TealTools Kevin Martin | Tech Manager
| Published 12/12/03
Graphic By: John Cordiano
I remember those days of varous nifty utilities from different
developers. Indeed, I myself bought registration codes to several
utilities that enchanced my device in ways I liked. Gathering up the
various tools and selling them as one cohesive bundle is likely one of
the smartest business moves TealPoint has made to date. The TealTools
package does indeed enchance the usability of a Palm device.
TealFiles
TealFiles is a pop-up file manager. It includes detailed information
about a file such as size, system flags and other useful things for
advanced users. It also includes what I call a "beaming bully." "Beaming
Bully's" are applications that ignore software developers' locks that
prevent beaming from user to user. Yes, this means even Audible's
portable book player can be beamed from one device to another. TealFiles
is due for an update, however. One of its features gives the user
detailed system information. This applet inside TealFiles does not
recognize the modern OMAP and ARM processors.
TealTime
TealTime has exactly what you would think a PDA would come with out of
the box: a stopwatch. TealTime also offers a full clock display showing
the time to hundredths of a second, lap timers and a count-down timer
setable for up to 23hrs 59minutes. These features were the main reason I
bought my second Casio Databank watch. While I rarely use TealTime, it
is invaluable when I need it.
TealPrefs
Anyone, especially those who use their PDA as much as I do, has probably
had a time when they needed to quickly and quietly shut off the system
sounds. In fact just this morning when I was sitting in church, I
decided the time would be better spent reading scriptures on my PDA then
listening. However, I needed to silence the clicks and beeps the unit
makes when launching programs and moving pages. With a quick flick of
the stylus, TealPrefs was on screen. I was able to do my private studies
without disturbing those around me at all thanks to this handy applet.
TealPrefs is without a doubt my most frequently used applet of the
TealTools package.
TealEdit
TealEdit adds an array of commonly used editing tools. Not only are the
standard editing functions (Copy, Paste, etc.) represented here, but so
they included macros to alter capitalization, list creation headers,
indentions, item sorting and shortcuts for adding various PDA-type
information. This applet easily predates the MS Office for handheld
applications; so much of its functionality is redundant that you might
prefer composing in a Palm version of Word. However if you keep your
lists in the Memo Pad or MemoPlus (my favorite Memo Pad replacement
program), this applet can save you a lot of hassle and trouble.
TealCalc
When I first bought my Pilot 5000 too many years ago, nothing irritated
me more then to be working in a database (a contact) and needing a
calculator. While switching to the calculator and working the math was
easy, getting back to where I was and remembering the number in the
process was a pain. TealCalc and its predecessor (popup-calc) is my
saving grace. A quick flick of the stylus and TealCalc appears on
screen. After my math is done, pressing the paste button causes your
answer to appear where the cursor was in the application you were
previously working in. Talk about convienent! ęTealCalc is my 2nd most
used TealTool.
TealPad
Most people find themselves remembering something while working with
something else. Switching from an application to the Memo Pad can have
devastating consequences some times. TealPad saves the day by giving you
access to eight "temporary" memos. TealPad pops up over the present
application like all the other TealTools. When you are finished, you can
close TealPad to return later or you can export your memo to the Palm's
Memo Pad software. Another handy use of TealPad is to keep a private
memo, just in case your handheld get into someone else's hands. However
this something that novice PDA users can't access without learning how
to use TealTools hands. Speaking of loosing control of your handheld, if
this is a concern for you, you should see my review of
TealPoint's TealLock. ęTealLock is a lifesaver!
TealTools is usually priced at $19.95. While I don't begrudge
TealPoint's developers of the hard work they put into TealTools, I do
think this price might be a bit high. This finding shouldn't suprise
many of you, since I often complain that PDA software is 25-50% more
expensive then it should be. My strong advice is if you use a Palm OS
PDA and watch the TealPoint website for TealTools to come on sale. Teal
often rotates which of their products are on sale, and you will
definately find TealTools on sale one day in the future. Watch for it,
and buy it.
-- Kevin Martin is Whim's resident geek. He feels sorry for those that don't have teal tools.
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