adobe Acrobat Reader for Palm OS, visit http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readerforpalm.html.
For more information on HanDBase, from DDH Software, visit http://www.ddhsoftware.com/handbase.html.
For over free HanDBase databases, visit http://www.ddhsoftware.com/gallery.html.
For more information on powerOne Personal calculator from Infinity Softworks, visit http://www.infinitysw.com.
For more information on PalmPrint, visit http://www.stevenscreek.com/palm/palmprint.shtml.
For more information on Launch ‘Em, visit http://www.synsolutions.com/software/launchem/index.html.
For a small collection of free BigClock themes, visit http://www.rupp.paessler.com/bigclock/theme/list.htm.
For more free HanDBase databases, visit http://www.ddhsoftware.com/gallery.html.
For more information on Palm handhelds, visit http://www.palm.com.
.H1 Easy, flexible article reprints
ZATZ now offers a quick, easy, flexible and inexpensive way to use article reprints in your marketing and promotion efforts. You can now get article reprints for a one-time fee of only $200. For details, visit http://mediakit.zatz.com/reprints.
.END_SIDEBAR
.BIO Bill Mann is co-author of the book Wireless Devices End to End available at http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0764548956. He can be reached at wpmann@attbi.com.
.DISCUSS http://powerboards.zatz.com/cgi-bin/webx?50@@.ee6ffd1
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