[plug] Time to replace palm m130?

[Chris Caston]

On Tue, 2005-10-25 at 13:41, Chris Caston wrote:
> On Tue, 2005-10-25 at 13:09, James L. Clarke wrote:
> > Chris, and others who may be interested,
> > 
> > Personally I use a BlackBerry (Yes I know it's not FOSS, but it's not M$ either)
> > 
> > While not a full PDA, what it does, it does well and it is pretty fast because
> > it doesn't have the bloat that comes with most of the modern PDAs.
> > 
> > Emailing: Direct from the device (push service, that is as soon as the email
> > arrives on the server it comes to the BlackBerry) using the mobile phone
> > network, can roam (triple band) to practically anywhere in the world.
> > 
> > Calendaring: Never miss an appointment. Same with the email as soon as someone
> > request a meeting it comes to your device. As soon as you enter a Calendar entry
> > in Outlook or Notes (not sure if it can work on any FOSS calendars though) it
> > updates the device using the mobile network. No need to plug the device in and
> > manually sync for this.
> > 
> > Tasklist: Have to plug in and sync this with Outlook or Notes, but it works well.
> > 
> > Memopad: Have to plug in and sync this with Outlook or Notes, but it works well.
> > 
> > Address Book: Have to plug in and sync this with Outlook or Notes, but it works
> > well.
> > 
> > Web browsing: Supports WAP (WML) and HTML
> > 
> > Can access corporate Intranets.
> > 
> > Customised Java Applications can be added the BlackBerry for everthing from
> > Games to remote server management, and a VNC client.
> > 
> > Built in keyboard is faster that stumbling arround with Styluses (but, some
> > people have gota have there Styluses!)
> > 
> > Use very strong (military grade) encryption to comunicate over the mobile
> > network/internet with your server and the data on the devices is encrypted as well.
> > 
> > Downsides: (this is with the 2 year old model I have, so might be improved in
> > new models) No Javascript support, no support for SSL websites, uses GSM (that
> > is max 36KBit data transfer, but with email this OK because it only gets the
> > text of the email from the server unless you specifically ask to see the
> > attachments, then you wait!), word/powerpoint/pdf viewer is text only, excell
> > viewer is pretty limited, using it as a phone without the hands free kit is not
> > too great.
> > 
> > Also there is no MP3, MIDI, or video support, but that would just bloat it
> > anyway IMHO!
> > 
> > Has anyone had any experience with BlackBerries and Linux? Unfortunately
> > desktops at work are all M$, but having tried various PDAs, and phones, I would
> > say that the BlackBerry has the most painless integration with Outlook or Notes
> > ever! Would be interested to know if they will(can be made to) work with Kontact
> > or Evolution (even if it is a third party hack).
> > 
> > If anyone is interested in having a look my BlackBerry, I am normally at the 
> > PLUG seminars (at OSWA) and I am happy to give you a demo. Remember my
> > BlackBerry is two years old and I know there are better ones now which use CDMA
> > (364KBit).
> > 
> > Cheers,
> > 
> > James
> > 
> 
> Interesting suggestion James.
> 
> Yeah, I probably want the Stlyus. I can write graffiti at ~30 wpm so its
> not that much of an issue for me. 
> 
> I don't want to go much larger (in physical size and weight) than my
> current m130 as the PDA is like a pace maker for me. I take it
> everywhere even when I go clubbing so it needs to be very compact and
> durable.
> 
> regards,
> 
> Chris
> 


I'm also thinking that I would like to be able to plug in a head set or
use a microphone and speakers to make VOIP calls.

If by some chance there is an ethernet adapter or it can take a compact
flash ethernet adapter that is a big bonus.


> 
> 
> > PS I don't work for BlackBerry or any dealers of BlackBerry, just my opinion
> > after using the BlackBerry for work for the past two years.
> > 
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> > 
> 
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