damn

my clie didn’t come with the software cd for connecting it to my computer. this means i can’t install new programs directly onto the clie, or transfer files back onto the pc. the software is not available for download on the internet, and the version that came with ryan’s palm tungsten doesn’t work.

so, what are my backup plans?

option a is to get a memory-stick reader and use it as a removeable drive. i believe i can install programs onto a memory stick and run them off of it as well, although i’m not sure how to do that.

option b is to track down a driver that will let me use a compact-flash card, install that driver onto the memory stick, transfer it into the clie’s memory, and then use my existing compact-flash cards.

option c is to take the thing back to fries and go with an alternate device. i had a feeling that fumbling through palm os would be a pain in the ass and it is and i don’t know that i want to deal with a roundabout solution.

the primary reason to get this clie vs other pdas was the built-in keyboard and the large, hi-res screen. having now used both graphitti, the thumbboard, and the virtual keyboard, all three are equally clumsy and slow, but none of them are absurdly slow. and the real keyboard isn’t significantly faster than the virtual one.

in addition to the $2000 range oqo, flipstart, lifebook, or lifebook tablet combo, there are now two pdas out with hi-res vga screens that run on sd and compact flash memory cards, plus have wifi. wifi means i can either synch them via their cradles/usb, or i can add them to the local network and transfer files wirelessly. both pdas have screens about the same size as my clie, and with better resolution to boot. additionally they both run windows mobile second edition, which gives you the option to switch the whole os from portait to landscape.

dell’s new axim is $500, the hp ipaq hxsomething is $650. according to brighthand, the dell is a little slower, the screen isn’t as bright, and it doesn’t have a scroll wheel. the ipaq is faster and the screen is clearer, but it doesn’t have a d-pad, it has a touchpad which is apparently just as annoying as i’d expected, despite being able to choose between using it as a touchpad or a virtual d-pad.

so neither is perfect. right now, i’m leaning very strongly towards taking the clie back to fries, skipping the pda market entirely, and saving up for an oqo.

alternatively, if i was willing to go with lower screen resolution, and honestly i’m not sure it’d make that big a difference, i could get the same axim dave got about what i paid for my clie. then i’d have a pda with windows mobile, sd media, wifi, and all the software i need to run it. this could be a good interim model to keep me sated before i can afford an oqo.