DeskPilot Version 0.9 Readme

Written by Doug Case  dccase@interactive.net


My goal in designing DeskPilot was to make it work just like the real 
Pilot so I wouldn't have to write a Readme file.  If you've managed 
to download and unZip this file, you probably don't need to read it, 
but I do get a few questions about it now and then.


What is it?
-----------
DeskPilot is a Windows program that displays PalmPilot data.  It reads 
the files created by the PalmPilot Desktop program when you Hot Sync 
your Pilot.  It works with the Pilot 1000/5000, PalmPilot Personal and 
Professional, the Palm III, and the IBM Workpad with all current 
versions of the Pilot Desktop Software.  If you don't have one of these, 
you can stop reading here.

It has been tested under Windows 95 and 98, and Windows NT 4.  It won't 
work with Windows 3.x.


Getting Started
---------------
The first time you run DeskPilot, it doesn't know where your Pilot 
Desktop data files are located.  It will instruct you click on the 
green button and fill in the file locations.  To find the files, you 
can check the properties of the shortcut to the Pilot Desktop program.  
It often is in the C:\pilot directory.  Under this directory is a 
directory for each user the Pilot knows about, with a name made up
of part of your last name and first initial.  Mine is CaseD.  Under
this are directories containing the data files.  They have the same
name as the file they contain,  i.e. memopad.  So, my MemoPad file is 
in the directory C:\pilot\caseD\memopad.  Yours are probably somewhere 
similar.

After locating the 4 files, click OK, and your data should appear.


Upgrading from an earlier version of DeskPilot
----------------------------------------------
All you should have to do is replace your old copy of DeskPilot.exe with 
the new version.  It will keep your old settings.

Approximately 2 people have reported problems after upgrading.  Some
old settings seemed to conflict with the new version.  If this happens
you can delete the PilotView.ini file from your Windows directory.
That will clear all your saved settings.


Using multiple configurations
-----------------------------
If you find you are frequently changing settings, you can now save
multiple sets.  For example, you might want to view data from 2 Pilots.
By default, DeskPilot's settings are stored in a file called 
PilotView.ini, which is automatically created in your Windows directory.
If you want to use a different settings file, you can specify it as a
command line parameter.  The easiest way to do this is to make a copy 
of PilotView.ini with a different name.  You can then make 2 shortcuts
to DeskPilot.  Put the path and name of the settings file at the end of
the Target line of the shortcut.


Using a Password
----------------
You can now enter a password on the Display page of the Preferences screen.
If something is entered there, you will be prompted to enter the password
when the program starts.  To stop using a password, just blank it out.

NOTE:  This password scheme is not intended to provide bullet-proof
security!  It is intended only to slow down a casual snooper.  The password 
you enter is slightly encrypted before being saved, but it won't stop a 
real hacker.  But, the Pilot data files that DeskPilot reads are stored as 
plain text so the hacker would have just read them in the first place.


Other Notes
-----------
- There is no Week View display.
- MemoPLUS drawings attached to memos will be displayed if any are found.
  There are no settings required.
- There is no Find function, but you can use a Filter to do the same thing. 	
- DeskPilot only reads files.  It can't update or delete your data.
  Files are only open briefly when the program starts or reloads.


How much does it cost?
----------------------
Nothing.  
It's more fun for me if I don't feel any obligations.  I've gotten a lot
of good stuff free from the Internet.  This is what I'm giving back.
If you insist on paying for it, feel free to send a donation to your 
favorite charity, or send me a copy of a program you've written.

If you really want to, you can click on some of the ads at the bottom
of my web page at http://userweb.interactive.net/~dccase/pilot/deskpilot.htm .
If you sign up for something, they'll pay me a little.  Some of them will 
pay you too.  Everybody wins.
