Pilot: RE: Yet again... Wring info about PIII in Sales & Field Force...

["Lee Sherman" <lee@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Arno,

First, let me say that I have a Palm III and like it very much (see my
review in the August 1998 issue of Sales & Field Force Automation). I've
used the Palm III extensively and am extremely familiar with the platform
and the various hardware and software options available for it. This was a
review of the Windows CE Palm-sized PCs so I didn't feel a discussion of
Palm Pilot market share was relevant. I stand by every single word of the
review and I believe the comparisons were both accurate and fair.

I believe there is a market out there for both the Palm III and the
Palm-sized PCs. The Palm-sized PCs are more functional and more expandable
but they get less battery life and are more complicated to use than the Palm
III. Besides the voice and audio features (which you dismiss out of hand but
are quite valuable for some people), Palm-sized PCs have better
communications capabilities, better and more varied input options, and the
familiarity of the Windows interface.

I am aware that there are now third-party options for infra-red synching,
data-sharing, and printing but these weren't shipping at the time the review
was written and I still maintain that it is a big advantage for this stuff
to be built-in.

I strongly disagree with your contention that add-in software is a fact of
life. Indeed, these devices aren't even positioned as "computers". 3Com
calls the Palm III, a "connected organizer". Market research shows that most
people don't add software to these devices. Having said that, the Palm-sized
PCs are brand new so naturally there isn't as much software yet. What's
there is generally of a higher quality than the software available for the
Palm III.

I'm confused as to why you think the "Active Desktop" is laughable. I would
love something like this for my Palm III (and yes I've tried Action Names
and other software that puts your calendar and todos on the same screen).

My article was based on extensive experience with PDAs, in-depth testing,
and research while your response was based on evangelistic zeal. That's
okay. It says a lot about the Palm platform that it inspires this kind of
response. But may I recommend you pick your targets more wisely.

Best,

Lee

-----Original Message-----
From:	Arno Butter [mailto:ab@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]
Sent:	Monday, September 21, 1998 11:56 AM
To:	'Pilot Mailing List'
Cc:	'lee@xxxxxxxxxxx'
Subject:	Yet again... Wring info about PIII in Sales & Field Force...

Heya!

Well, here is yet another example of wrong (Lack of) info in an article
named "Windows in your Pocket", placed in the magazine "Sales & Field
Automation", written by Lee Sherman...

Here are some quotes:

They start to talk about differences to start with and price, here's part of
it: "Batteries last for days instead of weeks, and the PPC os more
complicated to use. But it's a price you might be willing to pay if you've
been frustrated by the limitations of the Pilot" (Ok.. Besides voice/audio,
what does the PPC do that the PIII does NOT do?)

"Microsoft has gone the Pilot one better. While the infrared capability in
the Palm III can only be used to send data between two Palm IIIs, PPC's can
share data with eachother, syncronize via infrared with desktop and notebook
computers, and print to infrared printers."

"The palm-size PC matches the PIlot feature for feature; both act as
companion devices to your desktop."

(One for the laughs) "Best of all is the Active Desktop, which on the PPC is
a single customizable screen that lists all of the information users need to
get through the day"

Also, no mention of the MAJOR overhead the Pilot has in the market, sky high
above the WindoZe devices...(eehhm... Right??? :-))

To be fair: THe top of the article DOES say 'Out of the box', but that
doesn't mean anything in computer world.. When you buy a computer.. You add
software into it right? So why not mention it? Same thing... Except threre
is no add-on s/w for the PPC! (Not like the PIII anyway)...

And the battle goes on...
--
Arno Butter
Network Administrator
Sonnax Industries, Inc.
P.O. Box 440
Bellows Falls, VT  05101
Phone:	(802) 463-9722
Fax:	(802) 463-8163
http://sonnax.com
ab@xxxxxxxxxx


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