While it was nice to see that Palm has announed their new Web OS, I was sad that they pulled the plug on their current OS. And while I use Ecco and several other desktop programs on my PC's, I relied very heavily on my old Sony Clie with DateBk5, Bonsai, and HanDBase. In light of the Clie's age, I am now starting to think about how I will replace it at some point in the future.

I am not really interested in a smartphone because the cost of a data plan for one of these phones is way more than I care to spend. And, as I am PC based, Mac-only software that works in conjunction with Apple's iPhone/iPod Touch is not an option. WiFi is certainly nice in this day and age for "cloud computing" and two-way synching of data, but I also want applications that will work off-line. So, at present, I am seeing two possible options - an iPod Touch or a Nokia N810 ( I could consider a Windows Mobile PDA, but the few that remain are awfully expensive). You would think that both devices would have good PIM software available, but that is not exactly the case. I have found a few pieces of software for the iPod Touch that could help me try to replicate my current stable of programs, but replacing DateBk is going to be very hard. Take a look at the following at let me know what you think.

Calendar Options:
Google Calendar synching to iPod calendar via NuevaSync; or,
Google Calendar synching to Saisuke calendar via Saisuke

Both options allow me the ability to view my calendar from any device with an internet connection, but also allow me to have my full calendar on the iPod Touch when I am off-line. Also, I am assuming that the iPod can alert me to appointment reminders.


Contact Address Options:
Google Contacts
Plaxo
HanDBase for the iPod

I have no idea if any of these proposed solutions will work and could use some guidance.


Task Options:

?

There are many web-based task managers, but I could use some recommendations for a program that, like the above programs, will offer two-way synching as well as operate in a stand-alone mode when off-line.

As you can see, I am in the early stages of planning this migration, so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

--Ken

Google just added the ability to synch its calendar and contacts with the iPhone and iPod Touch.

http://www.google.com/mobile/apple/sync.html

Mark wrote:

Google just added the ability to synch its calendar and contacts with the iPhone and
iPod Touch.

http://www.google.com/mobile/apple/sync.html

Hi Mark,

Yes, I forgot they now have their own synch option as well. IIRC, Nueva Synch offered a bit more options than Google. But, both of these programs synch with the built-in calendar app. Saisuke seems to offer a bit more flexibility and customization as a calendar program. Its not quite DateBk, but it does offer some similar features.

I just wish that some killer PIM apps would jump out at me so I can feel good about a possible transition. Program-wise, I just feel in some ways like I am taking a step backward. Granted, I will have reasonable WiFi access, but any PDA replacement needs to stand on its own since I am not always on-line.

--Ken

--Ken

Re the Nokia N810; I have no direct experience myself but its operating system (a Linux variation) is one of the many supported by the excellent outliner NoteCase ( http://www.virtual-sky.com/ ). The files are the same no matter what OS you use, so you'll be able to exchange them with your PC with no problem. NoteCase has got very good task management features, is continually developed, and you'll find plenty of tips and tricks --including using it as a calendar- in its recently started forum ( http://groups.google.com/group/notecase-pro ).

That said, there's much more you'll have to choose from if you delve into a Linux-based system like the Nokia Maemo.

Though you did say you are not interested in smartphones, I do suggest that you take a look at what else Nokia offers, for example in its E range. They are Symbian OS based, provide excellent value for money and are very sturdily built.

Nokia provides the free Nokia PC Suite which syncs your phone with Outlook (contacts, tasks & calendar), photos and even selected files among others. The Suite works with many non-smartphones but obviously the more featured a phone is, the more it will be able to connect to the PC.

Oh, and if you are online you'll be able to sync the phone with Google calendar through http://www.goosync.com/ (this works with a very large choice of phones)

Hi Ken,

I was in a similar dilemma recently, as my old Palm TX started to die on me. Eventually I decided to get myself a new Palm TX instead, so I can stick with DateBk6 and Natara Bonsai outliner, in addition to a range of other software I've invested in over the years and use regularly. The TX does have WIFI which works perfectly, and it also has bluetooth which allows me to use my cheap mobile phone as a modem. Interestingly, despite the fact that it has been around for a few years now, the price of Palm TX started climbing again, I imagine because the supplies are dwindling and Palm die-hards like me are snapping up this outgoing technology before it's too late. I found a reasonably good deal on eBay though.

The main software I use daily on my Palm TX are DateBk6 for calendar, Natara Bonsai for task management (making nested lists essentially), PocketLingo dictionary, Passwords Plus for passwords, Blazer browser for surfing, Dataviz Documents to Go for MS Office and PDFs, TealPhone for contacts, TextPlus for data entry, and World Clock as an alarm clock. Despite the much-discussed gradual deterioration of the screen (where certain areas over time become insensitive), I'm willing to put up with that if I can use this technology for a couple of more years. I just hope some miracle happens and Palm will come up with something reasonably similar and compatible before I need another one.

Dr Andus wrote:

Despite the much-discussed gradual
deterioration of the screen (where certain areas over time become insensitive), I'm
willing to put up with that if I can use this technology for a couple of more years. I just
hope some miracle happens and Palm will come up with something reasonably similar and
compatible before I need another one.

This problem is what is keeping me from wanting to invest in a new Palm PDA. I had a few minutes last night and was able to read a bit more about some of the task managers available on the iPod touch. Toodledo and Zenbe seem to offer some value, so I am still considering a possible "paradigm shift" to the Touch and WiFi connectivity.

I have not yet ruled out the N810, and will have a look at NoteCase that Alexander mentioned when I have a bit mroe free time. Thankfully, both of these devices are just over $200US so my investment will not be too big if I need to try out equipment before making a switch.

Thanks,

--Ken

Well, I could not resist the urge to try out an iPod Touch. I picked one up two days ago, and am still trying to get things set up. The cloud and web synching are new to me with respect to daily useage, so I expect it will take some time for me sort things out and decide what PIM programs will and will not work for me. I will try and keep people posted with relavent updates. Yes, it is not a Palm, and yes, I expect other devices to come to the market place that will offer a good platform for PIM programs, but there are a few programs out there right now that might just get me to retire my trusty Clie. And, best of all, many of these programs are free or cost very little (usually less than $10USD), so CRIMPing will be much more affordable. Wish me luck, and good WiFi connections!

--Ken

Well, Ken, take a look at these applications for starters:
http://mindmappingsoftwareblog.com/8-mind-mapping-apps-for-the-iphone/

(iPod Touch and iPhone seem to host CROMPers' paradise :-)

(I meant CRIMPers' paradise)

Thank you for the link, Alexander. I do not normally use mind-mapping software, but Headspace looks interesting.

--Ken

Keep us posted on what iPod Touch / iPhone applications you find useful. There's pretty good coverage of task management apps online (OmniFocus, Things, etc.) but not as much coverage of calendaring solutions.

-- Chris

Chris Thompson wrote:

Keep us posted on what iPod Touch / iPhone applications you find useful. There's
pretty good coverage of task management apps online (OmniFocus, Things, etc.) but
not as much coverage of calendaring solutions.

-- Chris

Hi Chris,

Calendars and task managers are the first two apps that I am trying to nail down. Unfortunately, I had to reformat the device today because it decided not to recognize my installed applications! I have briefly researched some task managers and my top two choices at present are Remember the Milk and Toodledo. Both have web components to synch with, and I am leaning towards Toodledo because I like how the web app is laid out.

Regarding calendars, my choices seem somewhat limited. I can synch the native calendar with a Google calendar through Nuevasync or Google Synch (or Goosync etc.). There is also a program called Saisuke that has its own synch with Google. Finally, WebIS is supposed to be releasing an iPod version of Pocket Informant soon. Unfortunately, none of these really compares to DateBk, which I consider to be on par with Ecco (albeit within the world of PDA's) for calendars and contacts, but I am hoping to find out what can be done well on Apple's platform.

One issue that many people struggle with is that the only program that can access alarms for notification is the native calendar. Alarms seem so essential, but as I really thought about it, I could probably live without them. I frequently do not have my Clie in front of me, so I cannot hear every alarm. What DateBk does do that is essential is give me a visual reminder for an appointment or task. I may be able to replicate this feature through Toodledo, as it can be minimally set up to send reminders via e-mail. Its funny, the more I look at programs like Toodledo, the more I realize that my calendar is really just holding, and sometimes scheduling, my tasks. My Ecco calendar at work holds appointments, and while DateBk does hold many appointments, it holds quite a number of tasks as well. I guess my lines are being blurred a bit more between tasks and appointments.

I know this may not be that interesting to some, but I will try to keep my updates relavent to PIM-related topics. I'll post more when I have more information to share.

--Ken