Pocket PC RIBnet

roycruse · 21 March 2006, 12:12

When I use my Pocket PC device (Windows Mobile 5) to view the RIBnet pages I get some extra options at the bottom of a thread.

There are some "Display Mode" choices and a "Rate This Thread" option but neither of them seem to work properly?

JK any idea why they are there?

John Kennett · 21 March 2006, 14:01

It looks like it's using a different set of templates. I'll look into it sometime, but probably not until the next software upgrade which I hope to do in the next few weeks.

John

roycruse · 21 March 2006, 14:08

Do we get any new features with the software upgrade ?

Andy Moore · 21 March 2006, 15:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by roycruse

Do we get any new features with the software upgrade ?

The latest version has Skype integration.

Dino · 21 March 2006, 17:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

The latest version has Skype integration.

What is Skype?

Andy Moore · 21 March 2006, 17:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dino

What is Skype?

Free phone calls using a broadband connection. Check it out.

Dino · 21 March 2006, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Moore

Free phone calls using a broadband connection. Check it out.

Andy
Thanks,glad i asked,i've downloaded it and will try it out

Andy Moore · 21 March 2006, 19:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dino

Andy
Thanks,glad i asked,i've downloaded it and will try it out

I have not tried it myself, but it is supposed to be good.

roycruse · 21 March 2006, 20:34

i rarely use my home phone anymore - nearly everyone i talk to is on skype - to make the most out of skype i recomend getting one of these http://accessories.skype.com/section?secid=38893 loads to choose from - the internet phone wizzard near the bottom is what I use - it enables you to use skype with your existing telephone handsets including cordless.

Rodan · 22 March 2006, 07:50

How do you get on with the exec Roy? Just about to swap my IIi for one but was worried about the size...

roycruse · 22 March 2006, 08:55

It is a bit more chunky - but still fits flat in the pocket - and now there is less chance of screen damage as you close it with the screen inside.

At the moment the software is rubbish - there are serious problems with the alarms and the whole thing just feels really slow. I am desperately waiting for the new ROM version to be released.

My recommendation would be to wait for the next ROM and ill let you know if its improved as its a bit frustrating at the moment.

Also they have done away with the drop in cradles and replaced it with a mini usb connector - this means no drop in car kit is available - Brodit in Australia have come up with quite a good solution for a charging cradle and if you combine this with a bluetooth car kit its not a bad solution.

tcwozere · 22 March 2006, 16:47

Just sold mine.. As a phone it was crap, with constant re-boots to access the phone menu.. As a "power-toy", it was great fun, especially useful for googling during pub quizzes..

Or, more sensibly

, checking the state of the tide using easy-tide whilst lounging in a pub somewhere..

The brodit cradle for the car is ok, with holes/opening's in the relevant places for the charger or earphones..

Rodan · 23 March 2006, 11:29

will post my verdict soon. XdaII was fine - had one for 2 years and it was very stable (once the o2 software was removed). XDa IIi has been a real pain in the arse and despite more power is slower and crashes constantly - to the open window with that one.

roycruse · 23 March 2006, 11:43

I work for a company that writes software for Pocket PC devices so use them all day long.

I have also owned every xda from the original.

What you have to understand is its not the hardware that is at fault it is the software - it is the ROM version that you are running on the device that makes all the difference between a nice usefull device and a nightmare.

The O2 software is often a massive overhead that further slows down the device. To have a completely clean O2 software free install just choose corporate during the setup after a hard reset - the password is "0506" (this will work on all XDA's)

The original XDA they never really got it right - it was just about usable by the final ROM release.

The XDA II was terrible at first - bluetooth was useless, etc but by the time they got to the final ROM release for that device they had sorted out most of the issues.

The XDA IIs was fairly stable at first - but after a couple of ROM releaseds it reallyu settled down - and i think this has been the best XDA so far.

The XDA IIi was back to square one as far as I was concerned - Slow and buggy just like the original.

The XDA Exec - is also riddled with bugs which make the operating system slow to respond and the alarms are uselles - they go off when you have them turned off - and dont go off when you need them.

I am praying for vast improvements in the next ROM release.

If you are having trouble with any XDA it is allways worth making sure you have the latest ROM version and upgrading if necessary.

You can get the latest official ROM releases from www.my-xda.com

Andy Moore · 23 March 2006, 12:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by tcwozere

Just sold mine.. As a phone it was crap, with constant re-boots to access the phone menu.. As a "power-toy", it was great fun, especially useful for googling during pub quizzes..

Or, more sensibly

, checking the state of the tide using easy-tide whilst lounging in a pub somewhere.

I am looking forward to the iPhone

John Kennett · 23 March 2006, 12:26

Anyone tried the XDA Mini S? I rather like the look of it, and I'm up for a phone change soon.

I don't need an all singing and dancing PDA, but I like having my diary on the phone as it's one less thing to carry. Being able to look up train times is useful too. Something reasonably usable for web browsing might encourage me to put a bit more effort into a PDA version of RIBnet

I've gone from XDA (MkI), to P900, and now I'm using a Nokia 6630 (which is biased more towards being a phone than a PDA) and I want a bigger screen.

Looks like Nokia have some interesting kit coming out soon. What do you reckon?

John

roycruse · 23 March 2006, 12:35

I have not actually used one - but i was speaking to the guy in the o2 store about it when i bought my exec. he said he is desperately waiting for the next ROM upgrade too - as it has loads of issues and hes basically stopped using it.

It has the potential to be a very good device - and bridge the gap - for users who do not want to carry large devices.

I think you will find if they sort the software out that it is very much a full blown pda - just with a smaller screen.

Cookee · 24 March 2006, 09:06

I have one a nokia 7710 - it has proved to be very robust although I have a Razor to take out in the evening! I'm waiting for the N80 to come out - it looks like a good compromise!

Jonny Fuller · 24 March 2006, 15:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cookee

I have a Razor to take out in the evening!

You started shaving then Cookie? thought it was just a little 'fluff', you should try 'immac'.

benc · 27 March 2006, 09:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Anyone tried the XDA Mini S? I rather like the look of it, and I'm up for a phone change soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by roycruse

i was speaking to the guy in the o2 store about it when i bought my exec. he said he is desperately waiting for the next ROM upgrade too - as it has loads of issues and hes basically stopped using it.

I'd recommend waiting....in my current line of work, we develop a lot of software for pocket pc/windows mobile devices. and the "XDA Mini S" seems to be riddled with problems and as such we sent ours back to wait for the new firmware version.