This is topic PDA for writing? in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.


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Posted by DotcomRefugee (Member # 3088) on :
 
Seriously considering the purchase of some kind of PDA. Brand not important. What I do want is something I can pack along in a shirt pocket, whip out whenever the mood strikes me, and start writing away. Something to replace my pencil and notepad.

So: It needs a screen that can display a lot of text at a time. It needs good battery life. Needs word processing and an easy way to get the text into Word on my desktop. Would also be nice if it had the ability to hook a mic up and record dictation while I'm driving.

Do any of you use a PDA this way already? What do you use, and what do you like/hate about it?
 


Posted by pantros (Member # 3237) on :
 
You are not really thinking PDA, you are thinking Handheld Computer.

There is a subtle difference. A PDA is an organizational tool. A handheld computer is exactly that.



 


Posted by luapc (Member # 2878) on :
 
It is possible to use a PDA to write with. I prefer using a laptop, which isn't much more of a burden to carry around, but I do have a setup to use my PDA for times when carrying the laptop isn't practical or convenient.

I use a Palm Zire 71 handheld with a portable wireless keyboard from Belkin. The PDA you choose will depend on what you want it to do. The more the PDA does, the more it costs, but you can get a PDA now that has everything but the kitchen sink (if you're willing to pay for it, that is). For just writing, a simple $100.00 one would probably work just fine. I suggest any Palm for battery life, as they are the best for that.

Some of the functionality, like voice memos, may only be found on more expensive models, but they are out there. You might want to consider getting a cell phone that offers that functionality or buying a small digital recorder. I don't use one of these recorders, but they run less than $50 and you can download to your computer and save the files on most of them. They are relatively small (some as small as the size of your thumb), and might be a good alternative rather than paying big bucks for a PDA with this function in it.

The Belkin keyboard runs about $60, works with any PDA with an infrared port, and you can get it at most any office supply store that sells PDA's. The keyboard is powered with a single AAA battery that can last as long as 360 hours with continuous use, and has an on-off switch. The most important thing about this keyboard is that it is fairly close to a laptop's size and feel, which is hard to find with portable PDA keyboards.

For working with word documents, you will need a PDA program that works with Word. The one I use is from Dataviz (www.dataviz.com). They sell all types of PDA software for working with Microsoft office products, including Excell and Word. The program I use is called 'Documents To Go', and costs $30 through their website. They also offer a trial version if you want to check it out before you buy it.

[This message has been edited by luapc (edited January 03, 2006).]
 


Posted by Calligrapher (Member # 2985) on :
 
Dell Axim Pocket PC with Executive wireless keyboard. MS Word files transfer back and forth between PDA and other PC. You can enter text with a stylus and on-screen keyboard, or use the foldable wireless keyboard. Great for editing, taking notes and travel.
 
Posted by MaryRobinette (Member # 1680) on :
 
I use a Zire72 and a wireless keyboard and love it for trips. The software that I use is Wordsmith from Blue Nomad.

I have been known to write chapters in graffiti too.
 


Posted by HuntGod (Member # 2259) on :
 
For pure convenience I'd go the laptop and Digital Voice Recorder route.

The recorder would be more compact for capturing quick story notes and ideas, then can be dl'ed directly to your computer and with a decent Voice to Text program you can convert it to rough text. To quickly enter text to a PDA you need one of the portable keyboard they make for them and breaking it out and getting things setup, kind of defeats the point of needing something for quick notes.


 


Posted by DotcomRefugee (Member # 3088) on :
 
Thanks for the comments so far. I already have a laptop, and so I need the handheld for situations where it would be awkward or impossible to whip out the laptop: standing in line at the DMV, riding (not driving!) in a car, waiting for a bus, etc. Yeah, technically, I could use a laptop in those situations, but frankly, with bootup and shutdown times, it's too much work just to scrawl a couple of notes here and there. When I suddenly think of a great idea for a work in progress, I'd like to jot it down right away.

For this reason, I'm not really interested in fold-out keyboards, either. Once I'm in that mode, I need to set up shop on a tabletop or something. If I'm gonna do that, I might as well just use the laptop.

Is handwriting recognition fast/good enough to consider using it? That's how I work right now, anyway: whip out the old, reliable steno pad and mechanical pencil; I'm not losing any productivity by having to write "by hand." Unless, of course, handwriting recognition is more trouble than it's worth.

It'd also be nice if the document itself was on the handheld, so I could make edits and notes in place, instead of having to shuffle things between the "handheld/notes" document and the "real" document.


 


Posted by Jeraliey (Member # 2147) on :
 
I have a Palm Tungsten E (~$200 around 2ish years ago), with a foldout keyboard (which came free with purchase), and Documents to Go included in the software. I love the thing.

Graffiti is useful for quick notes, but anything longer, and it becomes a major pain. At least on my little PDA.
 


Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
 
Hmmm...that's one of those things I'll just never understand. Why write down an idea that you wouldn't normally remember? I suppose it's better I don't get it, eh?
 
Posted by Survivor (Member # 213) on :
 
Anyway, if it's just for short notes, why not get a cheap cell-phone that has a text messaging function?
 
Posted by Doc Brown (Member # 1118) on :
 
I use a Palm Tungsten T3. The bundled Documents to Go package supports Word, Power Point, and Excel.

Using the docking station it syncs with the MS Exchange server here at work, so I can carry my calendar and address book. It also syncs with my TomTom GPS using bluetooth so I never get lost.

The Grafitti works okay, but I don't like it very much. I like the keyboard on the screen better, and my little collapsable keyboard even better. Unfortunately the software that lets the Tungsten listen to the collapsable keyboard is unreliable. I have lost a weekend's worth of writing twice due to software crashes.

They don't make that keyboard anymore. I hope the new model doesn't have the same software problems. When it works, the Tungsten with collapsable keyboard is a great solution for writing on the road.
 


Posted by HuntGod (Member # 2259) on :
 
"Hmmm...that's one of those things I'll just never understand. Why write down an idea that you wouldn't normally remember? I suppose it's better I don't get it, eh? "

Well I only have 512mb of ram in my head and can't afford to upgrade, so if I don't jot down notes my buffer gets full :-)
 


Posted by JmariC (Member # 2698) on :
 
I have a Palm Zire 72s and a Belkin wireless keyboard.

Usually I'll write down scenes or snappy dialog that I think up on long trips or during lunch at work (where I can not keep a laptop). After I sync it at home, I just copy and paste the text into AbiWord and then I store it on my lovely new Swiss Army knife w/512 USB drive.

Then, I can take USB card to laptop (that runs linux) and load it up on AbiWord there (no wifi on laptop) and then sit outside and add to the work.

Also the Zire 72s has voice recorder which I have used for many things, including recording a group yell of "Happy Birthday" for a friend.
 


Posted by Calligrapher (Member # 2985) on :
 
The Dell Axim also has a buil-in voice recorder.
 
Posted by Spaceman (Member # 9240) on :
 
I use my HP iPAQ for writing all the time. I've probably got 30K words or more on it in 2005. If you go this route, make sure you buy screen overlays or you will dig a hole in the thing with the stylus.
 
Posted by Robert Nowall (Member # 2764) on :
 
Why shell out a pile of bills when you can get a pocket notebook for ninety-nine cents and a pen for about the same amount? That is, if all you're going to do is write stuff down in it. I also belong to the "ideas one remembers are the good ones" school of thought.

I'm a near neo-Luddite who uses technology when it's forced on me. I still use my manual and electric typewriters. (Remember them, guys?) However I am adapting slowly. I moved from VHS to DVD to DVD recorder in the course of two years. I have a cell phone---I keep it in my car glove compartment for emergency use, and only rarely carry it around.

And there's this computer, without which I wouldn't be able to communicate with the rest of you in this way...
 


Posted by Spaceman (Member # 9240) on :
 
It's hard to transfer the hand written paper directly onto my PC, whereas with the iPAQ it's transferred, formatted, header installed, and ready to print in five or ten minutes.
 


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