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Pocket PC Creations is a system for managing mobile computing,
including designing projects, running them in the field,
communicating wirelessly, collecting and using the data. This Skills tutorial
describes what Pocket PC Creations can
do, and how to use it to develop and run powerful business applications
without the need for programming.
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[Printing: The Pocket PC
Creations Skills tutorial is set up as ‘Active Server Pages’ with Review
Questions for a dynamic user experience online. However, the pages can
be printed from Internet Explorer by adjusting the Page Setup via File >
Page Setup > Margins; 3mm Left, Right, Top and Bottom margins delivers
all of the content on the page for printing on A4 paper. If using other
than A4 paper, run Page Setup then check via File > Print Preview
and adjust until the margins are correct.]
Pocket PCs - what
are they? Pocket PC is
the term used to describe the touch screen pocket-sized computers that run the
Microsoft Windows Mobile (Windows Mobile 6.5, 6.1, 6, and 5)
Pocket PC and Smartphone
operating systems, and a cut-down version of Microsoft Office programs.
The Pocket PC may also be called a palm-size computer, but should
not be confused with the 'Palm' computers which run the Palm
OS operating system. Pocket
PCs are increasingly popular because of their portability and the
seamless interface between the Microsoft Office programs on the Pocket
PC and desktop or laptop PCs. Like desktop computers, in addition to
running popular office programs, Pocket PCs can run powerful business
software developed with a variety of programming languages.
Pocket PCs have
a number of attractive features for mobile computing compared to
notebook and laptop computers:
- no platform needed for operation,
truly mobile
- no time wasted to 'boot up' computer
- program starts up where it was shut
down
- relatively low cost compared to
notebook computers
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Sales of Pocket PCs are
expected to exceed the sales rate of desktop and notebook PCs over the
next few years. Mobile computing with Pocket PCs and similar devices is
the next major phase in the evolution of computing. Perhaps as
significant as the changes delivered via the Internet. Many people and businesses that couldn't fully use
desktop computers - because they don't work at desks - will now enjoy
the benefits of mobile computing with Pocket PCs and Pocket PC Phones.
The most common mode of communication
between Pocket PCs and desktop or laptop computers is via Microsoft
ActiveSync and a USB cable.
'Wireless' communication from Pocket PCs to local area networks,
telephone networks and to the Internet is now delivering genuine mobile
computing as an extension of enterprise information systems. The
convergence between Pocket PCs and mobile phones as 'Pocket PC Phones'
or 'Smartphones' is an increasing trend for mobile computing and communications.
Pocket PC Creations
- a development and applications system combined!
Until recently palm-size computers have
been referred to a PDAs, or Personal Digital Assistants, because their main
function was for diary and contacts. Increasingly, serious business
software is becoming available developed in powerful C++ and
Visual Basic languages. Generally, applications developed in these
languages by skilled programmers must either be fairly general in their
scope to cater for diversity of client requirements, or specifically
customised at considerable cost.
Pocket PC
Creations uses a creative approach with Embedded Visual C++
to overcome these limitations of applications developed by
programmers:
- design of applications
(called 'Projects') doesn't require programming skills
- applications can either be
modified by others using Pocket PC Creations, or 'locked'
- applications are designed
for Pocket PCs, not compromised adaptations of software from
other platforms
- application specificity,
flexibility and low cost development are a unique 'trifecta'
provided by Pocket PC Creations
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For Pocket PCs to achieve their
potential, a versatile development and applications medium was needed,
Pocket PC Creations fills that need. The
Pocket PC Creations system is simple and effective:
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Purchase
or trial downloadable software via the Internet
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Run on desktop to develop information management applications
for mobile Pocket PCs. Applications or 'projects' are
designed without the need for programming skills |
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Install
projects/applications to Pocket PC or Smartphone, |
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Collect
information in 'sessions' using the Pocket PC or Smartphone |
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Send
information (text and images) to Pocket PCs and Smartphones, either wirelessly or
by ActiveSync and Mobile Device Center |
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Synchronise
information from Pocket PC to desktop/server, either wirelessly
via the mobile telephone system, WiFi, or
by ActiveSync |
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View
and export information/data for analysis using common tools (eg
Microsoft Excel) or into HTML for printing. Information can also
be sent through ADO and XML to powerful database
systems such as Access, SQL Server, Oracle, SAP and other systems. |
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