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-Product Review-
The Palm Personal Digital
Assistant
You've seen them popping up at meetings, professional
gatherings and perched alongside desktop computers. They are
the latest technological accessory known as a personal
digital assistant (PDA). The most widely used of these
handheld computers is the Palm,
aptly named since it fits in the palm of your hand. There
are a number of Palm
models ranging in price from $149.00 to $499.00; from
devices with color display screens (Palm IIIc) to wireless
units that can connect to the Internet (Palm VII). I
recently tested one of the more popular models--the Palm
IIIxe, which comes with 8 MB of memory and allows for a lot
of flexibility in regards to software and hardware add-ons.
The amount of memory enables users to store thousands of
names, addresses, and memos. It's also enough space for the
equivalent of 20 standard novels. In other words, the 8 MB
of memory allows for ample space for almost any application
or add-on peripheral made for the Palm.
What is A Palm?
Simply, the Palm is an electronic organizer. There is a
Calendaring function, Address Book, Memo Pad, To Do List,
Expense Pad and even a Calculator. While these utilities
alone would probably justify the expense of purchasing the
PDA, the functionality and versatility of the applications
make them worthwhile.
The Date Book, for example, allows the user to not
only enter descriptions of appointments, but also affords
week-at-a-glance and month-at-a-glance views of your
schedule. An alarm can be set for important activities,
reminders for events set to a particular date (such as
birthdays) can be created, and notes can be attached for a
fuller explanation of an engagement.
The Address Book permits numerous information to
be entered and catalogued for individuals. Entries can also
be organized into such groupings as 'personal' or
'business.' With the To Do List you can assign a
priority level to tasks, sort, and attach more descriptive
notes to items. The Memo Pad provides users with the
ability to enter notes and transfer the information to a
desktop machine (more later).
All these functions are also included on the Palm Desktop
software, which you also install on your personal computer.
This software enables individuals to update information,
check schedules, search for information and create documents
directly from the menu bar, without starting the Palm
Desktop application. All of these data can then be
transferred to the Palm via the HotSync operation (described
below).
Graffiti, HotSync and Other Ports of Entry
When individuals are using Palms, you will notice a thin
stylus either gently poking the screen or used to write in a
slow, but deliberate manner. These are the two most common
techniques of entering information into the device. Graffiti
is the scripting language created by Palm as a way to enter
data on the screen. Each letter of the alphabet, and numbers
from 1-10, is assigned a stylus stroke (along with
punctuation marks, symbols and commands). Awkward at first,
Graffiti is quick to master and allows for easy entry.
For those typists who feel at home with the hunt and peck
method a miniature on-screen keyboard can be displayed
which, utilizing the stylus, can input the necessary
information. The Graffiti and keyboard can be used
independently or in tandem when entering data.
The third way of entering text is through an infrared
port, which means information, or documents can be beamed to
another Palm or another computer. This feature can also be a
useful for sharing or communicating with colleagues during
meetings or presentations.
The final method of loading documents and/or information
into a Palm is via the HotSync operation. At the beginning
of this review, I referred to the PDA being "perched"
alongside the computer. The Palm rests in a cradle that is
connected to a port--either modem or printer--on a personal
computer. The HotSync process
synchronizes--transfers--information between the Palm and
the computer it is hooked up to. Appointments, addresses,
notes, etc. stored on one unit can quickly and easily be
copied to the other device. The Palm can be HotSynced with a
number of computers (or, conversely, a number of Palms with
a single desktop computer) so support staff can kept
up-to-date with a user's schedule and appointments.
Information, stored or typed into a desktop computer, can be
promptly transferred for use at meetings or presentations,
reducing the need for printed notes.
One other method is available for inputting information
into a Palm. Palm, as well as thinkpost.com,
manufacture external keyboards with a docking station that
the Palm fits right in. Many people use these unbelievably
small, collapsible units in tandem to replace their laptop
computers. The pair are perfect for meetings since both
pieces can be easily transported in a briefcase, backpack or
handbag.
Once memo data, telephone or to-do list information has
been entered into a Palm, a number of edit functions make
the manipulation of entries effortless. Just as in word
processing software, Palm has a cut, copy and paste function
to help manage documents and data. Records can be deleted
and fonts can be changed.
The Next Level for Palm
While the Palm's standard features make the units a
worthwhile purchase for on-the-go practitioners, what will
eventually elevate the Palm to "must have" status is when
third party applications and resources, specifically written
for student affairs administrators, become abundant.
Already, software, such as spreadsheets, text readers,
graphics and database programs (and yes, even games), can
also be loaded into the Palm.
Currently, maps and points of interest for large U.S.
cities are made available for downloading by outside vendors
such as AvantGo. They
have over 400 Web sites (what they call channels) that can
be downloaded (after first registering with the site) onto
the PDA. Organized into categories, they include information
on stock quotes, flight schedules, movie listings,
restaurant reviews, maps, weather and much more from
brand-name content providers and e-businesses.
With the thousands of applications being created for the
Palm, why couldn't resources centering on campus maps and
information about buildings and office locations be
developed? Being able to access important phone numbers,
student handbooks, catalogs or call up points of interest in
around a college location or local restaurants would be
extremely beneficial if housed on a Palm. The capability to
easily store this type of information in the palm of your
hand could make the adjustment to a new institution a little
easier for new students, faculty and staff.
Applications, specifically tailored for student affairs,
could be developed in-house if the sufficient expertise was
available. For example, residence hall room condition sheet
information could be structured using a spreadsheet program.
Instead of resident assistants or hall directors sorting
through sheaves of paper as inspections are carried out,
housing personnel could simply tote a Palm with the adapted
program emulating the paper information. Data could then be
HotSynced or beamed using the infrared port to a desktop
computer at the conclusion of rounds where all the
information for a building would be stored. The end result
is fewer forms are needed and filing, storage and retrieval
is simplified.
The business world has seen a plethora of applications
developed for its use. Many can be utilized by student
affairs administrators. For example, Survey-Quiz
Mate is an application that helps you gather interview
information, count it, chart it and see percentages. The
results can be viewed on the Palm or exported to a desktop
computer to a spreadsheet or database application. Think of
the ease of conducting survey research within residence
halls, the student union or around the favorite campus
gathering area. Results can be easily tabulated and then
copied onto a single Palm or multiple units for viewing.
Concluding Thought
The Palm has many more features that are outlined in a
well-written and helpful handbook. Individuals can also
add-on such hardware periphery as modems, voice recorders,
digital cameras, and even a global positioning system.
Some people may snicker when an individual pulls out
their Palm, but this lightweight device is quickly gaining
acceptance in the mass market. As new technological
improvements are made, as applications are created or
adapted for practitioners, and as prices fall the Palm will
eventually become de facto gear for student affairs
professionals.
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