Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 42

I have been monitoring this forum and am amazed at the number of posts and time spent on the issues surrounding a $300 device. I suppose somewhere there is a board where people waste time comparing Zenith and Sony 19 inch TVs or the merits of a $14.95 Timex watch.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: California
Posts: 108

It's more than a $300 device. When you think about it you could get a visor to do anything, assuming you find the right springboard. Without the springboard, I don't think it would be so popular. Don't forget, beofore the visor, you were stuck clipping small odd bars of plastic onto your Palm IIIx, using an ancient serial port for communications with the device, then installing the software. Or even worse, opening your Palm IIIx to upgrade the RAM. Now with the visor, it's as simple as *POP*--*CLICK*--DONE!

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 42

Actually, I was using a day planner before my Visor. I have the backup module and paid $320 total. Hardly equal to world peace.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 434

KD you narrow-minded capitalist!

All kidding aside, products that materially affect ones quality of life have a value beyond mere dollars and cents. This is especially true for products that allow one to reclaim time that would otherwise be wasted, and for products that return some measure of control to the individual. In this day, when a workplace PC is no longer very personal, a PDA that allows you to perform even some of the PC's work on your terms can be of great value. In addition, there are some obvious trade-offs that one has to weigh in selecting a PDA, and the differences between product lines are not insignificant, even within the Palm OS world.

So. Given the above, add in the American obsession with only buying "the best" (whatever that is), our related historic love for debating the relative merits of product (Ford vs. GM, Mac vs. PC, etc.), and the level of traffic here really shouldn't be so surprising.

Finally, might I suggest that, for some, $300 is not an inconsequential amount of money . . .

[This message has been edited by yucca (edited 03-04-2000).]

Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 42

Yucca...I love my Visor...and America...and $$..

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

KD:

The discussions and debates that go on here is no different from the discussions and debates that takes place at Fan sites. The visor has developed a strong following.

Its makes me think though..... If we have so much time to spend on this site to debate and discuss, why do we need a visor to organise our time?

Just a thought.

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 62

KD

For me, it isn't the cost of the device, but the efficiency that it gives me in my life. I won't waste my time telling you the apps that I have on it (really nothing unusual), but for someone that complains about people using this website and chat room to talk about a $300 device......

It seems to me that everyone else is exchanging ideas on how to use them better, or to resolve issues. Yet, you are complaining about it, and using the site to complain............Don't you see something a bit strange about that?

larry

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Metro Station, Hollywood and Highland
Posts: 1018

What's money got to do with it? Look at all the discussion generated Windows vs. Linux (hardly $300) or Netscape vs. IE (free).

In fact, it can be argued that the more expensive the product, the less people discuss it, because the rich don't necessarily have to get the best value for their money. I don't remember the last time I heard a debate about whether it's better to live in Beverly Hills or Bel Air, for instance. Or whether SoftImage is better than Maya.

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

Let us also not forget that Handspring's customer service/tech support was apparently less than accessible early on; discussion boards like this one have been a great way for people who have problems with their Visors to find solutions from users who have had similar experiences--solutions which actually worked, instead of "what the manual says works." Also, a minor problem/question may not be worth calling California over when you can post it on a message board and check for a reply when you have time.
Also, you wouldn't ask HS tech support/CS which document reader works best, or what software works/doesn't work/works from the flash module, etc., but you'll find info like that here.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 52

right, and go look at how much discussion can be made on any game website...a $45 piece of software can make enemies out of a lot of people because they're so opinionated.....

Harry

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