txt,exe files?

[medpda]

I finally decided to use my 505 for something other than storing basic info. Have attempted to download several medical programs--epocrates, John Hopkins antibiotic guide, med calculators. I keep receiving errors on txt, exe, dll files. States there is no application for them. I tried adobe and 2 different doc readers and no luck. Any ideas for the current clueless?

[Dick Tracy]

Welcome to Brighthand medpda.

Have you unzipped these downloads before attempting installation and have you read any of the readme files?

The Palm OS reads basically two file types: .prc and .pdb (executable and data respectively). In order to read other file types, these files must be on an SD card in the appropriate directory and opened with an application designed to read them.

.dll are device drivers and .exe are executables. Should you require a device driver specific to your handheld, it will be a .prc. .exe are generally run on your desktop.

In order for Adobe to read .pdf, the file must be converted on the desktop before installation on the handheld.

Hope this helps.

[Nine]

Welcome to Brighthand, Medpda

[medpda]

Dick Tracy--appreciate the info but could you please translate. The only languages I understand are my language of origin or languages thousands of years old. I am not sure what you told me. What is unzipped, etc? (can you tell I am way new to this) I really do appreciate the info and I am trying to learn but I have no background knowledge about computers/pda's

[Dick Tracy]

When you downloaded, did the folders have a zipper on them? If yes, they need to be unzipped. Just click the equivalent of yes. They will unzip.

Take a look in the unzipped folders. All well written applications and downloads will have some sort of ReadMe.txt or link to a manual separate from the file(s) to install. The specific information you need will be there. If only a icon, it is wise to check the Properties of the file before you install or to go to the developer website to see if there is more information available. If you can't find anything, the Search function (over in the left column of the screen you are now looking at) is where you can hit the jackpot. Just click it, type in the application name and hit enter. You can learn about advanced searches later.

Other great places to check are the FAQ and Medical Forums here.

Wikipedia.org is a great place to look up things you don't understand. I've been strugglig to think of a simple analogy for executables and data to help you.

Hope this helps a bit more.

[medpda]

Can't thank you enough. That explains alot. I think I will now have better luck with some of my downloads. Thanks for the website. Going to check it out now.