handheld device purchase

[Andrew Neiderer]

I am new to handhelds so please be patient.

My boss wants a handheld device for simple data entry. Just type in a message and transmit
over ethernet (?) to another computer. I'd also like to program it
using Java if possible.

I know this is vague but any ideas are appreciated.
Maybe a Dell or HP? Don't know.


Thank you.

- Andrew M. Neiderer

[r***@pen_fact.com]

Post by Andrew Neiderer
I am new to handhelds so please be patient.
My boss wants a handheld device for simple data entry. Just type in a message and transmit
over ethernet (?) to another computer. I'd also like to program it
using Java if possible.

For really simple applications, NSBasic might work:
http://www.nsbasic.com/
I've never tried it, so I can't say more.

The following is a pretty good source of info for developers who want
to support Windows CE and platforms (such as Pocket PC/Windows Mobile)
built on it:
http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/developer/dev.htm

Microsoft and Java have an "interesting" relationship, so support on
mobile devices running Microsoft products might be challenging.

Microsoft is pushing .NET languages (VB.NET and C#). But they also
have tools for C++.

All but the oldest Windows CE handhelds can connect easily via
Ethernet. Letting another computer see files on such handhelds is
difficult (maybe impossible). Letting a handheld see files on a
"desktop" is possible. So is ftp.

Post by Andrew Neiderer
I know this is vague but any ideas are appreciated.
Maybe a Dell or HP? Don't know.

Dell no longer sells handhelds. HP does. If you wander a bit from the
link I gave above, you can get comparisons of many devices. You might
want to use eBay to get something slightly older (and much less
expensive) as a learning experience.

Many companies (including mine) sell software that does what you
describe. I am clearly biased, but really do believe that buying is
often less expensive than building.

Post by Andrew Neiderer
Thank you.
- Andrew M. Neiderer

-----------------------------------------
To reply to me, remove the underscores (_) from my email address (and please indicate which newsgroup and message).

Robert E. Zaret, eMVP
PenFact, Inc.
20 Park Plaza, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02116
www.penfact.com

[r***@pen_fact.com]

Addendum:

A database application might well work, and might be simple, at least
for simple problems. I don't know enough to recommend any.

Spending some time with google advanced newsgroup
(http://groups.google.com/advanced_group_search) would be very useful.
Start by looking for
newbie
in microsoft.public.pocketpc.developer
You might also look up
database
in the same newsgroup.

Post by r***@pen_fact.com

Post by Andrew Neiderer
I am new to handhelds so please be patient.
My boss wants a handheld device for simple data entry. Just type in a message and transmit
over ethernet (?) to another computer. I'd also like to program it
using Java if possible.

http://www.nsbasic.com/
I've never tried it, so I can't say more.
The following is a pretty good source of info for developers who want
to support Windows CE and platforms (such as Pocket PC/Windows Mobile)
http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/developer/dev.htm
Microsoft and Java have an "interesting" relationship, so support on
mobile devices running Microsoft products might be challenging.
Microsoft is pushing .NET languages (VB.NET and C#). But they also
have tools for C++.
All but the oldest Windows CE handhelds can connect easily via
Ethernet. Letting another computer see files on such handhelds is
difficult (maybe impossible). Letting a handheld see files on a
"desktop" is possible. So is ftp.

Post by Andrew Neiderer
I know this is vague but any ideas are appreciated.
Maybe a Dell or HP? Don't know.

Dell no longer sells handhelds. HP does. If you wander a bit from the
link I gave above, you can get comparisons of many devices. You might
want to use eBay to get something slightly older (and much less
expensive) as a learning experience.
Many companies (including mine) sell software that does what you
describe. I am clearly biased, but really do believe that buying is
often less expensive than building.

Post by Andrew Neiderer
Thank you.
- Andrew M. Neiderer

-----------------------------------------
To reply to me, remove the underscores (_) from my email address (and please indicate which newsgroup and message).
Robert E. Zaret, eMVP
PenFact, Inc.
20 Park Plaza, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02116
www.penfact.com

-----------------------------------------
To reply to me, remove the underscores (_) from my email address (and please indicate which newsgroup and message).

Robert E. Zaret, eMVP
PenFact, Inc.
20 Park Plaza, Suite 400
Boston, MA 02116
www.penfact.com

[mike]

Post by Andrew Neiderer
I am new to handhelds so please be patient.
My boss wants a handheld device for simple data entry. Just type in a message and transmit
over ethernet (?) to another computer. I'd also like to program it
using Java if possible.
I know this is vague but any ideas are appreciated.
Maybe a Dell or HP? Don't know.
Thank you.
- Andrew M. Neiderer

Rule number one...bosses rarely think things thru before making demands.
Consider the operating environment and user interface before you get too
far into picking hardware.

I had the notion that I'd use a PDA for simple user interfaces. It
didn't take long for me to learn that it wasn't as simple as I thought...
wash the dirt off my hands
take the fragile pda out of it's protective case
try to get the stylus out.
pick the stylus off the floor.
turn on the device
wait for the network to reinitialize
Axim X50 with symbol wireless card required soft reset to turn
on the wireless card.
find a place with enough shade that I could see the screen
poke in the info on the tiny on-screen keyboard.
turn off
put back in protective case
put back in pocket...wait...with the protection, it won't fit in my
pocket...
worry about dropping the thing
worry about somebody stealing the thing

I went back to scribbling notes on paper and typing them in when
I got back to a real keyboard. Easier if you have a secretary...

My favorite simple device is a HP200LX. It's a dos machine that can
run real dos programs/batch scripts etc. HP also made a slew of
clamshell WinCE machines with keyboards. There are a couple of freeware
languages that ran on those.
mike