Rag keyboard

Every year more and more people fall into a very delicate situation, not allowing them to part with all sorts of gadgets. If even ten years ago, a man with the notebook was a symbol of rapidly working businessman, now with the need to constantly carry around one or another mobile device is facing so many. The same Palm or PocketPC long been perfectly acceptable substitute for traditional laptops. Not to mention cell phones, with which their owners can not leave. Fortunately, over time, portable gadgets are becoming less and less cumbersome, turning into a miniature toys that you can easily put in a pocket and forget about them - until they need them. However, miniaturization has its downside. The main problem is that the less one or another device, the less comfortable at a keyboard. Agree to write a detailed e-mail using the same mobile phone - the problem is highly nontrivial. Not many better things to handhelds that do not support handwriting recognition. In many models have to enter it using the virtual keyboard that appears only on the screen. Of course, to any serious laptop can connect and a full keyboard. But even the most compact of them - double up - still rather cumbersome, and you have to try to hit a button the size of a fingernail. His solution to this problem suggested that the British company Elektex, developed a technology for the conclusion of e-filling in the usual rag cloth. In particular, they have been created and the rag keyboard - a piece of cotton, silk, velvet or any other material woven into the electrical wires. When you click on certain areas of tissue changes the electrical conductivity of the system. Thus, any keyboard can be applied directly on a piece of cloth. The advantages of such a cloth keyboard is obvious. It, say, you can easily roll up and put in a pocket. Almost without taking up places at the right moment it can turn into a full-sized keyboard, freeing you from a headache and making it easier for typing. Incidentally, the new device is not afraid of water, so that the rag keyboard may be safely spill beer, coffee and other drinks - it will be nothing. New device, an interest in a lot of manufacturers. Already lektex received more orders (in particular, there is a large order for Palm'ov) than the ability to meet with all their technological capacities. That says only one thing - soon revolutionary invention will appear in our shops. Sources, Materials:

PocketLinux Version 1.0

January 18, 2001 Company Transvirtual Technologies Inc. introduced a new PocketLinux v.1.0 PocketLinux - the world's first platform with enhanced flexibility, with special emphasis on opportunities for exchange of information intended for both developers and producers PDA. New platform allows developers to create effective applications quickly and easily, and also easy to integrate them into various hardware solutions. PocketLinux allows developers to create applications for mobile devices with the speed with which right now are web-pages, and also provides opportunities to gain access to user data and applications to any handheld computer connected to the Internet. As a result, we can use the same application on multiple devices, regardless of their hardware implementation. PocketLinux combines solutions such as Kaffe, an advanced cross-platform development environment of Transvirtual, XML (eXtensible Markup Language, a fast-paced language giperrazmetki undoubtedly has great potential) and the kernel Linux, which is a flexible and promising basis for a modern operating system. In addition, PocketLinux includes built-in library for working with graphics. This powerful tool allows you to design an easily customizable graphical user interface (GUI) with a standard Java-compatible API, which works effectively even in systems with low productivity: for example, Internet-connected mobile phones. In the picture below shows one possible interface implemented in a techno style.

Opportunities PocketLinux

Along with the release of PocketLinux v.1.0, the company issued a prepared Transvirtual binaries, source code and documentation on the new platform. Additional information is available on page devoted to the project: www.pocketlinux.com - site dedicated to developers and all who are interested in the new platform and its development. Currently PocketLinux available for the following PDA models: Compaq iPaq, Casio Cassiopeia E-105, E-110 and E-115, NTT DoCoMo Sigmarion, IBM Workpad Z-50 and the Vadem Clio. Soon will be presented and solutions for other platforms.

PocketLinux in action ..

Theme Wizard

Player video files

Player audio files

More pictures on the theme can be found here. Sources, Materials:

Folding keyboard for PDA

One of the pressing issues for users of PDA - it is a problem of information input, and therefore the emergence of new folding portable keyboards deserves special attention. Testing new versions of Stowaway keyboard for the iPAQ 3600, Palm III / VII, Hewlett Packard Jornada 540, and Handspring Visor turned into a report that is likely to help the user find out whether or not he buy this accessories. In general, the Stowaway folding keyboard is extremely popular. Over the past seven months by the sales volume they exceeded by several times of all its competitors.

Stowaway for iPAQ 3600

Folding keyboard for the iPAQ Pocket PC during the test described as "an excellent addition to the best Pocket PC available. Novelty, on the assertions of test, practically devoid of drawbacks. Only, perhaps, the trouble is that connecting a keyboard to the iPAQ at first, problems may arise purely mechanical properties. Connector should "get used". But it is a matter of time. In other respects, enthusiastically said tester, a set of text gives its users a lot of fun and no problems. Everything that you want to start - is to install a special driver (72K), connect the keyboard to the PDA and click Power. The keyboard is equipped with special keys to launch different applications: Notes, Word, Excel, and Money. There is also a button to turn off the iPAQ, but for some reason there is no button to turn it on. In addition, the user can assign keyboard shortcuts to quickly launch programs of your choice. Included with the keyboard for the iPAQ 3600 you will find a short cable that lets you recharge the device while still working with text. During testing there were no problems with recognition of the keyboard driver. It does not matter whether the iPAQ is turned on or off when connecting the keypad or pre-reboot. Only in one case Stowaway did not recognize the driver: if the keyboard is connected immediately after the sync PDA with your PC. This problem can be avoided, you just vyklyucht PDA before connecting the Stowaway.

Stowaway for Palm III / VII

This keyboard has been called "traveler's dream-holder Palm'a". If you're going on a trip, the Stowaway keyboard will not only gain from the comfort of the text, but also help save precious space in your bag. Keyboard for Palm III / VII works fine. At first glance she seems fragile, but is actually quite "tight folded. Tester urges halt choice on Stowaway, as does not see in it shortcomings.

Stowaway for HP Jornada 540

In appearance, this keyboard is no different from the models for the Visor and Palm. The same high build quality, the same full-size keys. However, there is a significant advantage - built-in keyboard, which can connect an external power source and recharge, so the CCP straight while typing. This is an obvious plus. The keyboard was originally designed for Pocket PC platform Windows CE, rather than PalmOS, which caused some specific changes. Combination of the Fn key with the arrows "left", "Right," "Up, down, produce actions similar to the Home, End, PgUp and PgDn. Quick Launch buttons, located on the right edge of the keyboard are used to quickly launch applications Inbox, Contacts, Calendar and Tasks, and in conjunction with the Fn - to run the Notes, Word, Excel, and Money. In addition, a big plus tester found the presence of key Numlock, which is especially useful when working with Excel. In the driver realized the macro quickly insert the date (Fn + D) and time (Fn + T). However, there are problems. The operating system automatically closes the keyboard driver whenever it is not used for a long time. That is, to use the keyboard to download it again. Therefore, for the convenience of the tester recommends adding it to the menu Start. Another advantage is the ability to use the keyboard simultaneously with the CF-modem. According to the test, the price is $ 99 - a tall to a few of the keyboard, as it is $ 20 more expensive models GoType Casio. But it is still a valuable addition to Jornad'e, so how does this PDA Serious alternative to the laptop.

Stowaway for the Handspring Visor

Basically identical to the keyboard for Visor'a Stowaway for Palm. According to testers, it's a great novelty that justifies all the user's expectations. Originally considered a test for lack of lack of fasteners for the CPC at the center of the keyboard, but the daily use of it for three weeks showed that this technical error does not really matter. While for those who is typing what is called "lap", now may be a significant disadvantage. Great dignity Stowaway - the ability to use a keyboard and modem simultaneously. Sometimes when you connect the keyboard to Visor'u problems with recognition of its driver CPC. This modification of the keyboard suffers from the same disadvantage as the Stowaway for iPaq'a. PDA with a hard part of the keyboard connector, and it takes some time to get this unpleasant effect disappeared. And there's not difficult to guess the conclusion tester: Stowaway, again, the best solution to the problem of information input for your Visor'a. Sources, Materials:

Printers for the mobile office

Small spool, but the roads promptly to print or scan the document you want today can be not only in his office. Printer manufacturers offer portable equipment, which allows you to print in your hotel room, cabin or on site. The aim of our material - to help those who have already decided to acquire a portable printer or tries to evaluate the possible pros and cons of such a purchase. Modern office printer with print business documents will cope fine. But how much different models of portable printers, presented today at the Russian market on speed, print quality and performance? We provide the reader with analytical material presented in Tables (1-3), without calculating the overall ranking, which is usually subjective. Analysis of this information will give everyone the opportunity to evaluate most of the parameters and characteristics. The review presents a model which is positioned by the manufacturer, such as printers for the mobile office - the weight of not more than 2.5 kg, the format of the printed sheet no more than A4. We have included in his models, which are now available for sale.

Hewlett Packard DeskJet350C/CBi

We begin with an overview of new items - DeskJet350C/CBi. Despite the rather considerable weight (2.45 kg, with auto paper feeder), the printer is positioned as a manufacturer of portable. This device can withstand shocks, drops (from a height of up to 1m) and will not refuse to work in different climates. Printing is possible even during air travel - the design of the cartridge, developed by designers of HP, will prevent the leakage of dye at a reduced atmospheric pressure. DeskJet350C/CBi developed on the basis of all their burdens with them: it has built-in power supply (100-240V) and battery (NiMH), which is enough capacity to print 130 pages with black and white cartridge. DeskJet350CBi model has built-in adapter IrDA. It should be noted a large capacity ink cartridges. So the black cartridge will provide print 485 pages at 5% coverage.

Canon BJC-85

Another new product - the printer company Canon. Near normal desktop printer, he demonstrates its portability. Feature of this modification - the availability of modern interface USB, high resolution black and white and color printing - 720h360 and support the work with the operating system Win CE v.2.1, used in handheld computers. Another feature - the ability to use the printer as a scanner sheet. Obviously, this will have to purchase a scanning head ($ 90). BJC-85 has no internal battery. As compensation, you get automatic feed device lists. The cost of printing a sheet of printer BJC-85 is high enough. But the print cartridge consists of a print head and replaceable ink tanks. In the color cartridge there are two - first with black ink and the second with a set of ink for color printing. Therefore, the user can change only the ink tanks, which are significantly cheaper. Accordingly, to $ 05.04 for a cartridge of black and white printing, and 3.0 and 5.2 dollars for a color print cartridge. As far as replacements ink cartridge is designed? - Find out we could not. Note that portable printers Canon-85/50 interchangeable according to the type of cartridges and ink tanks. Printer BJC-85 works with an external battery that will need to purchase separately. Unfortunately, the printer is not included car adapter.

Canon BJC-1950

Canon is an official sponsor of the European Champions League Cup in 2000.But if the winner in the football championship had to resort to an additional time, in this review printer Canon BJC-50 - an absolute champion. Weight and size characteristics, speed and quality of black and white and color printing, as well as the cost of printing one sheet conclusively to award him the palm. Add a built-in battery and the ability to work in the mode of sheet scanner, like the "big brother" when buying scanning head. This product is - unconditional luck designers of the company. It is for the above-mentioned advantages you'll have to shell out a substantial initial sum, and in the future to pay the cost of ownership. But the game is worth it - to the task portable Canon BJC-1950 version of the best. We note, in addition to it you get a control panel software, which is comparable in features to the office printer. Canon programmers deserve credit for the development of this panel - it is thoroughly thought out and easy to use. Having mastered all modes and features, you can create a saturated color image. Feed paper from the printer manual, but the designers have provided an additional device for automatic document feeder (sold separately). Canon printer allows software to improve image quality. According to the manufacturer may achieve quality 720h360 dpi. However, for most types, both for color and black and white files, while printing at such treatment, increases in 2 - 4 times. If you do not mind the high initial price and the significant cost of the printed page, this printer will print in a way almost any image quickly and with high quality.

CITIZEN PN60i

The model is offered in two versions PN60/PN60i - the presence of the index i defines the built-in infrared interface IrDA. On the advertising booklet company CITIZEN we read - "The smallest printer in the world." Challenge the "most" difficult enough, but what it really is a mini-printer is easy to see, to analyze its weight and size characteristics. First saw this device more like a toy, it was hard to believe that it can print with good quality black and white and color! documents, has three types of interfaces and weighs just over 500g (without battery). Note that the printing speed of this model is low, especially in color. But the demand from this kid sprint abilities would be inappropriate. Immediately it is worth noting that the price of the printed page rather high, especially in color. But the road to dinner spoon, and if you're a business person, you probably will appreciate the opportunity Cache print a document with illustrations. Thus, the color cartridge you have enough for one page in color and black and white, at 15-25, depending on the nature of printed documents. What is the secret of this small device? It is built on the basis of "corporate food" company - the thermal diffusion printing technology. Without going into details, we note that the image is formed by the ribbon and the Thermal Print Head. This imprint is not exposed to moisture and light. Note the ability to print on a relatively inexpensive thermal paper fax without the expense of the cartridge. It's enough in the used cartridge to cut the tape, ensuring that contact thermal head directly with the thermal paper. Print this way is not as contrasting, but much more economical. Paper feeding a baby manual, but it is not marked by our disadvantage, but a statement of fact. PN60i can be beefed up battery, which is sufficient to print 30 pages. The kit includes the printer power supply 90 - 260V, but the battery and power adapter from the network side of the car will have to buy extra.

CITIZEN Notebook Printer II

Second printer of this company looks more respectable by having the device automatic document feeder. He knows almost everything that carries the baby PN60i. The printer driver is included in the standard package Win98. Software Control Panel is standard and without any frills.Note the hardware control panel, located directly on the printer, allows you to set different modes. However, its operation will be on the shoulder only advanced users familiar with a similar panel of dot matrix printers, popular in the past decade. Average user accustomed to modern control panel software is definitely needed professional advice. In this printer, as in PN60i, technology was used thermal diffusion printing. Color cartridge you have enough for two pages in color and black and white, at 25-30, depending on the nature of printed documents. Of course, color printing at a printer - exotic. When printing black-and-white office documents to competitors, he stands a relatively low cost - 9.5 cents / sheet (Table 4). Of course, desktop inkjet and laser printers even have cost 3.2 cents and below. However, for portable printers, this figure is noteworthy. NB Printer II can be beefed up battery. It is also possible by feeding the model board vehicle network. Like the battery, a power supply, as well as a device for automatic document feeder 30 sheets in the package are not included and sold separately.

Parameters and characteristics

Print Quality

Printers, presented in the survey have a resolution of 600 (360) dots per inch (dpi). This so-called True or physical resolution, determined by the parameters of electronic and mechanical units printer. It is worth noting one thing. For marketing purposes, some companies or their distributors in the prospectuses indicate the print quality of the class xxx dpi. In fact, we are talking about the possibilities of image processing rather than the physical resolution. However, in this mode when you print more clearly worked out the boundaries of letters large pins and traceable lines, fine details of graphics. For printing drafts and supporting documents can programmatically set the print mode 180x180 dpi. In many cases, work with text documents and tables of this quality is more than enough. And most importantly, it saves consumables, and some acceleration of the printed document. In addition, some models have a print mode "Toner Save", which can be successfully used to derive drafts. As specified by the manufacturer, your savings in this case can reach up to 50% of toner. Apparently, the image is preprocessed by a special algorithm, which provides the contours of characters. Print circuit occurs with maximum intensity and the area inside the outline will print a continuous "gray" shading, providing significant savings in the budget.

Cost of Ownership

Acquiring various equipment in post-crisis time, we are increasingly focused on its economic functions, and office equipment is no exception. Immediately necessary to specify that all printers have high initial cost. If today's office inkjet printers, entry-level cost 100 - $ 150, and black-and-white laser - 300-350 dollars, you should recognize that the fee for miniaturization is quite high. Feature of printers and in particular portable printers represented in the survey that manufacturers are not trying to lay a substantial profit directly to the product itself. The main burden on the wallet would have if the owner of the printer will begin to acquire supplies. Realizing that the acquisition of the printer, only the first step, inquiring the user before trying to assess the costs of operation, the so-called Cost of Ownership: how much will cost supplies and the blocks and units which are subject to change depending on "run". Usually in reviews the reader is invited to assess the value of a standard sheet of printing costs, taking into account the price cartridge CC (Table 3).

Cost indicators (Table 3)

All price figures are taken from the newsletter Agency Mobile, Information Handbook "PRICE-LINE, price lists companies that sell printers as well as informational sites: www.price.ru, www.datum.ru.Naturally, the maximum and minimum prices are not taken into account by averaging the sample. Retail prices in Moscow are as of 20/VII-2000g. Cartridge of most small printers. And the cost of printing the black and white and especially color sheets are extremely high. The only consolation - Canon printers can not change the cartridge, combined with the print head, but only with the ink expended ink. It compares favorably with the model DeskJet 350C/CBi. Her life is much higher, but it is quite obvious - the weight and dimensions of the printer Hewlett-Packard more.

Table 1. Overview

Company - Manufacturer	Model	Dimensions (height x depth x width)	Weight / Weight with Akkum.	The presence of the battery / stamp battery	Technology	Additional features	Warranty
		[Mm]	[Kg]	/ [Page]	-	-	[Years]
CANON (www.canon.fi, www.canon.ru)	BJC-50	302x112x49	0.9	Built / 100	Bubble Jet	Scanning to add. head	1
	BJC-85	302h158h57	1.4 / 1.8	External / 50	Bubble jet technology dropping modulation	Scanning to add. head	1
CITIZEN (www.citizen.co.uk)	PN-60/60i	254h47h51	0.5 / 0.7	External / 55	Thermodiffusion	Printing on thermal paper	2
	NB Printer II	297h103h55	1.1 / 1.4	External / 60	Thermodiffusion	Printing on thermal paper	2
HEWLETT PACKARD (www.hp.com/go/dj350, www.hp.ru / rus / printing)	DeskJet 350C/CBi	400 x 94 x 150 (with an auto feeder)	2.45 (with an auto feeder and built-in power supply 100-240 V)	Built / 130	Thermal Inkjet	-	1

Table 2. Standard Features

Parameter Model	Nominal print speed	Automatic document feeder	Resolution max / Draft	Additional Interface	Emulation control languages	The presence of embedded fonts
	[Ppm / sim. / S]	[Sheets]	[Dpi]	-	-	-
BJC-50	B & w - 4.5 Colored linocut. - 1.8	no / option for 30	360h360 / 180x180	IrDA	Canon Ext. Mode, Epson LQ-2550, IBM Proprinter	5 bitmapped
BJC-85	B & w - 3.9 Colored linocut. - 1.6	30	720h360 / 180x180	IrDA, USB	Canon E mode, Epson LQ-2550, IBM Proprinter	5 bitmapped
PN-60/60i	/ / 126	No	360x360 / 180x180	RS-422 / IrDA	Epson LQ, IBM ProPrin, NEC P20	5 LQ
NB Printer II	/ / 126	5 / option for 30	360x360 / 180x180	RS-422 / IrDA	Epson LQ, IBM ProPrin, NEC P20	5 LQ
DeskJet 350C/CBi	B & w - 3.0 Colored linocut. - 0.8	30	600x600 / 360h360 Color Printing: 600x300 (HP ColorSmart II)	IrDA, USB iMac for Macintosh	HP PCL 3	8

Table 3. Cost indicators

Parameter Model	Cartridge in black and white / color	Printer Price	Price cartridge b & w / color.	Printing cost standard b & w leaf CC	Colored linocut printing cost standard.Sheet CU
	[List]	[U.S.]	[U.S.]	[Center]	[Center]
BJC-50	170 / 40 (7.5% coverage)	340	29 / 30	17.1	75
BJC-85	170 / 40 (7.5% coverage)	240	29 / 30	17.1	75
PN-60i	20 / 1	450	4.0 / 7.5	20.0	750
NB Printer II	40 / 2	380	3.80 / 7.0	9.5	350
DeskJet 350CBi	485 / 310 (at 15% coverage)	280	30 / 30	6.2	9.7

The authors, translation:

Solo on a folding keyboard for PalmV or personal observations of an experienced user

I would like to share my impressions of operation Ralm Portable keyboard for Palm V (a similar model exists for the Palm III). As far as I can tell, the keyboard and the Palm Stowaway identical in design and differ only in the label. Therefore, I believe that my observations will be of interest for current and future owners of these keyboards.

Unfold the keyboard

The keyboard is transported in a stylish soft case with a zipper. By the way, due to the elasticity of box if desired it can be placed myself Palm V. After removal from the case and pressing a button on the side of the folded keyboard it unfolds like the letter W is simple and without problems, but enough to work on it after moving the stiffness becomes the center of its two outer segments. Palm himself stuck his plug in the corresponding sliding keyboard connector. I note that the palm does put on the socket with some force, and so the connection is obtained by sufficiently dense so that even when working on your knees do not worry about what Palm V will detach and fall.

Using the keyboard

Keyboard immediately after the unfolding is ready to work, since it requires no additional power supply, except for the Palm. Its use is practically no different from using a desktop keyboard or laptop. Full-size keys and their location and the distance between them conform to standard for 84-x-key keyboard. Therefore, the skills of a blind 10-finger print "is useful. To operate the keyboard can be placed on the table and on his knees. When working on the Palm desktop is convenient located right behind the keyboard (just left of center) on an inclined stand with folding legs, and its screen is visible. On your knees (slightly diluted :-) keyboard also rests quite comfortably, with the Palm can be established as the slope, with the support legs hinged on the left knee as well as horizontally. More comfortable you can sit, if you put the case on his knees, and already he keyboards.

Keys

For remote control of Palm, without resorting to the stylus, you can use the extra buttons on the keyboard. They duplicate the keys of the Palm and a number of dual-use buttons: Apps, Menu, Calc, Find (and model on-screen buttons - OK, Cancel, Details, Show, New, Delete) and the trigger in combination with the Fn.

Drivers Keyboard

To work with an external keyboard on the Palm, you must install the driver. Without the driver installed connecting the keyboard to the Palm invokes the HotSync, since "native" Palm OS "knows" about this keyboard. Drivers can activate / deactivate the keyboard, set the parameters of the delay before the character repeat rate and repeat this, and also include scoring of keystrokes.In addition, the keyboard driver allows you to:

• to appoint a 9-key combinations (Hot Keys) call a 9-selected applications
• assign keyboard equivalents stroke (topam) stylus

You can also assign keyboard equivalents of operations with the mouse as a standard PC:

• move the cursor on the word (Ctrl + arrows);
• the selection (Shift + arrow);
• delete, copy, paste (Ctrl + x, c, v);
• input special symbols and signs shortcuts.

Incidentally, when the driver keyboard synchronization is impossible and leads to Fatal Error.

Features some driver-Russifiers

To provide input Russian characters with an external keyboard to be used driver-Russifiers. In Piloc 2.0 driver, crack embedded and activated without rebooting the Palm, but it needs to be installed and the appropriate driver from Palm Inc. (Now available in version 1.2). The keyboard layout as a whole are in conformity with Russian Windows. Works fairly quickly and steadily, but using the driver from Palm leads to a number of inconveniences. Thus, there have been some delays (with default settings) to move the cursor and delete characters BackSpace keys and Del, which, however, can reduce the choice of smaller values ​​of delay before repeat (!). Another effect is that for one-click while holding the keys Del (or arrow keys) you can remove no more than 16 characters (or move the cursor on the same characters), to delete the following keys must be pressed again. Shift between Rus / Lat driver Piloc 2.0 is a key combination Fn + A. If you are using version 0.49 CyrHack also need a driver from Palm Inc. Therefore, the feeling about the same as the localization of Piloc 2.0. The keyboard layout was done but not like in Windows, and a typewriter. Shift between Rus / Lat in CyrHack is the key combination Fn + Shift +1. Papirus 2.0 has a separate driver, crack keyboard (RusKeyboard), and requires no driver installation on Palm Inc. The keyboard layout corresponds to the acceptance in Russian Windows. This driver works pretty quickly, including when the cursor arrow keys, and deleting characters (and in one click with holding the Del key removes up to 100 characters), but its activation / deactivation is performed with rebooting Palm. In addition, several alleged key combinations do not work (Ctrl + x, c, v). Shift between Rus / Lat driver RusKeyboard is the key combination Ctrl + Shift (in Windows).

Typing speed

For those working on the keyboard 1.3 fingers typing speed is 25-30% faster than SilkyBoard (up to 160 rpm vs. 120 rpm) and up to 2-2,5 times faster Graffity. Who owns the blind 10-tipaltsevym input method, of course, gets the advantage as the input speed is virtually identical to the rate on a conventional keyboard input.

Impressions

Typing is not a problem at the outset of the keyboard, but the use of function keys to control themselves Palm'om (push buttons, text selection), at first very strange and hands involuntarily reach for the stylus, which, incidentally, can be used simultaneously with work on keyboard. But gradually you get used to new methods of work. Typing can be done fairly quickly, without causing significant fluctuations even when placing the keyboard on her knees. On tactile sensations (for the key return) work on Ralm Portable keyboard more and more resembles the work on the notebook keyboard. For those accustomed to the "sonic feedback, you can enable" miking "(sound of keystrokes). However, if it can prevent others, then it can not do. Any significant reduction of operating time on one battery charge Palm V using Ralm Portable keyboard I have not discovered.

Conclusions

External keyboard is without a doubt for everyone who uses the Palm as a typewriter, and a desktop computer or laptop for one reason or another is unavailable. Its benefits would be highly appreciated by those for whom data entry into the Palm using Graffity inconvenient. In addition, the use of the keyboard has a positive effect on the preservation of the screen in the graffiti. Of course, in the limited space keyboard not razvernesh, but even in the woods, sitting on the stump, you can use it. And most importantly, it is placed in a folded pocket of small size (10x13 cm). The authors, translation:

Tamed printer

Printer PP-50 - is the first product for Palm, which released the company Datecs. But the market is not new, so our specialists immediately able to create a very good and solid product. It would seem that as it may be useful experience of creating cash registers (also called Point-Of-Sale-terminal) and electronic scales in the development of the printer for handheld computers? The fact that this is not the printer that is on your desk at home or office. In principle, this is the same mobile POS-terminal, but without the computational part and the keyboard. It prints on the same narrow rolls of paper. Even the size it is not very different from the samples produced Datecs and their competitors. Thanks to this bunch of PDA + PP-50 get this flexibility and extensibility, which never dreamed of conventional terminals.

First impressions

PP-1950 comes in three versions: for Palm'ov series III and V, as well as models of Handspring Visor Solo, Deluxe, and Platinum. Externally it is a monolithic block of a good black plastic. Printed on thermal paper rolls, which is used in cash registers. Such a tape can be bought in any store Chancellor of the goods. The power source is a NiMH-battery. On a single battery can print up to 20 meters of tape. She is charged with the included adapter for about two hours. Before you begin, you need to install the driver and additional software. Taken together, takes about 85 KB. Click Reset and reboot the preparation is completed. Now you need to connect two devices together. KPC enters "in the tracks and recorded with a click. He keeps it firmly enough to turn and keep the "upside down". But if it is in a position to shake, then it can lead to a drop in Palm `a (agree, it's generally pretty stupid idea:)). Immediately after joining the computer can start to print - include a printer or to activate the driver is not needed, everything is done automatically and in just a split second. The process itself is not that soundlessness, but the noise level does not irritate. Print speed of 5 cm / sec (subjectively it's a little slower than in cash registers). And when you consider that the manufacturer guarantees uptime no less than 50 miles, then at this rate it will be 277 days of continuous operation. In short, even if you storekeeper, a workaholic, you have enough of this toy for a long time:). By the way, if you use the optional Hotsync-cable, you can synchronize Palm (well, of course Visor) with your computer via COM-port. A Palm V and Palm 3c can even be recharged from the mains without removing from the printer. So that the cradle with you do not need to take.

Programs

Chief among the programs that are stored on the Palm before work is Datecs Print Manager. It is not only a print driver, but also performs many other functions. With it you can print the records from the built-in applications. Contacts from the Address Book and Memo notes are printed on one. From Datebook entries and objectives of the ToDo situation is different. For the first you need to select a date range. The printer will print all the events scheduled at this time. If you do not need it, you can choose only one from the list. But perhaps the most flexible dialogue made for ToDo - the user has a choice: to get all the tasks that only unfulfilled, or simply put a cross in front of the required records. It is a pity that this is not for Memo, and Address book. It would be nice to be able to create filters, for example, "print all the notes in the category Unfiled" or say "all phone company employees N".On the main screen Print Manager is also a button Clipboard to print the contents of the clipboard. At the bottom you can choose the font size (large or small), and the top mode is activated ScreenPrint, which allows you to print photos at the touch screen in the lower right corner click Find. In a separate dialogue made features that are needed less frequently. There you can print two types of tests (short and long). This can be useful, for example, to check the modified fonts or corrections of some errors. There is an input field for text that is urgently needed to print. If you need to make a bar-code label, a special line to enter a series of numbers and select the Standard (UPC-A, UPC-E, JAN13, JAN8, CODE39, CODE93, CODE128, ITF, CODBAR). In the list of programs worth mentioning separately Palm Print Emulator. As the name implies, with this driver you can perform print from programs that are compatible with Service PalmPrint (find out what programs it is compatible). This means that the printer can print the information from more than five dozen compliant applications. For example, e-mail-messages received by the program Multimail, database records ThinkDB or HanDBase, and much more. In this list there and Section Mobile POS, that is, programs designed specifically for order processing and accounting: Take an Order, Profit Link, Pocket Register and Visual Ordermate. Problems with print Russian letters not because the printer was set up in Bulgaria, where know firsthand about the lack of support for the Cyrillic alphabet in the programs of Western developers. Along with the drivers supplied a set of fonts with symbols of Russian, Polish, Turkish and other languages. "Western" font is always recorded in the printer, and the rest can be downloaded as needed from memory Palm'a. At a time can be set only "national" font. In addition to downloading fonts to the printer RAM, Font Manager software also allows you to edit them directly on the fly. " To this end it has a simple but functional editor characters. Using it can be replaced by unusual characters their own badges. Moreover, the Palm'e can store a set of pictures, logos, such as company logo or something else. These images can be loaded into the printer and used to design prints. The list of programs would not be complete without one more, no less important: DATECS Screen Pad. It is similar to utilities such as BugMe! or the Scratch Pad. Make a sketch using the tools of simple graphical editor (well, no worse than PaintBrush, only the color of just one) and print at the touch of a button. Would like to mention the convenience of working with these programs. With their help, you can completely customize the appearance of printout. You can create headers, set margins, print logos. This "publishing system for checks. In addition, in many dialogs have a button Preview, featuring a preview of what happens in the end.

Module for wireless data transmission for the Visor

Springboard Wireless Ethernet Module from Xircom was named witness one of the most exciting Springboardov after EyeModule2. However, judging by the price at $ 299, this is one of the most expensive Springboardov. So that the user buys for their money? On this issue and decided to respond with Derrick Story The O Reilly Network, conducted an "independent investigation". In fact, the Xircom module allows you to connect to wireless networks Visor 802.11 for access to the network and share files. An interesting addition is the ability to configure the module for synchronization Visor'a with "head" computer.