Public Displays of Affection (PDAs)
By Courtney S. Ries
Introduction to PDAs
P.D.A. Despite the misleading title, we're not talking about public displays of affection but actually Personal Digital Assistants. They were all the rage a few years back, and relatively mainstream now. However, as mobile phones become more sophisticated, and computers become smaller, the technologies are fusing together. If you have one, should you bring it? And if you don't, should you buy it?
PDA Options
There are not diffrent "types" of PDAs per se, just different styles and brands. Palm Pilots are the most PDA-specific brand, with Handspring and computer-company versions such as the iPAQ (HP) and Axim (Dell) serving as notable competitors.
What is it? What does it do?
A PDA serves as your personal digital assistant...why else would they name it that way, hello? Basically, it's smarter than say, your electronic address book, but not nearly as intellegent as your laptop. A PDA is a hand-held device that allows you to take notes on a touch-sensitive screen with a sylus pen, serve as an alarm clock on the road, keep an electronic schedule and to-do list and in some higher-end cases, doubles as a phone/camera/internet source.
Why You Should Bring a PDA
Keep business organized: PDAs are small devices that allow you to record all your trip expenses, notes, etc. in one spot. You can sync up your PDA with a computer and download all of the information, without having to transfer it from scraps to paper to your online log, for instance. The scheduling feature also allows you to keep track of planned events and you can even use the world clock to see what time it is in the country you're heading to next. Security with banking and other transactions: If you want to do banking management while you are on the road, doing it on your own personal device versus a computer at an internet cafe will greatly decrease the risk of you being electronically robbed. Go online!: Many PDAs are now equipped with Wi-Fi or wireless internet access. Wireless access is available to varying degrees. Many internet sites, including http://www.wifi411.com will allow you to search for places to surf.
Why You Should Not Bring a PDA
Gadgets Galore: There are various components to working with a PDA. A docking station or cords to 'sync' your palm with a computer, a charger if it doesn't run on batteries, convertors for the charger, you get the drift. All of these things take up room and can weigh a whole heck of a lot - especially when you've been wandering around Paris lost for three hours, trying to find your hostel. Hard to upload data: Internet cafes won't have the software compatible with your PDA, and most won't let you install it. Thus, your PDA may be full of stuff, but you might not be able to put any of it on a computer. Flakey Wi-Fi access: It is difficult to get access to Wi-Fi in certain areas on the world. Even if a website tells you places you can get access, there is no guarantee that the hotspot (a Wi-Fi router or 'host') will still exist.
Alienation from others: Not a lot of people have PDAs outside of the working world - this includes both backpackers and the people you're staying with in the rustic village in Mongolia. This tech device can mark you as a rich show off - or worse, a target - and will definitely make some people jealous. It ain't needed: Sure, the extra gizmos are cool, but can't you just figure out the time in China the old fashioned way, by counting? And you can automate most of your credit card payments and do your best to check security at internet cafes before you go typing in passwords.
So, Boots crew, do I take it?
BnA Seez: Negatory. It's a fun little gadget, but it's more pain and hassle than it's worth. And how much of a scheduler do you need when you're on the road anyway?
Recommended Devices
Article added on March 01, 2005
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