All you can do with a Palm Pilot
I want to teach everyone how to get the maximum usage from a Palm pilot. I own a Palm Tungsten E2 model but most of what I say apply to all Palm PDAs.
This is not an endorcement of PalmOne the company but just a user guide from a power user. I have my criticism of the Company but that is another story. I am not associated with PalmOne and do not receive any compensation from them. In fact, I am very critical of their warrenty and repair policy with regard to the Palm Tungsten model.
Palm websiteA list of basic functions...
- Address book
- calendar
- To Do list
- Scratch pad
- Calculator
- Memos
- Clock and Alarm
- Expense tracker
Additional uses...
- Mp3 player
- video player
- various games and Solitaire
- various Readers including Bible reader, Acrobat reader
- Dictionary
- Photo album
- Movie databases
- Bluetooth (wireless function)
- Infrared (wireless function)
- External media support for added storage
How to?
- How to HotSync?
Plug the USB cable from the Palm pilot to your computer USB port. Turn on your Palm then push the button located on the cable connector to start the sync process. When completed, a log will appear on your Palm screen. Any data entered on your desktop or on your Palm will be updated and any new applications will be installed since your last Sync. - How to install a new application on the Palm?
There are thousands of Palm applications some are for purchase but most are freeware or shareware. You can find them on many websites. Once you have found the application you want, download the file to your PC.
Usually they are ZIP files and you must run the unzip program to separate it into their component files. The Palm application all have either .prc or .pdb as file extension names. Select these files and they will be placed into the QuickInstall queue. The next time you HotSync, these appllications will be installed into your Palm.
Specific Applications...
- HotSync to your Computer - This function allows your PDA to synchronize with your Desktop Application. All data entered on you PDA or the PC will be stored and backed up on your Computer. In case if you lost or damage your PDA, you can recover all your data.
- Input data via Graffiti or touch pad. There are two major methods to inputing data on your PDA. One is using the stylus pen to write on the touch screen. The second way is to bring up a keyboard that allow you to enter text and numerics.
- The Palm PDA also has a beam feature that will allow you to easily communicate (transfer data) between two PDA devices using the infrared channel. It works like the remote control of your TV.
- The build in Bluetooth support allows you to add a Bluetooth wireless headphone so you can listen to music without the wires.
- Extra memory slot - allows for additional media memory to be added to your PDA. They come in various sizes such as 512KB or 1GB of storage. They will allow you to store more music or video clips on your PDA.
- Software Reset - There may be times when the Palm will lock up due to some software bug. Since many of the software are freeware, it is impossible to make sure all programs are error free. When this happens, there is a reset button in the back of the Palm to reset the device so that it will re-boot. No program or data will be lost. It is a good recovery procedure.
- Touch sensitive screen - the whole screen is divided into two areas. A viewing area(top) and a control area(bottom).
The entire screen is touch sensitive. The Stylus is provided to be used as control and it is stored away on the right side when not in use. - Planetarium - A program that plots the location of all the planets and stars and constellations.
Planetarium - System Information Utility from TrajectoryLabs.
Trajectorylabs - RealPlayer for Palm - for playing MP3 files.
Realplayer - AvantGo - a program that will allow you to create a personalized information page that will be updated from the web everytime you HotSync.
AvantGo - Bluetooth stereo headphone Motorola HT820 will work with the Palm Tungsten E2 with the addition of a software A2DP profile. You can buy the software for $19.95 from Softick.
Audio Gatway
Idiosyncracies...
- One idiosyncracy of the Palm is the power safe feature. When you are listening to your favorite music on RealPlayer, you need to keep that application on the active screen. After 30 seconds of non use, the screen will shut off but the music will continue to play. However, if you are on another application, then the Palm will shut off all together.
Accessaries for the Palm...
- Leather case.
- Additional memory SD cards.
- Headphone.
- Bluetooth headset.
- Replacement NiCad battery.
- Power charger.
My other links...
- My Review on eBay
- Review of Palm Tungsten E2
- My repair guide
- Replacing a battery on the Palm.
- Palm Zone discussion forum
- Some discussions on issues relating to the Palm.
- Palm Repair by Chris Short
- A one man repair shop.
New Amazon Standard
Palm Tungsten E2 Handheld
Amazon Price: $499.99 (as of 11/12/2009) 
PalmOne P10993U 256 MB Memory Expansion Card
Amazon Price: $49.99 (as of 11/12/2009)
Reader Feedback
I'm always looking for new applications for the Palm. Please submit your favorite here.
Suzanne wrote
I just lost my entire calendar data on my desktop computer after I ran into some problems closing unrelated files. I then altered all my calendar entries on my palm pilot so I could copy them into the computer when I hot sync but this deleted them from my palm pilot as well. I am panicking, my life is in this thing!!!! My contacts, memos and tasks list are intact... Help someone please!!!!!!
Posted August 15, 2009
jackclee wrote...
in reply to Judy Green You might try performing a hard reset as suggested here -
http://www.tankerbob.com/palm/resets.htm
You will loose some data...unless you have them backed up on your PC.
Good luck.
-Jack
Posted July 17, 2009
Judy Green wrote
I am being asked for my password, too! I would have sworn it was a certain word, but it isn't accepted, and therefore I am STUCK!!! Any suggestions?
Posted July 17, 2009
erlyp@sbcglobal.net wrote
in reply to jamonzo2005@yahoo,com
I am stuck too. If you find the answer, please let me know...
Cannot locate the password so I can sync my palm one.
Posted December 10, 2008
Brathos wrote
I really liked the lens, as a Palm was my very first PDA. From its functionalities I mainly used calendar and ebook reading.
Cheers - Balazs from http://www.pdbreader.com
Posted September 29, 2008
by jackclee
Hi, I'm Jack. I am currently enjoying some time off from work. I worked for IBM for 28 years on various projects dealing with Museums and Libraries. I...
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