Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 119

I have a Stowaway (I was chosen as a beta tester) and I want to report that overall it is really great. It is simple to set up, and the Visor slips right onto a docking thingy very easily. The Visor sits up at an angle, so it is easy to see. I put the Stowaway on my desk and could easily read the Visor. The keys are truly "real" size -- the size of the keys on a regular keyboard.

The only problem is that because it folds (like a W), there are fairly large gaps between the keys where the fold is. I'm a very fast touch typist and had a bit of a problem with this part. I'm going to keep using it though and see how easy (or not) it is to get used to the layout.

I am going on a trip to Alaska this summer and can easily envision taking the Visor and Stowaway instead of the usual paper journal I take on trips! And LOTS of batteries!

It really is just the size of my Visor in its leather case. Now, if only I had a case that would hold both! Hmmm......

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 119

Hey, I just read a review that says I'm supposed to slide the two sides toward the middle and thus eliminate the gap I complained about in my previous post. Now I'm sorry I'm at work and the Stowaway is at home -- I'm anxious to try that. With that problem solved, I think the Stowaway may be perfect! I guess my complaint should be directed at the instructions, which didn't tell me that!

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

quote:

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Originally posted by SherylKing:
It really is just the size of my Visor in its leather case. Now, if only I had a case that would hold both! Hmmm......

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Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 53

Hi, are you affiliated with the development team? how did you get to be the beta tester?

quote:

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Originally posted by SherylKing:
I have a Stowaway (I was chosen as a beta tester)

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Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 23

You can read a review of the stowaway at:

- http://www.wiredguy.com/reviews/acc...s/000000002.htm


------------------
Richard Kettner
Handspring Weekly Editor
- http://handspring.listbot.com

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 119

I sing in the San Diego Master Chorale, a wonderful singing group that sings with the San Diego Symphony at other groups (plug, plug!). Anyhow, another alto is married to one of the developers. When he heard I had a Visor, he asked me to beta test it -- seems there are lots of Palm people around, but he didn't know too many Visor folks! Voila!

I did figure out (finally! duh...) how to slide the two side pieces toward the center. It's really simple and I feel stupid I didn't figure it out more quickly. Anyhow, I'm secretary of the Singers Council, and took the minutes last night using the Stowaway and my BVD. Really cool! I was able to email the minutes first thing this morning very quickly and easily, with a minimum of cleanup necessary! Sure beats the old pencil-on-yellow-pad-transcribe routine!

It feels just like a "real" keyboard -- the keys seem to be the right size and placement. Moreover, it has little buttons down the right side that open the datebook, phonebook, todo and memo functions. Cool!

The only problem is one that is not actually a Stowaway problem -- my Visor is set to turn off after a short period of time. So if there was a break in the meeting (or a discussion not worth recording!), the Visor shut off. But I figured out how to quickly reactivate it. I just need to set it for a longer time in circumstances like that.

I'm absolutely hooked! I can see all sorts of uses for the Stowaway and Visor combination -- especially since I don't have a laptop!

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 5

OK, you have me really wanting one of these. I tried the Fitaly onscreen keyboard, which is better than the standard keyboard but still not so wonderful. With an actual keyboard, you can take good notes and keep your eyes on the speakers.

Thanks for the writeup, though.

Registered: Dec 1999
Location:
Posts: 106

To prevent the auto shutdown use the shortcut .3 (lowercase L followed by .3). To turn the auto shutdown back on, just do the .3 shortcut again.

You need to do this on the graffiti area and I'm pretty sure you need to be in an app where text entry is expected.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Gainesville, FL USA
Posts: 112

Thanks for reporting your impressions! I'm really looking forward to getting a Stowaway keyboard. Combined with an 802.1 wireless LAN module and some telnet software, I'll be able to connect to my hospital's LAN and work on the wards even if there are no PC's available.

[This message has been edited by Axeman (edited 02-26-2000).]