Hipster --> PDA transition

[minmex]

I'm currently using a fancy hipster (Levenger index card wallet) as my 'PDA', but since I have to report to a bunch of bosses it is becoming a pita to review all my cards and type them in to make my reports, etc..

Is anyone using a simple PDA that would basically act as an electronic hipster? Something that I could sync to the PC to transfer my information about projects, actions, etc..?

 

[dschaffner]

minmex,

I'm using a palm Treo 650 with lifebalance software, but that sounds like more than what you are looking for.

My wife has an inexpensive z22, which might suit your needs. You may be able to do what you need with the built in palm memo and task applications.

Another option might be to consider something like GTD TiddlyWiki (http://shared.snapgrid.com/index.html) which can print to 3x5 cards.

- Don

 

[AndyD]

@minmex, do you simply want the PDA to capture information and simply use it as an electronic Hipster?

So you don’t need a connected PDA/phone/internet variety?

If that’s the case, have a look at the Acer range of Windows Mobile Pocket PCs. (They had them in Europe/Asia not sure about USA if you’re there?)

They’re about the last range to be a standalone PDA without phone/internet capability.

They tend to be fast, good screen size and slim and are not of the PDA/Phone variety.

I used to use an Acer N50 Premium as my PDA before moving to a connected PDA and it was great. Very slim, fast, stable, large screen (larger than connected PDA’s) and ran Windows Mobile 2003.

It’s not the latest and greatest but it’s cheap, fast, stable and works! Have a look on Ebay if you’re interested in the above model as it's now discontinued (but still works great), or their website for their later models.

You also don’t necessarily need to sync it. Instead I used a SD Memory card in it and saved everything to there. Then when back at PC, pop the memory card in a card reader and you can open all the documents, notes, voice memos directly in there.

Works the other way too – you can drag PC documents onto the memory card that you can then read on the PocketPC. You loose some formatting in Word documents etc but it does work well within the inherent limitations.

Alternatively, just install ActiveSync (comes with it) and it'll sync to your Outlook and PC.

Also had Wi-Fi and Bluetooth if you did want to connect it to other devices too.

It’s funny, but I was playing around with my old Acer N50 the other day and I’d forgotten how good it was! It even had USB Host capability so you can plug in and read or write to a USB Memory stick. You can even plug in a USB full size PC keyboard and type directly into it!

It’s cool, because as it’s not connected, email, forums or the web can’t distract you!

Good luck, sounds an interesting idea.

Best regards,

Andy.

 

[apinaud]

I'm currently using a fancy hipster (Levenger index card wallet) as my 'PDA', but since I have to report to a bunch of bosses it is becoming a pita to review all my cards and type them in to make my reports, etc..

Is anyone using a simple PDA that would basically act as an electronic hipster? Something that I could sync to the PC to transfer my information about projects, actions, etc..?

The simple thing will be go to the Palm Zire (if you want an stand alone device, otherwise a Palm Treo)

Use calendar and contacts as you will use them in the Hipster.

Notes and Task put them in Memos in text form and you are set.

Since you have use the Hipster with success (I assume) you only need the Memos and keep them in text.

From that you can go to really more coplex or keep it that simple.

Best,

 

[minmex]

You've summarized it 100% correctly!

I'm really looking for a electronic hipster. I don't want a phone, camera, mp3 player, internet, email, etc... type thing.

Long ago I had a Palm Neo which did not work out for me. However, I think my failure was trying to use it just by itself, with no case, notecards, etc.

Having learned a little more about GTD in the meantime, I think a Zire (maybe a Zire Z22?) combined with a new levenger palm case would give me the best of both worlds:
1. PDA to hold the info
2. 3x5 cards for quick note taking, sketching, etc..

Then transfer my notes into the pda and I can easily submit my status to the man while keeping what I like about the current deluxe hipster - the ability to sketch stuff, write notes to give to others and such.

Stay tuned...

 

[Jamie Elis]

photo can be useful for capture...

It sounds like you are moving to PDA becuse you need to capture and output sorted information more quickly than you can with cards. As you go from a system of hand written input on your cards to a PDA you may find that capturing by picking out letters is frustratingly tedious. So if the Palm with a camera is within your means , you may find that the photo feature can be good as a capture device in selected situations that will surprise you. I highly recommend that based on personal experience, although I rarely use it, I have used it to photo a sign that tells hours of business of a store, books of interest at a book fair, and in purchasing something for the business where I work, I took photographs of the models and then presented them and it saved a lot of time both captruing and then showing the info. Also, if you must enter a lot of text quickly, you might want to explore smart writing software--it supposedly completes your words for you based on how often you use certain words. I also just got a little portable keyboard for the Palm but I have not had a chance to set it up yet. I fear it has to be on a flat surface, not on one's lap as you wait in the airport but I think it will be useful in various situations where I need to input quickly. I have read of people drafting whole novels using these keyboards.

 

[minmex]

Got the Zire today. In preparation, I've transferred all my cards into Outlook tasks. I like the small size of this Zire, it should fit into my Levenger card wallet with some fabrication to make something that I can velcro the Zire to and then insert it like a card into the wallet to hold it in place.

Most likely, I'll probably do little typing/entering on the Zire, I'll probably do it in outlook on the computer and then sync it into the Zire, since I now remember how much I don't enjoy grafitti....

Oh well..day 1 is tomorrow we'll see...

 

[minmex]

Update - better late than never...

Well I've been using the Zire/wallet combo for about 5 months now and here's what I think so far:

1. It is working out as I had planned as far as that I can capture with the paper, and then create new tasks as needed when I get back to my desk.

2. I find I am using the Palm very little when I am away from my desk, but I do still find it just necessary enough for a calendar, meeting reminders, and when I need to look at all my tasks for something so that I can't quite ditch it..

3. I am thinking of possibly stepping down to the business card sized notecards instead of the 3x5" since I am not writing that much on each one, plus it would be easier to fit in a normal pocket. I currently often wear cargo pants just to have my palm pocket on the side which is a little annoying.

Overall, I guess I'm pretty happy with how it is working out..

Got the Zire today. In preparation, I've transferred all my cards into Outlook tasks. I like the small size of this Zire, it should fit into my Levenger card wallet with some fabrication to make something that I can velcro the Zire to and then insert it like a card into the wallet to hold it in place.

Most likely, I'll probably do little typing/entering on the Zire, I'll probably do it in outlook on the computer and then sync it into the Zire, since I now remember how much I don't enjoy grafitti....

Oh well..day 1 is tomorrow we'll see...