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Pocket PC Project (Part II)

© Julia Buitrago

For my birthday, my one gift request was a Pocket PC. Unlike a Palm or other digital organizers, a Pocket PC is actually a portable computer, sporting the latest compact versions of Microsoft software. On my Pocket PC, I have Word, Excel, and more important programs (such as Solitaire).

On the Pocket PC, you can use a stylus (a pencil-like tool) to tap letters on a miniature on-screen keyboard or write words in your own handwriting. (Additionally you can purchase a fold-up keyboard attachment for an extra $100.)

So, over the period of six months I used my Pocket PC writing a book project.

First, let me stress that a Pocket PC is not a replacement for a home computer and its accessories (modem, printer, scanner). It can be used in conjunction with a home office for a variety of tasks for the writer on the go.

Day1: The contract arrives. Arguably a contract is more important to a writer than the manuscript. You can always rewrite a manuscript, but without the contract, you do not have a legal leg to stand on to ensure payment. After I received the contract I created a Pocket Excel spreadsheet and entered the vital information from the contract—due date, word and photo count, and payment schedule. I also took all of the contact names and numbers that I received and put them in the Pocket PC’s address book application. Finally, I entered the timeline into the calendar application and set reminders for my deadlines. (Finally, I put the contract in a safe place.)

Day 2: The research begins Pocket Word proved to be a useful application for taking research notes, however writing a manuscript with Pocket PC left a lot to be desired. Tapping on the on-screen keyboard reduced my typing speed to about 10 words per minute. The transcriber application where you can write entire words on the screen was considerably faster, however some of the results when the computer translated my chicken scratch to typed text were an editor's nightmare.

Still, the lightweight Pocket PC allowed me to write anywhere from an airport lobby to the back of a taxi. At home, in less than five minutes I was able to upload my work to my desktop computer. After a thorough reading and spell check, I was able to e-mail my manuscript in progress to my research contact and editor.

Month 3: Photo selection. With my photographs scanned into digital format on my desktop computer, I was ready to take the photographs to my client. Within 10 minutes, I was able to upload the photographs to my Pocket PC and bring the sleek portable to our lunch meeting. With the photographs selected the book was ready to send for production.