.KEYWORD ebook0802
.FLYINGHEAD THE EBOOK EXPERIENCE
.TITLE Writing on the go with your Palm handheld
.OTHER
.SUMMARY In this edition of his series on ebooks, Sam Kleinman looks at the art of writing with your Palm OS device, including a discussion of some of the best tools of the trade.
.AUTHOR Sam Kleinman
Handheld computers were designed to replace the DayTimer-style paper planners. Palm OS was, and still is, designed to keep our electronic PIM (Personal Information Management) data available to us wherever we are. This is still what Palm OS devices do best, despite our efforts to push our handheld devices to perform other tasks. This adaptability is what makes the Palm OS a successful platform and is probably the reason that this magazine–and others like it–exist. Without the ability to install useful third party applications, I doubt that ebooks and many other favorite uses for Palm handhelds would be practical, or even possible.
While the Palm OS was originally targeted at executives and other business people, it has grown into much more. A lot of people have started using Palm handhelds because they offer a mobile solution that’s cheaper and more portable than most laptops. Students use them to take notes in class, while some writers replace their paper notebooks with handheld computers.
In this edition of my series on ebooks, I’m going to look into writing with your Palm OS device. While I am aware that this isn’t strictly ebook-related, mobile writing was my first foray into the world of the Palm OS, and it was from this that my interest in ebooks grew. So, while the connection may not be clear, it does exist.
.H1 Is mobile writing right?
Using a Palm handheld in the writing process can greatly enhance the writing processes of many writers who are pressed for time or have the bad habit of getting the inspiration to write when they’re away from their desks. However, Palm OS devices aren’t right for everyone who writes. Palm OS devices aren’t laptops. No matter what you do, they will probably never have the same kind of functionality that a laptop has. It’s also important to realize and keep in mind that a Palm handheld is a tool that enhances the writing process; it doesn’t create something that isn’t there.
If you expect to write long pieces on your Palm OS device from draft to final, or if you expect to be able to function independently of your desktop for extended periods of time, you may be disappointed. If, on the other hand, you expect to draft or take notes on your Palm handheld, you’ll probably be far more successful. The key to getting the most out of your Palm handheld is figuring out exactly what it will do for you and then modeling your usage patterns after its ability. This might not be the most enjoyable method, but it tends to be the most effective way to get things done.
.PAGE
.H1 The tools of the trade
Each writer using a Palm handheld has different needs and patterns. As a general rule, handheld writing requires the following:
.BEGIN_LIST
.BULLET A case that provides protection, easy access, and portability;
.END_LIST
.BEGIN_LIST
.BULLET Various input options that are effective in all of the situations where the Palm handheld will be used;
.END_LIST
.BEGIN_LIST
.BULLET A viewing screen that is effective for displaying text clearly.
.END_LIST
A system that includes these three abilities will be the most effective for mobile writing. I’m not going to recommend a particular combination of products, because what may be a suburb input method for me is almost certainly not going to work out for everyone else. Keep the three abilities in mind and whatever device you decide on will be as close to perfect as they come.
In addition to the proper hardware setup, having the right collection of software is necessary for using your Palm handheld as a writing tool. Mobile writing contains two software requirements in addition to the ebook reading software that you already have: planning/organization software and word processing software. In my experience, Pimlico’s line of feature-rich Date Book replacements (at http://www.pimlicosoftware.com) are exceptional programs for managing all the agenda and to-do functions that mobile writer’s require. Also, for organization and planning, I believe that a mapping/outlining program such as Shadow Plan (at http://www.codejedi.com) is very helpful for task management and brainstorming.
Since the whole point of writing on the go is actually writing, the proper word processing software is important. The most essential part of a handheld word processing program isn’t the program itself, but the conduit that synchronizes your documents on your Palm OS device with those that reside on your desktop. This conduit needs to be efficient, smooth, and as seamless as possible. If you have to jump through numerous hoops in order to access your documents, the usefulness of a Palm handheld decreases significantly. The idea is to save time, not waste it trying to get a conduit to behave as it should.
WordSmith (at http://www.bluenomad.com) is a popular Palm OS word-processing application that has an impressive feature set and an amazing conduit. Sometimes, though, a feature rich program like WordSmith can get in the way of productivity. In a case like that, a simpler program such as Paul Nevai’s Pedit (at http://www.paulcomputing.com) or one of the many other fine document editors available may be in order.
.H1 Writing with a Palm handheld
Now that you’re all set up with a great package of gear and software, all you have to do now is figure out how you’re going to make use of the Palm handheld as part of your writing process. Since everyone writes differently, there’s no single right way to write with a handheld. Over the past few years of using various handheld devices in my writing process, I have come across a few attitudes and ideas that may make writing with my Palm handheld much easier.
Use the Palm handheld for very specific tasks (such as drafting, note taking, or correspondence) is a good way to prepare yourself and your device so that maximum efficiency can be obtained.
Acknowledge limitations so you can work with them and work around them, rather than working against them.
The Palm handheld exists to supplement your desktop setup, which is why effective synchronization is so important. Don’t expect your Palm handheld to function independently. Use both tools together to get the most out of both.
Don’t allow yourself to be satisfied with overwhelming flaws or pitfalls in your mobile writing experience. Keep working with your solution and setup until everything works the way it should. In the long run, this will be more effective.
Just because you can write everywhere with your Palm handheld doesn’t mean you should. No matter how important our writing is, we need to remember to live our lives. If the ability to write away from your desk makes you turn into an antisocial virtual hermit who spends all of his or her time writing, not only will the quality of your work diminish, but you would probably be better off if you just stayed at your desk in the first place.
Mobile writing isn’t for everyone, but if you have the right equipment, software, and attitude, writing with a Palm handheld can be a rewarding and productive experience.
.BEGIN_SIDEBAR
.H1 Product availability and resources
For more information on Pimlico’s line of Date Book replacements, visit http://www.pimlicosoftware.com.
For more information on Shadow Plan, visit http://www.codejedi.com.
For more information on WordSmith, visit http://www.bluenomad.com.
For more information on Pedit, visit http://www.paulcomputing.com.
For more information on Palm handhelds, visit http://www.palm.com.
.H1 Easy, flexible article reprints
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.END_SIDEBAR
.BIO
.DISCUSS http://powerboards.zatz.com/cgi-bin/webx?50@@.ee70143
