Since my memory has never been very good in the first place, I’ve decided to spend some of my ill-gotten cash on a PDA. Mostly I’m looking to use it as a database, so in case I need to know the population of Brooklyn, or what the number of the my favorite PR flack is, I’ll have it at my fingertips.
I’ll also scribble stuff on it, and it would be nice if I could find one that took photos and/or made audio recordings that I could then transfer to my desktop eMac, but that’s not really necessary.
So far I’m looking at the entry-level Zire by Palm. If it uses vCards, (which I think they all do, but correct me if I’m clueless) then I could work on my databases in FilemakerPro at home, and then swap 'em over when I sync everything.
What are your suggestions?
I’m the farthest thing in the world from an expert on these things, so my advice will be of limited value. That said, my girlfriend got a Palm Titanium T3 for Christmas, and my brother-in-law (who is an expert) seems to think I did a really good job. No built-in camera, but it will easily handle all the other stuff you mentioned. The aforementioned brother-in-law has a Pocket PC that he really likes, but since you use an eMac it might not be the right thing for you.
Best four hundred bucks I ever spent.
I’ve been very impressed with the two PalmOS PDA’s from Sony that I have purchased. They have several models, including some that have a built-in camera. I have not looked at the models that have a camera myself, having not felt any need for it.
Sony uses it’s own version of memory cards with these PDA’s, what it calls the “MemoryStick.” When syncing with a computer, a MemoryStick can receive and send data. Also, at least on my Windows PC, the MemoryStick can be seen by the computer as a separate drive (for instances where synching may not work). No idea if the same is true on Macs.
If you can hook it up through a USB slot, it recognizes it as a separate drive. Jeffwc, which model do you currently use?
And Exgineer$400 is a wee bit beyond twice the upper limit of my price range at the moment, which is one reason I’m looking at the Zire. But if someone wants to buy me a present I’ll keep it in mind 
All I really want are the basics.
So you’re saying that my prediction that my post would be no help at all was 100% accurate?
At least I got something right.
With the Sony Clie PDA’s, there is a built-in function called “MS Import” that when selected (while the Clie is attached to the hotsync cable) causes the computer to see the MemoryStick (abbreviation for which is “MS”) as a separate drive. One can than write files to the MS.
There is a separate function called “MS Export” that has to be installed on the computer. That can be used to copy files from the MS to the computer.
My Clie is the SJ33 model. I’m uncertain if Sony is still producing this model; they’re known for relatively rapid turnover of models.
Nah, it let me post my upper price limit