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-- Stowaway: Worth Its Price? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=3846)

Hello Everyone

I'm very tempted to get a Stowaway this August for school. (I'm getting really tired of taking notes for an entire 70 minute period straight to where my hand cramps up) The $100 price tag just seems like such a sting. Is it really worth it? My friend has one, and I like it but it seems like so much money. What do you guys think? Also, so that the post isn't so frivolous--where can I get it cheapest and when is the next version going to come out do you think?

Thanks For Your Help!

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-Vinny

I'll pack my bags I swear I'll run, wish my friends were 21

I haven't gotten it yet (may do the same thing you're going to do) but I can already tell you: YES!!!

I look at the future purchase, as a way to have a $300 laptop that can fit in my pockets!

Hope this helps!

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-Petro
Go to The Hunger Site and help eliminate hunger!
All you have to do is click one button! No catch, no personal information requested!!
Please go once a day! Every day!

I have one, and although I do get alot of use out of it...my wife thinks it was a waste of money.

As far as getting the best price. I would try www.dealtime.com. They will list a ton of online retailers that sell it, the price, and the shipping charges.

Ryan

I buy.com would be best. They have it for $84, and if you catch it when there isn't any shipping (they occasionally have no shipping, especially on holidays), it's really a great deal. The dealtime site had a low of $87.

Hope this helps!


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-Petro
Go to The Hunger Site and help eliminate hunger!
All you have to do is click one button! No catch, no personal information requested!!
Please go once a day! Every day!

.

[This message has been edited by Charo (edited 07-13-2000).]

I like my Stowaway and think the price was reasonable but on the high side.

Have you looked at the GoType keyboard? List $69, and doesn't require a flat surface to lay it on which might be better going from classroom to classroom? Might be a better solution for you for several reasons. http://www.landware.com/gotype/visor.html

[This message has been edited by Charo (edited 07-13-2000).]

I have used my Stowaway at school for a couple of months now. I love it. Several posts have suggested that you look at the Go-Type. I would caution against this because the keyboard is smaller than a normal keyboard. If you are trying to keep up with a fast talking prof, this may give you trouble. If you have small fingers and hands, and have the extra room in your book bag for the larger size of the Go-Type, then consider it. If not, the Stowaway is a GREAT product!! I now just wish someone would put out a really good Word Processor!!

My $.02.

Stephen

SCM, Charo:
I did consider the GoType extensively. A few months back, my friend bought his Stowaway and I gawked at the price. I said I would consider a GoType, but not the $40 more Stowaway. One day, while in a Staples I tried out the GoType. The keys were only half as big as they are from top to bottom and they were so cramped together I couldn't type on it, hunt and peck yes, but not touchtype. I have very large hands I assume. There was no way I could type on feasibly at any speed really. I have tried my friend's Stowaway though--and I can fly on that thing . Charo, isn't everything in Texas supposed to be big anyhow? Thanks for the suggestion--as it is a good one but the GoType just isn't for me

[fixed smily error]
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-Vinny

I'll pack my bags I swear I'll run, wish my friends were 21

[This message has been edited by Vinny (edited 07-13-2000).]

Hell yes, the Stowaway is worth $100. I carry it in my coat pocket all the time (unless it's too warm out; then I leave it in my car). I write all the time, and when I'm not writing at the keyboard, I'm writing in my head. Much more than a laptop, the Stowaway allows me to get my ideas down spontaneously anywhere. I don't use any special software, just the Memo Pad. The only thing I'm lacking now is a wireless solution for email, which should be available for the Visor in the next few weeks.

I considered the GoType until I actually tried one at CompUSA and hated it. It's way too cramped for my hands, and looked like a case of RSI waiting to happen -- it's not worth the risk for saving a measely $30. The GoType is may be better for women and children, but anyone for anyone with large hands, the Stowaway is a must. If you're set on getting a portable keyboard and must choose the GoType, don't do it on the basis of price.

[This message has been edited by Gameboy70 (edited 07-13-2000).]

It is. You must have missed the part where I said I had a Stowaway.

quote:

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Originally posted by Vinny:
SCM, Charo, isn't everything in Texas supposed to be big anyhow? [fixed smily error]

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I just got my Stowaway yesterday. I went thru all the arguments in my head about it...
cost, obsolescence, do i REEEEEALLY need it, etc. But after using it a full day, I am glad I got it. I bought it to use on the job mostly (I'm a Systems Administrator, so I'm never at my desk) and just cruise on the thing. I think if you're at the point that you're at, i'd go for it. I got it at Buy.com, and it was $84. Get it, enjoy it, and forget abot how much it costs.

quote:

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Originally posted by Vinny:
(I'm getting really tired of taking notes for an entire 70 minute period straight to where my hand cramps up)

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quote:

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Originally posted by Charo:
It is. You must have missed the part where I said I had a Stowaway.

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Just get it.. then u can kick back, type away and not have the neck soreness/hand cramping/etc associated with traditional note taking.. besides that, one advantage (atleast for me) is the ability of actually READING my notes after I take them (not to mention being able to cut and paste, do searches, etc..) and having peace of mind that my notes are backed up on my computer @ home just incase something happens...

Joe

I have the Stowaway keyboard and I just love it. I don't know why I thought so much in buying it because I use it all the time now. Also I think it's just perfect for my part time job where I sit for hours at my desk doing security. Not a really interesting job but it's in front of my College. I think now I will be able to stand sitting for hours writing essays and homeworks and later e-mails and at the same time getting pay. Maybe writing some C programs? Anybody knows if there is a C compiler for PalmOS? Is it PocketC?

By the way how do you guys do to show your picture next to your name?

Thanks

AL

PS: Stowaway is the way to go..!

[This message has been edited by acajigas (edited 07-13-2000).]

[This message has been edited by acajigas (edited 07-14-2000).]

Wow! What a large response! Here's another question concerning notetaking in general. When you're taking notes from an overhead, is there generally enough light to see what you're doing? I know my friend can, but I was wondering about you guys too.

Thanks Again

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-Vinny

I'll pack my bags I swear I'll run, wish my friends were 21

Most of the time I can read on the Visor, but not always. It really depends on the angle of your light source. A decent backlight, like the Palm III's, would help. That's my number one complaint about the Visor: its backlight is nearly useless.

Even if it was a good backlight--I wouldn't want to have to run it for a 75 minute period though--run the battery to the floor.

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-Vinny

I'll pack my bags I swear I'll run, wish my friends were 21

acajigas:

Most people develop in C for the Palm OS on their PCs/Macs with GCC (free, open source) or CodeWarrior (much slicker, but around $350, if I recall). Pocket C is pretty fun, though, but it's cumbersome (it's been a while, but I don't remember being able to use pointers, for instance; you can't initialize your variables on the first declaration; other limitations). The make a runtime-only version (which requires Pocket C to run the application in bytecode) and a version for creating executables. I stopped using it because it strays so far from ANSI C that it was like using an different language altogether, but with the Stowaway, it's definitely worth reconsidering.

Check out this thread for the secret of putting a picture in your profile.


[This message has been edited by Gameboy70 (edited 07-13-2000).]

Thanks Vincent and Gameboy70 for the replys. This time you might see my picture if I got it right, if not I will have to edit this message.

About CodeWarrior does anybody knows a good book where I could learn how to make programs for the palm? Is CodeWarrior the best and easier way to make programs for the PalmOS? Has anybody made any small progrmas? How long does it take to make a small one?

Thanks

Al

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Stowaway Keyboard is the way to go..!