Kensington offers easy-to-use keyboard for handheld Visors
The Kensington PocketType for Handspring Visor models is an easy-to-use keyboard that's easy to set up, too.
After loading the software from CD to either a Macintosh or Windows PC, just HotSync your Visor and you're ready to go.
Of the different Palm software programs I used with this $49 keyboard, all six performed as expected. Moving between fields was easy using the scroll wheel.
The layout is similar to the standard keyboard configuration, so there is no learning curve. The pamphlet that comes with the keyboard was a step-by-step breeze, with plenty of visuals and tips.
Keys are a comfortable distance apart, but people with extra-large hands should try this before buying. This is a thumbs-only product for most people; don't expect a huge increase in speed of input.
Information: 800-235-6708 or www.kensington.com.
Jeff Mahurin/KRT
Cardscan 600s organizes business cards in computer
The tiny, $240 Cardscan 600c scanner will make quick order of all those business cards tossed in your desk drawer.
It hooks to your computer's USB port and instantly transfers the names, numbers, titles and e-mail addresses on business cards into your computer's address book or contact-managing software.
I zapped through about 100 cards in a little more than 30 minutes, transferring them immediately into my Outlook contacts file and then synchronizing them with my Palm handheld organizer.
I'm amazed at the accuracy. The only time the unit seems to stumble is when the card has unusual or highly stylized typefaces or light text on dark backgrounds. It sometimes gets a little confused with odd-shaped cards or those laid out vertically.
The 600c with Version 6 software scans in color and allows you to attach an image of your business card as a signature for Outlook e-mail. The software also allows you to transfer all your contacts to a CardScan.Net Web site for access on a secure private server while you're on the road.
It takes two or three seconds to scan a card. You can make corrections, edit, or drag-and-drop information before transferring it to your address book.
Information: 800-942-6739 or www.cardscan.com.
Mike Wendland/KRT
