.KEYWORD celte1199
.FLYINGHEAD LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
.TITLE Power grandmas and device decisions
.DEPT
.SUMMARY This month’s edition of Letters to the Editor brings us a debate on grandmothers, power users, and a question on converting DBF files to Windows CE.
.EDNOTE This month’s edition of Letters to the Editor brings us a debate on grandmothers, power users, and a question on converting DBF files to Windows CE.
.H1 Grandmothers and email
I always find your magazine to be invaluable in this new world of Windows CE.
I’m afraid I stopped reading Mr. Huber’s article on POP3 servers for Windows CE, in the August 1999 issue of Windows CE Power Magazine (at http://www.windowscepower.com/issues/issue199908/pop001.html), as soon I read the first section (on CoolMail). He says he is expecting a POP3 server, even notes that an SMTP sever will not be available to him from CoolMail (for sending), and for the POP3 server he enters "smtp.coolmail.net" which is their SMTP server. The error message is very clear – that you can send but not receive. And then, not even a single call to support. So I stopped, not interested in how he improperly configured the other three bad guys.
If it had been titled "Free email your grandmother could set up Windows CE for", and it reviewed the quality of documentation for the novice user, then this might be OK – and I wouldn’t have read it. I assume articles in your magazine will be targeted at the professional user.
BTW, I have connected my HP660LX with SMTP and POP3 at both att.net and serve.com without any difficulty.
Chris J. Cooney
.H2 Editor-in-Chief David Gewirtz responds
Thanks for your wonderful compliments on Windows CE Power. Windows CE Power Magazine isn’t targeted just at the professional user. Our goal is to provide information for all levels of users, from the newest beginner to the seasoned professional. Dan’s article is ideal for people who want to be able to use something without fussing.
As for grandmothers, don’t discount those folks (we sure don’t). According to the ABA Research Department and a study by @plan, Internet users over the age of 55 are highly educated, affluent, and have a higher tendency to purchase online than younger surfers. They are 37% more inclined to book purchases online than younger Internet users and 27% more inclined to invest online than those under 55 years old. With an estimated 4.3 million people aged 55 years and over using the Internet, this group is making a significant impact on e-commerce.
We welcome people of all age groups, nationalities, and knowledge levels to Windows CE Power Magazine and all the ZATZ publications.
By the way, we do have a special role for power users: author. If you’re interested in sharing your deep knowledge with those less fortunate, feel free to contact managing editor Denise Amrich at denise@windowscepower.com.
.PAGE
.H1 What device is the right one?
I’ll be brief. I need a Palm PC for field use to check items against my database — stolen aviation parts.
I go to an airshow and check the flea markets for stolen equipment. I’ve been using a laptop. I want to convert to a Windows CE model. I already own a Casio E-10. I need a keyboard.
What models should I consider? I need to convert a dBase III file (dbf) to a Windows CE application. Where I can use a "find" command to look for matching serial numbers?
There are about 7000 records in the file with six fields — date of theft, claim, insurance, make, model, and serial number indexed on the serial number.
.H2 Editor-in-Chief David Gewirtz responds
Since you’ve got a DBF file to convert, you’ll probably want one of the devices with Pocket Access. Beyond that, read Windows CE Power for reviews of each unit. I’d recommend you read our Windows CE versions article from May 1999 (available at http://www.windowscepower.com/issues/issue199905/specifics001.html) for a better idea of what kind of machine does what.
