In an environment of moderation and accuracy

Casio BE-300 Pocket Manager in their own unique CPC, because it can be almost completely rewritten GUI - graphical user interface (that is what we're seeing on screen machines, then using what we have to BE-300 exchange information ). This opportunity and took advantage of some developers to create their own casings for "Beshka. The result was four separate and completely finished product, between them and divided to vote (and preference) of users. Thus, standard envelope - Top Menu, designed in the style of Windows CE.NET EpodXP, one of the first emerging alternative shells L'agenda SQPL and misunderstood KC Menu. Here is how to allocate votes: Tell me what you have installed a shell and I'll tell you who you are. If you follow this rule, it turns out that users BE-300 - people are mostly calm, thorough and conservative. They do not yearn for change, alien to them thirst risk (the risk to get more glitches than pleasure). They are satisfied that in the Top Menu can not easily add shortcuts to applications, hosts and the absence of the normal task switcher (can, however, to use separately installed applets). In addition, many users choose Top Menu because of the possibility of Russification (including, and Russification interface).

Top Menu

In second place EpodXP 2.0. I think that those 3.2%, which is now used by older versions of this shell, soon will pass no less "buggy" 2.0, if only among these users BE-300 is no fan of endless open windows when you try to start Internet Explorer. Those who choose EpodXP, sensitively catch the wind of change and extend to the new. In fact, the owners of earlier versions were able to see firsthand how some would look externally Windows CE.NET, when the machines with the OS in nature was not yet. The familiar Start button in the lower left corner of the screen, Taskbar, System Tray, Windows Media Player, desktop with shortcuts to programs and screen Today, as in the machine with the Pocket PC, - that's what gets to those who dare to set EpodXP. True, gets together with some firmware glitches and occasional lockups. In this latest version is still much more reliable than previous ones.

EpodXP

In third place - SQ - the golden mean for calm and practical. This shell - a custom desktop, where you can add labels, not only programs but also frequently used documents, quick menu to display applications, a convenient switch tasks, the ability to "hang" beautiful "wallpaper", an excellent built-in file manager with a function to launch programs.

SQPL

At the last place was KC Menu - choice of eccentrics. It is difficult to say why this shell is not very popular. Perhaps the reason is that the KC Menu pay ($ 5), although, to be frank, that in Russia very few people stop - there is a warez. Maybe KC Menu gained so few votes because there are no any additional software, as in the installation package, the other shells.There's just a pretty picture on your desktop (you can change) and a folder to store shortcuts.

KC Menu

Well, despite the many cries of rage against the Top Menu in various conferences, programmers (and designers) Casio - ahead. Incidentally, the number of polkonnikov likely to increase when the famous Russian users (but totally unknown to us :-) sites will Top Menu, not working on Windows CE 3.0 (truncated), and the Windows CE.NET (also, however, truncated). More details about the various shells for the Casio BE-300 can be read here, here and here. PS Please do not take seriously my characteristics of users:) The authors, translation:

Symbian OS smartphone: what's what

Introduction

Smartphones and communicators - those words are already firmly entrenched in our everyday vocabulary. Handheld devices are increasingly part of our lives. Of the expensive toys that are available only a very secured the people, they are gradually becoming an essential attribute of modern humans, and not only a businessman. Mobility - that is the keyword of modern information technology. For a start I would like some clarification of terminology. Under the usual smartphone is commonly understood bezklaviaturnoe device (like a Sony Ericsson P800), primarily designed for data access and designed for a wide range of users, the communicator is commonly called a functional device with keyboard, large screen and oriented generally more " professional "users. Equipped with high-speed data functions such as GPRS or HSCSD, such a device allows a person to constantly be on the "edge" of events, receive email, browse Web pages, work with documents, faxes and so on. Not all agree to wear a bag or briefcase heavy full-sized notebook. Apart from the fact that most of the computing power just idling, the low battery life does not give the opportunity to work, for example, all the time during a long flight or trip. In addition, the low reliability of widespread operating system for desktop machines (especially the notorious family of Windows 9x), their poor suitability for use in mobile devices, excessive requirements to hardware resources (especially memory and disk space), the possibility of mechanical damage to computer components (especially refers to hard drives) make use of these expensive and bulky devices unjustified. High demands of modern mobile devices, particularly in terms of power consumption and reliability of operating systems and programs to fail food that caused the market for new operating systems designed with these requirements. It is for these devices and was created by Symbian OS (formerly EPOC 32).

The story of Symbian OS

Operating System Symbian OS (EPOC 32) was developed by Symbian - a joint venture firms Motorola, Ericsson, Nokia and Psion-based Psion Software division of Psion. Later they were joined by company Matsushita, Kenwood, Fujitsu, Siemens and others. The first release ("Release») EPOC 32 in April 1997 marked the birth of a new generation of operating systems based on extensive experience in the industry the company Psion handheld mobile devices. For thirteen years before, in 1984, the company Psion has invented a personal organizer. With sales of the next model - Organiser II - corporate and private clients with more than one million units. This model had an 8-bit CPU, and could be programmed in assembly language or BASIC-like high level language OPL (Organiser Programming Language). Since 1991, a series of devices under a common brand Psion Series 3 Take a personal digital organizer popular and affordable mass-market device. The new OS is called SIBO (SIxteen-Bit Organiser), often it is also called SYMBIAN OS16. In the system of SIBO was first applied technology is the core allocation and application interfaces into separate components, which subsequently became an integral and important part of the 32-bit SYMBIAN OS. However, since most of the core system was written in assembly language, but also because of the restrictions for 16-bit architecture x86, SIBO system could not be used anywhere except processors x86. Graphical frontend SIBO was an object-oriented, and built-in editor and translator of the language OPL allows them to be directly on your PDA. Platform SIBO A myriad of applications. At the same time for the corporate market has been developed industrial terminal WorkAbout, first introduced in 1995. Total sales of devices has exceeded 1.5 million units.In the period of greatest popularity in the share of Series 3 accounted for 35% of world market organizers. One major reason for this was the convenience and functionality of applications SIBO, reliability and efficiency of multi-tasking operating system (which throughout its existence was virtually no errors found), high quality built-in ROM software, long battery life and stylish design firm. Over time, handheld computers become more powerful. By 1994, a limit of 64KB, which is characteristic for 16-bit systems have become a serious obstacle to the development of software is also becoming clear that the system of this class should be portable to a wider range of devices. So a new system SYMBIAN OS. Retaining the best features of previous OS Psion, it was to be fully 32-bit portable to any hardware platform and architecture. This would allow SYMBIAN OS to become an open system, available for licensing to third-party manufacturers of mobile devices. To this end, the group Psion has been allocated an independent company to develop software - Psion Software. The new system was to become the standard for wireless information devices by licensing a broad range of manufacturers of this industry. In April 1997 came the first version SYMBIAN OS - Release 1 - and immediately at its base the new product: Psion Series 5. Licensing of the new OS had begun even before its official publication. SYMBIAN OS, with its efficiency and flexibility, as well as high technical standard Symbian (formerly Psion Software) have formed a very good basis for creating a new system software for wireless devices. The company Psion Software was selected from a group of companies Psion Group, and changed its name to Symbian Ltd, becoming a joint venture between Ericsson, Nokia, Motorola and Psion. From the outset the system was designed as a fully object-oriented. As the language has been chosen C + + as the most powerful and most complex to date, object-oriented programming language.

Goal of creating a Symbian OS (SYMBIAN OS 32)

Attractiveness to Users

Mobile devices are intended for personal use. They should be easy to use, and always provide information on demand (the principle of "Instant-On"). System graphical user interface and firmware must be attractive and intuitive. An efficient multi-tasking. Power management should allow the computer when you switch instantly restore the state in which he was at the time off without the long process of booting the system. When replacing the power source (batteries) data should be preserved. Software in ROM should be of the highest quality. These lessons the company learned Psion back in time Organiser II, when the majority of desktop PCs were running DOS, a "portable" computer was the size of a diplomat. Suite of applications - a critical factor for creating attractive from the standpoint of the end user. SYMBIAN OS applications are designed with the expectation and the beginner and professional. About ten major applications and the entire operating system had to fit in a ROM, which amounts to about 1 / 10 of the average application for the PC. Such a compact has been achieved by the highest degree of reusability, the use of object-oriented design, C + + language and the tight junction development teams dealing with various aspects of the OS and applications. Digital communications are widely used in today's world. SIBO architecture was designed for organizers who are independent units, which only rarely had to communicate with other devices for data backup. Devices based on SIBO well have existed without connection to a PC.Currently, communications using the Internet, fax and mobile phones has become commonplace, and synchronized with the data on the desktop, at home and at work, has become extremely important for mobile devices. Mechanisms of synchronization and data sharing were originally built into the Symbian OS.

Attractive for OEM-manufacturers

OS Series devices Organiser and SIBO was used only in products of companies of the group Psion. Symbian OS was designed from the outset in order to license a wide range of telecom equipment manufacturers. The main requirement was portability for different types of processors. This, in turn, required the use of high-level language, which could simply be transferred to another platform. Assembly language is used only for implementation of components, which is especially important for speed of execution. In Symbian OS is also widely used abstraction from a particular type of equipment that make it easier to adapt for different variants of a single processor architecture. Despite the fact that SYMBIAN OS is a portable system as the main platform was chosen by Symbian architecture ARM. ARM architecture is exceptionally efficient RISC-strutura providing optimal ratio of performance / power consumption - which is especially important for devices that must operate for weeks on one set of batteries. In addition, through effective use of chip area and correct the company's policy ARM Ltd in respect of licensing ARM architecture provides the best ratio performance / price. ARM architecture licensed these "whales" as Intel, Nokia, etc. Mobile devices are no standards for screen size, keyboard shortcuts, or digitizer. Producers receive complete freedom to create any types of devices, any price range, size and weight. Symbian company made a strategic decision to make a clear separation between the graphical user interface (GUI) and other components. For devices that require non-standard means of user interaction, graphical interface system and applications can be modified or completely redesigned. For example, it will easily adapt to any size and screen resolution, absence / presence of a touch screen, etc. Compared with other platforms it will allow manufacturers of devices based on SYMBIAN OS to create devices with "branded" look and feel of hardware. SYMBIAN OS is an international operating system. Platform SIBO was localized for the UK and the U.S., almost all the languages ​​of Western Europe, and parts of Eastern European languages: Czech, Hungarian, Greek and Russian. IN SYMBIAN OS built-in support for 16-bit encoding UNICODE and special means of data entry to adapt to the languages ​​of Asia and the Far East, such as Japanese, Chinese, Korean and Thai.

Attractive to developers

In order to develop efficient applications using a wide range of advanced development tools. The main requirement was a 32-bit OS, since the writing of applications for SIBO (as for DOS / Windows 3.1) required a significant effort to overcome the limitations in the 64K at the size of the segment caused by using 16-bit architecture to x86. SYMBIAN OS is fully 32-bit, there is no support for older 16-bit programming interfaces (API) is missing. Symbian provides a wide range of development tools for SYMBIAN OS. Program in standard C + + language are created on a PC using an interactive development environment Microsoft Visual Studio and emulator. Then the source code is recompiled and transferred to a PC based on ARM processor with the compiler GNU C + +. It is also possible to develop applications in OPL (similar to the BASIC language), whose roots go back in the days Organiser II. There is also the possibility of writing Java programs using any of the existing development tools for the language Java. On creation of development tools for Symbian OS announced by companies such as Metrowerks (known for its tools CodeWarrior), AppForge (presented the means to develop software for Symbian OS language Visual Basic) and Borland, traditionally strong in the field of visual development tools.

Development History SYMBIAN OS

Version	Release date	Features	Where Used
Release 1	April 1997	First edition. The new OS with a set of office applications.	Psion Series 5 1.00 ROM
Release 2	July 1997	Released a package for PC EPOC Connect, fixes some bugs, added the application EasyFax	Psion Series 5 1.01 ROM, PsiWin 2.0
Release 3	November 1997	Email applications are included and the Web, support for remote access and TCP / IP	Geofox One, PCC Synergy

Pocket PC Phone Edition 2002: a white car black

They say that in the early twentieth century, the era of "tin Lizzie" (the legendary creation of Henry Ford - passenger cars brand "T") existed such advertisements - "You can order a car of any color, provided that he is black." Like it or not, is not so important. Most importantly, history may repeat itself, but in a different area - the industry's mobile communicator ... Say that the fight against manufacturers of wireless access to global network resources intensifies - to say nothing. Battles promise to be so with serious that, that and look, fly chips (each the size of a decent piece of wood). And the ads in this confrontation - one of the most effective weapons. However, if we talk about computing in general, there is special promotional techniques and are not required since the work was carried out giant. Who is arguing about the advantages of Linux over Windows or the browser Opera (about Netscape already otshumeli) in front of Internet Explorer? Those who have to work with Windows and IE (except where such experience ?)... Moreover, for a huge number of PC users without Windows computer does not. Therefore, the judge Microsoft for monopolistic aspirations of pointless, or at least, hopelessly late. Near superkorporatsiey long ago no one. She was not even a monopolist. She - the legislator ... It is sad, but what attracts attention of specialists Microsoft, soon loses its identity. Look at what is happening on the personal computer market. The dominance of Microsoft operating systems has led to the fact that computer models from different manufacturers differ only in the form of buttons on the body and the brand label. Any technical not expressly approved by Bill Gates innovations impossible. For the end user is a big plus. Completely removes the problem of incompatibility, and the computers themselves are unified so that a repair is reduced to a trivial replacement of a faulty unit ... Who, after all, need this diversity? And why? If the computer is used to work as a support tool, it comes to the forefront just work. What a difference to us what is installed on our desktop? Would be Linux, it would be mastered and worked exactly as it is now working under Windows ... But there is in this and the considerable disadvantage. It is hidden outswing on various frets advertising idea, saying, "real computer - a computer with MS Windows and no other." Namely - every day, every hour spent at the keyboard of a personal computer, we are forced to make a lot of unnecessary, irrational actions. We are launching the program, looking at the "funny stuff" icons, finds mouse line submenus, select the deeply hidden options to stray on file wilds hard drive, read, save, delete ... This style is intended to Microsoft. We meekly accept it. We can not change, since those to whom it was by force, long run on "Big Bill". We are not even aware of - and whether it is possible to change anything in principle. We are quite convinced that the wheel must be round, and other operating systems other than Windows, do not exist ... Roughly the same could soon happen with the industry of smartphones and communicators. Today we still have a choice. We can get your device based on the EPOC operating system, or Palm OS. We can take advantage of proprietary features Motorola or any third party (the communicator on the mobile version of Linux - is it not curious?). What will happen tomorrow - here's a question ... History indeed repeats itself. Remember the eighties, when the personal computer market has competed a dozen platforms, all these "Amiga", "Yamaha", "Atari". And today there were two - Apple and Wintel ...

Private life of a single user

Do not believe that gloomy, almost apocalyptic preface. Life is amazing and beautiful.Personal computers are improved, and the means of cellular booming. And no Microsoft is not able to prevent it, because she participates in the race for the rights of a running horse ... I like the user does not care what system will be my device. The main thing is that it worked properly and fully carry out his duties. Even a PDA I chose on principle - "that all take it, I will." However, in the Palm and not believe what is now a little bit sorry. Around the same principle is ready to select and communicator ... My requirements are (again as an ordinary user, not as outstanding in all respects, the author of brilliant papers - do not think that God knows what) are modest, and even primitive. The first - the communicator must be small in size, lightweight, long-lived source of autonomous power supply. The second - at negligible amounts device screen should be just a huge (at-oh-so from), and if this is impossible, at least not too small. The third - the connection should be carried out without any kind of problems, and the cost of services - tend to zero. Fourth - I do not even have to worry about the installed device in the processor, memory and other nonsense ... Ask any intelligent car owner, who only knows how to drive, but does not delve into the car kishochkah, about some technical details of the device of his car. In addition to horsepower and speed, it is unlikely that he knows ... If it is, of course, Lada, but something more dignified ... So, I want my device was not a Lada! The fifth and sixth stand in a separate paragraph, since in fact it is the number "one" and "time-with-plus." Thus, the fifth - the price of the communicator must be so small that I could easily buy it, but not so low that I no longer respect themselves ... In Paris, for example, mobile phones, worth 400 euros give for 1 euro. Condition - The conclusion of the contract with provider. I want to because it was in Russia! But this is a separate issue ... Finally, the sixth - control communicator should be as simple as possible at all. I do not want to know anything about the software installed and some special methods of its use. There is a text editor, I have to write it as I write, first picking up a handheld Psion. There is a mail program, I should be able to use it the same way as the use thereof on the desktop. And so on. Do not get me wrong, if I am a regular user of the communicator, I and the chief buyer of your bullshit. If I am the main buyer, I will certainly make money (option "steal" emphatically swept aside). If I earn, I'm in the same breath and work. And to work, keep in mind the wisdom of the desktop version of Windows in parallel to comprehend the mysteries of control communicator - can do it just inveterate geeks. Which, in turn, is unlikely to earn good money so easily spend on a trendy mobile device ... Outlining a range of requirements, take a look at the proposals today. Who of the contenders for monopoly of the market has moved more often? Who among them will become tomorrow the same "family father", which for all of us is Mr. Gates?

A look at the trinity

Three major platforms can be arranged as follows - Palm OS and communicators on its base, a consortium of Symbian OS and EPOC, Microsoft and its Windows CE operating system for PCs Pocket PC 2002, as amended Phone Edition. True, there is another platform that is difficult to deduce from the category leaders, as the company to develop it - the manufacturer of the first row. It's operating system Wisdom from Motorola, which is installed on your device family Accompli. But there is one "but." Speaking about the full device, we mean a kind of "continuity program" with handheld computers.Indeed, any of the devices is the leading trio are able to perceive and properly run most software for Pocket PC "kin" family. Restrictions apply only to communicators based on EPOC, but not so significant. Programs for Psion computers easily ported to communicators running EPOC, need only a relatively small correction of the screen resolution, input methods and so on ... Communicators Motorola incompatible with anything except themselves. Moreover, the software basic models Accompli sewn into the permanent memory and modernization can not be (at least, in a conventional manner - in sync with the PC). The downside of such isolation Motorola - its communicators are sold at affordable prices, steady work and excellent performance of their functions. For Russian users a great advantage of these communicators is a quality Russification ... So choose a product from Motorola and forget about competing platforms reason is. Actually, many have come (to whom the device is needed today, not tomorrow, in a hypothetical), but to say that devices from Motorola (no phones!) Sold us tens or hundreds of thousands, probably not ... The simplicity and abundance of software do communicators based on Palm OS is very attractive. Only trouble is that the devices actually produced in the Russian market there. We look forward to a broad sell model Treo from Handspring, even though obviously overpriced ... However, on the background of other devices Treo does not look expensive. Palm `s been and remain the most affordable handheld computers. Perhaps this pattern continue in the field communicators. Imagine Palm as a communicator is as easy as it is easy to use it as a calculator. Large soft buttons calculator - the same screen phone A keypad. Communications programs, starting with the address book, easy to use and comfortable. Information input by Graffiti or button keypad (such as in one of the models of Treo) will not cause any problems. Well, the ability to download thousands of third-party programs can not be overestimated. In fact, we get the same Palm, equipped with a solid phone makeweight. But what about the support GPRS? Tomorrow, the new models of smartphones, it will certainly appear. But what about today? Or Palm OS is not designed principally for the exchange of large volumes of information? Why, then, such a device, if you receive regular e-mails will fly to the owner a pretty penny? The advantage of GPRS in the fact that wireless access to Internet resources are cheaper wire. The few users until Moscow GPRS services in the already convinced, the rest to come. Question - what technology in their hands? .. Communicators based on the EPOC operating system, many users have found hardly any perfect solution for today. They echo and analysts, noting the high stability of most EPOC and usability written for her programs. Like the Palm OS, EPOC (almost all of its release) do not need a "race megahertz, more encompassing producers Pocket PC. The code is optimized so that for fast work communicator enough processor with an operating frequency of 36 MHz and 8-16 MB of RAM (in fact even less). Issued today (and successfully sold worldwide, including in Russia) Communicators - Nokia 9210i and Ericsson R380e - the most real candidate on our pocket (in all senses) today. Despite the fact that R380e machine is obsolete, it is wonderful to meet its objectives, although does not support GPRS. This device will long be topical, and pay for it, those $ 250 that the request for him today, do not throw good money after bad ... But only if you can find it in stores of cellular communication.Ericsson R380 (and shaped as letters "e", and without it) is present in the price, almost all of the Moscow firms. But it is not for sale. This suggests that the unit is no longer available, and the shops are selling stocks. Sorry if this is so - the device is wonderful. As for Nokia 9210i, this is the only device that allows you to work with texts in a way. In this regard, it will handicap any PDA, even a keyboard or a class of machines Psion Handheld PC. The reason is not only a comfortable keyboard (small buttons, but the work is not worse than the keys of the same or Revo Psion 5mx), but also in communicative functions. Few type text or correct already recruited and loaded into memory machines, this text should also refer to the destination. Owner keyboard Pocket PC will be forced to either return home to rewrite the text in memory desktop machine and send it by e-mail, or carry a sync cable and a CD with the appropriate program for the "foreign" (eg, drafting) computer (who else would installed on its working machine wrong program). And with the Nokia's simple. Prepared the text and sent him an e-mail where necessary. No problem ... Less of this wonderful technology is only one - the high cost of equipment. The case of the R380 is not the rule. What Nokia 9210i, the new model (with color screens, with cameras, multimedia impossibly!) Cost a lot. This is a real "kommunikatorny» Hi-end, which may compete with only devices based on Windows CE ... And here comes the turn of communicators with OSes from Microsoft ... Curious, very curious. This is also our future, our tomorrow. Although the impression is somehow ambiguous. I will start from afar. Long ago I came upon an operating system from Microsoft for Tablet PCs with touch-screen input. She was a 16-bit and was based on the core Windows 3.1 ... But not so. She did not based on anything, it was Windows 3.1 with nehily package of additional tools (in the name of the system present the word «Pen» - whether «Windows for Pen», it is still a "degree", now can not remember) . The system was badly curve and did not like the very Gates. But not in this case ... Windows CE operating system version of Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition - Pocket PC is common to makeweight telephone utilities. All other differences (without a magnifying glass in hand) you hardly notice. Accordingly, the shortcomings of Pocket PC and go to the Phone Edition, and along with it - and communicators of this family. What kind of flaws? The ones that look like PDA or dignity, or proprietary feature. First of all, it's high demands on the operating system and programs written for it to computing resources of the communicator. Processor clock speed 206 MHz for today is weak, so all anxiously waiting for the 400 megahertz and a "rapid-fire" options. 64 megabytes of memory and seems to be sufficient, but almost all Pocket PC users collect money on flash cards, it is reasonable considering that memory is never enough. Taking into account the size of the program for Windows CE, so it is. Next - outstanding multimedia capabilities of handheld do little communicators, which in the first place high-speed connection. However, in the PPC device has a digital voice recorder, high-quality color screen (by the standards of considerable size portable devices), built-in speakers (speaker) and a lot more, but use it as a phone is inconvenient. Communicator - it's also a telephone.It is ridiculous to buy a kit to expensive budget phone device to a human call. Source of discomfort - the organization of the working environment Pocket PC. In addition to the on-screen keypad - the buttons, which you press to dial the phone number - on-screen device, like a pocket computer hangs at the top of the menu at the bottom - the taskbar. Miss it with his finger on the button - launch any application or vyzovesh absolutely worthless in this situation, the virtual keyboard letter. No pen can not do ... But for communicators, Palm and EPOC can do without a pen! In Palm `s screen, though small, but not overloaded. At Ericsson R380 phone keypad is located on a flip flip. And the Nokia 9210 screen, in general, do not touch. That is, practice your heart's content - not go wrong ... The most serious drawback PDA Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition is the price. It is prohibitive and exceeds $ 1000. Some models are twice as popular iPaq. Involuntarily think - but what ass accordion? Is it not better to stay on something more traditional? Say, on the phone and PDA alone. Or on the device of another family. Plus, just one, but very, very significant. It's all the same Pocket PC - the most perfect for today handheld computer.

Cheerful prospects

Whatever we say today about the competition, EPOC, and Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition (and the main battle is between them), but suprotiv Microsoft chances consortium Symbian little. Remember the same cynical truth - that money can not buy, you can buy a lot of money? Available: Microsoft focuses much capital. Cause and investment opportunities are practically limitless ... It is not excluded that after a while, a company belonging to the opposing consortium, will conclude a truce with MS or even go into the camp of the current competitor. So be it - you know perseverance BG. By the way, if Henry Ford's name was Bill Gates, the pipeline would necessarily proprietary technology. And the world is still produced cars would be a single brand - "Ford." Plus a few thousand stamps handmade small-batch assembly ... But until that happens, we will observe the peace process carnage. We have something with you from this fun. The farther into the forest, the cheaper the phone ... Just imagine, "Ford" instead of, God forgive me, "Lada ... And what Henry Ford did not name Bill Gates? The authors, translation:

Casio BE-300 plus PC gets internet

For me, an insoluble riddle, why would you go online with Beshka "through a desktop computer when working on this very desktop faster and more comfortable. Nevertheless, this question is one of the most frequent in conferences and in my mail. That the more questions arise - here it is, detailed instructions. To start will need Microsoft Active Sync. It can be found here. To make it allied with the BE-300 on it to install (via the usual PC Connect) little utility in the portal BE-300. Make sure that when Active Sync was not running PC Connect. Next. We need a program from AnalogX with discordant to the Russian ear the name Proxyi.exe, which will turn your computer into a proxy server (a file at the end of the paragraph). However, do not necessarily use that program. You can use any virtual proxy. So, download, install this program. Restarting the desktop PC. Run proxyi.exe - in the taskbar, right, will find a small green icon. Next connect the "Beshka and desktop PC via Active Sync (runs its own ActiveSync, turning off the pre-PC Connect, and two times press the stylus on the line in the Activesync" beshkinskom "menu): Here is the ActiveSync on your PC after connecting: Now connect the desktop to the Internet by the usual procedure - call your ISP modem to access the network, or include a connection via cable. Now configure the connection settings on the BE-300. To do this, go to the menu item Connections (using the full version of the localization RussKey BE 2.0 it will be called "Connections") and click New Setting (New). Call connection can be anything you like. Make sure there are checkmarks in menus "An Internet application" and "A Mail application" ("Application Internet", "The application Mail"). The second check will be needed if you plan to receive mail through a connection with a large PC. In connection type should be selected LAN.

Make sure the settings look exactly

The following settings, except the last, we are not interested (unless you specify the coordinates of the e-mail server). When we see the inscription "Use proxy server" (to use the proxy server), put a checkmark next. Next we introduce the IP-address of the desktop computer. The easiest way it can be found by clicking the right mouse button on the green icon Proxyi and selecting the menu item "Net Info". In the resulting window, we need the last line. Port address should be 6588. If you want to go to the ftp-server or news, read the help in the program Proxyi, to find the appropriate port addresses. Attention! If you use a regular modem connection or any other Internet connection, predpolgayuschim dynamic IP-address, IP address in the proxy settings to "Beshka" every time will have to re-enter.In addition, if you use firewall'om, make sure that open access to port 6588. You can then run the web-browser to "Beshka" and make sure of how little he knows, compared to a desktop :-) authors, translation:

UNIC - our answer to AvantGo

Latest news - one of the basic needs of the business, and not a business person. So, anyway, we believe, and journalists. Therefore, we write every day hundreds of news reports. What makes a person who wants to get news from a particular site, whom he trusts, or news on specific topics (this is only the latest in a network)? Go to the site and read the news that long, expensive and most importantly - think of how much Russia has a working internet! (Russia and Italy on this indicator the most expensive country in Europe). In such cases come to the aid program for automatic downloading and sorting of news with the most popular sites for later reading offline. The most famous and popular, no doubt, is AvantGo, a separate version that runs on PDAs. It turns out that similar programs are produced and Russian developers. The website of the Russian company SoftAura now available for free download demo version of this software called UNIC - Universal News Internet Collector ("Universal News Internet Collector). This program is interesting to us because of its description on the website states that the downloaded news can be transferred to your PDA and read it. Well, let's see how it works. Once attention is drawn to the fact that the install is not easy. She herself "weighs" just over 2 megabytes, but for the work you need MDAC (Microsoft Data Access Components - Microsoft Data Access Components manufacturing Microsoft) version 2.6 +, which occupy 5 MB, and Microsoft. Net Framework weighing over 20 MB. The latter program is downloaded as a self-extracting archive, unpack that, you must run the file dotnetfx.exe. But that's not all. Directly during the installation the installer downloads the two files totaling approximately 1.5 MB: But the sleepless hours (if you have a slow Internet connection) behind the program is established, begin to work. The program consists of two parts: one in the background downloads of news scheduled, the second - the client interface, which we are interested. By the way, the interface is loaded very slowly for such a simple-looking application. In UNIC'e two windows: one list of news in the other - the texts and photographs. Settings are not very many: you can change fonts, specify a proxy server, designate a folder to store files and news for PDA, read the "History", also known as the log of the program, set up a schedule to download news and a PDA files. The most interesting setting - the choice of news sites and news categories. In the demo version contains: cnn.com, compulenta.ru, gazeta.ru, lenta.ru, ntv.ru, top.rbc.ru. utro.ru; and of the categories: Business, Community, Recreation, Politics, Events, Sports. Separately configure filters to search for news on specific topics. And now the fun part. File for Pocket PC, "as he calls SoftAura - news, merged into a single file *. lit, which is read using Microsoft Reader. Attention! Something to read, Microsoft Reader, you must first Russify! To do this, download the file this one, razarhiviruem and rewrite the fonts in the directory \ Windows (not \ Windows \ Fonts!) On Pocket PC. The result here is a nice file with the news: Program until the really "demo."You can not keep a separate news as text or HTML, not for speed "download news without the pictures, and share the program log file generator for PDAs. However, because these issues are discussed on the website SoftAura, one can only hope that the final version of the problem will be solved. In addition, it is impossible (and probably this is not provided), add the site to the list of downloads. In AvantGo, incidentally, is also impossible. In general (judging from the demo version) software is quite comfortable and certainly useful, although, of course, that the number of sites and columns that are now clearly inadequate. It is a pity that the file to Microsoft Reader for Pocket PC to be rewritten by hand. And if the first flaw will probably be corrected in the release version, the second seems to remain unchanged. Nevertheless - UNIC indeed full domestic response AvantGo, though not very loud. The authors, translation:

Historical novel I wrote a little

I wonder what would have done it with my Palm `om? I tried to play (for my age nonsense). Tried to take (twice two is four). Tried to paint (the black board in the square in the style of Kasimir Malevich). Well, of course - read books (ran into snapper Sorokin and hardly any dislocated cerebellum). Is that writing? No, I write - this is for a man of my profession sacred. This I do not try and operate on all cylinders (laptop, Palm, and the place where decent people are the brains). Therefore suggest that someone like me, find yourself a decent text editor. But at the same time to try something that at hand - utilities that sewn into the ROM machine. In short, write, and enrich the Russian literature, its louder than words. In my opinion, very important lesson ...

What we have for nothing

For nothing in his Palm `s we have two text editor - NotePad and MemoPad. Applets are not so hot perfect, but in any accident, and then restart your computer is always on site. Editor NotePad - ordinary notebook, focused more on quick handwritten notes (no recognition as a sticky yellow pieces of paper - stickers), than to enter the system through the keyboard or Graffiti (although it is not excluded). Stuck this in real life is very comfortable. Note in NotePad, you can assign the time in which Palm would wake up prochirikaet his bravura song sparrow voice and display the desired memo. Another drawback - a small working space for writing. The screen scrolls down, increasing the "list" for the letter four times. But this space may not be enough, because on the go write carelessly sweeping. And it's not convenient to do calligraphy with a tiny pen in hand. What I personally would be perfected in NotePad? Provided him with autoscroll working screen, as it once was, computers Newton. Approach the lower edge of the virtual paper and the screen automatically inserts clean "leaf" ... However, as this mechanism works in practice - it is convenient or not - I do not know. Newton for me was and still is the old tale about the gingerbread perfect pocket computer (except that fits in your pocket old kangaroo, but still, after all) ... The second built-in editor MemoPad this is a tool for working with small volume texts it is quite enough . And as a plug-in to the Palm `at the keyboard of his lack of possibilities for the eyes. In this simple text editor to me most kindly to two things - automatically divide the text into lines (by reaching the right edge of the screen space of the next word is automatically transferred to the next line, scroll to the left does not occur). And the ability to quickly select the screen font of the three system - normal, bold and big. Actually, this opportunity is provided for any system (wired into the ROM) and a variety of downloadable programs and Palm `. So consider changing fonts prerogative MemoPad not worth ... What can MemoPad? What is and should - work with small (only about 4 kilobytes) of the text and in sync automatically transfer them to a desktop machine in the program Palm Desktop. On the "big" computer text fragments (a decent volume will have to write an article just fragments) can be translated into MS Word (in Memo section of Palm Desktop right click on the title piece and in the ensuing menu, select the bottom option to Send To, and already in it - MS Word), to merge it together, format, validate, and finalize ... Then I allow myself a little bit to think about skromnyagi MemoPad. I'll start with the title.It misleads the inexperienced user, since the "memo" (for notes on memory) is better than just using NotePad, and for working with text - MemoPad (which in my opinion should be called "notepad" NotePad, and not a book for memos) . But not in the title business, but hidden from superficial view of functionality. In fact, the ability to automatically save the text on a personal computer and its subsequent translation into a full text editor Word greatly increases the value of MemoPad. There are quite a lot of programs to handle large texts on the PDA. But none of them are not able to synchronize with the "big" computer automatically (for a reservation - without additional software on the PC). Actively using MemoPad and plug the keyboard, I'm at the end of the day are sometimes surprised to discover how many can write. And I see it is not on the small screen Palm `a, and in Palm Desktop, where my text is saved" HOT "and ready for further processing. And no confusion - MemoPad save the text under the most articulate, easily recognizable names, using as the title of the first line of text. To merge the fragments into a coherent whole remarkably comfortable - each subsequent piece continues the previous one, and that's it ... That is not very convenient ... complete lack of warning about the size limit of text in one file. When you print on a folding keyboard, often carried away by tiddly screen Palm `and simply do not look. What to watch, if did not really make out (at least I'm guessing more than I see)? And it turns out that the "spank" paragraph by paragraph in vain. Look, but the text is over a hundred letters ago. That's bad luck ... It's awkward absence of any format and at least one unit of Spelling ... However, with the spelling checker (Russian text), the editors do not do. In this respect, life is good only to foreign users ... Although I orfokorrektor on any Palm `s seem superfluous. Still have to handle the text in Word `e. Then why not check spelling and there? And this idea - of a spelling check of the text - occurs because a small handheld computer could not help doing a lot of "ochepyatok. Sometimes it is difficult to understand yourself - what exactly to say. Error on error ... In general I think that to be effective, you can do the built-in MemoPad, not fooled his head searching for better programs. Of course, if you do not have to work (reading and simultaneously edit) texts produced on a desktop machine. Then the Palm `u need more serious tools.

What we have ... also for just

The biggest sadness for private users - commercial programs. Now, if all software is distributed free of charge! (Then, perhaps, the programs would not be at all). But this does not happen ... But free text editor for the Palm `a - there are. And yet there are shareware, which may be used indefinitely, if not laziness every two to three weeks to demolish the system clean and reinstall the "shareware" programs (add - and grates use illegally appropriated software). However, I will not pretend that I'm holier than the Pope. I also use commercial software to read, try to estimate the ability to spend. But rarely at the same time buy. Disappointed. Find something more attractive. Then another and another ... In short, I have no excuses. So, one of the best free programs for word processing - is the editor QED (I use version 2.62, the latest of those that failed to find sites free programs). Particularly outstanding qualities of this small but surprisingly comfortable text editor, three. The first - the ability to work with big texts, the volume of which is limited only by memory pocket typewriter. Second - to save text in a compressed form (the "palmovskom" format doc). And the third - to automatically save text in sync a PDA with a desktop computer (a backup).

Text editor QED

Not to say that QED is unique talents. Similar set of functions provided with many text editors. But it is free and, I repeat, easy to operate. A small service bar at the bottom of the screen makes it easy to create a new, opening a document already prepared, as well as easy navigation through text.

... Five fonts by which you can customize the screen display of the document ...

The disadvantage of only one - the text must save manually ... As a counterbalance I note five fonts by which you can customize the screen display of a document (in the settings you can change the attributes of a document, assign it a different name and so on - all in a normal text editor). However, to properly display Cyrillic'll have to find a hack change the fonts and the fonts. And then in the settings of the hack (I will explain to the uninformed - hack is not a slang word, and a small resident utility, running a special shell - the manager of hacks, like a free X-Master) denote the substitution of fonts in the program QED. An example of such a hack - Font Hack 123, which is easily found on the network "failed" programs for the Palm `ah ... There, on the sites of free and shareware software, you can find a lot of other programs for word processing, for example, the editor peditPro (version I've tried in the case, 5.02). Powerful "tekstodrobilka" with a bunch of settings. But I somehow did not lay down. Maybe I was not curious.

Program of the box

Every new Palm is sold in a box. Besides the computer itself and a bunch of colorful pieces of paper to him in this beautiful piece of cardboard you can find a pair of brand-name discs and Palm Desktop software (for crack and Russian programs yet keep silent - not the topic). The second disc (which is not with Palm Desktop, but quite the contrary) is a wonderful program - Document To Go. This is not an editor. More precisely - not a full-fledged editor. This is a convenience package that allows you to view and edit on the Palm `s documents prepared in a text editor MS Word and spreadsheets MS Excel. A new document from scratch, To Go ... But do not prepare to edit your own, that "stuffed" on a laptop (or desktop machine - one that he prefers), you can easily. If you need a PDA that is and if you do not so much writing on the Palm `s how proofreads already written - this package is for you. On a pocket machine, it installs in the form of three software modules - for editing text documents, edit spreadsheets and just to show both. We must see how to look at the Palm `s documents Word. This, I tell you something ... I am working with tables, not often, but for the sake of the show tried. And got a lot of fun. Together with a text editor (even with a small and free QED) set of programs Document To Go is a very powerful tool. By the way, the transfer of documents in a pocket typewriter made ​​easily and accurately - with the help of a special program for the desktop. Be sure to try the Document To Go. Although, I've installed it three weeks after the acquisition of Palm `Yes. All scoured the web looking for software sweets, and the biggest candy at this time concealed in the packaging box of my cars ... But what real, full-featured office suite for Palm `and there? Such as those computers are equipped with Pocket PC - all of these Pocket Word, Pocket Excel and so on? There.This is a great by the standards of Palm `a very powerful software package QuickOffice 5.6.3. When installing, it copies the memory Palm `and four software modules - for creating and editing text documents in MS Word, for creating and editing spreadsheets in the format of MS Excel, module import and export documents, corporate font for displaying documents on the PDA screen. Despite the fact that the "weight" of the package is not too large (about polumegabayta), and integration with MS Office fully implemented quality, I QuickOffice seemed too large and unwieldy. It costs money, but the manufacturer allows the drive program for 15 days without pay. To me those 15 days was enough to not try to jump over your head ... Although I do not exclude the possibility that someone will attract exactly QuickOffice. Package, I repeat, very powerful. I also do not need so much. There is a simple text editor, there is a Document To Go, a table ... By the way, the tables have to talk in more detail. Very interesting applets. And, caught completely free, although with QuickOffice none of them can not be compared. Any table next to the mastodon that a pleasure boat near the "Titanic." True, "Titanic," no matter finished. Did you know? The authors, translation:

Shell SilverScreen: Silver screen is!

The idea of ​​a radical tuning the operating system Pocket PC is long overdue. Palm `dull interface and bored, I wanted something fun, unusual. For example, set a modest full-m130 "pocket" Linux, so everything opened their mouths in astonishment ... But in terms of programming I have a big failure. It is unlikely that forces me to write even the most unpretentious utility (about Linux, I was joking). And so he had to pull the plug on the unrealistic plans and install on your Palm shell - one of those that call "launcher" and even "launcher" (from the launcher), who are in that much. I feel closer to the Russian word for "shell", so leave it a name. After trying a dozen free and commercial programs, I decided not particularly wise and opted for a long time proven, popular product. Such was the shell SilverScreen, a recent version of which (the serial number 2.9) can be downloaded from the manufacturer www.pocketsensei.com. There you can find many software makeweights - "skins", through which SilverScreen can most amazing way to embellish your desktop and Palm `. Immediately noticed - the shell SilverScreen no better and no worse than the competing products of comparable level. It is not some revolutionary decisions or unusual findings. Furthermore - some shell trim Palm OS interface much more radical. But SilverScreen is convenient and works without error. Appearance of the same applets so good that I could not resist and bought it. Imagine - the first "pocket" program that for which I paid (previously used trial versions of various programs, like most of us, the owners of the CCP).

Set SilverScreen

In downloaded from PamGear.com distribution (link download SilverScreen on the company's web site is just here) I found very aaplet and a small set of "skins" for the design of the shell. If the programm is able to work on computers with different screen resolutions including 320x320 pixels, then the "skins" - change "clothes" of the shell - for each machine needs its. For computers with a resolution of Sony Hi-Resolution - one for color Palm `s - Other, for monochrome m125 (and earlier models) - the third. Installation went without a hassle. Unpack the distribution (archive format - zip), found a file with the prc, clicked on it and the mouse - done deal, programs on the list of installed Palm Desktop. Next - set up a computer in a "crib" synchronization (it's time to buy a laptop and an external infrared adapter to do without extra wires), press the button. Programm seems to be established. I opened the Unfiled category ... and find nothing. Watch and see. Probe and did not feel for. What is it? Begin to delve into other software categories, and find program from a group of Main. Fu-oo-oo ... Why SilverScreen it registers itself in the Main, and not somewhere else, I do not knows. However, this is the only surprise (not unique - there is another, but about him below). The rest - in order. After seeing the icon of the shell (film screen with stage curtains, and before him three curious onlookers), and found her original, take a hands-palmovo "feather and run the program. The first boot takes a fair time - about a minute. The shell scans the computer's memory, looking at her applets. By the way - renamed already murdered for susceptibility to errors russificator SilverScreen program led to the original, not translated names. Fearing a possible problem, I prefer to reinstall the system again. Could, perhaps, and do not reset - the shell are working properly. But you never know what ... complete the installation introduction of a registration key (its something I'm from the manufacturer and bought). After the first run the shell itself offers to register.If you refuse, please register to annoy is not (just programm will run only 21 days - what really is nonsense). Cause the registration dialog at any time from the system menu. The name of the owner PDA SilverScreen reads from the main plant machines, and the registration code you can enter in any way (I avoid "ochepyatok" and realizing the solemnity of the moment, took advantage of a folding keyboard). Now the unpleasant - some of the pesky details. Shell fairly retarding computer. But this is only noticeable when you first download SilverScreen of Palm OS. When you switch machines already loaded with a shell when you run programs and leave them I a inhibition is not felt. Because of this negative list of shortcomings discarded. But the incompatibilities with some "hakami (resident utilities that are running special programs - such as X-Master) place, unfortunately, have. Until I found one not compatible "hack", but one of the most beloved. This Category Hack - utility that allows programs to select the category stroke of a pen (writing the initial letters of the category) of Graffiti. Of frustration, I even blew SilverScreen. Then restored ... It happened even before the acquisition of applets, so in my case, these disadvantages were offset by advantages of SilverScreen. Although I do not exclude such surprises in the future. Pocket PC - the thing alive. And sometimes behaves in a completely unpredictable way - to look not too experienced user, what I am.

Appearance of haute couture

Here I am, of course, exaggerating slightly. The high style SilverScreen does not pull. But - it is beautiful. Very nice. And, last but not least, is very practical. With an installed shell SilverScreen screen Palm `as follows. The top line is highlighted by a narrow range of usefulness. On the left side of the line is a tiny icon of a menu program. It duplicates the on-screen button with the house that is located next to the area Graffiti. Then come watch. When you touch the pen clock time display is replaced by the numeric value of the current month and date. Another touch is the abbreviated weekday name.

So looks like the shell on the screen high-definition ...

The clock should be multi-indicator system resources. By default, this is a graphic representation of the batteries. The degree of shading corresponds to the level indicator battery discharge (in the m125 - replaceable elements). Touch pen display and obtain numerical values ​​of the charge - as a percentage. Another touch - shows the power supply voltage, in volts. Next - the amount of free memory, percent, then - in megabytes. The right of the display of resources is the tab for the open software category (categories correspond to the core system, but does not depend on the settings Palm OS). Touching the pen to the header tabs, we will call a list of all groups, and under it - the editor of categories. In the far right top row SilverScreen is a button to call a dozen recently run user programs. A below - check switch type of program shortcuts. They can be presented either in the form of large icons or a list (with information about the size of each executable file). Below the operating window, which displays icons shortcuts, a multi-functional instrument panel. Its kind of a touch switch to the triangle in the lower right corner of the desktop Palm `a - near the border of Graffiti, right above the screen call button system calculator.

The panels can be decorated as you wish ...

Pop-up menu bar consists of four options.First - Tools - raises four icons. Left - the icon display basic system information (the number of used memory, processor type and so on). Then - an icon call list of categories of programs (you can change the category of any program, but these changes will be valid only for SilverScreen, and not for the system as a whole). The third icon opens a dialog box to send files via IrDA PDA to another computer. Finally, the last one, right icon - a basket. In SilverScreen has a mechanism of moving objects using the stylus. That is, any icon can hang on and move to the basket. The program does not destroy, but to run will be unavailable. Later the basket can be cleaned, and the programm of the computer's memory will be erased - as in "real" Windows. Excellent tool, which in Palm `s clearly not enough ... We now return to the form of multi-function panel. Once again, tap the triangles in the lower right corner (if the contact is brief, the panel will simply disappear from the screen, freeing up space for the icons of programs). In the pop-up menu, choose the second option - Tabs. On the screen there a number of labels software categories (or, if desired, program groups). And in the corners of the panel will be visible buttons call settings menu SilverScreen (these buttons are displayed in the mode of Tools). Labels program categories are convenient for quick selection of programs and to sort programs by category. Highlighting pen icon in the right program and drag it to the tab for the selected group. A call button menu item repeat the system menu of the program. The third option is a pop-up menu, multi-function panel - Ticker - displays a ticker that displays a list of cases scheduled for today (from an application To Do) and information about the current day - the day of the week, month, day. A similar tool is implemented in the shells for the Pocket PC. Conveniently, though passive computer screens series m1xx (including color model m130) creeping line looks a little blurry. And because the scroll speed to be reduced in settings SilverScreen. Finally, the fourth option - Pix - displays a static picture on the cover (you can choose the same settings). Nothing special - the picture as a picture ... Now to change the registration of SilverScreen. The main menu of the program should find the item Silver Preferences, or call the Preferences window click on the toolbar. In the settings window has three tabs - General, Theme and Ticker. The first and second tabs do not interest us. There's simple - setting some options of the shell and the speed selection scrolling marquee ... But laying Theme - prelyubopytnaya thing.

A handle something - here they are! ..)

I have already said that with the manufacturer's website SilverScreen can download a lot of "skins". It would be truer to call them themes, as with the graphic design of the working window membrane changes and the design of the font ... I just installed the two dozen topics. Practical sense in this, but I do not mind occasionally having some fun with the settings of SilverScreen.Whether to deny yourself in such a small?

Christmas theme ...

Choosing appearance SilverScreen is very simple. In the Theme tab, we find four options. In the top row, we choose the name of the topic, and will immediately core programs (those that are sewn into the ROM computer) will be replaced. Change and the overall design of the shell. The second line can change a vertical scroll bar. In the third and fourth lines are chosen font for signatures to the program icon and shortcuts program groups (categories). Different combinations of these settings can decorate the envelope beyond recognition. But in this case neither excel, SilverScreen its main function - finding and quick launch - performs flawlessly ... Finally - a word or two about the above-mentioned at the beginning of Linux `e. One of the branded "skins", Iceberg, dedicated just to "the most multi-tasking." Icons major programs in this thread look very funny and everywhere accompanied by images of tiny penguins. Menu button settings are drawn in the form of small fish. A battery charge indicator power - in the form of ice cubes. Like it is a trifle, but nice ... Who will say that my Palm m130 is not running Linux? The authors, translation: