Well, I've been lurking and learning for quite awhile and want to contribute on a topic I do know a little bit about.
First, like others have said. If you can't force yourself to rely on whatever PDA you get for ALL your note taking, calendar, phone book, address book, etc needs, it's just another thing to loose. If you already use a one source paper system, (like a Franklin Planner or Day Timer), this should be easy. If you can't force yourself to do this one source system, PDA's and planners are a waste of good money.
My preference: An HP Jornada 728 handheld.
It won't carry in your shirt pocket, but comes with a belt holster. I usually just toss it on the front seat, like I did with my paper planner.
Works like a PDA but is a clamshell mini laptop computer complete with the software like Microsoft Office. Including the reminder alarm clock type thing for appointments.
Has a keypad. Comes with a built in modem. Let's you handwrite notes on the screen.
http://www.hp-expo.com/uk/eng/products/jornada/f4356a.html The three things I like the most about mine are:
the ability to have PDF Instruction manuals stored on it. As a Home Inspector, I've got to have the reference material readily availabale on all kinds of topics, because I am regularly challenged. It's kind of hard to argue, when shown the manufacturers installation instructions. (Adobe doesn't offer a reader for PDA, but you can buy one for about $80.00.)
The way it functions as a mini- laptop.
It has most of the basic computer software you need. No learning curve for new software. Specialized software, such as electrical calculations are available.
I can (and have frequently) surfed the net and read this Bulletin Board from it.
Comes with a 64 megabyte Compact Flash Card that backs everything up. For a few bucks more, you can get an overnight replacement warranty. You drop it, it breaks, you call California, HP overnights another one. You pull the compact flash card from the broken one, insert in the new one, restore your backup file and you're (almost) right back to where you where by 10:00 the next morning. ALMOST! Yeah almost. It depends on how regular you are about backing up your files. I make sure to back up every couple of days.
Thanks to all who share your knowledge here. It's a great resource and an excellent learning tool for me.
[This message has been edited by B4UClose (edited 12-16-2002).]
