TAPIT»Recommended Applications

Recommended Applications

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Here is a list of applications recommended by TAPIT members. These aren’t the endorsements of the club as a whole, just the opinions of whomever wanted to share.

Alan Hoyle’s Palm OS recommendations:

  • Plucker: open-source/Free offline web content reader. I use it to read books, get daily news and weather, get updated movie listings and reviews, read a couple of RSS blogs, store reference information, etc. The interface is customizable, and you can create and use custom fonts with other open-source tools. I use it with SunriseXP. It’s similar in functionality to the shareware iSilo, and avoids many of the limitations of the free version of AvantGo. A comparison of Plucker, iSilo, and Avant Go is available at http://www.plkr.org/a-vs-p.html

  • DateBk6: shareware replacement for the built-in Datebook/Calendar program on the Palm. It has more features than would easily fit into a reasonably sized web page. The biggest feature I take advantage of is integration of the To Do/Tasks list, but it will also integrate and link between Addressbook/Contacts, and Memopad. It also supports icons, hi-res screens, colorization of events, additional views, etc.

  • Opera Mini: Freeware web browser with great small-screen rendering. Requires Java MIDP installed on your palm, but works great!

  • PalmPDF: open-source/Free PDF reader based on Xpdf.

  • HandyShopper: open-source/Free shopping list program. This program works great with any sort of check-off list you’d want to have.

  • EatWatch: open-source/Free weight and exercise tracker. Supports graphing, diet-calculator, and trend analysis (caloric deficit or lbs/week over a time interval) I’ve been keeping track of my weight almost daily since January of 2000 and it’s interesting to see how my weight fluctuates over the course of a year.

  • SuperNames: shareware Addressbook/Contacts replacement. Lots of features here, the most used by me are for it’s more advanced sorting, hi-res and color screen support.

  • ZLauncher: shareware Launcher replacement and file manager. Highly customizable, feature-filled launcher, with active development and responsive support. Oodles of features including memory card support, full-featured manager, McFling-like features, tabbed organization, plug-in support, and the ability to sync categories with the built-in Launcher.

  • QLaunch: shareware utility that allows the buttons to be remapped to multiple apps/functions (OS5 only). Instead of having only 5 apps/functions available at the press of a button, I have 20, and you can have up to 36.

  • HappyDays: open-source/Free birthday/holiday/anniversary tracking application. 1. enter someone’s birthdate/anniversary in a custom field in the Addressbook. 2. Go into Happy Days? and select “Datebook Notify.” 3. Go into the Datebook, look up the date and see something like: “Birthday - John Smith (29)” listed there.

  • AcidImage: shareware image viewer. Has support for native JPEG, GIF and BMP images (AcidImage Pro handles TIFF also). Since it supports the formats natively, there’s no need for a desktop-conversion program. If your digital camera and Palm OS device have compatible memory cards, you can plug-and play on the go.

  • Mapopolis: mapping program with driving directions and GPS support. Application is free, but the maps cost around $100 for a CD or the same price for a one year subscription. With the latest beta versions of the app, they’ve fixed several of my biggest complaints about prior versions, and it works remarkably well. Older versions worked fine, but required significantly more manual effort moving maps between the Palm and the memory card.

Smythe Richbourg’s favs:

  • My Bible: I have 7 different translations, with a regular NIV text-only version and an NIV study Bible, while two different files, only counting as one translation. The software offers powerful searching, highlighting, note-taking, link following (you can jump to a reference, then back to the previous place with a single menu command), and, given the currency of the scholarship and functionality, a very good price. Throw the book modules on a card, the app on your Palm, and you can’t tell, with a Palm OS 4 or 5 device. It loads everything very quickly, and is extremely stable. I have used it through three or four updates, and most have been free. They have done I think 2 major (large feature list added) that cost some small amount ($5 or $10), but they are good folks to do business with.

  • SplashPhoto : If you’re serious about carrying your photos with you on your Palm, this is going to be your new best friend. Edit and sync your photos into categories, play slideshows, have your family’s smiling faces (or that of your pups) comfort you whlie you’re traveling, use as a brag book for travels, grandchildren or fishing, display compromising photos you’ve taken in the office (warning - could be hazardous to you and/or your Palm!) - anything you’d use a regular photo for, Splash Photo can do. Well, except serve as a bookmark….

  • DateBk5: I’ve used this one for several years as well, so much so that I’ve forgotten what the built-in address book looks like. Customized views, categories on items, alarms on To Do items (Why does no one else think this is an important function!?), color display options too numerous to mention, a true Palm OS classic.

  • SuperNames : Such an addressbook! Links to appointments, great display options, and additional fields easily integrated into the standard contact database.

  • Documents To Go: One of the first major syncing apps for Palm OS, and, in my opinion, still one of the best. If your life on your computer is contained in Office documents, Apple Works documents, or graphic files, this app will let you move it to your Palm, either in a converted format or in full native format. Many highly respected reviewers have noted that this program syncs Office files to Palm better than PocketWord and PocketExcel do on Windows CE, os whatever they’re calling the handheld version of Windows this week.

  • AvantGo: The first and most popular web content reader. Clients for wireless syncing, syncing during regular Palm syncs, customized channel creation, plus a huge database of authorized channels provided by major new and information sites. WSJ, USAToday, NYTimes, they’re all here, along with sports schedules, concert listings, and so much more. Requires free registration.

  • McPhling: Allows buttons to bring up lists of apps for launching. Very flexible, lets you avoid the long trip back to the home launcher.