Mark, I don't think that's an issue anymore. That used to be a strong argument on the Palm side a few years ago but I don't see that argument anymore on the message boards where these sort of "operating system" arguments occur. There are thousands of applications for both platforms. My guess is that there is at least as much development activity on the Windows Mobile platform but don't have proof to back that up. Also, and I'm not an expert on Palm, you have to consider the applications that come with the device. It's my understanding that there's a lot more built-in applications on the Windows devices so you don't have as much need to purchase add-on software. (of course you may prefer certain applications over what might be built in, but I've always found the base applications suitable for my needs) Maybe those on the list with both devices can elaborate on this.
I hate to continously beat a dead horse, but Palm is a dying platform. I think there are a number of reasons for that including the fact that Palm sat on their laurels for years and gave Microsoft and their hardware vendors a chance to catch up (and actually pass) the Palm platform both in sales and capabilities. The numbers I see for sales that come out quarterly keep showing Palm declining and the Windows Mobile platform increasing. (Research in Motion which makes the Blackberry devices are really showing STRONG sales, but I think of them as merely email and text messaging devices) The last numbers I saw showed Windows Mobile has a 46% market share and Palm has dropped to about 36%. (From 50% from the year before) I think the other "telling" indicator is that there is only one main hardware vendor for Palm (and a couple minor players) but there are dozens of hardware vendors making PocketPC's. (30 was the last number I heard) So it's really not Palm vs Microsoft, it's Palm vs. Microsoft, Dell, HP, etc. You can buy cheaper Palm devices than PocketPC devices, but not when you compare feature for feature. (If you compare feature for feature such as processor speed, memory, etc., you'll find the devices are uncannily similar in price - regardless of the operating system, hardware is hardware so it costs about the same when they are equivalent devices) Years ago Palm made a lot better devices too but that's not been true for years... In fact, in my opinion, the Palms have been trying to catch up with the PocketPC devices (memory, speed, screen resolution, etc.) So you are 200% right... Make sure you know what you want to do with the device then check out the software that comes with it and the software you might be interested in purchasing... Once you commit to a platform it's tough to "throw it away" if you decide to go the other route. Kevin Phillips Northern Hills Software -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Mark Woodward Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2005 8:57 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [LegacyUG] Using Legacy with handhelds One other thing to consider. A PDA is useful for many more things than genealogy. In deciding which operating system to get you should look at other applications you might use I use Palm OS because of the multitude of available programs (although I suspect Pocket PC is probably catching up). Basically, if you can think of something your PDA might do, you can probably find a Palm OS to do it. I would suggest that you go to someplace like download.com and compare the available applications that might be of interest to you in different operating systems before you make up your mind. While you are doing that you might as well search on "genealogy" there. You might find some other useful programs. Mark Legacy User Group Etiquette guidelines can be found at: http://www.LegacyFamilyTree.com/Etiquette.asp To find past messages, please go to our searchable archives at: http://www.mail-archive.com/legacyusergroup%40mail.millenniacorp.com/ To unsubscribe please visit: http://www.legacyfamilytree.com/LegacyLists.asp
