Windows CE helps this Englishman pack a lot of work and play into a long, but typical day.
The way I use Microsoft Windows CE devices has changed a lot since I got my first Cassiopeia A-11 back in November of 1996. I now use a Hewlett-Packard 620LX Handheld PC and an Everex Freestyle Executive Palm-size PC to do things I never even tried to do on a desktop PC. Here is an account of a long, but rather typical day in my life, with an emphasis on how Windows CE fits in.
6:00 A.M. Time to get up and get ready for work. While I'm doing this, I log onto my ISP from my desktop PC, and download my personal e-mail and Mobile Channels. Before I leave the house I'll synchronize my Everex Freestyle Executive Palm-size PC with my desktop PC, and download this information to the Freestyle. I also download newsgroup messages directly to the Palm-size PC (The Freestyle Executive has a 33.6k modem built into its docking cradle). I use bMobile News (Palm-size PC version available from bSquare, Web: www.bsquare.com) to read the newsgroup messages on my Palm-size PC. I use Microsoft Inbox and Channel viewer for the Mobile Channels and e-mail
6:30 A.M I catch the train for my daily 30-minute trip into central London. I use the time to read the e-mail, newsgroup messages, and the Mobile Channels stuff I downloaded earlier. I usually find a seat on the train, but occasionally have to stand all the way into London, hanging on to a strap the whole journey. The Freestyle's one-handed navigation means that I can hang on and still read/access information.
7:15 A.M. I grab a cup of coffee and start my morning routine. I work for the IT department of a bank and the first thing one of us has to do is perform morning system checks to make sure all services are working. There are a number of steps we have to follow and a number of things we have to check for in this process. We used to keep a paper checklist (some of my colleagues still do), but I replaced that with a Palm-size PC program called ListPro (H/PC and Palm-size PC versions available from Ilium Software, Web: www.iliumsoft.com). It's great for organizing all kinds of lists. I'm also in the process of testing a database created to track this process. The database was created using Visual CE (runs on a desktop PC, but downloads databases to H/PCs or Palm-size PCs, from Syware, Web: www.syware.com).
7:30 A.M. It's time to prepare for the first meeting of the day (the weekly IT department meeting). A quick check of Tasks shows me that all of the things I had to accomplish for the meeting are done. I take notes of the meeting in the Palm-size PC's Note Taker application, and transfer the things I have to accomplish to Tasks.
8:30 A.M. I have to leave for a meeting with a new supplier. I've never visited this company before, and have no idea which train station I'll have to get off at, or how long it's going to take me to get there. I pull out my HP 620LX and start up London Access (H/PC version available from Dynamic Software, Web: www.londonmap.com). London Access is a London-specific map program similar to Microsoft's Pocket Streets. I quickly find the location of the supplier and the nearest train station. London Access is only available for Handheld PCs.
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