One of the great advantages to the PalmOS is the large amount of available software - most of it inexpensive, some of it free. Even if you never use anything other than the four built in applications, you may find that a third party enhancement will increase your efficiency. I'm going to be talking about productivity software and utilities. I don't know much about games or multi-media software. Perhaps another PDA clinic will cover them.

Let's divide this into 3 parts:

1) Enhancements to the built in apps
2) Third party applications that can make your PDA a real alternative to a laptop
3) Hacks.

ENHANCEMENTS TO THE BUILT IN APPLICATIONS

Let's start with the Datebook.

There are 2 well known applications that replace, enhance, and extend the Datebook: Datebk5 and Agendus (formerly called ActionNames).

Datebk5 is the answer to almost any question that Begins, "Using the Palm Datebook, how do I ...?"  It adds categories, links to your AddressBook and ToDo list, adds icons and templates, has a built in journal, and in general incorporates every feature Palm should have included but didn't. The Handspring Visor comes with Datebook+ -- a pared down version of Datebk3 -an earlier incarnation.

Datebk5's interface is very similar to the built in Datebook - most of the enhancements are under the hood. Agendus, on the other hand, looks different from the moment you tap on it. Like Datebk5, it links to your AddressBook and ToDo List. By default, the screen is divided in half with your calendar on top and your ToDo list on the bottom. The screen is very uncluttered.

While Datebk5 and Agendus each have their partisans - chances are if you have a busy schedule, you'll want to add one or the other. Both are available for free trial periods.

Get the latest version of Datebk5 at http://www.pimlicosoftware.com

The latest version of Agendus is at http://www.iambic.com

If you want to see someone else's calendar on your PDA, Palm has finally released a solution. Many 2 Palm households end up beaming individual appointments back and forth, cutting and pasting on the desktop or trading email reminders, because the Palm calendar was designed for only one user. Palm released an add on this summer called DualDate It works with both Mac and PC desktops. You can download it for free from Palm at:

http://www.palm.com/support/dualdate/

At last, you'll be able to see two different calendars, side by side on your Datebook screen. Although Palm doesn't offer any support, DualDate also works with Datebk5 and Agendus.

Addressbook enhancements and add-ons are also plentiful. No one application dominates in this field, but SuperNames from StandAlone Software comes close. SuperNames will turn your Palm Addressbook into a true Contact Manager, with an unlimited number of custom fields, superior sorting, tabbed access to categories, and color coding. It is as configurable as Microsoft Outlook's Contacts - and a lot easier to use.

Perhaps you don't want a contact manager - maybe you just want to be able to find a phone number quickly and read it without putting on your reading glasses. TealPhone is the addressbook replacement for you. An alphabetical tab system, either along the top, bottom, or side of the display (your choice), makes it easy to zero in on a name or number. The names can be sorted - and resorted - quickly, by first, last, or company name. And once you tap on a name, the designated phone number is prominently displayed at the top of the screen in large, bold type.

You can get a trial copy of SuperNames at http://www.standalone.com

TealPhone, with a whole array of other applications, is available at http://www.tealpoint.com

Or perhaps, like me, you sit at your desk all day. You don't make appointments, don't want to make calls, and try not to answer the phone if it does ring. It's your ToDo List that gets the most use.

In my opinion, the built in ToDo List is the sorriest of the built in applications. I'm not sure it has any advantages over Post-It Notes as an organizational tool. But here, again, the palm Developer Community took a good (or in this case, barely adequate) thing and made it much, much better.

ToDo Plus from Hands High Software keeps the basic look of the ToDo app - but it adds the ability to sort the list according to a complex series of dates and priorities. It's the date sorting that really sets ToDo Plus apart. ToDo Plus introduced what it calls "Radar" sorting - like, "What's on your radar for the next week?" You can choose to display items due only today, only this week, only within the next two weeks, or the next month, or whenever you choose - or all items. It's a very flexible and useful scheme. ToDo Plus also lets you attach notes and drawings to ToDo items. For extra efficiency, you can link your ToDos to Datebk5's integrated display and put alarms on them. You'll never miss a deadline again.

ToDo Plus is available from Hand High Software at http://www.handshigh.com

The Palm MemoPad isn't very fancy - but it performs its basic functions well. You can take short notes and transfer them to the Palm Desktop. From there, since Memos are plain text, you can export them to any word processor program. However, there is no reason to stop there.

The first thing I did with my MemoPad was add encryption.

CryptoPad uses a strong encryption algorithm (Blowfish) to protect your private information. It is well integrated with the regular MemoPad, so you can use it for both your secure and non-encrypted memos. It also offers several nice interface enhancements, like color, different font sizes, and a quick look up feature. There is also a CryptoPad desktop companion.

You can find CryptoPad and the CryptoPad Desktop at PalmGear: http://www.palmgear.com/software/answernew.cfm?sid=21380420021102202718&quicksearch2=CryptoPad&CFID=6674402&CFTOKEN=89676218

Perhaps you aren't worried about security - you just want to write something more than 4 Kb long! Palm has remained as deaf to this request as they have to the plea for more categories. Forget Palm - get pedit.

pedit is an extremely versatile text editor that, among other things, breaks the 4 Kb barrier. It comes in various configurations, including pedit32 and pedit Pro. You may find it a bit daunting at first glance. But if you use your PDA for writing - and if formatting or Word integration is not your main concern - pedit may be the most used application on your Palm. It even includes batch editing and a scripting language!

Get a free trial copy of pedit from http://www.paulcomputing.com

THIRD PARTY PRODUCTIVITY APPLICATIONS: WHO NEEDS A LAPTOP?

What's that you say? You use your PDA for writing and formatting and Word integration IS your main concern? Don't worry. If you want to write an article on your Palm and then HotSync it to your PC, open it in Word, do a final spell check and print it -- take a look at Blue Nomad's WordSmith available at http://www.bluenomad.com

This is, to me, still the best word processor for the Palm. For my (relatively non-complicated) purposes, it integrates perfectly with Word. And, even better, like pedit, it has terrific keyboard support, a must for writing more than short notes. WordSmith can also open, read, and edit regular Palm Memos.

Many PDA owners also have a copy of Documents to Go on the CD ROM that came with their Palm, Clie, or Visor. I have to admit, I tried Documents to Go v.4 on my Clie and deleted it. I didn't like it - but don't overlook all the free software that comes with your PDA. It will also expand the PDA's limits.

Docs to Go will allow you to use many word processing programs besides Word, including Word Perfect. It also has a component called Sheets To Go that syncs with Excel.

Speaking of Excel -- do you need to create and edit spreadsheets on your Palm? If so, Sheeets to Go may be too limiting. In that case, take a look at QuickSheet from Cutting Edge Software.

QuickSheet used to sell for about $40. But lately, CES has been promoting its spreadsheet and its word processing apps as an "Office Suite" called Quick Office. You get a word processor (QuickWord) and a spreadsheet program for about what the spreadsheet used to cost alone.

Quick Office is available at http://www.cesinc.com

If you are an Agendus fan, you might also like TinySheet from Iambic. It, too, syncs with Excel. It's interface is very similar to Excel's. Although it is not as powerful as QuickSheet, I found it more intuitive and easier to use. Look for it at http://www.iambic.com

There are two other areas that I want to mention: databases and outliners.

HanDBase has maintained its place as the premier Palm database application. While it is a native Palm app, built to create and maintain relational databases on your Palm, it can also be synchronized with MS Access on your desktop. Plus there are hundreds, if not thousands, of free, ready-made, HanDBase databases available for download from its creator, DDH Software.

Get a trial copy at http://www.ddhsoftware.com

You may discover that you love the organizational flexibility of Palm databases. They are much easier to create and use than MS Access might lead you to believe.

I love outliners, project managers, and check lists.

I use these hierarchical lists to track projects, to schedule my web updates, to create multi-layered ToDo lists, or to make sure I don't forget any steps in boring, day long jobs. In fact, I use them for almost everything. My outliner is the second most used app on my Clie (my etext reader is still the most used).

There are several very good outliners available for the Palm - most of them with some sort of desktop synchronization.

Bonsai was the first to offer true synchronization. And if you want to work freely on both your desktop and your Palm, Bonsai is still probably your best choice.

Check it out at http://www.natara.com

However, my vote for Best Palm Outliner goes unhesitatingly to ShadowPlan. It's developer keeps updating it - so there must be areas where it is not already perfect, but I'd be hard pressed to name any. ShadowPlan lets you create checklists, outlines, and project management lists with a dizzying array of options. Sorting and filtering are available. And it links directly to your ToDo list and Calendar. ShadowPlan also has a desktop. As I recall, it is still very basic. Although I bought it, I hardly ever use the Shadow Desktop -- I do all my work on the Palm.

You can find ShadowPlan at http://www.codejedi.com

The last thing I'll mention in this category -- although it was the first application I added to my Palm -- is an ebook reader.

There are dozens available - many high quality ones are free.

Take a look at the PalmReader available from http://www.peanutpress.com (probably also on your Palm CD)

Or CSpotRun available at PalmGear -- http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?sid=21380420021102202718&prodID=1779

Both are free.

If you want one that adds a little oomph to texts you create yourself, try WordSmith -- www.bluenomad.com -- or iSilo Reader at http://www.isilo.com The iSilo Reader can also be used in conjunction with the freeware iSiloX to turn web pages into Palm documents. If you don't have a modem, iSilo is one of the best ways to get web content onto your PDA.

HACKS

The last area I want to discuss is hacks.

Hacks are extensions to the Palm operating system. They hook directly into the OS to accomplish tasks Palm should have included but didn't.

Don't be put off by the word "Hack." Lazy reporting has turned a perfectly good computer term into a name for criminal vandalism. Hackers of media fame - the guys who break into the Pentagon computers to play video games - have nothing at all to do with palm Hacks. Hacks are NOT stolen or pirated software. They are legitimate software, bought from legitimate outlets, written by legitimate programmers.

The first thing you'll need is a program to manage and run your Hacks.

The original program, written by Edward Keyes, is called HackMaster. It is available from http://www.daggerware.com and costs $5.00 Like many Palm programs, it is true shareware -- it will run forever, without nag screens, even if you don't register it. It simply relies on your good faith to pony up the bucks if you use it.

And, believe me, if you have a Palm, you will use it!

If you don't want to spend $5.00, try X Master from LinkeSoft at http://www.linkesoft.com  It is free.

Both work in roughly the same way.

Once you install your Hack controller, you install the hacks themselves. The hacks won't show up on your launcher screen. Tap on HackMaster (or X Master) You'll see a list of installed hacks and check boxes. Check the hacks to activate them. Uncheck to de-activate them.

You also configure the hacks from within HackMaster (or X Master) Once active, the hack's function will be available in any Palm application.

Here are some essential hacks to get you started:

MiddleCapsHack, which creates capital letters whenever you write on a certain portion of the Graffiti screen is available through PalmGear at : http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?sid=21380420021102202718&prodID=1840

PopUpTime pops up a window with the current date and time on top of whatever application you are using. I can be found at:  http://www.palmgear.com/software/answer.cfm?sid=21380420021102202718&userIDsel=797695921&searchtitle=Applications%20by%20Benc%20Software%20Production

CorrectHack lets you transform one word into another. For instance, if you always misspell "their" as "their" - you can use CorrectHack to fix your spelling errors automatically as you make them. Get it at:  http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?sid=21380420021102202718&prodID=491

There are hundreds more that will make you more productive.

Finally - here are a few of the download sites I visit regularly to search for new or updated software.

PalmGear : http://www.palmgear.com is a vast collection of over 10,000 Palm applications. If it exists, PalmGear probably has it. Use the Search box in the upper left hand corner of the Home screen to find things quickly. Or click on the links at the top of the page for Top Downloads and Gear Essentials

Eurocool at http://www.eurocool.com is very similar to PalmGear but it is searchable by "Freeware" "Shareware" or "Commercial" This is a big time saver if you only want a particular type of application. Like PalmGear, Eurocool is also searchable by category. I find the category searches easier to navigate than on PalmGear.

Handango -- http://www.handango.com -- is similar to both PalmGear and EuroCool. I find its searches most cumbersome of all.

FreewarePalm -- http://www.freewarepalm.com -- lists only free applications. It is a terrific resource for anyone on a budget. You'll be surprised at the number and the quality of free Palm applications.

But you may be searching for that elusive application that is only listed on one download site - so bookmark them all. If you can't find what you want - turn to Google at http://www.google.com This search engine is almost guaranteed to find a download location for any software available on the web.

If you still haven't added any software to your PDA, I hope you'll download and try a few of these applications. You'll be amazed at all that you can do with a PDA. It really is a palm sized computer - not simply a datebook.

A version of this article appeared in Pocket Press, a weekly newsletter for PDA users.

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