The PDA, or personal digital assistant, is a handheld computer used primarily to track personal information. The most popular PDAs made by Palm, Inc., give users a calendar, an address book, access to e-mail and a task list. But what sets a PDA apart from the cheap handheld organizers at Wal-Mart is their ability to run applications other than what's programmed in them.

There are two platforms for PDAs, Windows CE (for Compact Edition) and the Palm OS. Compaq and Hewlett-Packard make Windows CE devices while the Palm and Handspring make Palm OS devices.

The difference betweent he two platforms are their interfaces. Windows CE is based on Windows 95. It comes complete with a Start manu, a task list, and multi-tasking. Windows CE even has the inherent instability of Windows. CE devices frequently lock-up. The Palm OS interface is more primitive. There is no multi-tasking. However, this is the most popular platform because of its ease of use and lower cost.

For more information:

http://www.palm.com/
http://www.winceonline.com/

Jeff Sutherland
MCCNM 336

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