PDA's and programs - Page 14

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  1. Feb 6, '08 by
    I just bought a blackberry curve 8320. Can it do what the Palm does?
  2. Feb 7, '08 by
    Quote from heehee61
    I just bought a blackberry curve 8320. Can it do what the Palm does?
    It really depends on what you want to do with it and by what standard you're measuring it up against. Palm and Windows Mobile are the operating systems with the most software available so the Blackberry can't win there.

    Also, which Palm are you measuring it up against? Standalone PDAs (both Palm and Windows Mobile based) tend to be more capable in running programs than most smartphones because the latter is less powerful. The iPAQ 111 has a 624mhz CPU speed while the BB Curve and most smartphones hover around half that. All of this is moot if you're able to do what you want to do with your BB Curve.
  3. Feb 13, '08 by
    I have an old Palm m500 (got an old one from my brother to just get the feel for using one) and now am looking to get a new one that I can keep all my nursing reference info in. I do find that I keep a lot of info in the one I have (appointments, contacts, notes, etc..), but want something for all the reference data that nurses need. I have heard a lot of good about Tungsten e2, and TX.

    What I plan on putting on it/using it for:

    Drug Guide
    Lab & Dx info
    Taber's
    Assessment tools
    Diseases & Disorders S&S
    Quick reference (insulins, NG Tube irrigations, IV drip rates, etc..)


    What I'd like to have already installed/features:

    Calendar
    Contact list
    Notepad (or a good doc program)
    MP3/Video Player (don't know how much I'd actually use this)
    Color screen (a nice big one)


    My budget's a little tight (actually, I'd like to stay under $120 for the unit, and get as much nursing software for free that I can- full versions, not the free trial stuff. I've had the trial Drug Guide and everything I wanted to look up was "locked" ) Full versions bundled together would be ok if I can get them relatively cheap (possibly on eBay)

    Thanks a bunch :spin:
  4. Feb 13, '08 by
    Quote from stdntograd06

    What I plan on putting on it/using it for:

    Drug Guide
    Lab & Dx info
    Taber's
    Assessment tools
    Diseases & Disorders S&S
    Quick reference (insulins, NG Tube irrigations, IV drip rates, etc..)


    What I'd like to have already installed/features:

    Calendar
    Contact list
    Notepad (or a good doc program)
    MP3/Video Player (don't know how much I'd actually use this)
    Color screen (a nice big one)


    My budget's a little tight (actually, I'd like to stay under $120 for the unit, and get as much nursing software for free that I can- full versions, not the free trial stuff. I've had the trial Drug Guide and everything I wanted to look up was "locked" ) Full versions bundled together would be ok if I can get them relatively cheap (possibly on eBay)

    Thanks a bunch :spin:
    Getting a PDA and using it to its full potential is really expensive. I guess you could get an old Palm/old iPAQ on ebay, but I highly doubt you'll find one for $120.

    The other alternative is to get the Palm Centro smartphone ($99 with phone plan), but the screen is small and I've heard that Palm does not multitask. You can look into reviews and comments on PDAs at www.brighthand.com

    If you go the Palm route, then you'll also save money on the softwares. You can't install a Palm-based software in a Windows-based one (e.g. you'll have to buy a Windows Mobile based Taber's Dictionary instead of the one you have for Palm).

    On the other hand a Windows Mobile PDA will have all the things you like installed/featured for a price. On top of that the nursing programs themselves will cost a pretty penny, since the only nursing program that I've found useful AND free is Epocrates Rx (Drug Guide with free updates). Even that takes some getting used to because I'm used to the Davis' format.

    If you do go the Windows Mobile route, then I suggest you take advantage of the free trials to compare similar products. I personally found Skyscape's package for $89 useless, too many programs I don't plan to use. I ended up getting the following: Diseases & Disorders (it also includes nursing interventions and NANDA diagnoses), Lippincott's Review for NCLEX (sorted by topic and subtopics), RNotes (Nurse's Clinical Pocket Guide), and Taber's Medical Dictionary. I purchased all of these softwares from Skyscape and they came with desktop versions free of charge.
  5. Feb 13, '08 by
    i have a htc 8525 with wm 5. trying to upgrade to wm6, but not having any luck...anyone else had any trouble?
  6. Feb 14, '08 by
    hanna8,

    I am willing to spend the extra money for it if I am going to get a nice, fully functional unit out of it. I really need all my reference material at hand. I've been watching eBay and have seen the Palm TX's and e2's go for anywhere from $108- $175. It depends on whether it comes with the cables, chargers, software, and cd's. I believe I'm going to go with the Palm Tungsten models. What do you mean by not being able to install Palm based software on a Palm? From what I saw, you can get versions of software specifically for Palms OS.

    I am not a stranger to pc's, and know how to synch it to my palm. Can I get Palm based software, save it to the pc, then download (synch) it to the Palm or do I need to get Windows based software and save it to the Palm?

    Thanks.
  7. Feb 14, '08 by
    Quote from stdntograd06
    hanna8,

    I am willing to spend the extra money for it if I am going to get a nice, fully functional unit out of it. I really need all my reference material at hand. I've been watching eBay and have seen the Palm TX's and e2's go for anywhere from $108- $175. It depends on whether it comes with the cables, chargers, software, and cd's. I believe I'm going to go with the Palm Tungsten models. What do you mean by not being able to install Palm based software on a Palm? From what I saw, you can get versions of software specifically for Palms OS.

    I am not a stranger to pc's, and know how to synch it to my palm. Can I get Palm based software, save it to the pc, then download (synch) it to the Palm or do I need to get Windows based software and save it to the Palm?

    Thanks.

    I have a Tungsten with all the programs you mentioned and them some. I LOVE IT for clinicals, I am still in school.

    I personally get my stuff from Skyscape, bundle pack called Constellation is the cat's meow for nursing students. You can get the OS version and it goes right to your Palm. The other thing is the Palm comes with a program called Documents to Go...You can carry around word docs, PowerPoints, Excel, Access all without bogging down your system. I have spreadsheets on mine for clinicals to keep track of my patients, as opposed to pen to paper...My classmates are green with envy at how much TIME and energy I save using this thing.

    The answer to your question is yes, you can get programs that are OS format, save them to your desktop and you can drag them into your Quick Add program...and SYNC....

    Once you have one of these things it is ADDICTING, you cannot imagine being able to function without it.
    Natingale likes this.
  8. Feb 15, '08 by
    Quote from stdntograd06
    hanna8,

    I am willing to spend the extra money for it if I am going to get a nice, fully functional unit out of it. I really need all my reference material at hand. I've been watching eBay and have seen the Palm TX's and e2's go for anywhere from $108- $175. It depends on whether it comes with the cables, chargers, software, and cd's. I believe I'm going to go with the Palm Tungsten models. What do you mean by not being able to install Palm based software on a Palm? From what I saw, you can get versions of software specifically for Palms OS.
    Sorry I misunderstood your price quote. As you pointed out you can get a Palm for your price range, but not with the nursing softwares. Also, what I meant about Palm softwares is that if you were to switch to Windows Mobile then you can't use your Palm softwares on it. I believe the latest Palm Operating System (OS) is Garnet, while Windows Mobile is up to version 6. Moot point for your situation, but Palm's smartphones come in either Garnet OS or Windows Mobile.

    Productivity wise you should be fine with your Palm. I like my iPAQ 211 because of all the bells and whistles (plays videos, Wifi and bluetooth enabled, CF and SD slots, huge screen etc.)
  9. Feb 15, '08 by
    hanna8,

    I've pretty much decided to go with a Palm Tungsten TX, considering putting a bid in on one on eBay soon. It was purchased in Dec now useless for man's business. Supposedly comes with everything. Starts at $175. Sounds reasonable to me.?

    Looking to put nursing software on it asap after getting one. How do these subscriptions on software work (I've heard lots about them but I thought you bought the software and that's it, get updates as they come out). And if not, once you purchase the software, can you get updates/upgrades as needed for software and the OS. This one has Garnet 5.4 on it.

    Thanks
  10. Feb 15, '08 by
    Quote from stdntograd06
    Looking to put nursing software on it asap after getting one. How do these subscriptions on software work (I've heard lots about them but I thought you bought the software and that's it, get updates as they come out). And if not, once you purchase the software, can you get updates/upgrades as needed for software and the OS. This one has Garnet 5.4 on it.

    Thanks
    I've just bought from Skyscape so I'm only familiar with their policy on paper, and that's free updates for a year.

    http://www.skyscape.com/support/Show...?kbid=15&cid=2
    Q: Are old versions of products disabled once the free update period expires?
    A: Thank you for your continued interest in Skyscape product(s). When you purchase a Skyscape product you are eligible for one year of free updates from the date of registration. After the one year you may continue to use the product on your handheld, but you will not receive any more updates. Please note that if there is a technology change or major operating system change older product editions/versions may not work on the new technology and you would need to renew your subscription to obtain compatible products.