Tips and Tricks

Using GPS systems with your Windows Mobile device

A few Pocket PCs come with GPS receivers built into them. For those that don't, you can add this capability via GPS navigation packages offered by a number of vendors. A comprehensive article on the available GPS solutions was published in the September 2005 issue (http://www.smartphonemag.com/_archives/sep05/gpssolutions.aspx). Here are a few tips for those who do add GPS capabilities to their device:

1. GPS receivers must be able to "see" the GPS satellites orbiting the earth. That is, they must have an unobstructed line-of-site view of at least three GPS satellites to receive the necessary data. If you use GPS in your car, you can improve the reception of the GPS receiver by mounting it as close to your front windshield as possible. In addition, some vendors offer external antennas that you can mount on the outside of your car and connect to the receiver via a cable. Finally, you might consider buying a Bluetooth-enabled GPS receiver. They can be mounted anywhere and communicate with your Windows Mobile device wirelessly. In addition, they are very portable and can be moved from one vehicle to another easily.
2. You may temporarily loose your GPS signal when driving in a tunnel, in the mountains, or in cities with tall buildings. The advice in point 1 will help some, but there's not much else you can do about this. When the obstacles are gone, your device will reacquire the signal.
3. If you use GPS in a car, invest in a cigarette lighter power adapter to keep the receiver and your Pocket PC fully charged.
4. Some GPS receivers come with cables that connect to your Windows Mobile device. If you want to purchase one of these, make sure you get one designed to work with the unique connector on the bottom of your device. The vendor will be able to help you with this.
5. When purchasing a GPS system, look for the navigation software you like the most. Then, purchase a GPS receiver the software vendor recommends. Some vendors offer software/receiver packages—these are the best bet.

Remove password protection on Word and Excel documents before copying them to your Pocket PC

The desktop PC versions of Word and Excel allow you to password protect individual documents to keep them secure. However, you will not be able to use ActiveSync to move these documents to your Pocket PC while they are protected. You must first open them on your PC, remove the password protection, save them, and then copy them to your device. Here's how you remove password protection:

1. Open the document on your PC in Word or Excel.
2. Click on the Tools menu and select Options.
3. Click on the tab labeled "Security." This displays a screen that will list a "Password to open" and a "Password to modify" the document.
4. Delete the password(s) and click on the OK button.
5. Save the document.

After you have completed these steps, you should be able to copy the document to your Pocket PC.

In the desktop PC versions of Excel and Word, the Security tab in the Options screen lets you set and remove passwords. If Word and Excel documents have passwords set, you will not be able to copy them to your Pocket PC.