Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!uwm.edu!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!brutus.cs.uiuc.edu!apple!netcom!ric From: ric@netcom.UUCP (Richard Bretscheider) Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds Subject: Re: Casio BOSS Digital Diary Message-ID: <5462@netcom.UUCP> Date: 8 Jan 90 09:17:45 GMT References: <703@eedsp.eedsp.gatech.edu> <6052@internal.Apple.COM> Distribution: na Organization: NetCom- The Bay Area's Public Access Unix System {408 249-0290 guest} Lines: 121 pmercer@apple.com (Paul Mercer) writes: >I've been using a 7500 BOSS for 2 weeks. Here is my list of comments: I've been using it for close to a year now...let's see if I can help with some of your complaints.... > - the screen is very angle sensitive; I have to adjust the contrast all > the time I always use it open flat, and usually have to tweak the contrast once per session. I don't find this too much trouble, certainly the same as any portable computer. > - case sensitive search is terrible Agreed. It's best to search for the uncapped portions of strings, such as "alph" if you're looking for Ralph. You can shift-search to find non-first- character strings. > - no auto-insert mode for typing Here's a trick, go to where you want to insert, press the insert key once, press the return key, now you can insert to your heart's content. Delete the extra return when done. > - having to continually use the In/Out mode button is annoying Yes, but it was worse on the Casio 4000. They need a hard switch for this feature. One thing to note is that you can pres it *while* you are making an entry. This will let you go into In mode in the middle of an entry which started in Out mode. > - easy to lose new entries/edits if I forget to press Set Yes, and I still do this. > - no cut & paste No cut, but I use the Memory 0 key as my paste buffer. Memorize the function keys and deleting will go faster. Then you just cut (Mem Shift 0), delete, and paste (Mem 0 again). > - no undo None on most PC's. Yes, I'm MacSpoiled too. > - the initial displays in the telephone, business card, memo and > schedule functions are not useful to me in a day to day basis. Who cares > about how many items I have marked? Yes, but its nice to have a neutral area to start out from. From the first screen of the memo area, I'm just an up-arrow away from the bottom of my list. > - I don't bother with the business card file, I downloaded everything > into the telephone function You should see my "Apple" listing in the business card file.:-) This area does help me when I'm just trying to find a "contact" within a certain company. I don't have to go on searching and repeat searching. > - the scheduler should support repeating events Yes! > - scrolling redraws the whole screen Yes, dammit! > - after power off, the machine doesnUt come back up in the exact state Yes, but who does? > - I really like the small size; unlike the Atari Portfolio I had for 3 > months, I really do take the BOSS with me everywhere. Me too. That's the real testimony. >I briefly looked at a SF9000 before I bought the SF7500 and I think it had >a much more readable display; I will be checking up on that. I checked them side-by-side and didn't notice any difference. The only difference I noticed was the addition of the "page down" keys. Big deal. > Also, I >noticed the displays in the SF9000 are slightly different, leading me to >believe that the software might have been improved. Beware of this perception. When these things are empty, they move a little faster. Fresh batteries also help. w >If the case sensitive >search is done away with and the screen is better, I will probably trade >up to the SF9000. It is bigger and heavier and more expensive though. I won't for a while. It's another $125 over what I already paid, and doesn't have any new features except for the card. Once the Mac/Boss link is here I will have a way to archive my old appointments and the 64k memory in the 7500 will be double what I need. Oh yeah, the first card is out for the 9000. Another 64k of memory for $125. Let's see, that means that to fully actualize the 9000 it will cost around $425. I wonder how long the batteries will last? >I am expecting the Mac version of the software. Someone from Traveling >SW, the company who wrote the software told me it was "really great". I >am hoping it will replace my Phone Book and Calendar desk accessories. >The PC version certainly doesn't do that. For as long as they've been working on it, I'll be really disappointed if it isn't bulletproof and insanely great. >That's it for now. >Paul Mercer >Apple Computer, Inc. Later.... -- Richard A. Bretschneider These are my words. My employer's Ric Bret words are often spoken in haste, and RAB rarely resemble my compassionate prose.