User`s guide
HOW
TO
USE
:
Transition
to
the
HP
3001320LX
The
missing database engine
I
have
a
sizable
number
of
100/200LX database,
notepad
and
HP
Calc
equation
files
(.GDB,
.NDB
and
.EQN)
that
cannot
be
converted
into
usable
format
for
the
300/320LX. (However, see side-
bar
for
conversion
of
Database
files.) The
new
machine
has
data-
base files for
appointments,
tasks
and
contacts,
but
these
functions
are
entirely
different
from
the
100/200LX
databases
. I
made
extensive use of the database func-
tions
on
the
100/200LX. They
are
great for a
wide
variety of uses.
At
this
point
in
my
discovery
of
the
320LX's
capabilities,
I feel
that
HP
or
Microsoft
made
a grave
error in omitting the database from
the
300/320LX
. I
know
other
100/200LX
users
who
will
not
switch
to
the
Windows
CE
plat-
form
because
of
this
omission.
Third-party
developers
are
going
to
have
a field
day
with
this,
but
how
much
of the precious 2
or
4Mb
of RAM will be sacrificed? Perhaps
HP
and
other
Windows
CE
machine
OEMs will
put
pressure
on
Microsoft
to
add
a
"Pocket
Access"
program
for
future
ROM
updates.
HP
then
could
i
nclude
database converters for the desktop
version
of
Microsoft
Access
that
will make the files usable in Pocket
Access
on
the 300/320LX.
I have investigated third-party
solutions for the database problem,
but
the
program
described as most
closely
matching
my
needs
has
been
withdrawn
for
reworking
.
The
others
do
not
appear
to
meet
my
needs.
The
.EQN
files
are
used
in
many
HP
Calc applications for the
older
palmtops,
but
these applica-
tions
are
missing
on
the
new
model. For example,
I'm
a pilot, so
I have
an
E6B
flight calculator pro-
gram
for
HP
Calc in the 100/200LX
that
makes extensive
use
of .EQN
files. I
have
not
se
en
comparable
functionality in
th
e 300/
320LX
cal-
culator. Its
menus
do
not
include
the ability to store
or
call
up
saved
functions
or
equations.
Don't
look for a DOS
prompt
on
the
300/320LX
desktop
.
Windows
CE
does
not
have
the
ability to
open
a DOS
window
or
run
DOS
programs
. This is
one
of
the Windows
95
functions missing
from
Windows
CEo
If
you
made
extensive use of DOS programs
on
your
100/200LX,
you
will have to
wait
until
third-party
developer
s
introduce Windows CE versions of
their
DOS
program
to perform the
same
work
on
a 300/320LX.
Initial impressions
As I use the
320LX
I
am
impressed
by
many
of
its
features
. I
used
Pocket
Word
to
prepare
the draft of
this
article.
Although
I
could
not
touch-type
at
80
wpm
(like I can
on
my
PC), I
made
steady, acceptable
progress
with
a "modified
hover"
typing
technique
in
which
I basi-
cally
use
three
fingers
of
each
hand
. The
keyboard
is still small,
but
it's
a
great
improvement
over
the 100 /200LX.
I'm
wildly
excited
to
finally
Ihave a useful
handheld
computer
with
a
backlit
screen.
It
works!
Everything
on
screen is visible
in
the dark,
but
you
may
need
to
go
slow
until
you
learn
where
the
curser
and
alternative
function
keys
are
located.
I
wish
HP
had
included
backlighting
on
the
100/200LX! External screen lights
have
been
the
only
solution
until
now.
Warning
:
extensive
use
of
backlighting
will
quickly
drain
a
new
set
of
AA
batteries.
Keep
a
spare
set
on
hand
at
all times!
Hasn
't abandoned
lOOLX's
database
At this point I have not
abandoned
my
100LX,
and
I
don't
think I will
until
HP
and
Microsoft
solve
the
missing
database
problem
in
FULALL
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24
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