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Paqqin' Heat: The Eccentric Essentials - Part 3
Written by Upton Au  [author's bio]  [read 22683 times]
Edited by Derek

      

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Over the course of the two previous columns (Read Part 1 | Read Part 2) of this series, we've gone over maximizing the usefulness of one's Pocket PC through changes that diverge from the factory default settings and original Start Menu. In this, the third installment of Paqqin' Heat, I intend to cover some of the software that enhances the functionality of my PDA on a daily basis. In addition, I'll delve more deeply into the applications that currently have my attention.

My Today screen was among the first aspects of my machine to change, as it didn't seem to satisfy my need for an 'at-a-glance' method of displaying information. Having reviewed DeveloperOne's Agenda Today and Taskview, I had an opportunity to use them, but found that despite the advantages they provide, they too fail to give me all of the information I want in one eyeful. After having read the announcement of the retail release and then installing Snoopsoft's Dashboard, I run the now antiquated ver. 1.1 with the Symbian Quartz skin to this day. I have two days' worth of appointments on top, followed by my running task list. The software runs quickly and seamlessly integrates with the built-in Pocket Outlook applications.

Two other alternatives that seem the most compelling to look into include CeCraft's Lupin's Diary (aesthetic but with Spartan interface and features) and WebIS's Pocket Informant (I've read nothing but good things about Ver. 2.5).

In response to Microsoft's stubborn refusal to provide an X Close option for Pocket PC applications, I've found a simple yet elegant solution in Scott Seligman's PocketNav, which among Scott's other PPC applications, is available for free download. I had given Gigabar a go earlier on, only to find that I preferred not to have so much information crammed into such a small space. Despite being an extremely versatile piece of work, I can imagine that Gigabar's seemingly endless personalization options to even some seasoned Pocket PC users. If you have however, decided that Gigabar is the task-manager (among other things…) for you, be sure to read Neil Faulkner's detailed article on how to configure and use the program.

The alternatives that I can think of for task-managers that I haven't been able to look into fully yet are Wisbar and Stardock's PocketBlinds. Wisbar provides that coveted Close application option in the upper right-hand corner of the screen, and also includes skinning capabilities. Pocketblinds, which is still in beta, aspires to change the way the user interface (UI) looks and feels through user-customizable skins and features that include and surpass simply switching between and closing applications.

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