With the proliferation of "thumb drives" (USB Jump Drives), do I really need my PDA?

Factual Questions
1

You know you’ve seen 'em, and secretly want one. It’s those little “thumb drives” or USB Jump/Flash Drives, which have 256 MB or so memory that are handier than hell. Given those, do I really need my PDA anymore (an HP Jornada)?

First, all I use my PDA for is to keep my schedule and contact lists safe as I take it back and forth between work and home computers, through Outlook. I rarely use it for notes to myself, and I never use it to e-mail. Sure it’s was nice to have 18 months ago, but now it’s just large and with the thumb drive, it’s obsolete.

Second, is it possible to use the existing hardware and software I have to just keep the files on my thumb drive, and update Outlook between the two? Is there any way I can ‘trick’ MS ActiveSync to read off of my thumb drive versus my PDA? Is it possible to update both the PDA and thumb drive, in case I take a trip and actually want to carry my PDA?

It seems that I can carry a lot more data on my thumb drive anyway. 256 MB versus 128 MB on my PDA. . . Of course I can’t edit anything on my thumb drive alone, but I rarely do that anyway (but that’s where I’d take a PDA if I were on a business trip).

Thoughts? Words of wisdom?

Tripler
Any help at all would be gratefully accepted. I can try it out later tonight, after work.

2

It sounds to me like you’ve been using your PDA all along as a flash drive is meant to be used, not as a PDA. A PDA is normally used so that you can have access to your data, such as phone lists and your calendar, even when you’re not with your PC. So I’d say that if you can get the synchronization issues figured out, a flash drive would be much more convenient.

3

If all you’re doing is moving files back and forth, buy a thumb-drive. Then, configure “My Briefcase” in windows to move files back and forth between the two systems. Briefcase is a windows component…if it doesn’t show up in ‘My Computer’, then refer to Windows Help.

In the meantime, go to mobipocket.com and install mobipocket reader, then download and read eBooks…to me, the best reason to use a PDA. There are plenty of free eBook texts available at the Project Gutenberg website.

4

Well, you’re pretty much right. I’ve been using my PDA so I can have access to my phone lists and calendar, but I never use it outside of it’s docking station–which is where I know the flash drive would come in handy.

I’m just looking to see if there’s any modification or ‘reprogramming’ I can do to my existing software that will make my computer(s) recognize the flash drive as the hardware I want to carry the calendar and phone list data.

SiouxChief, I’m running XP. I don’t think I have Briefcase anymore. . . I thank you for the e-books link, but I’ve tried that before. Reading an “e-book” on a computer strikes me as kind of odd. Especially after sitting in front of a computer for 8 hours a day. . .

Tripler
I like to ‘unplug’ after work. But look at me now. . . :smack: