Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 15

I'd sure like to know because having just lost my IIIx, I'm wondering if I'll get a IIIe or a Visor.
It all depends on whether it's possible to restore contents backed up with the Palm Desktop.
Anyone tried this ?

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

Yes, it's possible. After installing the Handspring software (which adds USB hotsync support), hotsync your new Visor. When the desktop program asks for your user name, it should be there (the one you used for your IIIx); just click on it. Your address, datebook, to do, and notepad info will be sync'd into the Visor, and your Visor will now have your IIIx's username.

(If you don't have a USB port, get the serial cradle for the Visor; I have read you may not have to install Handspring's software if that's the case. Anyone know for sure?)

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 29

That is correct. I went from a IIIx to a Visor Deluxe, and did not install the Handspring software as I am using the serial cradle. If and when we upgrade to a Win98/2000 machine, I'll need to use the software for USB. Right now my USB cradle is gathering dust. Most likely we will stick with 95/NT for now...

I use Backup Buddy, which backs up everything on the handheld, including 3rd party apps. When I transitioned to the Visor Deluxe all my data moved perfectly. Hubby has the IIIx and life is great!

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 2

Hi everyone,
I have not yet bought a Visor or Palm. My questions are to those of you who have owned both.
Considering the delays, no flash ROM, etc., which do you prefer? Both the Palm V and the visor have great points, but I can't spend money and time to try both, so any advise will be greatly appreciated.
The place I work is condsidering handhelds to replace the paper system we now use. The only handheld thought spohisticated enough was the Palm V until I mentioned the Visor, but a concern are the plastic cases. Anyone with experience in one versus the other please respond.
Thank You,
Ronnie Puckett

[This message has been edited by RP (edited 02-19-2000).]

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

Naturally, I prefer the Visor. No flash ROM isn't a problem for me; I have had a couple of other Palm devices in the past and never had any reason to update the OS beyond the RAM "patches" (1.0.6, 2.0.4, 3.0.2, 3.1.1). The 3.3 ROM update was mainly to speed up the HotSync process; the Visor's HotSync (via USB) is incredibly fast.
I think the Springboard expandability is worth the extra size of the device (no bigger than the Palm III, actually) compared to the Palm V/Vx. I have the Visor Deluxe (8MB) and the 8MB Flash module, and you can put an awful lot of apps, data, etc. in 16MB of memory. There are cool modules in the works (6-Pack, MyCorder, GPS, modem, etc.), which don't add appreciably to the size or weight of the device, but really increase the functionality. The price is right too.
As for delays, it seems HS has the bugs worked out of its distribution; mine arrived 3.5 business days after ordering (the module came a week later). Visors will soon be in retail stores anyway, along with (hopefully) the more commonly-used Springboards like Backup and Flash.
The plastic case is not a concern for me. I had a Pilot 1000 originally--dropped it and broke the screen, but the case was fine... bought a PalmPilot Personal, installed 2MB upgrade, and never had a problem, structurally or otherwise... got my Visor Deluxe, which seems even more robust than the PP Personal ever did. I keep it in the 3Com Palm III belt clip case, which fits well enough.
In any case (pun not really intended), the screen is the weak point, so as long as you protect it, you shouldn't have problems.
Overall, it comes down to a choice between small size/metallic cladding or expandability/price.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 2

Thanks for your imput Tom. I really appreciate it.

R

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 29

I'll second Tom! I've had both, starting with a Palm Professional, upgrading to the 2MB beam, then a IIIx...and now a Visor. I'd go with the Visor for all the reasons he has stated...especially the Springboard expansion slot.

Good luck!

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 29

Yellow's question related to restoring data backed up from a PalmIII to a Visor. The Palm backup files are located in a directory probably something like C:\Palm\PalmIIIusername\backup there are also directories for addresses and todos and mail and the like. After the new Visor is installed there will be a similar file structure created for the Visor, something like c:\Palm\Visorusername\backup.
If he just copies files from the one file structure to the other, they should be installed to the Visor. I did this once (moving from the III to the Visor) and got all my memi and addresses and dates without a hitch.



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Penguins and Palms

v

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

If he assigns the same user name to the Visor as he had for the Palm IIIx (which he has lost, so therefore is no longer in need of synchronization), he doesn't have to copy anything at all--just hotsync, use the same username, and let it all flow in. That's what I did when I upgraded from my PP Personal w/2MB card to the Visor.
I then hard-reset the PP Personal and gave it my wife's name; the Desktop program created the new backup folders for that device. (Then, I retrieved the Address Book and Notepad DB's from Flash and hotsync'd it again so my wife would have the same stuff in her device...)