Favorite applications and the reasons for using them

[Haroldo1]

I know the forums are loaded with threads asking "What are the best applications...?"
The problem is these threads are, pretty much, useless to a new user, since most of the responses are a bunch of words that have no meaning to a new user and look like this

Filez
Datebk6
Butler
BackupBuddy
TreoAlarm
Noah Pro

To an experienced user, that may appear like a useful list.
To a new user, it is just a series of words.
Sure, the new visitor can stop and google each one to try and figure out what it does, and to try and figure out whether or not it would be useful for their own needs, but that defeats the purpose of trying to build a thread that could benefit others.
In addition, many simply respond by putting a link to one of the other (useless) threads that list a series of product names.
Again, to a new user, the link and the information is not very helpful.

I would like to try to create a thread that lists users favorite applications, and WHY they are useful.
For example, saying "Noah Pro" in a thread is a waste of time (IMHO). However, if one would write "Noah Pro, a former pay program, now free, installs a dictionary and companion thesaurus. It is easy to use and very handy." In this format the new visitor might actually learn a little bit about the program. Few new visitors would realize, by seeing the word "Noah", that it was a dictionary program.
So, if I may ask, could you please list a few of your favorite applications and, more importantly, tell us why the program is useful. In addition, if it is a free program, that information would be useful.
Finally, if there are many similar programs, but you use one particular program, and you are aware of the differences, please let us know. "XYZ is easier to use than ABC,etc."
Thanks for helping and please don't just list a series of names of programs, I've looked at all of those threads already.

To start out...
My favorites are...

• Noah Pro, as mentioned above it is a free dictionary
• TreoAlarm a free program turns the phone on and off at preset times
• NVBackup, backs up your data to a SD Card nightly. I didn't try the others, but since it is free, I am using it
• EZReset, a free program that allows for a soft reset by touching the screen, rather than taking the battery cover off and pressing the button.

Thanks...and please don't post a list of names without the reasons, I'd like this thread to be different...and helpful.

[Alli]

Makes perfect sense to me, Larry. IOW, you're looking for the reasons why an app is someone's favorite.

[Haroldo1]

Bingo! I've spent hours scanning all the threads that listed names of programs and wished that there was a more newbie-friendly list.

[EazyE]

Filez
Datebk6
Butler
BackupBuddy
TreoAlarm
Noah Pro

I took the liberty of linking all those as a full description would be pretty lengthy and time consuming. hope this helps or atleast provides a good example of what might help you n008ies 

[EazyE]

on a side note i use the following as my favorite apps:

GoogleMaps - map program, shows driving directions as well as satellit pictures

Directory Assistant - phone number/address lookup via yp.com

pTunes - mp3/wav/wma player, streaming internet music capable

TCPMP - Media player (music movies, many plugins available for all types of media

PalmRevolt - Themes/skins for PalmOS launcher(not a launcher, just skins)

Destaller - uninstaller for applicatoins, better than delete cuz it removes databases too

Resco Explorer - FileBrowser like windows explorer

Resco Backup - completely backup program, stores backup sets on SD card

PalmFileBrowser - Syncs with your PC and sets up a very useful FTP window for viewing your treo's RAM and SD card.

on my god, i almost for my favs of all:

LightWavPro - One of the best(!!!) call managers and mp3 ringtone managers. Lets you customize a TON about call/sms/wav/mp3 management. set specifc ringers for individuals, block calls from certain numbers. block calls from wild cards (1800* will block all 1800 numbers) block/accept sms with specific mp3s, set global "Do Not Disturb" settings including preset or user defined SMS messages to be sent to the caller. etc.

Resco Locker(RLock) - Locks applications into RAM thus creating a more stable environment for programs that need to shift/move a lot of databases around(lightwav^^)

Hardware:

Neuros MPEG4 Recorder2 (NR2) - Records from any devices output signals (dvd, vcr, dvr, tv, etc via RCA cords) into formats specific for whatever device you chose, no conversion necessary, directly onto SD, MMC, Flash, etc memory cards.

Siedio 2400mAh extended life Battery - 2400mAh as opposed to the 650's standard 1800mAh battery. providing 33% staying power. (coming soon to Treo650 the 3200mAh battery, providing 77% more power than regular palm battery.

Seidio 2.5mm to 3.5mm Adapter - provides an adapter for use of regular 3.5mm headphones with the 2.5mm treo jack. (some people report the audio jack being problematic and recommend using bluetooth in order to avoid this whole dilema but i have no problem with it at all).

[bheuss]

Um, not to be a smart aleck, but wouldn't this info be covered by the descriptions and customer comments in the MTDN Store?  It gives a basic description of the app, a link to the developer's site, and a list of customer comments/questions at the bottom.

Why one person likes an app and others don't is often a matter of personal preference.  For example, I really really love Agendus SSL Mail.  But I appear to be in a teeny, tiny minority.  Why do I like it?  Easy to set up, not a resource hog, stable, I don't need push mail, integrates with Agendus Pro very nicely, syncs with Outlook. 

The only problem is the things I like about it are things that can be said about many of the other mail apps out there.  But it's what I know and like.  It's also what I determined was best for me after researching all the mail apps and trying some of them.  Agendus just works best for me.

[Alli]

The info would surely be covered, but why would someone go look for them (or at them) before being told what they do - half the time you can't tell from an app's title.

[EazyE]

i agree with both Heuss and Alli, it would be covered by the description and i think it would suffice to simply link a program if you're going to talk about it, just to make it easier for a newbie to navigate incase he/she isnt proficient with the MTDN site yet. but at the same time alot of noobs wont recognize titles or know the research resources available to them.

you have to admit, when we were all noobs we looked for the path of least resistance. (atleast i did, asking questions easily found in the knowledge base or manual, etc.) and i think that's what larry is trying to establish. a list of programs, and a breif descriptions, not opinion. i just went Uber on my list cuz i am infact Uber............and i was bored outta my gourd.

[bheuss]

Good points EazyE and I'm not against Larry's suggestion.

And while I don't deny that I make noobie mistakes (even unto this day), I am pretty good about searching and checking before asking. 

I have to admit that I get stumped by the selection of applications when someone posts "Is there something that can set my voicemail/block callers/show photos of callers/lock my Treo remotely/backup every night/backup if I change a program/give me alarms when the wolves howl at the moon?"  CallFilter?  Buzz?  LightWav Pro?  Butler? BackupMan?  Resco Backup?  BackupBuddy?  Warden?  TealLock?  They all can overlap or do very similar things, but have different options depending on what the user wants/needs.

The options are confusing, even when you use some of them.  Butler, for example, has a buttload of options, more than I need.  But I still use Warden for security since I like it, it's stable, and the developers are very hands-on if a problem comes up.  But Butler's security would probably work just fine.

[Lizzrd]

I agree.  Sometimes, and especially to tech-deficient folks like myself, the lingo in the app's website description is much less helpful than posts from folks here (like Alli, AZ and the former Cypher, to name a significant few).  I'd still be scratching my head about a lot of parallel app choices is someone hadn't clarified the distinctions between like-purposed apps while I was shopping for my first Treo/apps.

 

[gtd]

It's a good idea!  I've spent many, many hours and lots of money trying to find the perfect combination that gives me what I already had with two devices -- phone plus PDA.  Here are mine so far, and the one I wish I could have:

Agendus Pro:  I need to carry my calendar and contact database with me.  The contacts number 6,000+ and growing.  The calendar changes daily, but my career depends on it.  I also have other ad hoc things to track.  So I download the work calendar and contacts to my Treo 650 each work day, then add a few personal events or tasks for that same night or the next day.  With Agendus I can highlight certain things with color, icons, etc, so I can quickly distinguish things on a busy day.  Also, I can show things as having been done with strikeouts, etc.  There's much more, but those are the essentials.

Butler:  It's my alarm clock every day and it is amazing.  Lots of flexibility and I am never late.  It does other stuff, too, but the alarm clock is the main thing for me.

Brainforest:  I don't use this a lot, but occasionally I have a desperate need for an outlining program for my work and this is the perfect tool.  Especially when I don't have pen and paper with me.

SmartList:  A++ database.  I use this for numerous things like tracking time and mileage, Christmas lists, and other things.  A Very flexible and easily programmable database program for Palm.

TMTraveler:  As a Boy Scout leader, TMTraveler lets me carry my entire Troop database, including the boys' emergency contact information and medical emergency information, into the woods.  When a boy falls into a ditch you need three things:  a long rope, the skill to tie a bowline knot, and his Mom's phone number!   

Passwords Plus:  Because I can't keep up with all this stuff, and this lets me do it securely with my PDA.

PrefDoctor:  Save preferences during reset (even unintentional reset) so I don't have to redo everything a million times over.  God I love this one!

Phone Technician:  It does a lot of great things.  But mainly, it boosts the sound so I can hear the other party on my phone calls.  Gotta have it.

Backup Man:  An absolute must have program.  It does automatic backups on my schedule to my SD card so I can mess something up and later recover the correct stuff. 

PDAReach:  People wonder why this is important.  I can drop my phone in the cradle at home or at work, turn this program on, and manage most of my Treo's programs and functions from my laptop or desktop computer.  It just makes life so easy.

Bike or Die:  Because you need to have a game, and this is the one I like.  Addictive, challenging, competitive.

PowerRUN:  I place this one last because it's the one that permits all the others.  It lets you easily move certain programs onto the SD card so you won't run out of RAM and drive your Treo into an endless loop of resets.

Now, I wish I had . . .

A good program that would function like CallFilter and work with my Treo 650 system with a very large (6,000+ entries) contact database.  Something that would let me block unwanted calls, send calls directly to voicemail without ringing while letting certain people ring through, etc.

This setup works for me on a Cingular Treo 650.  I experience few resets, and when there is a reset I do not lose preferences.  The device comes back just as I left it.

Hope this helps,
Greg

[EazyE]

DUH, i forgot these, dang!

ZLink[/u]: Sends programs to the sd card to free up space but sets up the icon "link" on the launcher in RAM so everything appears normal. also allows for an Icon to dial a phone number, access different files (mp3/wav/office files/html)

PXAClocker[/u]: Overclocking tool. speeds up the processor or individual apps

Password Plus[/u]: Security app like a wallet. keeps account info and passwords in a locked database

A good program that would function like CallFilter and work with my Treo 650 system with a very large (6,000+ entries) contact database. Something that would let me block unwanted calls, send calls directly to voicemail without ringing while letting certain people ring through, etc.
Hope this helps,
Greg

Trial Lightwav. and to fix or reduce your resets, find the problem application and lock it with RLock (resco locker). also lock lightwav if you try it out. See my description up above and visit the mtdn download site i linked to.

[Suntzu]

Resco products - job well done
CallFilter - the best call/sms alert manager
LauncherX - need to say more?
TreoGuard - handles my button
Butler - really a butler to me
Datebk6 - my scheduler
CardReader - my treo becomes a card reader
Adarian Products - my password and financial manager
TealAuto - My car will be messed if not for this

[Prolab]

PXAClocker[/u]: Overclocking tool. speeds up the processor or individual apps

Where do you d/l this?  Its not on the download section.  Im curious.

[AstonMartin4ever]

Card export because I don't want to spend money for another Card reader
Doggy just for fun!!!
The Core Pocket Media Player for watch your favourites videos
Stopwatch if you don't want a watch with stopwatch
Minitones because you want mp3 ringtones
Converter because you have to converter ever & ever (I don't know you but for me is very useful)
And Bike or die for playing wherever you want