Palm vs PPC (again, but with a twist)

[dimamo1983]

Ok, just joined the forum cos I'm considering replacing my m125 that's gone mad.
Let me first say that I've read a lot on this webpage and the
forum before deciding to post.

Getting that out of the way, here's what I'm trying to decide on:
ipaq1945 or 2010/15 vs Tugsten T3
I have pretty much made up my mind for 1945 before I read the discussions on comparison of palm vs ppc. Now I'm kinda going back and forth...
here's what I'm looking for (with a twist at the end):
- I don't care about battery life. 6 hours vs 8hours vs 20 hours is not that big of a difference when I can recharge it every day. Same said for processors. 266 vs 400 does not really matter to me cos I understand (as an amd fan) this not the main performance indicator
- I don't need outlook sync because I do not use outlook
- mp3s and video is a good add-on, however, I have an mp3 player and not sure if a 3.5inch video clip is worth the space and money
- would like to go wireless... but neither has wifi, but is expandable... I guess someone might have some input on the reliability of the wireless on palm vs ppc...
- would like to have a keyboard and IR capability, but might be able to live without it (don't really use it that much often with my m125)
- would prefer simpler(ie quicker) way to do common tasks such as appointments, contacts, and todos

and here's a twist:
I would like to start developing apps for pdas. At least the ones for myself... I can get a free version of microsoft visual studio.net (as a student) and I guess that would let me do simple programming for ppc (wouldn't it?), but not palm. I do not know of any free developer suits for palm, so this kinda pushes me towards ppc. Also, how easy it is to develop apps for either platform. Is either one easier than another? My guees would be that if VS provides an option to develop for handhelds, it should be pretty easy to develop conduits as well because it's all windows in thit case...

so, i guess, here's a quick summary on what I'm thinking:

why ppc: would like to try something new, should be simpler to develop apps for
why palm: simpler/quicker interface, keyboard and IFR. Also, the same apps I've been using for over a year.

oh, and one last question, is there a simple (free) way to convert my palm-based contacts/todos/appointments/this kind of things to ppc platform?

any thoughts/suggestions/recomendations are much appreciated

thanks,

dima

======================
Multimedia - how to make your $2000 computer to do the work of a $20 radio.

Personal Information Manger - how to make your $3000 laptop do the work of a $3 datebook.

Graphic programs - how to make your $5000 package of computers and peripheral devices to do the work of a 50-cent box of crayons.

[cratos]

Originally posted by dimamo1983

I would like to start developing apps for pdas. At least the ones for myself... I can get a free version of microsoft visual studio.net (as a student) and I guess that would let me do simple programming for ppc (wouldn't it?), but not palm. I do not know of any free developer suits for palm, so this kinda pushes me towards ppc. Also, how easy it is to develop apps for either platform. Is either one easier than another? My guees would be that if VS provides an option to develop for handhelds, it should be pretty easy to develop conduits as well because it's all windows in thit case...

Use SuperWaba and your apps will run on both PPC and Palm! SuperWaba is a java vm for palm/ppc/windows. It is the fastest, most robust available. There are example programs written using SuperWaba on the site or check out CoursePro for an example of software I've written with SuperWaba.

Sorry this doesnt help with your decision.

[dimamo1983]

cratos, what are you using to develop progs? just a text editor and a compiler? Or something like TAUSCHKE MOBILECREATOR? Do you know by any chance if I can use visual studio to write code for palm?

thanks,

dima

[cratos]

I am currently using Tauschke Mobile Creator for my Palm/PPC development. You can use pretty much any IDE but Mobile Creator has all of the compile steps in one 'run' button so it's much easier to compile and test. I hear that there is a superwaba plugin for Eclipse that alot of people use as well.

I don't know if you can use Visual Studio to write Palm apps. I wouldn't think so, though.

[sylvangale]

Palms do not currently have SD WiFi expansion... 5.0 devices can't even use the SD bluetooth card.

There is a WiFi case that hooks up through the universal connector though.
http://www.palminfocenter.com/view_story.asp?ID=5213

[imported_chrism]

I have never used a Palm so I cannot comment too much on the differences. From what I have read both PPC & Palm would satisfy your general use although some say that a Palm can handle PIM stuff better.

I have dabbled in PPC development though so I can say a bit about that.
Firstly you need not worry about getting a copy of vs.net because all of the tools you need are available free of charge from the Microsoft web site. Big download though.
Secondly if you have done any windows development then you are sorted because PPC development is very similar. Much of the basic functionality available in windows is the same in PPC you can even use mfc if you want. There are some big differences but if you have done Windows stuff you will find PPC development a familiar experience.

Chris M

[imported_felixdd]

A interface is as simple as your familiarity with it. I find the Palm UI clunky and confusing (I don't underestand the hierarchy/organization scheme behind it all that well) -- that's because I'm used to the Windows way of organization. So it might not be too good to say that PalmOS is "simpler" -- unless of course you're used to it

As for developing -- I heard that MS tries to maintain a good relatinoship with their developers. I can't comment on the Palm side.

My vote goes for the 1945 -- I'm not too keen on the sliders on the Tungsten-T series -- to me it's just one more thing that can break.

And why don't you sell your MP3 player? One less thing to carry when you have your PDA

[dimamo1983]

felixdd, I'm not getting rid of my mp3 player cos its a usb pen drive and mp3 player together in one unit. Plus it looks pretty cool when you wear it using the neck strap. (Ok, I'm a geek
And I agree about the slider. I would prefer a normal pda with 320x480 screen...
but on a more serious note, I just found out that Ohio State has a wifi network set up to cover most of the campus and it costs only like 2 dollars/month. The only problem is Palms are not allowed. Well, the authorization client is not available for palm os... So I might go with ppc.
The only question I've got now, (cratos?) how well is waba supported on ppc? I decided to go ahead and start digging in deeper into java cos it is used a lot in the industry I want to work in (embeded systems for cars, aircraft, etc). So, waba should be similar, I hope...

[imported_felixdd]

Just remember:

waba != java

I don't have a 2215 -- but there are JVMs for PPC....

[cratos]

Originally posted by felixdd
Just remember:

waba != java

I don't have a 2215 -- but there are JVMs for PPC....

waba != java only because of copywrite issues with names. It is completely compadable with Java and you use the Java SDK to compile it along with the java tools. You write your code in Java and uou can run your programs using the Java VM in an applet if you want.

As for how compadable SuperWaba is with PPC, it is very compadable. It is very compadable with both Palm and PPC. You can even access the Palm Address, Datebook, Mail, Memo, and ToDo. In the next version of the VM you will be able to access the PocketPC Tasks and Calendar. After compiling a SuperWaba app you will have 10 different cab files for all of the WinCE/PocketPC/HPC devices.

HPC211 ARM, Mips, SH3
HPC2000 ARM, Mips
PocketPC ARM, Mips, SH3
PPC211 Mips, SH3

Try it out for yourself. CoursePro will run on anything from a Palm III to an iPaq h1945