Re: At a loss for development environment

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r_z_aret_at_pen_fact.com
Date: 08/26/04 

Date: Thu, 26 Aug 2004 19:14:31 -0400

On Thu, 26 Aug 2004 09:10:48 -0500, "Er"
<egerrits[remove]@afpollution.com> wrote:

>Okay, here's what it says on Symbol's website:
>
> CPU:
> NEC Vr4181 (MIPS)
>
> Operating System:
> Pocket PC
>
> Memory (RAM/ROM):
> 16 MB/12 MB (ROM is all flash ROM)
>
> Application Development:
> Fully compatible with Microsoft SDK for Pocket PC's; Symbol SDK
>available to support bar code scanning
>
> Display:
> High contrast, anti-reflective monochrome LCD display; 1/4 VGA
>resolution (240 x 320 pixels)
>

I just looked at the site, and found specs for The PPT 2700+. From
previous messages in this thread, and from some scouting around, I
think the "+" is important. Specifically, I think
1) the original PPT 2700 ran version 2.11 of the operating system (so
it was a second-generation Palm-size PC) that could be upgraded to
Pocket PC,
2) the PPT 2700+ was Pocket PC straight out of the factory.
3) the specs you found were for the 2700+

>
>
>When I tap the Start button, up pops the Windows CE start menu, and when I
>go to the Settings -> System, it says "Microsoft Windows CE Version 2.11
>(Build 9015).

So you have one of the older PPT 2700 _without_ the "+". And that
means the specs you found are not for the unit you have. Sigh.

>
>Nowhere can I actually find the word "PocketPC" on the PDA or in any of its
>settings, is there any way to check?

You didn't find it because it isn't there. Even actual Pocket PCs
don't show that in Start->Settings->System! Folks get to figure that
out by interpreting the OS version info.

>
>Now, I have downloaded Microsoft PocketPC 2000 SDK, 2002 SDK, 2003 SDK and
>Symbol's SDK. When I try to install Symbol's SDK, it asks for a Microsoft
>PocketPC SDK to be installed first (then it gives the error "Setup was
>unable to find the PocketPC Platform Directory", even after I install any of
>the above mentioned MS PocketPC SDKs.
>
>First of all, given the above information, WHICH Microsoft PocketPC SDK
>should I install?
>
>After that, why can the Symbol SDK not find it?
>
>Thanks for your help,
>

My suggestions:

1) Stay away from any attempt to upgrade your unit to Pocket PC.
First, because such upgrades can be tricky, and Symbol will provide no
support. Second, because I don't think you'll see any advantages. If
you upgrade, you _might_ be able to load the Compact Framework, and
thus you _might_ be able to develop using VisualStudio.NET. Before you
do that, make sure the version of VisualStudio.NET you have is
sufficient. I don't use it, and don't remember such details, but I'm
pretty sure the low end version doesn't support development for mobile
devices.

2) Install eVB 3 and the Palm-size PC 1.2 SDK (in that order). That is
the appropriate SDK for the second generation of Palm-size PCs. Last I
checked, eVT 3 (and thus eVB 3) shipped with it. If not, I'm pretty
sure I saw the SDK on Microsoft's web site last I looked (but I
haven't looked for at least a couple of weeks, and that can be a
_long_ time).

3) Don't bother with any Symbol SDK unless you really need to support
the barcode reader and have no other choice. Most barcode readers come
with a keyboard wedge, which is a background application that captures
output from the reader and mimics a keyboard to send the output to
whatever window has focus. Not quite as secure as I would like, but I
haven't heard any complaints, and that's what I do in my software.

I used google (http://groups.google.com/advanced_group_search) to look
up
symbol ppt 2700
and got 156 hits. I looked briefly at the first few and am pretty sure
at least some will be useful for you. You may need to struggle to make
sense of it, but should understand more when you're done.

I also used google to look up
vb.net
in this newsgroup (microsoft.public.pocketpc.developer) and got 2020
hits. That would be a _lot_ to wade through, but a quick glance
suggests you'll find useful info without wading far.

By the way, eVB is more like VB script than VB.

Welcome to the club, and good luck. You're starting with particularly
challenging hardware. Fortunately, you've at least had some experience
with Windows programming.

>Erwin
>
>"Chris Tacke, eMVP" <ctacke@spamfree-opennetcf.org> wrote in message
>news:uAoUeLuiEHA.712@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
>> If it's Pocket PC then it's not CE 2.11. Pocket PC started with CE 3.0.
>>
>> What will get you started is eMbedded Visual Tools 3.0 (which has eVB) and
>> the SDK for either the Palm-Sized PC (CE 2.11) or the Pocket PC (CE 3.0).
>>
>> That said, eVB is a deprecated product. If you have a PPC, then Studio
>2003
>> Pro will work for VB.NET. If it's CE 2.11, then eVB is the only option
>> (from MS anyway, there's also NSBasic for all devices mentioned).
>>
>> -Chris
>>
>>
>> "Er" <egerrits[remove]@afpollution.com> wrote in message
>> news:cgiqld$qgh$1@news.storm.ca...
>> > Hi folks,
>> >
>> > I have just purchased a Symbol PPT 2700 PDA running some version of
>> PocketPC
>> > and Windows CE 2.11. I also own VB6 and Visual Studio .NET. I am totally
>> new
>> > to the PocketPC/Windows CE development scene. I have been developing
>> desktop
>> > apps using VB6 up until now.
>> >
>> > I have been trying (in vain) to get a development environment going, and
>> > currently am at a total loss as to how to set it up. Between four or
>five
>> > different SDKs, eMbedded Visual Tools, Windows CE toolkits, VB.NET
>> > SmartDevices and Symbol SDKs, nothing seems to be able to work together
>> and
>> > I can't get anything done.
>> >
>> > I just need to write a simple program (in VB6 by preference, but any
>> version
>> > of VB will do, eMbedded or .NET) and load it onto my PPT and run it.
>> >
>> > What will be the tools I need?
>> >
>> > If I decide to buy it, is the Windows CE toolkit all I need, or do I
>need
>> > numerous SDKs to make it work?
>> >
>> > Thanks,
>> >
>> > Erwin
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>

-----------------------------------------
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Robert E. Zaret, eMVP
PenFact, Inc.
500 Harrison Ave., Suite 3R
Boston, MA 02118
www.penfact.com

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