Hi all,

I'm thinking about upgrading my Palm V to a Tungsten T and started searching the forums for comments - this being one of the best resources for information that I have come across.

I see recommendations for PDAs as EDC information repositories, but would really like to see what you PDA users have on your machines!

So, what sites do you routinely grab? Which programs are indispensible for your EDC?

Andy

I used to be a palm user but switched over to PocketPC becasue of work. So here is what I have on my device:

MobileEMS - basic software for EMTs out there
PepidEMS - advanced software for EMTs amd Paramedics
Drug Reference Library
HAZMAT Reference Library
Word and Excel
Adobe Acrobat PDF reader
Maps of my area in pdf and jpg format
Games (Snails, Worms and RiverRaid)
On my memory card I have some MP3s and backup of my device.
Plus of course: notes, contacts, etc etc

I use my PDA non stop. I have couple of charges (car and home). Hope that helps.

Matt

My PDA is walking library of first aid, preparedness, and survival knowledge. On it I have:
Detailed maps of the quad-county area from "Mapopolis".
"Biochem 1.6" a program to identify and treat all sorts of chemical and biological threats.
"Torch" which allows me to use the PDA screen backlight as a very weak flashlight.
"COMPASS" which automates the old "wristwatch-sun " finding north trick.
iSilo documents (reader program) covering first aid, KI dosages for nuclear incident, riot gas treatments, five articles on guns/self-defense/gun facts, assorted docs on water finding (urban and rural) and treatment, disaster kits, map-compass use, pet safety, making moonshine, US-Army survival manual FM 21-76, and a list of useful shortwave radio frequencies. I also have assorted contect information for neighbors, friends, family (mine and in-laws), and co-workers.

I use "Print-Boy" and "IR-Pad" to beam and print documents straight from the PDA directly to any IR equipped printer. An occasional trip through CompUSA to test printers gives me my paper back-ups. <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Then there's the usual personal information such as car makes, models, license plates and VIN numbers in case they are stolen. Blood types and any prescriptions of all family members. Insurance data, vet info, and assorted emergency phone numbers. Our area is prone to flooding so I have a checklist of what needs to be moved upstairs, who is responsible for taking it there, and where exactly it is supposed to go upstairs.

I have backups of all this data, both dead-tree and digital. It's a pretty extensive library, but other than the maps it doesn't use up that much memory on my Handspring Visor.

-Blast

I would be interested in know the links to the "Compass" program as well and where you found the first aid docs, water docs, map-compass use etc... I have microsoft's e-reader that i use for e-books.

Andy,

I hope P-L comes up on the net and yaks about this... anyway, I carried an M-500 (loved it) and now use a T. See, I got hooked on the small size with the M-500... but I still fret about the T with the slider and lack of a simple flip-cover like the M-500. Probably needless concern... Now Palm has three new Tungsten models - the E, the T2, and the T3. And the Zaire 71 (?sp?) is no slouch, either. If the E was a bit smaller, it would tempt me - but it apparently does not have the universal connector, if that matters.

One of my initial concerns with the T was battery life, but that has NOT been an issue. I do keep the 12v lighter/USB charger kit in my daily briefcase just in case, and if I had a reason to need to, I would build an alternative means of recharging it. My data is synched daily with both work and home computers and weekly or so on my personal laptop, so it's fairly redundant. Sensitive stuff is encrypted, of course, although I haven't settled on any single encryption method yet.

I carry my Palm on weekend and longer outings and both the M-500 and (so far) the T are doing great, but I live in a pretty benign climate - midwest USA. This is the most compact way to carry instantly useable information so far, and the Li-ion battery beats the pants off using AA batteries (OK; there's an older Palm model in my past... I don't talk about that).

Drop an SD card in the slot and (try to) load it up - if nothing else, the T comes with Data-Viz software, so you can pretty much put anything you want in the T. You will be flabbergasted at the amount of info you can carry now that your have gigantic instant memory expansion (vice the Palm V) Better to have more info than less, eh?

Regards,

Tom

I have a program that shows twilight and the direction of the sun. When You point the line to the sun, the IR module points north. It´s available here: Palm Globe
BTW: It does not automate the old watch trick. It does a little more math, so it´s a little more accurate.

I have a Palm Vx and a Psion 5mx Pro. The Palm is EDC. I have a stop watch, a timer, Palm Globe , a dictionaire, Fugawi and route calculators for cities and for european countries on it. The map programs work together with my GPS. I also have a calculator, a unit converte, a scetch program (Scratch Pad)r and morse code generator and various reference files.
The PDA ha s to hold my notes (mostly check lists and shopping lists)
My document reader is the Teal doc reader. I´m experimenting with Mobibook tools. They allow you to create your own documents from a set of HTML documents.
I rate all of the programs as handy but not indispensible. I usually look on Palm´s website to look for new programs and documents.
I´m about to install Linux on my Psion. So it´ll be easier to write programs for it.

Qrtermoon,

You can get the compass program from www.palmgear.com by searching for "Compass". The direct link is http://palmgear.com/index.cfm?fuseaction...mp;prodID=42877

I made most of the other documents using iSilo. This is actually two programs. The main part is the reader program which resides on your Palm. The other program sits on your computer and allows you to turn .txt, .html, and other assorted documents into the iSilo format. This converter is available for both Mac and PC computers. I think this is the second-most used program I run on either my Mac or Palm! Along with all my preparedness files I have a ton of books downloaded from http://www.memoware.com/ They are great way to pass the time when I'm stuck in line somewhere.

-Blast

I think that Psion devices are (were) the best in the world. Too bad they are not so popular here in the US and I broke about 5 of them in my lifetime.


Matt

The Psions aren´t very popular around here either. Those devices require rather deep pockets. I really like the option of booting from the CF card and the use of exchangeable batteries.