DateBk6, V-6.1a, r4 Release Candidate #4 now Posted

One of my favorite Palm applications is Datebk 6, a calendar management program for Palm PDAs and Treos. It's an excellent program and IMO superior to other Palm calendar management programs. Well, today it's recieved another update and some issues have been fixed. Always a good thing. So if you are still a Palm user, it's time to update or time to take Datebk 6 for a spin.

"I just posted an R4 release which addresses the Palm OS redraw bug on
TX units only, whereby the refresh event is sent to the wrong window
when calling a "sub-dialog" - we've seen this bug in several places
on the TX - if you see any others just let me know (this was last
noted in the Today View's View Display Options dialog moving to the
Options Selections dialog). It's most noticeable when the status bar
is being hidden.

This release also includes a subtle preference option for sorting
items that have the same start time. The question is: if the start
time of two events is the same, which comes first? The one that ends
first? or ends last?

The traditional Palm OS Datebook application has always done the
former, so the first item listed is the one that ends first. DateBk6
previously followed that rule. Palm's proprietary Calendar app though
does the reverse - the item that ends last is listed first. Some
people think that provides a nicer view of nested time bars in the
Day View, some don't.

In any event, on a clean install, DateBk6 will now set this
preference to MATCH the built-in Datebook OR built-in calendar
application as appropriate, but anyone can now change it to suit
their taste, and at least DateBk6 now keeps to its goal of working
the same was as the built-in calendar application unless there's a
compelling reason to operate differently.

http://www.PimlicoSoftware.com/datebk6-v61a-r4.zip
is the link to this new step release....

Cheers!
CESD, Pimlico Software, Inc.

Another misstep for Palm

Looks like Palm's incredible, amazing, Treo accessory will be delayed. Why?! Well, apparently it has some problems syncing with certain models of the Treo line. I guess this is kinda of a problem? ;) Engadget has the full scoop!

"According to a Barron's report published today, Deutsche Bank analyst Johnathan Goldberg has released a short note claiming that the Foleo -- Palm's much-derided quasi-laptop -- is headed for production delays. Goldberg states in the note that "In a round of checks yesterday we learned that the Palm Foleo will be delayed," and went on to say the snag is caused by "software bugs," which prevent the system from syncing properly with "most models of the Treo." Clearly not the news that Palm wants people to hear right now, with pressure already to-the-nines on the Foleo..."

Source: Engadget

Special deals at Iambic Software- makers of Agendus

Iambic has a special deal of the week promotion that for every new purchase of Agendus you will receive to free gifts. The two gifts are a sticky pad, the kind that holds your PDA in a car, and the iambic CD-to-Go which gives you a hard copy of Agendus titles. Now if you are looking for a full-featured calendar, contact, and email suite, Agendus is that suite. This program covers so much and offers so much that you will be hard pressed to find a comparable suite of programs. Agendus is available for Palm, Windows,

The Palm Foleo will have real 3rd party applications developed for it.

Software for the Palm Foleo has been announced by Astraware and now MotionApps. Astraware has released a version of their Sudoko and Solitaire games for the Foleo. Both games are loads of fun and I highly recommend them. MotionApps has announced a PIM software suite that will be developed for the Foleo. Palm has not announced any PIM software on the Foleo, so one can assume that there is none. I'm hoping that Palm is taking note of Apple's upgrading the iPhone here in the last few days and that Palm will do the same with the Foleo. I mean imagine Palm saying they've upgrade the memory for a tiny 128mb to a 4 GB flash memory. That would be great! 

Side thought

Why should you consider a Foleo? Well, as a pastor, missionary, evangelist many do not want nor need a full featured laptop. For example, a missionary may just want a internet and email capabilities to keep in contact with their supporting churches. A Foleo can do that without all the extra bulk. With its instant on, sending an email to your supporting churches can be done quickly enabling your to be more productive and spend less time at the computer. Palm products have the "just works" feature. You use it and it "just works". As of late some may argue that is not true, but overall Palm products just work. So, this could be a useful device if your needs are simple. You want more than that, well you need a MacBook.

Source: Brighthand

Keep track of your goals, projects, etc. on your PDA with Traxitall

Traxitall has now become an even better goal and performance tracking program for your PDA. You can now print off your reports via your desktop computer with the Traxitall Desktop module. This program has been quite useful for me. You can easily set your goals and see how successful you've been with a progress report. You can check out my review of the software here. With a desktop module this program will be even more useful for you in managing and keeping track of your goals.
As pastors, missionaries, deacons, teachers, etc. I believe it is important to have goals and work towards them. This helps us improve ourselves and our ministries. Traxitall could easily be a help in during just that. Here are just a few features of the software:

" TraxItAll now comes in two parts: the Palm OS program and the desktop module for Windows computers (XP and 2000).

In essence, TraxItAll is a daily, electronic log sheet. It gives your Palm OS device the ability to track any statistic that you could track using a paper log sheet.

You can set goals, enter your data, and then quickly and easily create reports for any time period you desire. The reports not only give totals, but show you how you performed in relation to your goals. This makes it a great goal-setting tool.

And now, using our new desktop module for Windows, users can print out their reports! When using 3rd-party software for creating PDF files (such as the free CutePDF program), you can even email these reports to doctors, caregivers, coaches, employers, colleagues, support groups, and others."

iPhoneImitation

Looking to make your Palm appear to be an iPhone, well here is your chance. We have yet another iPhone look-a-like launcher for your Palm device. The last one, iPhony, disappeared because of Apple's pressure on the developer. So someone else is trying again and I'm sure that Apple will be contacting them soon. To learn more about iPhone Imitation click here. As of miday Saturday, the file is still available for download for those interested in trying this out on their Palm devices. This one supports hires+ screens.

Alex Pruss makes slight updates to MineHunt and Hardball and releases a new program

I have several applications developed by Alex Pruss on my Lifedrive. My all time favorite is Fontsmoother and if you are still using the default fonts of your Pam or Treo device, you really need to take a look at Fontsmoother.

Alex Pruss has taken Minehunt and Hardball and given them a slight update. He mentioned this update over in the 1src forums and that's where I noticed it. Exactly what he updated I do not know. However, I use to play these games on my m100 all the time. I thought it was so cool to be able to play MineHunt wherever I went. Hardball was a lot of fun too and I lost many hours to it. Here is Alex's comments on these updates:

"Both very, very slightly updated for OS 5 (and still compatible with OS 3.5 and up). MineHunt was, I think, included with some Palm models. Both games are from the OS 4 example source code, so I can't take any credit or blame except for minor modifications.

http://www.palmgear.com/?xyz=129474
http://www.palmgear.com/?xyz=129514

Unlike many modern apps, these are refreshingly small, 18K for the one and 25K for the other."

Alex also released another app that I have installed on my app called Center Menu 1.0 beta. This app is quite handy and enables you to maximize your one handed use of your Palm or Treo device. On my Lifedrive it enables my center select button to activate the drop down menu in a program. All I have to do is hold the better for a second or so. This does disable the default action of the center button for my Lifedrive which is to show what alarms have gone off in the calendar application. Here is the program description from Alex:

"This software and its source code is in the Public Domain.
Use at your own risk.

CenterMenu on newer Palms (T5, TX, Lifedrive, TE2, Treo 650+)
replaces the not-very-useful notices viewing that you get by
holding down the center key on the navigator, by the ability
to trigger the menu by holding down the center key for a
second. You can hide the menu by holding down the center
key for a second again.

http://www.1src.com/freeware/fileinfo.php?id=1634"

iPhony 0.2 for you Palm

It didn't take the Palm developing community to create a program that can make your Palm device resemble the upcoming Apple iPhone. It is called iPhony and it works like a launcher for your Palm Treo or PDA.

" Hello guys,

Why wait until June 2007 to get your iPhone? Just download iPhone 0.2 (file attached) and start to impress your friends and colleagues today!

Of course it is just for fun (Launcher app) and it is not completly done yet but the way I see it is that I have until June 2007 to finish the application!

Of course it is FREE so enjoy!

1- Version 0.2 now allows now to set each button to a app in our device. For instance the icon "Mail" can be linked to "SnapperMail" , "ChatterMail" or whatever. To access the "buttons setting" window, simply click on the top of the screen (as if you were trying to open a menu) and a list of the icons will appears. Each icon will have a pulldown menu listing all the app on your device. Simply choose one by icon. By default all the icon are set to "Launcher". You can also access this setting window by clicking on the "menu" button on your device.

2- Version 0.2 also allows you to navigate around the icons using the 5-ways pad (blue ring).

3- I changed the icons a little bit. For instance I removed the "Weather" icon and replaced by "Notes" or Memo.

I am still working on the graphic quality and the 320x480."

Source: Palm Addict and Brighthand Forums

2day - See all your appointments and tasks in one screen

Staying productive in the ministry means being able to see what you have to do quickly. Sometimes I don't have time to open my tasks application or my datebook application on my Lifedrive. I like to have a Today screen that shows me what I have planned for the day. I use Datebk 6's today screen for this, but 2day is a very good Today screen application for your Palm. Right now it is on sale at Palm OS Central for $10.05. A great price for this productive app.

- "Today" type application - detailed list of all of your calendar & to do items.

- New: New PIM databases support - Including new calendar fields, location, categories, birthdays and timezones.

- New: Week view.

- New: High-Resolution support - Icons & graphics, small font.

- New: DIA (320x480).

- Call, send SMS/Email & browse to numbers / addresses in your appointments & to dos.

- See the status of your Emails, SMS, IM, Voice-memo, Voice mail (**), Missed calls (*) and alerts.




- No stylus operation, plus TRUE 5-way navigator support.

- Skinnable (for Treo users - use images from your camera).

- View next day/s items, too. Launch at power on.

- Supports Plugins...

- Multitude of new features - category filtering, templates for alarm clock & timer creation, coloring today meetings, ...

(*) - All Palm SmartPhones.
(**) - Treo devices (depending on carrier).

Ebook recommendation: The Practice of the Presence Of God

Looking for a good and quick read over the New Year weekend? Well, one book that I have in paper and digital format is The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence. It's a really good book and one that I read from time to time. I didn't know that it was in PDA format, but over at Memoware you can download it in doc and Palm reader formats. The paper version is under a 100 pages I believe, so the digital format wouldn't take you to long to read it. You can also browse a website devoted to this book. The website is called, "Practice Gods Presence."

My favorite launcher for my PDA- Launcher X

I could go on and on about Launcher X. The fact that I could organize my many applications on my Lifedrive via tabs, the ability to run programs from my SD card, simple drag and drop organization. Yes, Launcher X is my favorite launcher for my Palm Lifedrive. It's definitely not the fanciest or the most featured pack, but it works and that's a huge reason why I like it. There will also be an upgrade to it soon to version 2.0 and I cannot wait to see it. If you are looking for a new launcher, I'd highly recommend this one as it really does a great job and won't lose you in a myriad of features. BTW, don't let the picture fool you. LX has plenty of skins available for you to customize LX.

Palm OS Central has Launcher X for $19.95 - %20 discount coupon = $15.96. Use coupon code DECEMBER at checkout.