Quote from Forum Archives on May 24, 2000, 6:59 pm

Posted by: NathanMartin <NathanMartin@...>

Dave, thanks for the report on your success with the Handspring
Visor. I bought one back in November of last year and it's been
completely indispensable. I couldn't be nearly as effective without
it! I know I'm much more effective now than before. I thought I'd
through in some comments in response to your message:

On 22 May 2000, Dave Shoemaker <[email protected]> wrote about
"[CCMag] PDA's"

-------- snip --------
> I have had my Handspring Vision Deluxe now for a month, and find it to be a
> most VALUABLE tool for running my business. I can easily carry -- in my
> pants pocket -- my entire calendar, to-do list, and most important, my
> contact list.

I carry mine in my front shirt pocket, which is fine as long as I'm
wearing a shirt with a pocket. Other times I carry it in my pants
pocket as well, but am not as comfortable with that. (I'm a big
guy.) I'm interested in a case of some sort but not sure exactly
what I want so I haven't tried anything yet. I've thought about a
belt case but I already carry a pager and a cell phone on my belt.
🙁

-------- snip --------
> What I do like about the Handspring is the feel. It just
> fits in my hand better. Even the stylus is easier to use.

I've played around with a friend's Palm and it is somewhat sleeker
in looks but the Handspring is definitely easier to hold on to. The
ridges on the side are actually helpful. I purchased a pack of
optional stylii and prefer their weight/heft over the plastic standard
stylus that comes with the Visor.

> They are also available in iMac-like colors, so I selected a
> blue and white. ERROR! The one thing I do NOT like is that the
> screen cover is removable. It's a frosted white, and easily
> blends in with other junk on a desk. I've lost it twice already
> (and found it later). (Kinda tells you what my desk looks
> like...)

DITTO!!!! I've lost mine on my desk as well so our desks much
resemble! The other area that I don't like my blue/white Visor is
that most folks assume it's a gameboy or some other
entertainment device when they first see it. So I find myself
explaining it a lot to people I meet. Not a problem but I kinda
wish I had gotten the black one that looks more business-like. (I
have installed "MyBible" from Laridian - www.laridian.com -
and use my Visor as my Bible most of the time. Folks usually
look at me a little funny in Bible studies, hospital calls, etc, when
I whip out my "gameboy" and start reading a scripture! )

> Here's the real thing that made me decide: It has a compartment and port
> to add peripherals. Yes, you can buy Tiger Woods Golf Game, but what sold
> me was that, with the addition of a component, it will replace my pager --
> one less thing to carry. Unfortunately, it's not available quite yet. I
> certainly hope I didn't purchase vapor ware.

I haven't seen the pager module yet, but I, too, considered that
when I made the purchase. I carry an alpha-text pager and would
love to replace it with a plug in on the visor. Looking forward to
whatever pager options (hopefully) become available.

> It also connects USB instead of serial, which is nice.

I've got both cradles. I used the serial cradle when I first got it
because my computer then did not have USB ports. My compute
now has USB and it is MUCH faster doing the hotsynch. I've
considered putting my serial cradle on my computer at home so I
can have two copies of my appointments, phone numbers, etc.,
but haven't done so yet. (It would be nice for my wife to be able to
look at the computer at home and know my schedule.)

> My fear of loosing the calendar book I used to carry went away with
> purchasing a PDA. If a horrible thing happens and the Visor quits or gets
> lost for good, I have a complete backup of all the information on my
> computer. No lost numbers or appointments!

Something similar happened to me this week. I dropped my Visor
very hard and the screen scrambled. I had to do a hard reset to
get it working again, which meant it the Visor starts from scratch,
wiping out the memory of stored programs, appointments, etc.
All I had to do was hotsynch and EVERYTHING was restored
from my computer back to the Visor. Very nice! I love the
confidence of have that kind of security.

> I used to think these things were just gadgets. Not any more! Anyway, if
> you're in the market, check out www.handspring.com . (They aren't
> available in many stores yet, though locally, Staples carries them.)

I just got a copy of Handspring's May e-newsletter and in it they
state:

-------- Begin Quote --------
VISOR--NOW IN STORES
Handspring has partnered with Best Buy, CompUSA and Staples to
sell an offering of Visor handhelds and accessories in their
retail stores. Visit www.handspring.com to locate a store near
you. Of course you can still buy everything you'll find in a
retail store (and more) at www.handspring.com.

p01.com/t.d?dENrRPRW=/www.handspring.com

-------- End Quote --------

So hopefully they'll be more available. They also now have
portable keyboards available for those who have difficulty with the
Graffiti hand-writing recognition system.

All-in-all, I'm extremely pleased with my Visor. It's been a great
help to me in many ways. One site that has helped me as well
has been: www.visorcentral.com/ - I don't believe it's
affilitated with Handspring and it offers all kinds of news, tips,
reviews, etc. The message boards have been very helpful to me
as well.

Downside? Personally I don't care for the plastic detaching
screen cover. But that's about it. I invested a few bucks in an
improved stylus and also bought a package of screen protectors,
which I would highly recommend. (There are several sources - I
bought mine from www.conceptkitchen.com/ but less
expensive alternatives are now available from
www.nushield.net/ and www.vsps.com/ .) They
supposedly last about a month but I've gone over 6 months
without changing mine.

As far as software goes, the main applications I use are the big
four: DateBook+, Address book, Memo Pad and ToDo List
(which all synch with Outlook). As far as "extra" software goes, I
use MyBible the most. I've downloaded a few games and utilities
but nothing really stands out in the crowd. (How about it, David?
Any software you can recommend?)

That pretty much sums up my opinion of the Visor. Once I find
the case that works for me, I'll be in hog heaven! 🙂

Nathan