Portable Document Editor
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| Author | Content |
|---|---|
| rijelkentaurus Aug 27, 2007 5:13 PM EDT |
I am looking (fruitlessly, it seems) for a PDA-type device that will allow me to create and edit documents...and that's it. That's all I want. Of course I might have to manage with one that does a lot of stuff, but I would like to avoid a big complicated piece of machinery that organizes my email, my calendar and my grocery list. I really want something with a little QWERTY keyboard that I can type documents on and later transfer them to my laptop or server. To this point all I am finding are smartphone/PDAs. I don't want to go that route as yet because it's just too much money (just purchased new laptop). I would prefer something Linux-based but I realize that might be a pipedream, and I can always just save as a text or RTF document. Any ideas? I'd really like something on hand when the desire to write strikes me, or when I have to quickly document something at a client. Thank you! |
| Bob_Robertson Aug 27, 2007 6:04 PM EDT |
I'm very happy with my Sharp Zaurus 5500, it's got a qwerty keyboard (ok, "thumb board") under the function buttons. I don't think it ever lived up to its potential as a smart PDA, I use mine now merely for reading HTML books and listening to MP3s. http://www.linuxdevices.com/articles/AT2134869242.html I'm sure you could pick one up on ebay for not much money, and the software for it has been very reliable. Edit: Checked Ebay, found two for sale for about $70. Ok, biggest mistake Sharp made was not putting a smart USB port on the machine, to act as an upstream or downstream device. Or just a real upstream port would have been nice, to plug in external keyboards, mice, etc. Oh well, maybe next time. |
| rijelkentaurus Aug 27, 2007 6:13 PM EDT |
Thanks, that's pretty much what I'm looking for. I also thought that I'd have a lot easier time finding something that was just for documents.... |
| jdixon Aug 27, 2007 6:47 PM EDT |
> I really want something with a little QWERTY keyboard that I can type documents on and later transfer them to my laptop or server. Well, the keyboard makes things difficult. There are lots of products out there without a keyboard. Ones with keyboards are harder to find and usually more expensive. Your options go all the way from a high end pda/smart phone down to a 9.95 electronic organizer from the local dollar store. Personally, I have a soft spot for the Nokia 770, which woot.com recently sold for $140 or so, but it doesn't have a keyboard. A quick look around found the following item, which may or may not meet your needs, but the price is right: http://www.amazon.com/Master-Organizer-Conversion-Calculator... Sharp apparently makes a number of models of a similar nature. Their organizer site is here: http://www.sharpusa.com/products/FunctionLanding/0,1050,25,0... |
| rijelkentaurus Aug 27, 2007 7:08 PM EDT |
Thank you for the links. Yes, the keyboard makes the price a little higher, but it also makes it more functional (to me) than something with an onscreen keyboard, although I suppose I could get used to it. The problem with personal organizers (have one, a cheapie) is that your memos are normally very limited in size. If it's a very quick note, that's one thing, but if I wanted to write up a document for a client summarizing my findings on their network and my recommendations, it's not up to the task. How easy is an onscreen keyboard to get used to? And does the 770 have a text editor? And I realize I might have to bite a bullet to get what I want...well, it's almost time for a new telephone. Do CrackBerries have a text editor? I know that **shudder** Windows Mobile devices have a tiny version of Word on them...as I said, I can always save as a text file. **shudders again** |
| azerthoth Aug 27, 2007 7:28 PM EDT |
I have an Ipaq h4150 that I found a keyboard for. Lets me do IRC, enter scheduling, write in both of the text editors that came with the PDA, etc. Comes with a power plug port on the side that lets me charge while I write if I choose to. Heres a link: [url=http://search.hp.com/query.html?nh=10&qp=url:http&qs=&h_audiencerestrict=&qt=FA118A#ABA&la=en&hps=Home & Home Office&hpr=http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/home.do&h_audience=hho&lk=1&st=1&rf=0&hph=&hpo=hphqhhomktg&hpn=Return to Home & Home Office&submitsearch.y=0&submitsearch.x=0&hpvc=HHOall&hpa=http://www.homeandoffice.hp.com/hho/us/en/contact_hp.html&uf=1]http://search.hp.com/query.html?nh=10&qp=url:http&qs=&h_audi...[/url] It depends on what PDA you get as to if you can sync it inside Linux. Mine wont no matter how hard (not very)I have tried. I bypass the whole mess by using ftp and my wireless network to move files back and forth. Some models will sync with Linux, however I live off my PDA most of the time and when my old one died I didnt have time to be picky, I had to get a new one quick. |
| jacog Aug 27, 2007 11:26 PM EDT |
Hmmm, I wonder if they'll have (or have already) Abiword running on Openmoko... that might work well. |
| jdixon Aug 28, 2007 6:08 AM EDT |
> And does the 770 have a text editor? Well, the 770 and 800 are effectively running a modified version of Debian, so yes it includes a text editor. I don't know what the default editor is, but I believe it's a notepad equivilant. The maemo page indicates a number of standard editors are available: http://maemo.org/downloads/text-editors/ You can use an external bluetooth keyboard with it, if you have one. The Nokia 800 is out now, so you may be more interested in it, though it will cost more ($400): http://www.nokiausa.com/A4409001 A quick check on Ebay revealed a number of 770's being sold for between $140 and $200. My wife absolutely loves her 770, and we picked up a spare when woot had them on sale, but they are a bit pricey, especially when you add in the cost of a bluetooth keyboard. |
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