Help me start out right, please...

[irishgoaltender22]

As I have about a month or so until I am going to be purchasing my 680 I figure I will continue doing my research on various things so that I can buy everything I want at once and hit the ground running.

I figured I would make this thread in hopes that I can just add to it with questions and insight from others instead of making a thread every time I come up with a question. (Also, figuring others will have the same questions I have, keeping it all in one allows future users access to the same information in one place... maybe turning this into a sticky).

I would appreciate it if those with experience and knowledge could impart it upon me. In addition to any of the questions I have I would appreciate it if you would add anything you think I missed; whether it be an app or accessory, or a feature or issue (good or bad) I may be forgetting or unaware of (patches, updates, etc)


Apps...
Since I am starting out with the Treo I would like to stick to freeware, unless there is a pay application that is really just hands down better.

Also, what versions should I be looking for of these respective apps?

Password Protection...
In reading some of the threads on the topic it appears YAPS and Cryptex/PSSMobile are highly recommended, are there any others I should consider? I plan to use it to basically store log-in information to various websites, accounts, forums, etc.

Alarms
Since I have seen it over and over again mentioned that the 680 does not offer a great alarm application I am wondering what some of the better alarm apps are. I currently use my flip phone as an alarm and would like something similar in my Treo... the ability to have at least 4 alarms that I can set, and not have to reset nightly would be ideal.

Backup
As accidents always happen what are some of the more highly regarded backup apps out there? I would like to back the data up to the SD card (which I address later) and would like it to sync to my PC when I sync the 680. (I mention it because I dont know if it is possible or if it is simply standard). The main app I have seen mentioned is NVBackup, is this pretty much the standard?


Cases...
I am waiting to make my purchase until next month because I am using part of my work bonus for the phone. I mention this to explain that like many others, money is tight, I would appreciate it if this could be kept in mind when suggestions are made (i.e. if a case for $50 is 5/5 and a case for $25 is 4.5/5 feel free to mention both but understand I would initially be more interested and tempted by the $25 case)

I have used both cases and holsters and in the end I prefer the holster. While the case offers good protection I think a holster allows me better access to the phone and the ability to see the phone and not a case.

I would like a holster that fully wraps around the phone with a flap closure, horizontal or vertical I am without preference. Also, I want a holster that has a clip that bends/curls at the tip to grab the belt. My current holster slides on and off too easily and I have dropped it a couple of times because of this.

I also saw this case, the ZAGG invisibleSHIELD and thought it looked pretty, well, invisible. If you look at the demo video of the case on the iPhone 3G you cant tell there is even a case on it, and it looks very durable. Has anyone tried this on the 680 model? I am wondering how much thickness it adds to the phone and want to ensure it still allows all access to the buttons and touchscreen.

I have looked at the Otterbox, but I am not really a fan of how much thickness the case adds, and I am not a fan of having to open the panel to access the touchscreen on the Treo. Though it does look like an amazingly protective case, I think it is a little to much and doesn't allow me to see the beauty that is the 680


Picture Messaging...
As I will be using an unlocked, unbranded 680 I want to make sure I can send pictures via SMS messaging. I have seen some threads where people are unable to do it, or are having problems and keep seeing MMS mentioned... as again I will be using SMS I want to make sure I can send images without hassle.


Extended Battery...
As battery life is always of concern, and while I plan to properly condition the batter once I get my phone, I am wondering what the consensus is concerning additional or extended batteries. I have seen the Seidio batteries mentioned a lot, specifically the Seidio 2400mAH battery, is this generally speaking the best battery for the buck?

As it is listed in the link at $50 I am wondering if it is that highly recommended/needed, or if there are better prices to be found?


SD Card...
I plan on storing images, music (2-3 songs), office docs (some not a ton), etc on the phone. I would like to pick up an SD card to better protect against loosing data (via backing up to the SD card) but am unsure of what to get. Obviously having the biggest card possible allows for future expansion, but again that gets pricey. I know the 680 specs show it can only support a 4GB card, but that I can use a higher capacity card but it will only show actual usage when I am below 4GB of remaining space. How big an SD card should I look at investing in?


Cradles...
Should I consider buying a cradle as a primary charging device for the home? This kind of goes back to the extra/extended battery question as I know many cradles offer the charging of the phone on one side and the other battery on the other. Are there any other real benefits to having a cradle over a standard wall charger?


Anything I forgot?
If anyone can think of apps, accessories, updates, quarks, tweaks, issues, etc... anything I forgot, please feel free to add your input.

Again, all input is appreciated, and I am sorry that this post ended up longer than I anticipated, I hope I didn't scare anyone off.

[irishgoaltender22]

83 views but no input.

I'll just remove everythingtreo from my bookmarks.

[benjie]

The bad thing is that your questions have all ready been answered in other posts. A bit of reading will answer them. A few of us just hate repeating ourselves time after time after time after time after time.

[stevetaz]

Somebody need to switch to decaf....

You might have better luck posting some individual questions rather than try to get every question out there in one, loooooooong, overwhelming post. Jeeeez, and I thought I was long-winded.

So of 83 views (now 90 and counting), no one answered you so you are going to take your ball and go home?

Does that negate all the other assistance members have given you on your other posts? I seem to recall spending some time trying to assist you myself, but I guess I/we haven't done anything for you lately, eh?

I must say, this is a rather sad reaction. In my opinion of course.....

Enjoy your new friends!

SteveTaz

[irishgoaltender22]

Figured it better to have an all in one post than making 10 new threads with questions... I point this out in the original post. I also mention that keeping all the information together would allow for easier future reference for others and given the information that could have presented itself in the thread it could have been made a sticky (which again solves your problem of answering repeat questions in the future). Beyond that, if people thought individual posts were better one of the 83 previous viewers could have posted and mentioned it or said something.

I belong to many many forums, and I know there are times that the same questions get asked... since a lot of the time search fields are very narrow and do not yield the results the person is looking for it often works better when veterans of a forum simply post links to threads they know contain the answers someone is asking.

Another option would be making stickies of the pertinent information if these are questions you all see so often to help new-comers.

I found a couple of other forums that dont have so many idle and lack luster threads thus being helpful, so Im not really taking my ball and going home.

In my other post you and ben offered responses, those questions I had were very generic in nature as well, but you still answered. You were both informative and I was greatful which I expressed. However, when I return to the forum seeking additional advice the post goes untouched for 2 weeks... outside of that I look at the forum as a whole...

...General Treo Chat has 20 threads on the first page, 8 of them have no responses and 5 have less than 3. The 680 forum has 22 threads on the first page, 9 with no responses and 7 with less than 3... so 29 of 42 threads have less than 3 response... many of them have topics that include the words like help, or question in the title.

I've said my piece and wont be checking back as I dont believe in pointless trvial forum war of words. You helped in my first post, to which I say thanks... the community flopped on my second and a lot of other posts I have seen, but you are all apparently still under the impression that is helpful too so whatever works for you I guess.

[benjie]

There are a few of us that really have no problems with answering questions. I for one have answered questions for years on a number of different forums. Answering questions is fun when it helps people; however, answering the same question time and time again is not fun. In fact, it gets old. I have been Palm'ing for years. I have been WM5/6 for a year. When I get a new device, I play and read and once in a while I even read the documentation, but mostly I backup the device and play.

What this does is ultimately good - as I stated, play and read. This means that when I do have a question, it is one that has not been answered many times. Taking the time to read through the forums also gives one insight to what others have done/experienced. A topic may start with X and grow to include XX and so forth. Something in that topic may lead to something else which just might answer a question before you know you have a question.

If you need help, read. If upon reading the answer is not there, then ask. I have no problem with that and neither do the others here. My experience runs from hobby to business, from some hobby applications (not games too much) to some pretty heavy duty work applications. I am a heavy user of what are considered commercial/work applications.

When I see a thread that has something to do with hot sync, I normally ignore it - the question has been answered before in all flavors. When I see an application that has something to do with Versamail, I ignore it - the question has been answered in all flavors. When I see an application that says, "I cannot sync my documents with Documents to Go," I ignore it - the question has been answered in all flavors.

No one flopped here other than the failure of a certain person to read first and ask second. Do not damn me or the others here in this situation.