I’ve been an avid Palm™ user for over seven years now. When I started working at Reynolds Carolina Federal Credit Union (now Allegacy Federal Credit Union), I was issued a Palm IIIx. I fell in love with the intuitive operating system. Over the years I grew from the IIIx to the VIIx to the m515 to the Tungsten T2 to the Tungsten T5 to the TX.  I also used the Palm m125 while my m515 was being repaired, tested a Handspring Treo 600 for a week, had a Lifedrive for a few days (hated it), and used a Tungsten E for a couple times while my T5 was being repaired.

Although I carried a Treo 700w for a few months and an Audiovox 6700 for several months, I never developed much of an affinity for Windows Mobile operating system. On desktops I’m as comfortable with Linux and Mac OS X as I am with any flavor of Windows. I’ve always said that, “An operating system is just an operating system.” They all have their strengths and weaknesses. I always loved the intuitiveness of the Palm operating system though.

Now that I’ve been at SharePoint Solutions for over a year, where we are an entirely Microsoft shop, and my Palm TX has been giving me major problems again, it is time to give Windows Mobile 6 a try. I’ve been checking out the Verizon Wireless web site every few weeks to see when they started carrying the newer devices. I noticed Sunday night that they now carry the Samsung i760. We’re looking for a device we can standardize on at work, so my boss gave me the go-ahead to get one, put it through its paces, and report back on how well it works.

So far, I’m impressed with the hardware overall. It has a good feel in the hand. After using 320×480 screens on my Palm devices for the last couple years, the 240×320 screen on the i386 will take a little getting used to. It is nice to have the slide-out keyboard though, and the keys are much easier to use than the ones on the Audiovox 6700.

I’ve been paying close attention to what I really use my Palm for in recent months. I don’t use the built-in PIM applications very much at all. The main functions for me are:

• Worldclock – It’s my primary alarm clock both at home and on the road.
• YAPS – For easy access to hundreds of my User IDs and Passwords.
• My Bible – For Bible study–I have lots of Bibles, commentaries, and resources.
• Note Pad – For quick handwritten notes and drawings.
• Pocket Tunes – For listening to MP3 files (mostly while traveling).
• TCPMP – For watching movies (mostly while traveling).
• Handmark Solitaire – I typically play a few games each day as a de-stresser, or to get my brain in gear first thing in the morning.

I have several other programs that I use a couple times a month, but these are the really big ones in recent months. Others that I use occasionally are Documents to Go, Blazer web browser, Opera web browser, Note Studio, iSilo, Calculator, eReader, Audible, and mobileClock.

My task management system is mostly a single Word document. I do edit it on the Palm with Documents to Go if I’m traveling, but most of the time, I just interact with it on my desktop instead of the device. I’ll keep you updated as I integrate this device into more of my life. If you have any helpful hints for migrating from a Palm mindset to a Windows Mobile mindset, feel free to let me know in the comments.