Dataviz, the company that produces “Documents To Go” has released another new version, 9.0, of their “Documents To Go” software. The software allows Palm OS device users to view and edit word processing, spreadsheet, text, and presentation files and view images and PDF files on their PDA. Many of us have a copy of this software which was often supplied with our device. The new version has several improvements over the earlier versions but also gives up the ability to work with WordPerfect, WordPro, Lotus Notes and all other non-Microsoft word processing formats. This version allows you to use files saved to expansion cards and to work directly with files sent to your phone or wireless PDA without additional processing. They have added a new feature called “InTact Technology” to insure that your original desktop documents will never lose formatting when you make edits on your device using “Documents To Go”. The Premium Edition even supports password protected files, charting, pictures, spell checking for word processing files and includes an integrated file explorer that let's you browse to your files on your device or expansion card. Other new features include the ability to view and edit footnotes & endnotes, comments, and text boxes in word processing files. There are several additional bullet and numbering types supported for word processing files. The Excel product allows you to view, edit and create XY scatter plot charts in spreadsheets and to use True Type fonts. One can also edit PowerPoint presentations on their PDA. The new version is not compatible with all the formats that were used on your PDA, therefore if you are upgrading, you need to make sure you either have originals on your desktop or you need to copy the PDA file to your desktop. The new home screen is shown below on the left. The different file types are easier to tell apart except possibly for PowerPoint and PDFs. The other two figures are examples of the display of a Word file and an Excel file.
Examples of PowerPoint and PDF files are shown below.
A desktop client is available for both Windows devices and Mac OS X 10.2 or above. An example of the desktop screen is shown below. Adding new files to either the PDA main memory or to an expansion card is as easy as dragging and dropping or browsing for the file you wish to add.
“Documents To Go” is available in four versions. The standard edition is $29.95 and does not include support for PowerPoint. The Professional edition is $39.95 however; it does not include spell checking or password protection of files. The Premium edition is $49.95 and the “Total Office” version is $89.95. The latter product adds support for Microsoft Outlook including e-mail, calendar, contacts, tasks and notes and also allows use of Microsoft Outlook database files. There are reduced prices for upgrading from previous versions of “Documents To Go”. Version 8 will continue to also be available for those needing the ability to use non-Microsoft word processing files. More information is available at www.dataviz.com.
