Comments on: Datebk6 v6.1 Released

Pimlico Software has released version 6.1 of its popular Datebk6 application for Palm OS devices. DateBk6 is an advanced calendar application that brings a wealth of functionality and features not even present in most desktop calendar programs. The program is fully compatible with the built in Palm OS programs but offers numerous additional features including colors, fonts, icons, custom alarms, templates, time zones, additional views and much more. There is a long list of new features and changes detailed in the included installation notes. Most notably is a new Today View, the ability to hide the status bar and many new alarm and todo options.

DateBk6 runs on all Palm OS Devices running OS 3.5 or later. It comes with a 45-day free trial and it sells for $27.95 USD with the proceeds going towards wildlife conservation.

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Anybody using this?

Tuckermaclain @ 11/11/2008 1:43:25 PM #

I tried it during OS 3 & 4. The learning curve was alot steeper then Action Names. It would have required some studying of the user manual which was unacceptable at the time. Has it gotten any better? Is it less buggier than Agendus?

Still would consider switching. I don't want those Gorillas in North Georgia to starve.

Overkill

Gekko @ 11/11/2008 2:07:30 PM #

i prefer the minimalism of the built-in PIMs over these type of apps. this is overkill, IMO.

RE: Anybody using this?

twrock @ 11/11/2008 3:01:01 PM #

I've used Datebk since version 3. I stayed with version 5. It has plenty of features I don't use, but I do really like the program. I can't vouch of version 6.

"twrock is infamous around these parts" (from my profile over at Brighthand due to my negative 62 rep points rating)

RE: Anybody using this?

hkklife @ 11/11/2008 7:39:07 PM #

I agree with Gekko. The standard Palm PIMs are still my personal measuring stick for ANY AND ALL devices with PIM/organizer capability.

The standard PIM apps are elegant, efficient, powerful and scale perfectly to the limitations of the hardware. A dozen years on, Palm should be commended for making only small but useful tweaks to the built-in PIM apps. I am truly loathe to learn or adapt to ANYTHING else at this stage of the game...but I fear I'll eventually have to!

Pilot 1000->Pilot 5000->PalmPilot Pro->IIIe->Vx->m505->T|T->T|T2->T|C->T|T3->T|T5->Zodiac 2->TX->Verizon Treo 700P->Verizon Treo 755p

RE: Anybody using this?

gtbaum @ 11/11/2008 8:36:06 PM #

Overkill. I prefer ksDatebook, due to the month view with text.

RE: Anybody using this?

StrawMan @ 11/11/2008 11:57:40 PM #

This app is the main reason I started using a Palm in the first place(DateBk3 on Palm III) and is the about the only reason I still use a Palm (Datebk6 on TX - if I could get a PIM this good on my Internet Tablet, I would probably stop using the Palm).

Everything about this app suggests the programmer(s?) use it themselves everyday. It can keep track of everything for you, remind you in the ways that suit you best (extremely powerful and customizable), very efficient interface (minimum number of keystrokes, not wasted graphical 'bling') and still very easy to use (figure out the features you need first, then read the manual to find all the features you hadn't yet realized you needed).

There is a free trial and once you purchase the program there are continual free upgrades (like this one, often with nice new features, not just support for the newest device or bug fixes: I re-registered at version 6 anyway because it was worth it, and I also didn't want those gorillas to starve).

Give it a try.

---------------------------
PalmIII -> Prism -> Tungsten E -> TX (-> + Nokia N800)

RE: Anybody using this?

jsb @ 11/12/2008 12:52:42 PM #

I use it every day. My first PalmOS device was a Handspring Visor Platinum that came with DateBook+ (a more limited version of DateBk3, if I remember correctly) and I never went back to the regular PIM, which I know has evolved somewhat over the years. DateBk does so much more that I find useful on a daily basis (particularly the ability to automatically show or hide certain appointments on a schedule) that I just can't see going back to the default PIM.

I agree, it's got quite a learning curve, but that's proportional to which of the functions you want to use. There's plenty it does that I don't use, and that's fine with me.

If - or more likely, when - I finally do have to move on from PalmOS, I'll have to figure out what to do, but for the time being, DateBk suits me just fine. The fact that the developer is possibly the most responsive software developer I've ever seen is an added - and quite welcome - bonus.

RE: Anybody using this?

DarthRepublican @ 11/12/2008 7:01:51 PM #

I use Datebk5 and like it a lot. Handspring included a stripped down version of Datebk3 in its Visor series and that it got me hooked. I like the icons and color-coding. I like being able to link contact information from the Addressbook and memos to my appointments. I like its floating events and the ability enter to do items without opening the Tasks application.

I wouldn't say that it has that much of a learning curve although it could just be that I've been using it for so long that it feels natural to me.

Screw convergence
Palm III->Visor Deluxe->Visor Platinum->Visor Prism->Tungsten E->Palm LifeDrive->Palm TX
Visor Pro+VisorPhone->Treo 180g->Treo 270->Treo 600->Treo 680
http://mind-grapes.blogspot.com/

RE: Anybody using this?

bhartman34 @ 11/14/2008 8:18:24 AM #

I tried DateBk6. For some reason, it caused my Centro to reset every time I launched it. I'm trying out Agendus instead, which seems to be working fine.

I like it

tobefrnk @ 11/12/2008 10:06:35 AM #

Yes, I will agree that the "zen" of the original Palm apps is great and part of why we all use them but I did need a little more out of my calendar app and DateBk fit the bill. Yeah, I don't use as many of the features as it's got but I do like things like the icon and color coding. As far as a learning curve goes, I didn't find much of one at all. It behaves very much like the Palm app with a few extras tacked on here and there. The one thing that I find annoying about it is that if I am in my calendar, and then want to bounce out to my contacts, the contacts launch in a split screen. Sure, it's a feature that some find useful but not for me. So, I have to back out to the home screen do do what I wanted to do. Still, I love the added functionality that Datebk gives me so I'll stick with it. I'm glad to see them still developing.

Frank
Palm T2, DateBk6

RE: I like it

DarthRepublican @ 11/14/2008 9:31:28 PM #

You can fix that annoying behavior by going into Datebk's preferences (I'm still using Datebk 5.4 so your menus might be different). Under Options | Preferences, tap the Views tab and make sure that Datebk is only set up to use the Datebook button. Otherwise Datebk will do exactly what you describe above, opening the databases for your other PIM applications in a split screen.

Screw convergence
Palm III->Visor Deluxe->Visor Platinum->Visor Prism->Tungsten E->Palm LifeDrive->Palm TX
Visor Pro+VisorPhone->Treo 180g->Treo 270->Treo 600->Treo 680
http://mind-grapes.blogspot.com/

RE: I like it

tobefrnk @ 11/17/2008 1:28:53 PM #

WooHoo! Thanks, that did the trick. Okay, I guess there is a learning curve. (smirk)

RE: I like it

malgeri @ 11/17/2008 10:56:26 PM #

This program is the reason I'm still with palm. The simplicity of the native pims are nice but imo they reminded me of my old paper daytimer. I'm sure that was part of the appeal for some people but I think if your going to use a computer, let it free. Some of the things I like about it are the ability to show different catagories in colors, so at a glance I can tell what's work, home, the kids, etc. Another thing is the ability to search the contacts deeper, A lot of my contacts are suppliers or repair companies that I use infrequently, so I often have a note in my contacts reminding me of what they do. With date book I type in either their name or the piece of equipment I need worked on and it will find all of them. The ability to dial, or look at my memo's etc while still in the program is also nice.
Give it a try, I think you'll be amazed at what it does.
marc