Palm Handheld Resources (From old site)

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Submitted by pastordale on Wed, 2006-11-15 05:48.

Suggested Resources for Palm-Weilding Pastors

Handheld computers such as those made by PalmOne, &c. are invaluable ministry tools. If you use a Palm OS handheld, here are a few apps you really should look into having. If no link is listed, the best download sites for Palm software, including most or all of these, are PalmGear, Handango, PalmTracker, and Freeware Palm.

My only hardware tip is this: if you're going to buy a Palm, make sure it has memory-expansion capabilities so you can store multiple Bible modules on the extra memory card.

Note: If you're considering purchasing software from 9.95 Software, please read this.

Note: Little, if any, of the items on this page are specifically LCMS. No claims of doctrinal content are made. The Bibles, however, are in total agreement with our doctrine.

Bible Apps

There are several Bible apps available for the Palm. Here are some I've used. Check out this review for more on 5 of them.

BibleReader (Note the InterCaps): Free (although a new beta is coming out that will have extra features, like notes, that will cost extra) Some modules are free, including the TR Greek NT, and it handles the Greek without installing extra fonts, but it searches very slowly, about 20 chapters/second on my Palm IIIxe. (A new beta project is working on improving that speed.) Lexicons are available for a price with the KJV or NASB. Hebrew & LXX is now available, and they have a nice Gramcord Greek, but they cost. A free parsed N27 Greek is also available. This is the app I use. Many new features coming in a major update, just around the bend.

God's Word (Formerly Bible Reader): All modules are free, but not as many available. Greek & Hebrew are available, but Hebrew especially requires several hoops to jump through to get it to display properly, and even then, it's not perfect. Greek is not as elegant as BibleReader. Allows display of 2 versions at once, but both must have the same font. This is not a problem with Hebrew, since the Hebrew font uses alternate characters, allowing English & Hebrew @ the same time, but if you're displaying Greek and English, you get either "en arch hn o logov kai o logov hn prov ton yeon kai yeov hn o logov" or In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Has WEB available, my personal favorite translation. On my IIIxe, I kept getting crashes & had to abandon this app, but I'll keep watching for fixes. Search is equally slow.

PalmBible+: Another Bible application for the Palm with lots of Bibles, including the original languages & LXX with their fonts. It's also skinnable, which is nice. (I'll look into making an LCMS skin.) I've had a few resets from it, though, when using some of the larger memory modules, especially in split-screen mode. Hopefully, future releases will address this issue. Note that the Hebrew is available free, but the text has no vowels. Parsed/Strong's numbered modules are also available free. English translations are sparse--no commercial translations available--but a tool is available to convert text modules to PalmBible+ modules, so if you get ahold of a text file copy of your favorite translation, you can convert it & use it at no additional cost to you. Free English, German, Chinese, etc. modules are available here.

Bible With You: Another $hareware Bible application with lots of modules. Looks like you have to pay for most or all of the modules separately, even those that would be free for other versions, but check the site for details.

9.95Bible: Read This.

There are lots of other Bible apps I haven't tried yet, but these are the only ones with Greek, so I won't be trying the others. Read the review for more info, and feel free to use the link submission below to submit information about more apps.

Other Ministry Apps

Connect: Add devotion/Bible Reading schedule to your Palm Datebook.

Bible Flash: Jot down verse notes while reading your Bible. Freeware.

BDicty Bible Names, Greek Lexicon, Hebrew Lexicon: Dictionary files: translate all the proper nouns in the Bible, and the lexicons you're looking for. Lexicons use Strongs numbers for lookup. For lexicons, I personally recommend the NASB w/ Strongs for BibleReader as a better integrated product, but it comes with a fee.

Book of Concord.PRC: The Book of Concord (Triglot English Translation) in Palm Doc format

Passages: An app to sort your favorite passages into categories Freeware.

Prayer Warrior: Keep track of prayer needs Freeware.

Personal Ministry Assistant: $hareware. Lots of features, an app-of-all-trades for pastors.

Reading Planner: Set up a daily Reading plan. Freeware.

BibleGameC: Memorize the books of the Bible in order. Freeware.

SMS (Scripture Memory System): Memorize and categorize your favorite Bible passages. Freeware.

Sermon apps: There are several Sermon helps apps available. If you're interested, go get them from PalmGear by typing "Sermon" in the Text field. Personally, I didn't find any of them that'd be very helpful for Lutheran expository sermons. Somebody write one!!!

Time of Prayer: Combines prayer list, journal, and sermon notes in one freeware package. A shareware version is available with additional features.

Map Apps

Mapopolis: The app is free, but you have to pay for most of the maps by county. Think of it as Mapquest on your Palm. Great for visitation. And if you use this link, the first county is FREE! Also links with Contacts5.

Earthcomber: Not as precise as Mapopolis, but includes points of interest and is 100% free, maps too!

ROM Replacement Apps

Life@Hand: Not actually available yet, but it'll be worth waiting for. This one app will replace your Datebook, Address Book, Memo, and To Do apps. A must-have. (Price not yet set.)

LauncherIII: A replacement for the application launcher (the "Home" button). Much more intuitive, easier to find stuff, and nice bells & whistles. Free

ZLauncher: A replacement for the Application Launcher. This is the essential app if you have a color Palm with a memory slot, since it has a nice built-in file manager and is updated every couple weeks. Highly customizeable, and the cheapest good one out there: $12 $hareware.

Here are some ZLauncher Background Pictures I've made/converted. Submit your own! Mac users, here is a tutorial on how to make your own ZLauncher backgrounds.

Background Image 450x450

lcmspastorT3forZL.jpg (450x450) for all hi res, including Tungsten|T3 LCMSCrossBG.jpg for all resolutions

lcmspastorcrossbg.jpg for any resolution

lutherssealT3forZL.jpg (450x450) for all hi-res, including Tungsten|T3

160x160
JPEG (Install on your card)
pdb (If you don't have a card)

(320x320 for Hi-Res!)

lcmsseal.bmp.pdb
Luther's Pastoral Prayer (320x320) (JPG)

lcmspastorcross.bmp.pdb

LCMSCROS.bmp.pdb
LUTHSEAL.BMP.pdb

Michrome is a Low Resolution (160x160) skin for ZLauncher, which includes the background image you see here. Updated 6/26/03 for ZL 3.x compatibility.

More skins, including the "Old Glory" skin, are available at Infinity Ltd.

DateBk5: Greatly enhances the DateBook and To Do apps, with minor improvements for the Address Book and Memo Pad. A must have, IMHO. $hareware Also, here is my B/W icons file for DB5, custom tailored for LCMS pastors. And here is my color collection.

Today: A "Day-at-a-glance" app. An extended replica of the PocketPC Today screen. Very nice, skinnable, and free.

progect: This one doesn't replace an app, but it works in conjunction with the To Do app. It allows for hierarchical (multi-part) to do's and syncs with the To Do database. Free

Address Uno: An address book replacement that allows you to sort by first name and use the buttons to navigate instead of the stylus. Great when you're trying to drive at the same time, not that I endorse such distracted driving! Free

Contacts5: An address book replacement app. Lots of nice features, including skinnability and easy (stylus-free: great for use while driving--you didn't hear me say that) lookup. (Contacts5 is more functional by far in the stylus-free department than Address Uno.) My favorite feature is being able to show the spouse's name instead of phone # in the list and Mapopolis support to instantly see where someone lives. Also adds 30+ extra fields so you can add Baptism date, etc. $hareware Right is the Michrome skin I designed for Contacts4, which has been ported, along with others, to Contacts5. (& greatly improved)
Note: I helped with the beta testing of both Contacts4 & Contacts5. It is an excellent app, and you'll find my name at the top of the credits list. I don't work for the company, but I love their stuff.

Michrome for Contacts 4

ToDoNow!: A To Do Replacement app from the makers of Contacts5.

eMail: A nice replacement for Palm's Mail app. Free.

Desktop Apps & Conduits

E-mail & Expense conduits for Macintosh: For some stupid reason, Palm doesn't provide a Mac conduit for the Mail and Expense apps. Guess what? QueSoft provides conduits for Mail, Outlook Express and Entourage for both OS 8.x/9 and OS X. Lots of nice features, too. They also have an Expense conduit to give you CSV or Excel files. Most are free.

Organizer (Mac only): A replacement for Palm Desktop. It's shareware, but you have to try it to believe its elegance. Consider this for the church instead of Roll Call, Shepherd's Staff, or the like. It works great over a network with multiple Palm-users, access privileges, etc. And personally, I prefer it over NC/NUD because it syncs Memos, which NC/NUD doesn't, although NUD/NC is cross-platform. Lots of eye candy, too.

Misc. Must-Haves

Dated: Selectively display and delete Datebook entries, remove duplicates. Freeware.

ezMaintain: By the makers of Contacts5. Make batch changes to your address book. Shareware.

HKBook: Personal budget software. Freeware.

Holidays: Finally, an app that can do repeating events based on Easter! I hope to eventually make a church year calendar for this, but meanwhile, make your own!

quickSnap: The best & cheapest screen shot app for OS 5. Shareware.

ScrollBar5: Does your Palm scroll too fast? This slows it down. Freeware.

snapCalc5: Pop up a calculator in any app with this DA. Freeware.

Switch5: A recent applications menu for OS 5. Freeware.

Wecker: Set single and repeating alarms. Freeware.

1_search: Search your address book database for specific information. Freeware.

BackupBuddyVFS: Back up your data to your SD/MMC card every time you turn it off. Shareware.

BatteryLog: Keep track of your battery usage. Predicts when you'll need to change batteries next. Free

BDicty: A multi-dictionary app. $hareware

Button Launch: Use a combination of buttons to launch frequently used apps. Freeware.

Colorize and Khroma are apps to change the colors of your Palm OS if you're sick of blue. I like to change the colors according to the church year.

Cruise Control: The only 100% safe way to speed up your Palm. It's a minor improvement, but it's free. (It speeded my Palm IIIxe by 16%.)

CutPaste5: Cut, copy, and paste larger blocks of text than just 1k. Freeware.

Doc Readers

Ebooks can be downloaded from MemoWare or Peanut Press or the Baen Free Library.
CSpotRun: A basic free doc reader.
HandStory: Reads not only docs, but the memopad, pictures, etc. Good memopad replacement. Desktop component for Mac or WinDOS converts images. Paid upgrade available.
MobiPocket: A free doc reader that can read HTML-formatted docs. Can get eNews, etc., too. Paid version also available with extra features like color and pictures.
PalmReader: A free Doc reader that can read eBooks off your memory card.

Drawing Apps

DrawIt: If you've used Photoshop, you'll be familiar with the tools in this free paint app. No, it can't import images, but it can export in WinDOS. One of the most powerful Palm painting apps, and absolutely free.
Sketchy: A drawing app that can also do animation. Free
Palm's Notepad app is excellent, especially with its desktop component. If you don't need color, this one's for you. You'll do no better.

DualDate: Published by Palm, Inc. My wife is always wondering when I have meetings, visits, etc. With DualDate, I can beam my datebook to her Palm, and she can see what I have when. Private appointments show up, but as "***private***". Perfect for keeping track of each others' schedules.

FileZ: A free-but-powerful file management app for those with memory sticks. Also handy for deleting unneeded invisible files from old apps and beaming "unbeamable" files & apps..

Fireviewer: The standard free graphics viewer for the Palm OS.

HandyShopper: Useful for shopping lists and so much more. Use it for packing lists for trips, and any other checklist you could want. Unbelievably free. A must-have.

Help! combines text and pictures to teach you how to use your Palm Os 3.x - 5.x handheld. This program was written to answer the common questions from new users of Palm OS. Freeware.

JackFlash, JackSprat, etc.: Running low on RAM? Would you like to squeeze another .5-1.5 MB out of your Palm for $20-27? Download these demos and try them out (Get the JackSprat 2.0 beta). With JackSprat, make sure you read all the documentation before using, though. These apps allow you to make use of the Flash ROM that's sitting unused on your Palm. Cheaper than a new Palm if you want to add just a few more Bible modules or something. And if you don't use certain custom apps (like the "Welcome" app), you can delete them with JackSprat, not to mention removing language support. On my Palm IIIxe, JackFlash and JackSprat together give me an extra 1088K! $hareware.

Learn?!: A flashcard app. Freeware. Great for memorizing. Small Catechism.pdb is a flashcard set to help learn the catechism.

MaxKey: A security app that locks your Palm unless your memory card is inserted. No passwords required. Freeware.

MAClean: When syncing with a Mac, especially with a memory card, the Mac puts certain files onto the Palm the first time. This app will remove them. Perfectly safe, in my experience. If you have a Mac & card reader, this is essential. Freeware.

MiniFlash: A $hareware Flashcard app. Biblical Languages Module available for it free (once you buy the app).

Noter: Not free, but great for jotting down melodies on the fly & converting to MIDI. You can also export to your alarms. I made separate alarms for the liturgical year. I also use this for picking out hymns if I don't recognize a tune & want to hear it. (I'm a lousy music reader.) NOTE: Noter is no longer in production, but see NotePad below.

MiniMusic NotePad: Create MIDI on your Palm and export to your desktop or memory card. Write music on your Palm, then sync to your Mac or WinDOS desktop, and voila, you have the MIDI. Can also connect directly to a MIDI instrument. $hareware.

Pane: Extract dates from your Address Book custom fields and create datebook entries. Great for birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Free

PRCPack: Compress your PRC files and remove unneeded info. Works like a charm and frees up some RAM. Freeware.

Silence: Make sure the alarm doesn't go off during a meeting or visit. Like a Mute button with a schedule. $hareware.

Tie Master: Sometimes, you have to swap the tab for a tie. Here's how. Includes a mirror. Free

TikTok: A timer app. Free

TimeCopy: Set your Palm clock to match your computer's clock every time you sync. Mac conduit available. Great for Macs with OS 8.5+'s Time Server option. Keep your Palm always accurate to the second! Free

UnDupe: If you ever get duplicates when sync'ing, you need this. $hareware, but if you have a bad sync, it can save you hours.

WWCalc: Mom walks into the bedroom and finds her son, Tommy, trying to tighten his belt way beyond what's necessary. As she observes him straining, she says, "Tommy! What are you doing?" He stops straining, looks at his mother, and says, "I'm trying to get my belly to hang over my belt like Pastor's does!" Sound like you? Me, too, so I decided to do something about it. Weight Watchers has a nice home program I invested in, and WWCalc is a handy tool to use with it. It'll tell you how many points various foods are worth and how many points you get each day. Grab the databases: Food Companion and Restaurant Databases. Note: you should only use WWCalc if you are a registered Weight Watchers member.

X-Master: A free alternative to HackMaster for installing hacks. My favorites:

ClockPop: Time & all sorts of other info with a button press
DALauncher: DA's (Desk Accessories) are apps you can use within other apps.
- LClipDA, which allows you to have multiple clipboards.
- LookDA, which will complete words for you (like the Mac "TypeIt4Me" & Now Autotype)
- ScrShot, which takes screen shots in any app.
- AkUtils: A handful of quick reference utilities in one DA. Freeware.
Insidious Calculator: Calculate without switching to the calc app
McPhling: A "Recent Applications" menu
EasyLaunch: Switch to favorite apps and all sorts of other commands with combinations of button presses or stylus movements.
Crash: Prevents some freezes, allowing you to reset if necessary without a paper clip.
SnapCalc: A pop-up calculator so you don't need to leave your current app to do a quick calculation. Freeware.