Viewpoint: The problem of "incompatibility of ideas and opportunities PDA users&quot

It is unlikely that most consumers use their PDA features for at least 40%. Yes, and this figure is probably a limit ... This view is held by our reader Koolplus, by occupation administrator (unfortunately, not present, but judging by the solidity of these arguments are very knowledgeable). He sent us out-thinking the article, which says that when choosing a PDA played not so much its technical characteristics and capabilities as knowledge of the potential buyer. Man, far from the world of technology is unlikely to be involved in the game. In short, the average user - polzovatelevo, admin - adminovo ...:) material is published under the rubric of "Viewpoint", to speak in which anyone can. DETAILS - at the end of this article. Most current articles on CPC talk about how handheld machines can be used and which model to choose for a particular situation. In his life, it seems to me, everything is much simpler. Everyone I know, after five or six months, or play in a simple game, or read books on this miracle of technology. Very few use the calendar and address book. And it is very rarely completely rebuilding all the features of his friend and uses it at least 90%. So what's the reason? I remember, a few years ago, existed among the geek jokes about the business of the first generation of PDAs, which were in full confidence that it is - calculators and, accordingly, they were used. When they installed on the handheld a few programs, taught them to use the address book and order of the day, they were very surprised and always delighted to come. What do you think, what does all this end? Right! Using a paper diary and address book, coupled with a super-calculator. And it's not the convenience or inconvenience, or PDAs, for example, inadequate battery life of their batteries. Deal in stereotypes. If I was accustomed from childhood something quick to write, then where? - That's right, a piece of paper. And then I'll spend more time on the transfer of information from paper and ordering it in memory. In general, labor costs increase. The funny thing is that even after 4 years of dealing with the PDA, when I say something that you want to record, I'm the last thing I think about my iPAQ, and most of the time I spend searching for pen and the paper itself. And, funny thing is that the time record on a piece of paper and data entry into the PDA, regardless of the platform and the models differ very little. Absolutely the same situation and with the schedule. I cite an example for ordinary users, not burdened with any corporate system, which consists of the CCP. In this situation, a person forced to use a PDA. Based on this, I want to think not about where you can use PDAs as well as to where it really involve my friends and acquaintances.

PDA for non-computer person

To begin with, that person away from the computer, after reading articles about PDAs and bought it, it will be extremely disappointed. Just myself, I watched one such in the computer market, which is very much like to buy and still buy the cheapest at the moment and the most publicized Palm Zire, the one without tsifirok. With what face this man, bringing home this model?

And he will face several challenges:
1. Install the software supplied.Already this point implies the existence of some knowledge and that the user must still be aware of before buying a complete uselessness (except Calculator), this PDA without a fairly frequent communication with the computer.
2. Synchronization with Outlook. Each platform is doing in its own way, but in order to synchronize the data need to be THAT sync. How often does a normal user, periodically playing or typing essay for the institute or cooking plate on the door for work, making the phone numbers to contact the program Outlook? I think never.
3. Installing new programs. Vce opportunities CCP open software that is written under it. Consider whether the user is satisfied with the free software disks? All I saw is just sad feelings. Very rare things come across on the Internet and then only after more than one hour of laborious search, of course, is hardly available to the common user, which works with the computer is not connected.

That ends this epic or a thick layer of dust, or "calculator".

PDA for simple and advanced user

Here we have all the easier. These people have made our choice for a specific purpose. However, as this is not funny, usually in order to join civilization. They have read many articles on specific platforms, screenshots examined a large number of programs, consulted with clever admins at work, looked in the wallet, and bought ....

And what do we have here:
1. Installation of related programs. Well, in that they succeeded, the more that is always waiting in the wings "Next" button;) was successful. Those who bought a Palm, and even bothered to read the instructions, got rid of any abuse of the system. Others simply ignore it (well, still works ...). With Pocket PC - even simpler. Everything you need - in one bottle, so that even the instruction not to look.
2. Outlook. And this is the first joy - of the newly synchronized with the mobile phone in the PDA Outlook'a fell contacts. Here it is - the first victory. And I'm not going to argue that the timing will soon become entirely coincide only with the charging, or delivery of new software. And all because only a few will enter telephone numbers and addresses handles PDA. Others, at best, with a piece of paper or notebook. In the meantime, happy to watch it "rains" on the PDA. I'm glad that even though we are taught to use the keyboard.
3. PDA software. Here it is, the ability to sculpt anything from this device. But first, it must be found, and secondly, to properly install and configure. This is where it begins and the prose of life. Advanced and not very much. "Next" button there, you must be a strain. Yes, still have little knowledge. But even the Internet on a PDA set up easy - you have to gather all necessary data, according to them to set up the CCP. Yes, another condition - let the mobile operators do not take offense - that the network worked. I have more than four years of experience using the Internet over cellular networks. This is a sad experience. A short essay on Moscow and the surrounding area will give at the end. So everything is finally finished reading the book (iSilo & Haali Reader), so a game of puzzles and simple arcade games. Do not tell me about the videos and movies! Convert them, even on a powerful computer, fun - not for the faint of heart.

Geek

We approached one of the most interesting types of users. This chapter is about the computer geeks. Immediately say, that there would be anyone who "works with computers, then there will not be admins. About them below. All programmers, webmasters, designers, web designers and others who set up their own PC and work on them - that's who we'll talk. They do tend to be more informed choice for their tasks, because they represent, with what would be the case. And software are beginning to stock up before buying the device.

1. Installation of related programs. You can not even describe it. It is their work environment.
2. Outlook. How wonderful, a choir, they would say, if the exports are not from this program, and from "TheBAT!", For example ... But all the necessary plugins are found and configured. So now that your software on the "Big Land" is quite friendly to the little friend.But! As always ... I called the chief, received a phone call, said something to a colleague and quickly writes up a PDA, not in Outlook or its equivalent, and as you might think, where? Right! - On a piece of paper.
3. PDA software. These highly skilled people from the CPC becomes a powerful device in the classroom cvoem hilenky analog desktop. In the course there are emulators, cross-platform software, ports programs. Unfortunately, this approach almost any specialist. And a little later, seeing that just what he wanted (and actually want to), it is under one platform is not found, and emulators enough braking and buggy, and the DOS emulator has many limitations, and competing platforms in general no one has been able to workable emulate, he is disappointed. And what does he do? He reads books, plays in a simple game (and swearing, but when write good free "Sokoban"), and in the presence of even a small interest in music, in parallel to all this listening to MP3.

System administrator

A separate category is for special merit, but for the attitude and frame of the CPC, which implies this profession. Much easier to go with a PDA on your belt than with a laptop in a bag, even with a very light laptop. About the choice of paint for a long time has no meaning. If the admin takes a PDA for work, it's something with the Pocket PC. And not because he knows some secret information on this branch of development, but simply because the network card for Palm there is only one and quite poor software. Bluetooth card for the Palm appeared recently, and the normal drivers from the manufacturer are not done yet at all. Not funny. Rather sad. And this gap is particularly noticeable in the presence of the background of virtually any device for the Pocket PC as a CompactFlash-cards: whether the network card, Bluetooth, 802.11b, Modem, COM-port or a VGA-card. In general, if there is a certain amount of money possible on the basis of PDAs to collect exactly pocket complex in the diagnosis and management of their equipment from anywhere (with links). This category of people does not make the CCP in analog laptop, since nearly all tasks have the appropriate tools, native to the platform that do not require emulation.

Walk into our list:
1. Install the accompanying software. Sense to disclose the names on this item no.
2. Outlook. Hmm ... When properly configured, your phone, PDA and Outlook are synchronized with each other, which has a beneficial effect on the preservation of data "just in case", and this fad in this group of users. If the admin to spend some sufficiently small time, then get rid of the possibility of losing someone's phone (affects triple redundancy).
3. Software. As a system administrator can tell you: "Everything works great and is relatively stable." A properly configured and balanced Pocket PC - pretty stable, if not considered desirable to reboot every day. But it happens pretty quickly. You have to understand that the CCP is not a laptop, and management through ssh my server can be quite painful if you're used to the window, and even interactive interface. And the presence in the pocket device, which allows you to quickly ping, protreysit address, check your email service, web site, ftp service is very difficult to overestimate. Sniffer in your pocket will appreciate not only administrators but also by those whom they oppose. In general, the loss of portable prichendalov weight 10 times made me complacent and responsive to the user:)

Players

This is a very special and usually quite skilled cast, which also look forward to developing the platform device. But we must remember that the purpose of the Pocket PC and Palm is very different from the destination GBA. The first game, as expected, were logical and not particularly dynamic. Because the dynamics requires a strong video subsystem, I would even say a powerful graphical mathematics, computing resource on which the CCP is not focused. Powerful Video would make the device very expensive and would require special software. Looking at a variety of gaming software on the PDA, we note that this is not a PC, and the same resources and upgradeability is not. So do not wait for comfort and control even in a good emulation of the console SNES. Native same game is not spoiled diversity.And three leisurely days on the internet + is less than 100 megabytes of downloaded will provide you with a complete view of the situation in this market. It's a pity only that so few remakes of hit games for the PC. I am aware of only a few - Warlords, Worms, so run through emulators. But this is not - neither the speed nor on playability or the convenience of management. So I think the Pocket PC and Palm OS has not yet dorosshimi even to the most junior game platforms like GameBoy. But mainly because the video subsystem and the inconvenience of administration, as well as the reluctance of programmers to write for them.

Cellular operators

One of the saddest parts of this article. Due to the fact that the services of GPRS, are important for everyone who is far from the civilized (read - "dedicated") communications, while in its infancy. I'm just going to describe their experience of data transmission via cellular networks. It all started back in 2000, with traffic through the company, MTS, through normal channels. With this all was fine except the price. For the money paid for itself within a year to anyone, even a very expensive dedicated line. As soon as the matter of the first test the service connection GPRS, I almost immediately got a phone with such a facility - and in vain. The first was the MTS. Yes, she is now and the service coverage is ridiculous. Find it impossible to even consider. So it is with Megafon - a very small area. And yet, I bought it because of that, because of what to buy everything - an unlimited traffic. Zalimitirovali it to me very quickly - over 150 megabytes. Just GPRS session, I have not been able to establish, and, in the service tech support told me: "We will understand: only bring to the office." Unfortunately, time did not and went the easier way - went to the Beeline. The latter, due to an expensive tariff, has been extremely responsive and sociable. Speed ​​in the 3.5 Kbytes per second suit me, however, the frequent incidence of service and complete helplessness tech support at this time, I was frustrated. But here is coverage - just wonderful. Frequent trips to Kaluga not leave me without ICQ on the road. In general, for that matter-one council can not give because I know people who are actively using, according to them, unlimited traffic through a "MegaFon", but because of bad coverage, I personally do not even want to try this statement.

Internet and PDA

This material is for the whole article. Therefore briefly describe the usual scheme of using the Internet on your PDA. Typically, this ligament with a mobile phone, mainly via Bluetooth. An infrared connection is convenient only in stationary conditions and preferably with the availability of jobs. "Blue tooth" also allows you to work with the CPC as usual, he was not aiming anywhere and under any who are not adjusting. Of the services - is, of course, PocketIE, but always with a speculum - multiple windows and store pages, and you quickly feel their inferiority. Mail is very easy life for those who commute to work longer hours and not driving. ICQ is not very convenient, but very interesting in the way of the field from any point. Oh, and just got this PDA and connect to their very pleasant, if not uncomfortable for long sets of text on-screen keyboard. All other services also exist, but are specific and simple user PDA is not as interesting as the three above. If desired, there are FTP, and IRC, and NNTP, as well as the server of these protocols.

Conclusion

All the technical details and reviews of good breadth of view, but bad because the buyer CCP does not understand that as our brains to use it handheld will not be at 100 or even 40 percent, but much smaller. Therefore, the potential buyer, do not get upset when, after 4-5 months after purchase you are tired of testing new software on your Pocket zavedetsya several other books, news from the web page, so any simple little puzzle or solitaire. PS This material is published under the rubric of "Viewpoint". If you have any interesting ideas, news, thoughts, of course, fit into the theme of our website, then you are welcome. HPCru ready to provide you with a virtual platform where on your point of view, learns more than one thousand of our visitors.For publication in the "Viewpoint" does not necessarily have to be a professional journalist, it is sufficient competent to formulate its position, it is interesting to present its arguments, and formalized in a small article (whose title story, a curious beginning and ending.) So, if you wish to speak, meet our rules below and send your "perspective" at editor@hpc.ru.

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