Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 48

Ron,

There are a couple of programs that let you import and work with Excel spreadsheets you might want to check out: QuikSheet and TinySheet. I bought QuickSheet because it allows you to edit the sheet on your Visor and the send it back to Excel on the next HotSync. Since I use Excel a lot, it was worth the $49.95.

There are also a couple of Word programs that are available. SmartDocs and QED. I got QED because, like the Excel, I can edit and return docs to Word.

There are so many good programs out there that are free or nearly so. You'll have a ball.

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What if your sole purpose in life is to serve as a warning to others?

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 95

CSV is an abbreviation for Comma Seperated Values. Excel 97 has it listed in the Save As dialog under "CSV (Comma delimited) (*.csv)"

For an older version of Excel, you may have to use an 'Export' command if I recall correctly.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 32

Found it guys!

It is now saved as a "csv" file

Where on the PALM DESKTOP software
do I import it?

Nearly there!



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Ronald Epstein
HOME THEATER FORUM
http://www.hometheaterforum.com

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 48

Go to the Address application and click "File," Import. You can use the drop-down list to select *.csv file type and off you go. You may have to paly around the fields and formats to get it the way you want it, but that's all there is to it.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 434

Ron,

As for other software, being a home theatre freak you may want to look into OmniRemote. It turns your Visor into a touch screen universal remote a la Marantz RC5000.

The range is currently somewhat limited using the stock IR port, but a Springboard module with a stronger IR transmitter built-in is in the works.


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Eugene Hsieh
Editor, VisorCentral FAQ

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 242

Ultimately, I went for the visor dx. Seems to me there are 3 issues:

1. Craftsmanship.
2. Technology
3. Price

The Visor wins on 2 (due to the Springboard) and 3, going away. The Palm Vx is better made IMHO and sleeker and lighter, not irrelevant factors--but not nec. worth (a) loss of Springboard and (b) another $200.
The ability to pop a backup module in the Visor is alone worth making a decision in its favor.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 15

Hello everyone,

Wow, this is such a wonderful BBS. I'm glad that so many people responded to Ron's original post. As well as helping Ron out, it also helped me out. I do have a couple things to note that I read on a couple other posts. One being on the "Design Flaw!?!" post. Have any of you that posted to Ron's message had the same problem with the Visor cracking and chipping in certain areas near the top? Also has Visor corrected this design problem with its latest batch of Visors? Also, a friend of mine has a Visor standard (2mb version), would it be beneficial to pay the 6 dollars extra to get the extra 6mb? I plan on using it for my design classes for sketching out quick ideas and things of that nature. Granted, I don't know what all software is available for the Palm OS, but I'm going to go look after I finish posting this. So I guess what I'm asking is, is the extra 6mb really needed? Do you all have problems with running out of space too quick? Thanks for all the replies to Ron's post and hopefully to mine also. And Ron thanks for letting me use your post as a way to get my questions answered too..

Seth

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

quote:

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Originally posted by Ronald Epstein:
My first thought was to buy a PALM V, that is, until someone mentioned the VISOR.

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This was my first thought too. I have been wanting one of these machines (handheld) for ten years (or longer ). But, I am very picky about carrying things on my person. I travel very light. For it to be acceptable it needed be as small as the paper address book I printed up each year for myself which fits in my small wallet. With the Palm V I was able to achieve that. The Visor is only marginally larger. After much thought I went with the Visor. Their 30-day money back guarantee gave me a chance to really test it. I'm on day 27 and have no intention of sending it back!

I also considered the TRG Pro but decided no (ooo, that rhymes... ) due to cost and the Windows CE machines but decided no on them because 1. I don't need color or their bloated operating system, 2. Battery life was aweful and 3. I would prefer not to be inleague with the MS-Devil more than necessary.

quote:

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From what I have read, the VISOR looks to be superior in value to the PALM

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The trial period, the much lower price (almost half off), the expansion potential and the extra memory were all key factors for me. Put it all together and it is a winner -- no doubt about it. I like mine so much that I am seriously considering getting one for my wife and for our son as well.

Two things I wish that the Visor had are 1. rechargeable in cradle (soon to be available according to Visor tech specs in dev docs and possibly buildable yourself -- I'm working one one now) and 2. thinner like the Palm V (oh my, 0.2" yeah, well, hey... )

BUT! I like the Visor buttons better, EXCEPT, the scroll buttons lack indentations for being activated using the stylus! Why for ever was that removed???

quote:

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I have also read the many complaint stories on this website concerning ordering foul-ups and delays in shipping.

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Aye, the silent majority who love the product rarely speak up but the squeaky wheels will be heard loud and clear. Atleast we hope so -- that is the only way things get improved! Yes, if you want to hear the dirt and problems, you have come to the right place. That is why we gather hear today... And, hopefully we can all share solutions. I know I've learned a lot!

quote:

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Since most of this news was from October 1999, I am hoping advances were made.

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I received mine in 5 business days. Visor Deluxe Graphite. I have a suspicion that the color ones are in shorter supply from what I've read here and elsewhere of people's comments. Mostly it seems the supply problem is prodominantly in the past and the shipping is now going fine. You must allow for snaffus in the beginning, just imagine all that goes into bringing out a product like this! (I have a manufacturing business and know! )

quote:

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I am buying the DELUXE version $249

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Wise move. I considered the economy at first but I wanted the extra RAM (so add $80 whether you install it yourself or buy a Springboard and do it the official way) which brough the price up to $230 and for $20 more it was the Deluxe version which includes the cradle so you might as well go with the top of the line... The full 8MB is very nice to have... Now how about a SmartMedia SpringBoard... I've been looking over the developer docs and it looks reasonable... Memory, more memory...!

quote:

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1. Are you all extremely happy with the VISOR, and does it truly exceed the PALM devices by 3COM?

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EXTREMELY! Yes!

quote:

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2. Is the VISOR totally interactive with your computer so you can enter all the information on your computer via keyboard and easily download it to the VISOR?

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Completely. Even annoyingly so... that is alarms would ring on both of them at once! The software is nicely implemented and they work together well. BTW, I use a Macintosh PowerBook G3 Wallstreet as my main machine which is what my Viso syncs with via the USB cradle. I've not run it on a Windows machine yet but it is probably almost as nice as on a Mac.

quote:

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3. What is the CURRENT situation on ordering this device? Are they readily in stock, and shipped immediately?

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I believe so. Call and ask and order one...

quote:

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4. What are the BASIC accessories that come with the DELUXE VISOR? What do I or should I immediately need to buy accessory wise with this product?

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Let's see... Visor, stylus, cradle, cheap set of batteries, softcase, quickstart paper manuallette (virtually nothing but enough), real manual on CD-ROM with Macintosh and Windows software. Did I miss anything?

quote:

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5. Is the BACKUP module totally necessary? I figured most of the information is backed up on my computer in case it gets lost from the VISOR.

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I didn't get it since I don't travel that far or for long but if I was traveling at all I would definitely want either the backup module (probably) or the 8MB module. Two backup modules would probably be how I would go. (Like NASA's triple redundancy policy, that way if all your space probes are lost you... oh... )

quote:

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6. How is the CASE that comes with the DELUXE version? What have you found to be the handiest case for the VISOR? Is the deluxe case (most expensive) worth the cost or are you happy with the less expensive ones? Something with pockets for cards, batteries or a pen would be nice.

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Their case is okay. A basic padded pouch. I made my own since I like doing that sort of thing (being an engineer and all) and I wanted it to be exactly what I wanted 1. wallet, 2. smaller, 3. tougher, 4. space for spare batteries and a real pen, 5. able to sync without removing from case. Mine is actually smaller than theirs yet has aluminum in the panels to protect the vis

Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 13

Ronald:

I have a Visor, and if I had the dough, I'd get the Palm Vx. Here's why: I have wasted more time and money on my Visor than I care to count. If I had to justify buying a Palm Vx, here's what I would do:

Visor-$250
Palm-$450
Difference-$200
Value of my time talking to tech support and emailing Handspring executives- Priceless

For everything else, there's Mastercard. (Or a bullet to the head.)

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 32

G-MAN,

What kind of problems did you have?

What made this such a miserable purchase
for you.

BTW, I just got my VISOR today, in
exactly 1-week's time.

Not bad!



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Ronald Epstein
HOME THEATER FORUM
http://www.hometheaterforum.com

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 13

Ron:

1. Scratches all over the screen, especially Grafitti area.
2. No hotsync w/ USB, even after performing every suggestion on this board, every suggestion from tech support, hard reset, reinstall W98, change drivers, change BIOS, new USB cradle, etc. etc. etc.
3. Unexplained battery drain. New Duracells last 2 days.
4. Tech support won't email me back. I have never gotten through to them by phone, and I don't have 1-2 hours to wait during business hours to talk to them, not to mention long-distance charges.

The Visor is a good VALUE, but implementation as a quality PDA is poor, in my opinion. Had I all the information that Visor users have been posting the last 3 months, I would not have plunked down my money. I would consider returning it and getting a Vx except for cost and the fact that I already have bought stylii, case, and serial cradles for the Visor, and I'd have to return those too, or eat the cost.

Anyway, I _genuinely_ hope that your Visor works perfectly. If mine had, I would not be so sour.

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

Ron,
Congrats on your purchase...I'd like my $0.02 to add to the satisfied list. One thing you'll like about having the graphite is that it matches the extant Springboards. I got the 8M flash instead of the backup; it isn't quite like having 16M since there are some compatibility problems with running some things from the Springboard, but it's close.

G-Man,
Sorry it didn't work out for you, but regarding one of your problems...scratchable screens aren't just a Visor problem...if they were, then Writewrites wouldn't have been out there before the Visors shipped!

However, your battery drain problem really sounds like a defective unit...unless you're running 'em dry with all of the failed hotsynch attempts. I wouldn't bother with Tech support, call CS and demand a replacement. Sucking batteries down quickly was the first symptom when my Palm (the predecessor to my Vdx) died. If it's toasted, that could explain your Hotsync problems too, perhaps.

Then again, have you ever tried Hotsyncing to someone else's computer, just to make sure it's the Visor and not one of the myriad USB non-univeralities that seem to be out there?

[This message has been edited by huski (edited 01-25-2000).]