PDA help-PLEASE

nursemike, ASN, RN · Aug 5, 2004

Hi yall, I know this subjuct is probably old and tiring, but I really need help with the whole PDA thing..I don't have anybody to ask. First of all, I'm not really sure the difference between them all.
* Do I need a palm with wireless internet or are the programs available without the 'net (my main question)*
How muck memory do I need on one.
Any recommendations? Sounds like Cony clie is popular?
I am just completely lost and don't know what kind to buy or where to get software. Any response will be helpful..Thanks yall!

There's a long thread on "Looking to buy a PDA", but to your specific questions, you don't have to have wireless internet, but you pretty much do need a PC with internet access you can link to, at home, for example. You can buy programs online from places like Skyscape and download to your PC from the net, then hotlink from your PC to your PDA. It's fairly easy, once you get familiar with it. You connect to the PC with a USB cable and/or a cradle, or you can do it wirelessly with a wireless network and PDA equipped for it (not worth it to me, personally.)

You can buy all sorts of nursing references that way, and even get some pretty good ones for free. I found one recently that tells what labs are for and even what color tubes they go in, although I'll have to buy iSilo if I want to keep using it. A lot of the programs are available on a trial basis, which can help avoid wasting money on things that aren't as useful as they sound. In retrospect, I would have probably saved my money on the NsgDx program--I do my careplans at home and have my books handy--but I love my Tabers and Davis Drug Guide! So nice to have in your pocket.

I bought a 128MB Secure Data memory expansion and haven't really put a dent in it, but it only cost a little more than a 64MB, and only about twice as much as a 32MB. So I have room for a couple of games, and plenty left to grow.

I think I have about 32MB of internal memory, too.

You can get some programs on their own cards, but downloading is easy and fast. I sort of wish I had put all the nursing stuff on one card and had another for silliness, but it hasn't been a real problem.

If you are wanting to use it for reference programs, I wouldn't go for the least expensive ones. A good-sized internal memory is very desireable, and a place for expansion cards is a must. Not that a 4-500 dollar model wouldn't be fun!

tsu_girl82 · Aug 6, 2004

Thanks so much for your help--I was really lost, but now that I know I don't need internet (I have it at home)-I'm good to go! Thanks again

There's a long thread on "Looking to buy a PDA", but to your specific questions, you don't have to have wireless internet, but you pretty much do need a PC with internet access you can link to, at home, for example. You can buy programs online from places like Skyscape and download to your PC from the net, then hotlink from your PC to your PDA. It's fairly easy, once you get familiar with it. You connect to the PC with a USB cable and/or a cradle, or you can do it wirelessly with a wireless network and PDA equipped for it (not worth it to me, personally.)
You can buy all sorts of nursing references that way, and even get some pretty good ones for free. I found one recently that tells what labs are for and even what color tubes they go in, although I'll have to buy iSilo if I want to keep using it. A lot of the programs are available on a trial basis, which can help avoid wasting money on things that aren't as useful as they sound. In retrospect, I would have probably saved my money on the NsgDx program--I do my careplans at home and have my books handy--but I love my Tabers and Davis Drug Guide! So nice to have in your pocket.
I bought a 128MB Secure Data memory expansion and haven't really put a dent in it, but it only cost a little more than a 64MB, and only about twice as much as a 32MB. So I have room for a couple of games, and plenty left to grow.
I think I have about 32MB of internal memory, too.
You can get some programs on their own cards, but downloading is easy and fast. I sort of wish I had put all the nursing stuff on one card and had another for silliness, but it hasn't been a real problem.
If you are wanting to use it for reference programs, I wouldn't go for the least expensive ones. A good-sized internal memory is very desireable, and a place for expansion cards is a must. Not that a 4-500 dollar model wouldn't be fun!