Microsoft Windows Vista arrived last January amid much hype. Despite a long development period, much software either did not function under Vista or only partially worked. The Palm Desktop software was a good example of this with some of the functionality making the transition but some not (such as quick install). Palm has released a beta version of their desktop specifically for Windows Vista. It includes the new Palm Desktop 6.2 and HotSync Manager 7. Unfortunately, the desktop upgrade does not work with older PalmOS devices and in fact is only certified for the Tungsten E2, the Palm TX, the Zire Z22, Treo models 755p , 700p, 680, and 650 and the Palm Centro. Palm specifically notes that it is not compatible with recent devices such as the Tungsten T5, LifeDrive or Treo 600.

 

 

The new software only runs properly under Windows Vista and should not be used with Windows XP or earlier Windows versions. The software has earned Microsoft's "Works with Windows Vista" designation. The new software includes an Install Tool which replaces the "Palm Quick Install" tool, allowing you to sync .prc and .pdb files. It allows you to use your USB sync cable to synchronize with Microsoft Outlook 2007's Calendar, Contacts, Tasks and Notes. You will, however, not be able to sync VersaMail email through the USB sync cable although wireless email sync is not affected. The beta version also is only available in English.

 

 

The new software requires you to completely uninstall the old desktop software if you have that already installed. Palm warns that third party software may need to be reinstalled but I found that at least TurboPasswords continued to function after the upgrade.

 

 

The screen shown at HotSync has been modified and you now have the capability of suppressing its appearance. Functionality is otherwise pretty similar to version 4 of the Desktop software.

 

 

The upgrade is available at www.palm.com/us/support/downloads/windesk62.html. There is a survey on the site also for anyone using the new software to report their experience.

 

 

With the release of Microsoft Office 2007 earlier this year, DataViz upgraded Documents To Go to support the new Office file formats. Just this week, they released the most recent version of their software, version 10.002. Version 10 provides full support (view, edit & create) for Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint 2007 files. It supports Windows Vista (with the new desktop mentioned above) and it also works with Mac OS 10.5 (Leopard). Other additions include an integrated file explorer, support for footnotes & endnotes, support for comments & text boxes, additional bullets and numbering options, table of contents support, support for XY scatter plot charts and True Type fonts. DataViz continues to offer multiple versions including Standard ($29.99), Premium ($49.99), and Total Office ($89.99) with features increasing as you move up through the versions. Current owners of Documents To Go can upgrade at a price that varies with what version you are upgrading from. More information is available at www.dataviz.com/products/documentstogo/premium/index.html.