I was reluctant to convert to the HP 95LX Palmtop because I have become accustomed to my AST 386 Notebook computer. With a 60MB hard drive, space is not an issue for its PIMs and Database program. I did not see how the 95LX could become an efficient productivity tool. However, pulling out a full size notebook computer in a phone booth or with a customer required too much juggling. The need for something like the 95LX, with its built-in applications was appealing, so I devised a way to work with the 95LX.
Just about every PIM and database can export to an ASCII file. I use Micrologic's Info-Select as my desktop PIM. The 95LX's MEMO function can read ASCII. So, after I update my To-Do list, Phone Number List, Business Card List, or any of my Calendars (usually at the end of a day in the office) I export these four as ASCII files to a sub-directory on my AST- HARD DRIVE. I then Copy these files to the 95LX using DC95.EXE.
In order to do this without having to enter a thousand keystrokes, I have created the following User Defined Function Keys:
CHAR Fl= CUSTOM F KEYS
(Shows this list)
CHAR F2= RUN DC95.EXE
CHAR F3= OPEN 1992 CALENDAR
CHAR F4= OPEN ADD TO AST
CHAR F5= OPEN PHONE LIST
CHAR F6= OPEN TODO LIST
CHAR F7= OPEN FORECAST.WKl
CHAR F8= OPEN BUSINESS CARDS
CHAR F9= RUN DOS 3.3
CHAR F10= CONNECT TO WINDOWS TERMINAL PROGRAM
I use the following PALM.BAT file on my AST, to copy files from the AST to the PALMTOP:
cd\cpack
dc95
copynew c:\temp\*.txt j:_dat
copynew c:\is\bc.txt i:
copynew c:\lotus\forecast.wk1 i:
Thus to update my HP 95LX, all I have to do is connect the cable, press <CHAR> <F2> on the Palmtop and run PAIM.BAT on the AST. While using my 95LX, the User Defined Function Keys allow me to switch between To-do list, Calendar, and Business Cards by just pressing <CHAR> <F?>.
So long to juggling and waiting for Power On Self Test and Boot-UP.
Frank Robertazzi
Wood Ridge, NJ, USA