A PDA has a touch screen, which is a very cool feature. This allows the PDA to have very few buttons you have to deal with. The stylus is used to access different areas of your PDA by the use of the touch screen.

However, the touch screen is very sensitive. The touch screen also should only be cleaned with an electronic cleaner, this way it is not damaged in any way and will work on your PDA just as it always does. By tapping the touch screen with the stylus allows you to activate buttons or maneuver from different menu choices just as you would with a desktop computer mouse.

You do not have a cursor on a PDA; instead by using the touch screen and the stylus you are able to use your PDA in a quick manner. If you have your PDA set to take notes, which most PDA's have this feature you can use the stylus and the touch screen and literally write words.

If your PDA is not in this mode, then you simply use the virtual keyboard at the bottom of the touch screen on your PDA. Using the stylus you tap the letters you want that appear on the touch screen. This is very easy to do as well. You can also use the touch screen and stylus to highlight different areas of a paragraph you may have done on your PDA. 

Remember you don't have to press hard on the touch screen of your PDA. The touch screen is very sensitive. Tapping it lightly is always best instead of pressing hard. If it's possible, try to clean your touch screen everyday, especially if you keep it in a case, this way dust and other things don't build up on it. If you let dust or other film collect on the touch screen it will not be as sensitive at the tapping of the stylus.

Some people use screen covers for their PDA touch screens simply so the touch screen will not get scratched or damaged in some way. These screen covers are not costly, in fact they are considered very inexpensive when you think about the possible damage that could be done to the touch screen of your PDA. Most of the time the touch screen covers come in packs as well.

You don't have to get them at a computer store or somewhere like that. Most department stores sell them so they don't even have to be special ordered. These touch screen covers are not reusable however, but this is why they are sold in packs, and one screen cover does last for a while, depending on the amount of usage you do on your PDA.

Never try to use a pen, pencil, or any other pointed object to tap on the touch screen of your PDA, many times not only will the PDA not be able to acknowledge the command you are trying to perform, but it is also a good way to definitely damage the touch screen.

The basic concern about the battery of a PDA is the way the PDA is actually treated. It should not be allowed to completely drain, if this does happen all information and data that is on the PDA will be lost. The PDA actually goes back to the manufacture state when you first purchased it in a sense.

With this in mind, you should probably charge your battery at night just as you would say your cell phone. Or dock it with the computer, not allowing it to synchronize with the computer.  If it tries to synchronize with your computer all you have to do is make sure you hit cancel and the PDA will simply sit on the docking station and charge.

Most PDA's will also charge the battery while docked. Sometimes with different brands of PDA's however this is not possible at all. They indeed have to charge by using an alternate cord that plugs into a wall outlet. These cords usually come with the PDA at the time of purchase.

If the PDA happens to get laid in a water spill or something of this sort, it can definitely damage the battery. The PDA should be wiped off immediately and in some case possibly taken to a computer repair place to be checked out. Some PDA's as they get used and older tend to lose their battery charge sooner than when you first purchased the PDA. This being the case, you can purchase another battery; however depending on where you get the battery from, it could get expensive. In some cases your battery might be under warranty. Usually however, the manufacturer doesn't warranty the battery for a long period of time.

This also happens if the PDA is used quite often and the PDA battery is constantly being charged. Several times a day and such, with this in mind to maintain good battery performance, check the settings on your PDA. This way when you are using your PDA there are settings that allow you to minimize the battery use. Such as the light going off if the PDA isn't used after a few minutes. Or the PDA shutting off automatically after an mp3 has played.

Most PDA's have a light or signal letting you know the battery is low, the same as your desktop computer would do, it is then you should charge your PDA and not wait until it has almost totally lost its charge, just in case you do fail to get it on charge and the battery life goes completely out.

Remember, if this happens all data and information stored in the main memory of the PDA is permanently lost. You cannot get it back. Something to definitely keep in mind when charging and maintaining the battery life in your PDA.

However, in the case that a battery is not holding a charge at all and needs to be replaced you can purchase another one for your PDA. You will need the model number, which is usually located on the battery somewhere or the PDA itself. Batteries can be expensive, and normally used batteries are not offered for sale.

Some employers of corporate offices are using PDA's with the use of the Excel Spreadsheet program to keep track of their many employees and their hours. The employers are not only able to keep track of their employees, but their schedules and the time that they have actually put in each week.

The employer can easily put the information in the appropriate area by using the stylus and touch screen, then later like at the end of the week, transfer the information onto a desktop computer where the employee records are kept. Each week a new spreadsheet is created and the records of the employees and the hours they worked are undisputable. This is effective if there is a discrepancy about the employee's actual hours. The documents can be reviewed at any point, either from the desktop computer, or if it is in the middle of the week, through access of the PDA itself.

Many employers who have a lot of employees working for them will do this now. There are even independent contractors who keep these sort of files on a PDA, because different workers work different hourly shifts or different days. It is easier to keep track of them. Some employers also use the PDA for inventory or shipments that are coming or going. The files of the inventory can be saved on the PDA and also transferred to a main computer at a different location.

There are many uses for a PDA in the business field. And there are many programs designed for the PDA that you can purchase and install to assist you in the business field. Though some of the PDA's come with some programs, you might not have the one you need. You can usually look on the Internet to find out if a program you need can actually be purchased for your PDA. If you can't find a certain program for your business, that will work on your PDA try going to a business where computer software is sold. There are some places that can special order it for you. If it is available for use with your PDA. It may cost a bit more, but you'll then have the program.

Construction site managers often use PDA's now not only for the purpose of employees but also for the amount of progress done to the construction site has been done. For example the day concrete was poured, or wall beams were put in, all this information can be stored and dated on the PDA, and the on site manager of the construction site can then transfer the information to the main computer where it can be viewed by the actual owner of the construction site.

This gives the owner an idea of possibly an ending date, when the building will be finished, or if in certain areas there are more workers that are needed. And in some cases, if there is a shortage of building materials for the construction site. All this can be filed on a PDA and accessed later.

Depending on the brand, the amount of memory and the style you are looking for; PDA's can average in cost. To some people they are not expensive at all. While to others they sound too expensive to get. Basically a PDA that is good for the use of basic programs and optimizing word documents as well as other simple tasks the cost is lower.

However the newer models coming out now, with wireless capabilities, Wi Fi, and of course blue tooth will cost you more. It also depends on where you go to purchase the PDA as well. Basically the cost of a PDA can be anywhere from $99.00 to over $600.00. And after buying other accessories to go with your new PDA, such as a case or screen covers and much more, the cost increases a great deal. Don't lose your breath this is true.

The newer you go with a PDA, the higher the cost is going to be.  Some people want the best brand name, while others want good processor speed for a PDA. And yet there are still others who want to outdo their associate. This of course, is the one that gets the best of us. Unfortunately, there are people like that. But if they want to pay the cost, it's their choice.

Sometimes you can find PDA's at a cheaper cost, however it means buying a PDA that is used. And often times these PDA's aren't under any type of warranty and if something happens to go wrong, you pay to get the PDA fixed. When you purchase a PDA that has been refurbished, this means the PDA has either had a programming problem, a processing problem, or some other flaw. It has been repaired and now it is being sold as used. Most of the time refurbished PDA's only last for a short period of time.

Not to mention the fact that there may be flaws in different programs on the PDA that you are initially unaware of until you go to actually access or use that specific program. So, the cost of the PDA you have purchased, as being used will obviously increase as time goes on; or problems should arise. As a matter of speaking bluntly, you shouldn't really buy a used PDA from a friend, if for some reason something goes wrong with the PDA it can ultimately end a friendship quickly.

There are some computer stores, that will sell PDA's as well as other accessories that are in fact brand new, they will however sell them lower as part of a wholesalers price, whereas at a store where you won't find as many products by the company would initially cost you more. It sounds confusing, however either way cost effective, when it comes to the purchase of a PDA that you want.

You can also buy PDA's that are brand new on the Internet through websites, however the shipping cost and insurance on the PDA can be costly. This is something to take into consideration too.

Over the last year sales on PDA's have increasingly dropped. Palm pilots and those with blue tooth capabilities are still holding at a steady pace. According to the economic statistic poll taken in 2006 PDA sales had fallen by at least twenty percent. Even if incentives were included into the package.

Either people needed more memory, faster processing, or simply liked the idea of having a newer design and brand name.  However, the sales of the newer types and brand models were actually rising. Those that weren't actually considered PDA's but a higher upgrade of the version of PDA. Now, some companies are working on different ideas such as faster processing for the PDA, additional software for different types of material and programs. Additional games, and cases are being offered as an incentive to purchase the basic PDA's too.

Some researchers believe it's actually the economy. That people are trying to catch up, in order to afford things like a PDA. If this is the case indeed, this is possible. This would ultimately mean that in the near future sales for PDA's and equipment would sky rocket. This is what manufacturers are hoping is the situation.  However, production of PDA's have slowed down, they haven't totally stopped obviously.

And, the research to improve them has not stopped either. The improvements are believed to only entice consumers more than before when the PDA was being sold. Sometimes waiting is all that can be done, and this is in a way what manufacturers are doing at this point. Meanwhile, waiting for economy to catch up.  The economy is in a bad position right now, and to a lot of people a PDA is considered a luxury more than an asset. Therefore the purchase is delayed.

Most people in offices and hospitals don't see the decline in sales of PDA's; due to the simple fact that at this point they are in use by these people. As well as major companies and department stores. College students are currently the highest buyers of PDA's. When surveyed and ranked among other buyers in different establishments.

Still some of the manufacturing companies of the PDA have started to bring their prices down. Not a lot, however there are some cheaper than they used to be. Or the stores will offer sales and discounts on PDA's. If you do get a PDA with less programming on it, or a decrease in memory, which in a lot of cases isn't easy, A PDA is sometimes cheaper too. However the decline is more in part my all the different styles that are coming out so quickly.

Competition in company sales can also cause a decline, because people just don't know which one is really the best, and they want to wait a while in hopes that some kind of consumer news on a certain PDA will be released to the public. This being the case, companies will have more PDA's setting on the shelf of a store rather than sold, because consumers won't be able to choose.

A PDA can also play mp3's if they are stored in the memory of the PDA. Just like a desktop computer, depending on the amount of memory on your PDA. The PDA has a built in windows media player, that allows mp3 files to be played. You can be doing other tasks on your PDA while the mp3's are playing, however it may slow your PDA down a little. Once again in depends on the amount of memory you have.

Another way to store your mp3's you want to play on your PDA is by the use of a memory card. The memory card slides into the top of your PDA in most cases, and then using your stylus you simply open the storage card folder and it lists the mp3's you have on the memory card. If you have enough memory, this is how you also transfer mp3's to the main memory of the PDA in order to play a specific mp3 at a different time.

You can listen to mp3's through the speakers that are usually found on both sides of the front of your PDA. Different models vary however. There is a place for a headphone set to be plugged into the PDA as well, so you can listen to mp3's without disturbing those around you.

Another feature with the PDA referring to mp3's is the windows media player. When it is showing on the touch screen and you aren't doing anything else with your PDA, it will display the name of the song that is playing. And, with a simple touch of the touch screen with the stylus the mp3 will be paused. Once the touch screen is tapped again, the mp3 will continue.

Your PDA will often times be able to play music in the wma format as well, if it is set to do this. You have to allow it however, by going to the settings on your PDA and changing it, so it will accept those file types and play them as well as the Mp3's you have on your PDA or memory card. Additionally, you can't simply take a memory card out of an Mp3 player and play it in your PDA. The memory card must be formatted for the PDA specifically and then the MP3's you want added to the memory card, to play in the PDA itself. Usually if an Mp3 will not play or a wma file doesn't play a format error will come up on your PDA screen letting you know.

Mp3 play lists can be created on the PDA as well. Usually the amount of Mp3's you actually store on the main memory of your PDA depends on other information that might be vital. Otherwise the Mp3's can easily be stored on the memory card and used for later. They do not have to be erased, unless you need the memory card for different use.

Mp3's however have to be in a certain format for them to play on your PDA but this depends on what kind of PDA you own as to the format the Mp3's will play.

Almost every PDA available today has the capability to store pictures on them. The picture has to be in the right format in order for the pictures to display properly. Most pictures can actually be saved on the main memory of your PDA, however once again they can be stored on a memory card and viewed this way. The same rule applies; simply use the stylus to open the storage card file and find the picture you would like to view. This is another way to view pictures on your PDA.

Most pictures appear reasonably clear on a PDA, this also depends on the resolution your PDA has on its operating system. Some PDA's will allow you to place pictures on the main screen that is just like the desktop computer main screen. Pictures that won't display on your PDA may be too big as well. If this is the case, the picture will come up however you will only see a portion of the picture instead of the entire view.

The PDA that has pictures on the main memory will display the pictures by simply opening the appropriate folder and using the stylus selecting the specific picture and it will be displayed on the screen. If your PDA doesn't have a lot of memory to spare the picture may load slowly. If this happens, simply close some of the other programs you may have running just as you would with a desktop computer.

Your PDA comes with a display picture or a wallpaper display for the main screen, however adding wallpaper pictures usually will not work on older version PDA's. This is possible with some of the newer versions of PDA's, and there are many versions available today. One that will fit almost every need for every individual person.

One thing I should mention also is if you let your PDA battery lose its charge completely the pictures you might have saved on the main memory will definitely be lost. You want to keep your PDA battery charged. This way you won't have to worry about those pictures being deleted and possibly lost for good. This is also considered a good way of being able to not have to carry all those pictures of loved ones and friends that can possibly get damaged in your purse or your wallet. By putting them on a PDA, they are digital and can easily be put right back on if for some reason one or two are accidentally deleted.

People like this feature, whereas they can carry the PDA in their purse or on their belt and have easy access to show off their pictures. As with a journal or the MP3 part of a PDA, some people use the PDA just for pictures, it is like their very own digital picture album and with plenty of space, because this is all the PDA is used for it can hold several pictures, as well as holding pictures on a storage card that can be placed in the PDA as well.

Although some newer laptops are coming out with reminders, you still have the problem of actually taking it with you wherever you go. The PDA has a program already installed on it when you purchase it called a task manager. As well as appointment book. This allows you to keep up with appointments and tasks that are upcoming.

The PDA can also be set to remind you of certain events that are coming up, that you don't want to forget such as an important meeting right down to a birthday. You can set a reminder tone on the PDA that will go off, and this of course lets you know of the appointment or specific date you wanted to remember. It will also do this if you set it in the morning, for say picking up files from an office at three that afternoon. The PDA will go off thirty minutes before whatever it is you have to do. The PDA can also be set days in advance for an appointment, this way your schedule is always at hand.

The PDA can come in handy if you have several things you have to do in one day as well. You can list everything you need to do for that day either the night before on that morning, then go by what is listed on your PDA and not forget absolutely anything. It is a good way to stay on schedule. Also, I should mention if your schedule changes it is very easy to delete or move an appointment on the PDA. Its just like a computer in the aspect of the way the program for the task manager is set up to function.

The scheduling program allows you to set dates well in advance and will keep track of those dates as they approach. You can also delete things on your schedule once the appointment is done, or if the appointment has been cancelled or changed. You have the option of changing the appointment you have scheduled as well. Most PDA's come with a task manager and sound alarms can go off letting you know of an upcoming task, as well as alerting you of appointments, meetings, even birthdays and anniversaries.

In the fast society now, it seems almost everyone goes by some sort of schedule, and by having a PDA and using it for this purpose, basically eliminates papers and pens that always seem to get lost, then you can't remember where or what time you were to be somewhere. Like going to the doctor, or a staff meeting. With a PDA you can stay on schedule and not be late.

The PDA stores the information on the memory and if it's a birthday or anniversary you are to remember you can actually use the settings so it is a reoccurring event, and select once a year and so forth. The PDA won't let you down in most cases as far as scheduling and things you have to remember to do, unless of course you forget to charge your PDA, if the battery is low, you can't use it very well.

Yes, sometimes this does happen. You purchase a program for your PDA and get home just to find out the program doesn't want to install the way it is supposed to onto your PDA. You have docked it with the desktop computer and still it doesn't want to install.

There could be a number of reasons as to why it doesn't want to install the program on your PDA the way it should. Did you read the program before you bought it? Is the program designed for PDA's or desktop style computers? There is a difference in programming and this is one thing some people make the mistake of doing. They do not check to see if the program is compatible with the PDA.

Another problem some people have is that the program they are trying to install won't work with say the size of video card in the PDA, or other components such as resolution size. If this is the case the program is not going to run properly and you shouldn't continue to attempt the cause of installing it on the PDA.

The last problem one might have with installing a program onto their PDA would be lack of space. Or memory that is needed for the program. If this is indeed the situation, the PDA will tell you the program cannot be installed. However, if there are files on your PDA that can be removed or transferred to a desktop computer or memory card to free up space, at that point it may then be possible to install the program.

If the program started to install, and the error message told you that it could not install for lack of space, be sure to remove the initial installation. And as an extra precaution reset you PDA. Then, start the installation again, if you now have enough space the program will probably install correctly.

The purpose of removing an existing attempt to install the program and resetting your PDA is for the fact that in some instances, when a program is reinstalled overwriting the previous that did not fully install, it can cause the PDA to have some corrupted files within the program and although it installed ok, it may not work the right way.

If you are trying to install a program from one PDA to another PDA by using the infrared port on your PDA, a lot of times this won't work for several reasons. One main reason is simply because the application is what you are actually transferring from one PDA to another, and not actually the setup program needed for it to run properly.

The best way to solve this, which in some cases it still might not work, is to go into the windows directory or program files on your PDA and see if you can find the setup files for the program you are trying to install by using the infrared procedure. This works occasionally, however, the setup files are sometimes considered temp files and once the program is installed the setup files are automatically deleted.