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First I used a DayTimer. Cost about $60, but the pocket size was too small, and the next size up did not make it into my breast pocket without hitting my chin, when I bent over. The refills were expensive, and if I wanted a phone number, I had to manually search through old volumes. Recurring appointments were a pain, and if I wanted to schedule somthing more than 6 months in the future it was impossible. |
Needless to say the DayTimer did not solve my mobile computing needs, I still needed my calculator and indiglo timer watch. There was no alarm to remind me of appointments. A friend suggested a Newton, but it looked like a shoe box and the handwriting recogniton was slow. You could forget about putting it in your breast pocket. So I bought a Zaurus 5000. Now my mobile computing needs were satisfied, and my time management was much easier. Sure there was no spreadsheet (I missed the 5800 by about a week) and the thing, just barely made it into my breast pocket, but there was no doubting it was tres cool. Two things happened though: 1. It got boring, and 2. The Breast pocket problem would not go away. I just didn't carry it with me. (I'm the kind of guy who never checks luggage at the airport, everything must be carry-on.) Moreover, it wasn't convenient for taking notes. The little keyboard could not be used at seminars and it slipped out of my lap if I didn't have a desktop. Then there was the story of the phantom SDK. Sharp was not coming out with new software, and there was nothing that independent developers could do. When the 5800 came out, it was clear that Sharp had already abandoned the 5000.
Then came Pilot. (Romantic Violin Music Please). Graffiti works great. It fits comfortably into my breast pocket. The software just keeps coming. All my time management needs are met. Except for internet access all my mobile computing needs are met.Moreover, its fun and its growing with me. When I think about it, it has all the capabilities of the Mac plus, I bought in 1985. Yes, the future is now!
Now, I now that better machines will come along. There will be a pilot that incorporates a cell phone, fax machine, global positon senser, beeper and color scanner, but this baby will always have a special place in my heart. It broke the breast pocket barrier. My son will want it for games. It will be worn out before its abandoned. Kudos to U.S. Robotics and Palm Computing. Ain't it great to be here now?
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