Registered: Sep 1999
Location: at work...
Posts: 736

Hi everyone!
Now that I've FINALLY read through all of the posts in this group, I thought it would be useful to collect everyone's Springboard ideas and wishlists into one comprehensive set. Maybe one of the VisorCentral folks could post it at the top level of the web site so:

1) people who read it won't be redundant in posting old ideas here,

and MORE importantly:

2) maybe developers will see some cool ideas they hadn't thought of and will actually MAKE SOME OF THESE!!!

So here's my compilation so far, please post additional ideas (just a name and SHORT description, please!)

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SPRINGBOARD WISHLIST:

Networking/Communications:
--------------------------
DSL modem/adapter
ISDN modem/adapter
Ethernet adapter
Serial port cable adapter
Bluetooth
Wireless LAN/WAN adapter
Pager (1-way, 2-way)
Cellphone
Cellphone adapter
GPS phone adapter

Video/Photo:
------------
Camera/videocamera
Memorystick 'drive' (pictures & movies)
TV tuner
Adapter for external screen/monitor

Music/Audio:
------------
Voice recorder
MP3 player
AM/FM radio tuner
CB radio tuner
Speaker adapter

Sensors/scanners:
-----------------
Multi-meter/oscilloscope
Light meter
laser distance finder
stud finder (not hot guys, but studs in the wall)
Temperature sensor
Altimeter
Electronic compass
GPS
Barcode scanner
Credit card 'swiper'
Business card scanner
Text scanner
Graphics/photo scanner
Signature scanner/analyzer
Fingerprint/Retinal scanner/analyzer
Radar detector
Exercise monitor (heartrate, etc.)
Fat % analyzer

Software packages:
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(Probably too many to list, but apps with heavy memory requirements like dictionary/ thesaurus and other references are good candidates)

Misc:
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Emulator (gameboy,...)
PC Card/Compact Flash adapter
Vibrating or flashing alarm
Keyboard adapter
Mouse adapter?
TV/Stereo/universal remote control
Garage door opener
Robot/car/other toy remote control
Voice recognition
Solar power module
Meet-your-mate wireless datefinder/matchmaker
Mini-Printer

ForFun/unrealistic:
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Tricorder
Stun Gun
Radar
Breathalyzer
Meat Thermometer
'Psychic Friends' Telepathic Hotline Adapter
Spamicide (plug it in and it seeks out and destroys anyone who sends you spam - don't you wish they could make one, though?)

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Barnegat, NJ, USA
Posts: 72

Voice Recognition, or some kind of cheap springboard that vibrates when ever it is like in 50 feet of the same exact springboard on there visor.

[This message has been edited by brennerj (edited 11-11-1999).]

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 67

Add lie detector (voice stress/pulse rate).

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: San Francisco, USA
Posts: 75

I originally suggested the AM/FM tuner a long time ago, and I think a shortwave radio springboard would be a good idea, too. Maybe all in one?

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Plantersville, TX, USA
Posts: 109

How about an Ad&d springboard...

Complete with the upcoming 3rd edition rules,
character generators, all of the players guides, tome of magic, monster manuals, dice roller programs, random npc encounter programs, plus 200 + modules...

Hehe...

I know...sounds kiddish, but I would be the first to buy it.

Zen

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Hoboken, NJ, 07030
Posts: 105

A louder alarm would be nice

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Barnegat, NJ, USA
Posts: 72

How about a Video Phone that operates on a cell phone?

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Chicago, IL
Posts: 148

Hmm I would like one with a salinity,pH, dissolved oxygen, oxidation reduction potential, and temperature probes in one! (I'm a reefkeeper)

Mike

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 62

How about taking advantage of the Strategic Defense Initiative research and making a Particle Beam Springboard, or a Kinetic Kill Springboard (complete with miniature fusion power plant). These would be great for home defense and taking out enemy ICBM's. Plan your day - "drop off laundry", "meeting with Marketing", "Defend city against missle attack". That would be something!

In all seriousness however, I think that the Visor would be a great astronauts companion. Years ago, I read that NASA made special modules for the HP 41CV calculator for performing orbital calculations and other necessary functions in the event of an on-board computer failure. I think that with a little thought by the experts, a bunch of software could be written and put on a flash module. Experiment notes and results, re-entry calculations, Check-Lists, etc. I think that a lot of the things that they use laptops for now could be done with a Visor. And they can velcro them to their leg or something since it is so small. How about Bluetooth in Orbit. Maybe put a few simple but essential sensors on the module (Oxygen, Carbon Monoxide, humidity etc. ) Hey this wold be a cool thread, the NASA springboard. I will post it and see if anyone has any other ideas.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 52

Maybe it's just me, but other than a voice recorder, Bluetooth and on-board reference libraries, everything else that interests me is more toylike or gadgetlike than useful. Playing with something for a few weeks until I'm no longer interested seems like a waste to me. Oh well, I hope everyone ends up with the Springboard of their dreams.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: San Diego, CA 92110
Posts: 10

Zen, it's great to see another Visor enthusiast who enjoys tabletop gaming! Maybe I am biased, but I don't think it's childish at all. In fact, that is a great idea for a springboard. If anyone at WotC or TSR reads this, I purchased the Core Rules, Core Rules Expansion and Dragon Archive on CD-ROM. I would buy a springboard in a heartbeat.

Zen, I am sure that you have a dice program, but do you have AD&D Assist? It's a great little program that stores multiple character "sheets". It has proven very useful.

Elbow

[This message has been edited by Elbow (edited 11-15-1999).]

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Hoboken, NJ, 07030
Posts: 105

Where can I find AD&D assist? Is it adaptable for other gaming systems?

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Baltimore MD, USA
Posts: 717

It seems to me that there would be a market for multi-function springboards geared to a specific job.

Mike mentioned one that would help a reef-keeper.

I can see a springboard that would replace those huge computerized automobile engine troubleshooters that you see in automotive mechanic shops nowadays. With the car manuals online.

A combination grocery store stock database with a bar code reader would be useful.

Anyplace you would need one or more sensors and some calculations. Electronics, soil fertility and pH management, aquarium maintanance, etc.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 86

For the times when I'm not using any other Springboard I'd like a module that simply puts the IR beam on top of the Visor like all the other Palms.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Enumclaw, Wa
Posts: 268

My idea isnt actually A springboard, but maybe an idea for upcoming Palm or Visor models. An actual voice guard. So only maybe you just say something and your PDA will launch. You know the little shape things, and no one else has the same as you? Well it is kinda corny, and it definatly has a few bugs to work out. But I think something like this has real potential.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 95

Dru Lee:
Try taking one of the AOL CDs & cutting it down into a mirror the same size as the IR port & set it a a 45 degree angle to the port. I've got something like this (though I'm still waiting for my VD so I can test it & work out a decent mounting system).

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 86

Hey Theo:
>AOL cd hack

Now THAT is a creative solution. I really think that for the most part the general public won't use the Springboard. So a basic module with an IR beam, a louder speaker and maybe an LED for a visual alarm would be nice. Simple, cheap, and incredibly useful.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Barnegat, NJ, USA
Posts: 72

remote camera operator/viewer.
Transmit the signal via radio or bluetooth and you are 007 a secret agent man. It would be dirt cheap cause it would have to be black and white. What do you think?

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Thousand Oaks, CA, USA
Posts: 49

Let me add my pet Springboards to the list (pardon me if these have already been mentioned and I missed them):

Baseball Scorecard (w/MLB rosters and the ability to score most/all forms of recreational baseball/softball)

Dragon Bane II (go to www.palmcreations.com if you don't already know what Dragon Bane is).....bonus points if the author includes some type of level/story editor

Folding Keyboard (not really a Springboard, but still would be a great add-on that I would buy; I thought I saw a picture of one somewhere on VC about a month ago)

Other than these, I'm also interested in the following (previously listed) Springboards:

MP3 recorder/player (if it is more cost effective than the portables already on the market)

PCS Cell Phone

GPS w/Road Map Access (through web or desktop)

I'm just looking forward to the first non-backup/extra memory Springboard that does something interesting.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: MI
Posts: 13

KGrate:

The Folding Keyboard is from ThinkOutside ( http://www.thinkoutside.com )

But it's a pricey $99, even if it is cool.

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- OZ