[grumpy]

[etumukutenyak]

I've been a fan of PDAs ever since Honey bought a Handspring Visor for me; it instantly replaced my little pocket calendar and added books, contacts, and games to my pocket.

When the Visor faded with age, I replaced it with the Neo, or whatever that was. In turn, the Palm T/X replaced them all.

Now I see that Palm isn't making any PDAs for sale, and after a frantic google-based search, I have come to the conclusion that my T/X is the last of the pure PDAs.

After this, I shall have to get a "smartphone".

Yuck. Let me rephrase this: YUCK.

Not that I couldn't use a cell phone or a wi-fi capable handheld device; there's just too much stuff on the smartphone that I don't need. I'm not allowed to have camera-type devices anyway, and I don't need a phone with a contract, not after getting used to my basic pre-pay phone (no camera, no gidgets, nothing more than text messaging).

I just want a basic PDA, something that allows me to write memos of important stuff to remember, like the shopping list, some drugs for my routine patients, old passwords so I don't repeat them, phone numbers/contact informations, and the daily calendar. I want something that isn't Microsoft Windows OS-based, and doesn't cost an arm + a leg to purchase because Linux machines are more expensive. I want something that slides into my pocket, carrying all of the above and some books in non-DRM format, like mobipocket or palm reader, and some games. I want my games that I've been playing for years now, not some expensive high-falutin' new games.

I want exactly what I have now.

Dangit.

You kids! Get offa my lawn!

Comments

[newjerseybadger.livejournal.com]

Have you considered one of the smaller iPod Touch critters? They have a lot of downloadable apps, you might be able to put together what you want out of that. And the Touch doesn't have a phone in it.

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

I knew my friends would have suggestions! Thanks!

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

Now that I've looked over the iPod Touch, I like it. I might have to convert my existing books into files that can be recognized by an iPod, but that's a minor detail at this point.

Thanks!!

Ipod

[newjerseybadger.livejournal.com]

My pleasure :-)

[brashley46.livejournal.com]

Not making them anymore?
Darn, that explains a lot. I got Sandie an iPod Touch a couple weeks ago, 'cause her Tungsten is dying ... but it doesn't do what you want without a bunch more software, which you have to download through the iTunes store, yadayadayada.

On the upside, the Stanza reader software is free and will do non-DRMed formats.

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

Palm is solely focused on their Treo, Pre and whatever the third phone is. And they'd prefer you to buy a Treo. Clearly.

[i-calql8.livejournal.com]

Once again, you crystallize my sentiments, although, in my case, it's about cell phones, since I never got caught in the PDA wave.

When I got a cellphone, I wanted...well, a phone. Not a camera. Not email. Not a music player. A phone. And not even speed dial or a contacts list --if they're important, I memorize their number. I didn't mind the web access, because I liked being able to access Cubs scores, and settle arguments on my pub trivia night. Unless I can choose them, I don't care much for 3/4 of the bells and whistles they offer.

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

Yeah. I can deal with a music player and email, but I don't need much more. I'm old-fashioned.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

You'll be telling the whippersnappers to get off your lawn next...

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

Yeah!

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

*snort*

I had a "get off my lawn" moment on Saturday. Only it wasn't kids, it was Jehovah's Witnesses. And it wasn't "Get off my lawn" it was "Hello, I'm Barbara and this is my daughter..." "You are tresspassing. Get off my property at once." Very satisfying to see them turn and go.

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

Heh. We don't seem to get them around our neighborhood.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Large dogs?

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

I dunno - it could be the highly mixed neighborhood, or just the large municipality. I've never paid attention to the lack of Jehovah's Witlesses, but I shall keep my eyes peeled.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

I haven't seen any Morons. Those I'd treat with less politeness.

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

I see those around -- very identifiable in their white shirts, black pants, little black ID badge/tag and their bicycles. I must emanate some sort of inimical vibrations to them, as they don't approach our house either.

Such a strange existence they have. The world would have been a much better place without Joseph Smith and Brigham Young. (For a well-researched fictionalized account of the polygamists today, I recommend Rose Beecham's "A Grave Silence".)

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

I had the strange experience, back in grad school, of being stopped on the street in La Jolla, and asked if I knew where the new LDS temple was. I must have been mistaken for a rather dark Lamanite.

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

You don't think it was your beard? From the picture, it's a beard of majesty, and would not look out of place in a "temple"*.

*Sorry, I always grimace when having to use their term.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

It wasn't as majestic back in 1990.

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

Ah..but you were younger too. Just starting on your career as a "Head of Household", or am I thinking of the Amish again?

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

I suspect you're thinking of the Amish...

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

Yes...although, come to think on it, the orthodox Jews do the same thing.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

I'm many things, but not usually orthodox. Earthy ducks, maybe.

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

Oh, so you're in a fowl mood again?

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Just slightly flighty.

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

Holy Aphrodite!

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Why can't you have a camera-type device? And what have you got against Sally Fields? You dislike her, you really dislike her?

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

I work in a government facility with research critters -- no one uses a camera unless pre-approved, and then only with the government cameras. We don't have anything to hide -- in fact, we do show off our facilities to visitors -- but we cannot allow the possibility of a photo taken out of context to make us look like awful cruel monsters.

It's a common practice in research facilities, to prevent animal rightists from getting more ammunition. That's why they have to sneak in their own hidden cameras.

Besides, some camera/phones can be hacked from outside -- the last thing any of us need is a rogue cell phone that we don't know about.

I actually like Sally Fields..ever since she left behind that silly Flying Nun-sense and became a powerful actress.

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

Ah. That makes a lot of sense.

[i-calql8.livejournal.com]

It's FIELD, dammit! Sally FIELD!

And while we're at it, it's Christopher REEVE, too!

*pants*

Wow...I feel so much better.

/pedantry ;-)

[fledgist.livejournal.com]

That was a single PANT.

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

You mean Christopher Reeves, the guy who used to play Superman, just like George Reeve, the guy on television?

One legs at a time with those pant. Here's your shirts too. And your sock.

[i-calql8.livejournal.com]

::stands in corner, ashamed at his outburst::

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

::bops i_calql8 on the shoulder::

There. All done. You're right, of course; she's Sally Field, and not Fields, Lawns, Gardens, Dales, Swards, or any of those other words meaning a small open grassy area suitable for playing and picnicking, or the multiple thereof.

Have a chocolate-covered chocolate donut? I picked them up by accident ("Honest, yer honor! I have no idea how that box of donuts ended up in my groceries!") when I meant to get the usual yellow donuts with their chocolatey cover.

[i-calql8.livejournal.com]

Little chocolate donuts--they've been on John Belushi's training table since the early 70s

/SNL flashback

[etumukutenyak.livejournal.com]

I store mine in the freezer so they last longer. Training tables get so sweaty. ;-)