Registered: Nov 1999
Location: ann arbor, mi
Posts: 23

Lets start a forum for tips for the visor.

Mine are:
1)WriteRight Screen Covers (work great- do not obscure the screen as far as I am concerned)
2)For your first springboard, try the paperclip module. I tape a paperclip into the inside of my spingboard case. Thus, wherever I am, in case of a reset, I am ready.

Enjoy and post more.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 159

Good topic...

<LI> Get some decent rechargeable batteries. Alkalines are fine, but I usually suggest taking the plunge and spending the few extra bucks for NiMH. Don't go cheap; in no time at all they pay for themselves.

<LI> Purchase a good leather carrying case or bag. If you take your Visor with you everywhere, I suggest a slip case with a belt clip, that is unless you're amenable to a man-purse (sorry ladies .

Hey, edited for one more!

<LI> Clean the display often, using something appropriate like lens cleaner or chamois wipes. It's important even if you use WriteRights or some other transparency cover, to keep the screen viewable and get rid of any grit or material that can scratch plastic and glass. And get a good solid stylus with a seamless tip (no mars or dangling bits). In other words, protect that screen!

[This message has been edited by Zippy (edited 12-17-1999).]

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: ann arbor, mi
Posts: 23

Also, i recommend upgrading the Visor Apps-
Datebook3 is better than ours (the icons awesome and it has more features)
SuperNames is better than Address.
ToDO Plus is also better.

These all cost money, but at least datebook3 is definitely worth it.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: New Brunswick, NJ, USA
Posts: 11

-Get the stylus 5 pack. They write better, and come with screwdriver and reset pin built in.

-Don't install too many apps in one transfer. Stay at 5 or less.

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Daniel J. Wharton

Founder and System Administrator of
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t h e b u r n i t n e t w o r k - http://burnit.net
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Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Potomac, MD, USA
Posts: 90

1) Get a new stylus. The one that comes with it definitely scratches the screen. I noticed all the scuffs were either horizontal or vertical on the grafitti area, and realized that is caused when I "swipe" my stylus, putting it at a sharp angle and grinding that annoying ridge against the screen. Get a Autopoint Stylus+ or the PDA Panache one (haven't tried it yet though).

2) Get writerights. They are a necessity. I used some other protectors before than had tons of air bubbles under them. The WriteRights install perfectly. They saved me the one late night I accidently used the pen on my 4 way pen on the screen .

3) Afterburner rocks.

4) Launch 'Em--get it! Best way to launch apps.

5) Belt Clip--go for the fast draw!!!

6) AvantGo....... yeah.....

7) Read VisorCentral for the latest .



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JakeBlues2
"the BAND!"

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 21

Doc,
I like the paperclip springboard idea.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Western MA, USA
Posts: 17

&lt;sigh&gt;

I wish I had though a little more about the stylus & screen protection issues before my Visor arrived. From what I've read here, I shouldn't be surprised that I now have several significant, very annoying scratches on my screen (after only 3 weeks!)

I take JakeBlue's comments as confirmation that the standard stylus included with the Visor is the culprit. I will be looking for a high-quality replacement ASAP, but I really want one that will dock in the Visor smoothly & completely.

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Now here's a question: What layer of the Visor's screen have I actually been scratching? Is the exposed layer you tap on actually the digitizer grid, or is it a protective piece over it? Just wondering if (gently) trying something like "CD stratch remover" on my Visor's screen would be a monumentally stupid idea. :-)

[This message has been edited by BadAstronaut (edited 12-20-1999).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Simi Valley, CA
Posts: 110

I bought a 3pack of 3COM styli for the older PalmPilot. They fit flush and have a much smoother tip than the POS that came with my BVD. I got mine from BUY.com for less than 5 bucks. Oh, and I use Scotch tape (3/4 inch) on the graffiti part of the screen to ward off scratches.

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Joe V. - Simi Valley, CA

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: ann arbor, mi
Posts: 23

yeah the stylus is horrible. i took the suggestions to get a new one and just swung a deal to buy one from somebody who had a 5 pack. Why on earth would someone want 5 stylii? i had some small microscratches on the screen. i think it is the screen itself and unfortunately not a protective layer. with writerights that wont be a problem anymore

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: College Station, TX
Posts: 143

BadAstronaut,

What I recall from the older Palms:

The digitizer in the screen is under the surface...the complaints about the screen feeling soft are related to this. When you press down, two layers are pressed together, leading to a contact between gridpoint X,Y in the upper layer and gridpoint X,Y in the lower layer. I don't know how it's done, but I imagine that if you have an upper layer with all the X values and a lower one with the Y values, the path of the current would specify the spot. How it deals with blunt objects that hit a large group of spots, I wouldn't even guess.

Anyway...on a more practical level...I vaguely recall someone here posting a message about using some kind of car wax to take out scratches on his/her screen. I think the poster experimented first on some other kind of plastic!

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

What I did when I first got my Visor (tips from reading the Visor Central)

[1] First thing, wipe the screen with a soft cloth. The blasted thing comes covered with dust, which can scratch the screen.

[2] Under preferences, turn off Beam Receive unless you are using it. Beam Receive gobbles up battery power like it is going out of style.

[3] Use a screen protector. If you don't want to spend $25 on 12 WriteRights, go get a pack of overhead projector transparancy sheets. About $4 for 25 of them. One sheet will yield about 10 protectors. Cut them to about 7cm wide by 8.1cm high. The screen is actually 6cm wide, the extra centimeter is to tuck it under the edges to hold it into place. If it won't fit, try losening the screws on the back, inserting, then tightening the screws. Be sure to install it with the transparency "writeable" side upwards.

[4] Get NiMH rechargable batteries and a charger (NOT NiCad!!). They are available at Radio Shack, WalMart, and www.nexcell.com

[5] If you are a butter fingers, get some kind of padded case so your Visor won't shatter its screen when you drop it on the ground.

[This message has been edited by Winchell (edited 12-20-1999).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Somewhere in the wilds of New England
Posts: 65

Where in preferences do you see the beam receive?

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Proud owner of a GVD...

Registered: Dec 1999
Location: Neuried, Germany
Posts: 15

The overhead projector transparancy sheets tip is brilliant. Thanks. I�m gonna use these to protect my screen.

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

Natescape said

quote:

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Where in preferences do you see the beam receive?

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Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Lincoln, NE
Posts: 56

One thing to keep in mind (beating the screen protection horse even more dead) is that the plastic they use to coat the very outside of the screen is not fully set when you get your visor. This is a problem that any PDA with a digital screen faces and this is why they are most prone to scratches when you first get them. It takes the screen plastic about 6 months to a year to harden sufficiently so that it is not suceptible to scratching. I recommend write rights (sp?) highly. You can pick them up at Best Buy for about $20 or so. You can either use the PalmPilot type or the WinCE type b/c they are both the same size. The other types of screen protection in my experience are far inferior to write rights. They are a rip off for what they are, but there is not substitute that work as well

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Somewhere in the wilds of New England
Posts: 65

Super-sweet! Thanks Winchell!

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Proud owner of a GVD...

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Rio Rancho, NM, USA
Posts: 129

Keep an eye out for deals on Write-Rights. I managed to pick up two sets from inyourpalm.com for 10 bucks each (for the Win CE format). They're back to $24, but you never know when they'll come back on sale.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Somewhere in the wilds of New England
Posts: 65

If you use tape, doesn't it leave a sticky substance on the screen when you peel it off?

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Proud owner of a GVD...

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 86

&gt;If you use tape, doesn't it leave a sticky substance on the screen when you peel it off?

Not if you use the right kind of tape. Use the Scotch tape model 811 in the blue box. It makes the standard stylus feel good.

Also, I would be lost without Menu Hack. It allows you tap the title bar at the top of most apps to bring up the menu. Very nice.

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

For those of you who use transparency plastic, do you like it better than the write rights? What I don't like about the write rights is the matte finish I get on the screen when I apply it. I really like the shiny "glass" look without it. In otherwords, does it work just as well and look better too? Also, how long do the transparency material last?

Mike