Getting Started with PDAs

CALS PDA InitiativeALS 103

Handheld Basics

• Some Operating Systems– Palm (e.g., your Zire 71’s and Tungsten C’s)– Pocket PC (e.g., HP iPAQ)– Blackberry

• Components– handheld, stylus, expansion slot– sync cradle with power supply and USB connector

Handheld Basics

• Your handhelds have been charged• Turn the handheld on (Tungsten – bottom right

corner, Zire – top of unit)• Remove the stylus• If prompted, calibrate the screen, then set date

and time• If not prompted, select “Prefs” on main menu to

access date and time settings

Tungsten C Components

Tungsten C and Wi-Fi

• select “Wifi Setup” from main menu• click ‘next’ to search for active networks• ‘ncsu’ network should display; if not, click “other”

and type in ‘ncsu’ for a new network• return to main menu; select “Web Browser”• handheld should connect to network you selected• at nomad log-in screen, enter unity ID and

password

Zire 71 Components

To access the Zire 71 camera, push up on the blue part of your handheld, from the bottom.

Basic Navigation

• Just tap to where you want to go.• No back, save, close, or quit.• The home button or icon takes you back to the

main applications screen.• Scroll windows by dragging the bar at right, or by

using your 5-way navigator button (push up and down to scroll)

Data Input – How to Enter Text

• open the memo pad application, tap “new”• create a short memo containing your name• how to enter text?• tungsten C – one way is to use keyboard• both zire 71 and tungsten c also use graffiti 2, or

handwriting recognition--scribble letters on screen to generate text

Graffiti 2

Graffiti 2• Tungsten C – scribble your letters on the main

screen (letters to the left, numbers to the right)• Zire 71 – scribble your letters on the gray entry

screen below your main screen (letters to the left, numbers to the right)

• Zire 71 – you can also call up avirtual keyboard by clickingon “ABC” or “123” on the grayentry screen

Beaming

• Using the IR (infrared) port to send data to another handheld user

• Distance: 4 inches – 3 feet• Align IR ports• Good for small files• Recipient must click to “accept” data

Beaming... Try It

• take turns beaming your memo to a neighbor• with your memo open, click the word “Memo” to

open the drop-down menu• select “beam memo” and point your handheld to

another user

Accessing Pull Down Menus

• Remember in most applications you can click the upper menu bar to access pull-down menus for beaming, deleting, making settings, assigning a file or application to a “category,” etc.

• Both the Zire and Tungstenhave a button for accessingpull down menus as well.

Assigning Categories

• Similar to folders on the desktop--a way to organize your applications and files

• Can edit categoriesand create your own

• Available in mostapplications

• Select “Edit Categories”and create one for ALS 103

Assigning Categories

• to assign applications and files to categories, click theclock icon on your uppermenu, select “category”and choose theappropriate categoryfor each loadedfile or application

Palm Desktop

• when you are back home, first thing to do is install Palm Desktop from your install CD

• this program allows you to sync your handheld with your desktop computer

• syncing accomplishes two primary things:– allows you to back up handheld-entered data (e.g.,

memos, spreadsheet values) to desktop– allows you to move new programs and files from the

desktop to the handheld (e.g., Docs 2 Go program)

Palm Desktop Setup

• you will need to give your handheld a unique hot sync user name... follow the instructions on the install CD

• when completed, connect your hotsync cradle to the computer with the USB cable provided

• place your handheld on the cradle, and press the button; your user name should appear in the upper right-hand corner of Palm Desktop

Installing New Applications

• download new apps, and look for .pdb files• open “Quick Install” from Palm Desktop• drag .pdb files to

the open window• perform a hot

sync and the newapplicationswill be loaded

Setting Sync Conduits for New Apps

• every time you download and install a new program for your Palm, a new “conduit” will be created for that program

• in this class... Documents to Go, Oracle Calendar, and Plucker

Setting Sync Conduits for New Apps• there are three types of sync “conduits”

– synchronize the files ensures any file on the handheld and desktop stay the same (two-way sync, any changes in either place will transfer and update that file in the other place); safest mode

– handheld overwrites desktop (one-way sync, any changes made to files on desktop will not transfer to handheld, and may be overwritten by handheld)

– desktop overwrites handheld (one-way sync, any changes made to files on handheld will not transfer to desktop, and may be overwritten by desktop)

Setting Sync Conduits for New Apps

• set/change your sync conduits by selecting “HotSync” from the Palm Desktop menu, then “Custom”

• select any application you wish to change, and click “change”

Resetting Your Handheld

• handheld locked up?• try a soft reset first...

– push paper clip into reset hole on back of unit– data remains intact

• try a hard reset if all else fails...– this will erase all of your data and files and will restore

the device to original factory settings– hold down power button and push paper clip into hole

Keep ‘em Charged Up

• Keep your handheld in its cradle, with the cradle plugged into a power source

• Battery power drains quickly from handhelds, and if the battery completely drains:– you will lose all of your data and stored applications– your handheld will be reset to the original factory

default settings (equivalent to a hard reset)

Upcoming Calendar Assignment

• access Oracle Calendar online at:http://brickyard.ncsu.edu/

• click “Calendar” and log into Web version with your first and last name as user name, and the word ‘welcome’ as the password

• in order to transfer entered dates to your PDA, you must first download and install the desktop version of Oracle (client software) as well as the Palm OS sync conduit (see “Downloads”)

Upcoming Calendar Assignment

• Please remember to use the PDA Initiative Web site with quick guides and documentation to help you install and use software.

• http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/index.cfm?showpage=263

Contracts

• Please sign and turn in your contracts if you plan to keep your PDA.