.:  ABOUT ME  :.

PDAgold.com is my hobby for last 3 years. I have written it from the first to the last page. PDAgold.com is the second name of this site. Three years ago, I started to write a web site in Czech for Czech people. I named it ce4you (Windows CE for you) and registered ce4you.cz domain. A few months later I have added an English version, but ce4you.com was already taken. So the PDAgold.com was born. I hope you like it, I spent many thousands of hours working on it. If you want to write me something, you are welcome.

My regular job is for BSP Company as an IT specialist. I manage about 20 servers running different systems from Microsoft.

.: Home :: Pocket PC & Windows CE!

Welcome to PDAgold! My server is devoted to portable, pocket-size devices with Microsoft operating systems. If you own a different device, please look for other information sources (you can use some of the popular search engines like Google or Altavista).

What can you find at PDAgold?

The main part of this site is a Software catalogue for Pocket PC and Windows CE devices. The database currently contains over 2000 applications of various types (games, communication tools, PIMs, tune-up tools etc.), everything as freeware or shareware - that means you can try them without paying. You can immediately share your views with other visitors. However, PDAgold offers much more. If you have the latest Pocket PC 2002 operating system, you can select a new Pocket PC Theme from the list of more than 1500 lovely Themes. Where? In the Themes section. The most interesting news and other interesting informations are collected in the News section. The Hardware section contains comprehensive information about individual devices and a link to the Classified Ads section makes it possible to buy a second-hand device or accessory of your choice, or to sell them. From time to time, PDAgold evaluates new interesting devices, software and accessories. Even though updates are not very frequent, you definitely should not miss the Articles section. Here is a chance for you - if you feel like contributing, my server is open! The Internet offers amazing possibilities of communication with other users. The Forums section make it possible to share experience and knowledge, seek help in trouble or just chat about PDAs. Everyone is welcome to contribute and help turn PDAgold into a rich well of information. There are some more sections at PDAgold, you should easily find out what for.

I have brought home a new PDA - how do I connect to my desktop computer?

Although it is possible to use a PDA as a standalone device, its main advantage is the possibility to synchronise data with a desktop PC. To do that, you need either of these: a serial cable, USB cable, network adapter, modem or infrared port (however, you need a serial or USB cable for the very first connection). Once you have physically connected the device, you need to install a synchronisation programme called ActiveSync (formerly Windows CE Services) on your desktop computer. I recommend that you make sure the manufacturer included the latest version. The installation programme is quite reliable and if you follow on-screen instructions, you should succeed in connecting the desktop PC with the PDA.

Can I run the same programmes on the desktop and PDA?

Even though both operating systems were produced by the same company, they are not compatible. This is because of fundamental differences in hardware but also other reasons. Currently, 4 types of processors are commonly used in Pocket PC and Windows CE devices: SH3, SH4, MIPS and ARM. Programmers must compile different versions of their applications for each of the processors to work properly on different PDAs. But there is more to it, as you will find out as you read on.

So, what kind of device do I have?

There are two types of devices with the Microsoft operating system - with a keyboard and without it.

• Handheld PC (devices with keyboards)
  looks more or less like diminished notebooks. Its size makes it ideal for users who need to type larger chunks of text than just a few lines while travelling. Displays with resolutions 480x240, 640x240, 640x480 and 800x600 can display quite a big portion of text. The main advantages over notebooks are the relatively long battery life and low weight. Their disadvantage is a radical limitation of features of the built-in applications. These devices come equipped with processors SH3, SH4, MIPS or ARM.
  
  There are four versions of the operating system for Handheld PCs:
• Windows CE 3.0 (HPC2000) is the latest. Applications are more advanced, the biggest improvements are to be seen in the Internet Explorer.
• Windows CE Professional (2.11) brought significant changes. The main advantages include support for Microsoft Office documents in their native format, built-in support for the IMAP4 protocol in Pocket Outlook, Pocket Access as a database tool, and an enhanced Internet Explorer.
• Windows CE 2.0 is an older version of the operating system for HPC devices. It significantly enhanced the functionality of the Pocket Office applications and included support for new hardware and colour displays.
• Windows CE 1.0 is the oldest version. Due to the limited number of applications, it can satisfy only the really basic demands.
  
  
• Pocket PC and Palm-size PC (without keyboard)
  are used primarily as databanks for everyday use. However, collecting data is rather complicated due to the absence of a keyboard. The latest version of the operating system (Pocket PC) includes all the necessary applications (Pocket Word, Pocket Excel, Pocket Outlook and more). This, combined with long battery life, small size and low weight, speed and multimedia capabilities, makes it perhaps the most handy device in the PDA category. These devices come with processors SH3, MIPS and ARM.
  
  There are five versions of the operating system:
  • Windows 3.0 for Pocket PC 2002 Phone Edition is a common PDA with a built-in wireless capabilities. It allows you to make phone calls or manage SMS messages without any other additional device.
  • Windows 3.0 for Pocket PC 2002 is not a new version of the operating system, it is just a BIG enhancement. New graphics in a user interface, every application is offering more possibilities.... You can get a software or hardware upgrade for several devices or you can buy a brand new device.
  • Windows 3.0 for Pocket PC is a substantially enhanced system for keyboard-less devices. For the first time in this category, it includes support for MS Word and Excel. The graphical user interface is much different from the previous versions.
  • Windows CE Professional (2.11) is the latest system for Palm-size PC devices. It brought some minor application enhancements, the main benefit was support for new hardware and colour displays.
  • Windows CE 2.01 is the oldest version of operating system for PPCs.
  
  
  
• Smartphones
  are devices especially for users who don't want to have big devices, they are satisfied with their cell phone. So, Smartphone is just a bigger cell phone with a large display and great features.
  
  There is just one versions of the operating system:
  • Windows 3.0 for Smartphone 2002 is the first real Smartphone from Microsoft. It allows you to organize emails, contacts and tasks, and offers an easy access to the Internet, unfortunately displaying any Office documents is not possible without a third party application. Of course you can use it as a common cell phone.

Generally, applications designed for a specific type of processor can be run also on devices with a newer operating system (and the same processor) but usually not the other way round.

You may find the previous paragraphs a little confusing - Microsoft's code-naming policy is rather strange and does not seem to follow a stable pattern. Perhaps the easiest way to find out what version of operating system and processor you have is to look up your device in the Hardware section or on your device, tap Start-> Settings (Control Panels) -> General or System where this information is usually to be found as well.

Anyway, most programmers create distribution packages which include versions for all types of devices. The installation routine automatically detects the operating system and type of processor and installs the proper version.

I can't make head or tail of your abbreviations...

No wonder, there are plenty:) but that's because of space and download time and because they are repeated many times throughout the text

• Pocket PC - does not have an abbreviation yet
• Palm-size PC - this site abbreviates it to P/PC or PPC. However, after the introduction of Pocket PC, some servers started using this abbreviation for Pocket PC, which is quite confusing.
• Handheld PC - herein referred to as H/PC or HPC. Devices with the Professional version of the OS are referred to as HPRO. The latest version is referred to as HPC2000.

Unfortunately, there are no generally recognised conventions, so other sources may use different abbreviations.

I still have problems, what shall I do?

There are many sites around devoted to this category of devices, mine is just one of them. Just look for others:) or send me an e-mail and I'll do my best to help you.