Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 3

'Ello All!

Just got my Visors! Love 'em.

Got a newbie question as I am new to PDAs and Palms: What is a .pdb file? Is it the same as a DOC file? I have surmised that it is a compressed text file or somekind of databse file but am unclear and confused...

How do I read them, open , edit?

Any help for the newbie is appreciated!

G

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Monroe, Michigan, USA
Posts: 244

A .pdb is usually a data file (can be an image or text file, for example) which is accessed by an image viewer or document reader (or other, though my experience with .pdb files is limited to images & documents). You generally can't open a .pdb file on your Visor/Palm without the proper program, and the Readme which comes with the .pdb file (or the file description where you download the file from) will usually tell you what program the .pdb is used with.

DOC (or Doc) files are text files formatted for AportisDoc (document reader for PalmOS); they can also be used with the freeware CSpotRun document reader. They are actually .pdb files, but they are referred to as Doc or DOC files so you know which document reader to use them with. (Other document readers include ISilo, JFile, and TealDoc, and these use different formats.) If you install a document reader, be sure that you download/install documents formatted for it. (Again, look at the file description at the software archive site.)

As for editing these file types, generally the shareware/commercial document readers and image viewers allow editing, while freeware programs don't (there may be exceptions I don't know about, though).

Hope this helps.



[This message has been edited by Tom LaPrise (edited 02-06-2000).]

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 3

Thanks Tom!

I'll have to look around for CSpotRun. There are a lot of .pdfs and DOCs around that I would like to have a go at so your reply just might push me in the right direction...

Thanks!

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 434

If the ".pdfs" that you refer to are Adobe Acrobat files, then you may want to wander over to the Software board for some info on getting this type of file onto your Visor.

While Tom stated things clearly, understand that DOC files on Visor/Palm are NOT the same as the DOC files on your PC. MS Word files have to be converted into Palm DOC file format, before you can do anything with them on your Visor.

re: DOC readers

The leading shareware readers all carry advantages:

iSilo - - tools to convert HTML into iSilo's proprietary DOC file (including links, formatting and graphics). Can you say custom AvantGo with selectable text (for pasting into other apps)?

TealDOC - the Caddy of doc readers. Makes reading large files on your Visor a joy. Sadly, the tools that make its custom DOC files (that support some of its coolest features) are strictly Yugo class . . .

SmartDOC - if you need a reader AND a DOC editor.