Re: What "Device" to get?
- From: r_z_aret@xxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Fri, 28 Jul 2006 14:26:48 -0500
On Thu, 27 Jul 2006 18:24:01 -0400, "hector"
<hector@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
<r_z_aret@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:4ebic25ieji84ucvpq5v8ca299rt8sffs7@xxxxxxxxxx
I recommend using google to look up
newbie in this newsgroup.
Ok, well that do. The "Future Sales of Windows PDA vs Palm PDAs" thread was
very good too. But as I learned long ago, you can't go wrong betting on MS.
But I might also check out the popular platform too. I just want to get my
feet wet first with my first device that I will be using for my cell as
well.
Yes, Windows CE is a light version of Windows. It uses mostly a subset
of Win 32.
Ok, and I understand its a RTOS too. But as I read in the other thread, it
is still a "Single Thread" device?
I know just enough about RTOS to know that Windows CE is one in only
some senses. So check carefully.
I'm not sure what "single thread device" means. I sure have programs
that use multiple threads.
Windows CE is the base operating system. Platforms like Pocket PC and
Smartphone are based on the Windows operating system. Windows Mobile
is a marketing term that includes Pocket PC and Smartphone. The
following should help:
http://www.opennetcf.org/Forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=317
So its basically all CE.
If you get a device with built-in cell phone, you can use that to
connect in either of two ways. You can subscribe to a data service,
which will be relatively fast. Or you can dial up any ISP that has
dial-up service, and connect at around 9.6 K; the advantage is that
such calls are "charged" as voice calls. You can also use the cell
phone as a modem for a laptop, with the same two choices. I find the
slow connection good enough for email.
Great info!
So basically, I can write a relatively small footprint applications such as:
- RS232 comm program to do some directions connections to my
modem hosting server
- RASDIAL connections to do so socket application as well?
If I can do these two items, it will be tickled pink! :-)
I have code that supports RS232, so I know CE supports it. Not many
devices have hardware, unless you add a port via a card. I know Socket
(www.socketcom.com - note socketcom, not socket) has CF cards, and
_think_ they have SD cards.
What kind of limits we are talking about since these need to be all ram
applications? No virtual disk stuff?
Although all the built-in storage is electronic, part of that is
treated as "RAM" (for temporary storage while a program is running)
and part is treated as "disk" (for storing programs, data, etc.). File
functions seem (to programs) to function the same way. All external
storage is treated as "disk". But no drive letters.
Until WM 6 (I _think_ that means version 6 of the operating system
also), each process is limited to 32 MBytes. If you're used to "big"
Windows, that will seem tiny. But it seems much larger for CE
programs. Pocket Internet Explorer and the Pocket PC version of Opera
may be limited compared to the versions of "big" Windows, but not by
huge amounts (I haven't really noticed).
Smartphones are primarily cell
phones with Windows added. Pocket PC for Phone Edition supports PDAs
with cell phone added. Smartphones are generally smaller, and have no
mouse or pointing device.
So if I want one with a "pen" it would be a PDA vs a smartphone. Cool.
Proper Microsoft terminology is Windows Mobile for Pocket PC Phone
Edition. The last four words are the important ones.
For development, you use the IDE in VS 2005. Generally, the IDE can
transfer programs automatically, and can let you debug directly. These
devices use electronic memory (no hard drive, but I'll stay away from
the term "Flash Memory"). Some have CF Card slots, so you can put a
microdrive (a real hard drive) in one of them.
So I should look for a device that has "CF Card" slots on it. I take it,
this means the PDA instead of a Smartphone?"
I don't know whether Smartphones have slots. Pocket PCs are switching
from CF Cards to SD Cards. You won't need a card unless you need some
device (like serial port) that's not built in, or very large
quantities of "disk" space.
I am still many a pure C/C++ developer, text based rapid power programmer. I
use the IDE mostly for debugging and to paint pictures (dialogs). <g> Can I
use pure VS 6.0 c/c++ compiler to develop CE applications? Or will I need
VS 2005 AKA v9.0 (I think) with all its new SDK and libraries for CE
development? I am sure I will use VS 2005 when it comes in, but I have a
rich library of comm/socket client applications and wonder I can just do
"programmer" and not get stuck on all the .NET, VS 2005 dependencies.
Atleast until I can catch up with it. :-)
You absolutely need an SDK. With a little effort, you can use an SDK
for a platform that doesn't match the hardware. But you won't be able
to debug directly. If you are buying anything based on WM 5 or newer
and want to debug directly, the SDKs work only with VS 2005. You can
use "native" C/C++.
Most issues that show up when porting will obvious because they cause
compiler error. One big difference is that CE is _heavily_ biased
towards UNICODE. If you don't really understand all the implications,
I strongly recommend taking time to learn before wasting your time;
use google to look up
unicode
in this newsgroup. Menus cause fewer changes in some ways, but are a
bigger pain; WM 5 uses slightly different menus from earlier Pocket
PCs. All Pocket PCs use different menus from other CE platforms. And
all CE platforms use different menus from "big" Windows. I use the
same code for "big" Windows and CE, and way more than 80% is the same.
At least half the differences are for menus.
Which "Smart Phone or PDA" do you recommend?
I'm not a good source for such recommendations. I really am a software
person. But I think you need to provide more criteria before anyone
can give you a valid answer.
I do have several CE devices around for testing. Most are too old to
mention.
My Axim X50 (Pocket PC 2003 SE) is a bit old, but I really like it.
Partly because it fits my hand nicely and has plastic edges that don't
slip. But it has been reliable.
My JasJar (Windows Mobile 5 for Pocket PC Phone Edition) is more
"ubergeek" than practical. It is bulky (size and weight), has a
"flaky" bluetooth stack, and seems to need rebooting more than the
Axim. I got it through IMate, which required registration before
downloading FAQs, but HTC (the actual OEM) is taking over support (at
least for new models).
Thanks for any tips
I like Chris De Herrera's site:
http://www.pocketpcfaq.com/developer/dev.htm
Any one specific you like? Quality wise? I'm looking at the Cingular 8212.
Not sure if I want keyboard on the front or as a side pull out.
Keyboard on front (like Blackberry) will probably be slightly thinner,
but perhaps bigger in other dimensions. Pull out will be slightly
thicker, and perhaps heavier (extra mechanism). Keyboard on front will
probably be easier to use with one hand. Are you sure you want/ need a
keyboard? I'm a serious keyboard junky, but even I don't use PDA
keyboards much.
I appreciate your time Robert. You were very helpful.
-----------------------------------------
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Robert E. Zaret, eMVP
PenFact, Inc.
20 Park Plaza, Suite 478
Boston, MA 02116
www.penfact.com
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- References:
- What "Device" to get?
- From: hector
- Re: What "Device" to get?
- From: r_z_aret
- Re: What "Device" to get?
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