Palm Organizers, a book by Jeff Carlson, proclaims right on the front cover that with it, you can "Teach yourself how to use Palm OS-based devices the quick and easy way!" Does it do this? As we say here in West Texas, "You Betcha!"

Not only is Palm Organizers easy to read, it actually does cover just about every Palm OS device out there. Times being as they are - a few new models have come out since this book was published in 2000; however, this book does contain information that pertains to every model available that uses the Palm OS.

This book begins with a hilarious excerpt from an interview between Microsoft CEO and Chairman, Bill Gates and Charlie Rose on the "Charlie Rose" TV show (March 4, 1998). If you never have a chance to read Palm Organizers - this will at least give you a sense of the humor that this book was written with:

Bill Gates: "The future of the PC is to be a tablet-sized device or perhaps larger than a tablet....But then you also have a lot of other devices, things like - I think I've got one in my pocket."

Charlie Rose: "A Pilot in his Pocket."

Bill Gates: "No, no, no, no. This is the competitor to the Pilot. Don't say "Pilot." Geez. This is the - "

Charlie Rose: "Does that look like a Pilot? I rest my case."

I had to laugh! It's true, whatever you want to call them - be it "Pilots", "Palm Pilots", or "Palms", the little gray box that Jeff Hawkins made has completely permeated our society to the point where "Palm" or "Pilot" is almost a generic term! 

But what if you are late getting on this "technology-bus"? What if you have just made the purchase of a brand new Palm, and you haven't got a clue about where to begin?

I believe that this book will not only help you get started, I think there are also some things in here that people who have been using the Palm OS for a while will still find quite useful.

Written by a man who purchased his first Palm Pilot in 1997, Jeff Carlson has a real grasp of some of the issues that face a new Palm user. As a current Palm user, he also offers up some of the "tips and tricks" that he personally finds useful in integrating the Palm with his day-to-day life.

Beginning with detailed descriptions of each of the available (at the time of printing) Palm OS models, Jeff quickly jumps into all of the basic functions of each device. From there,. he describes in detail how to do everything from changing your batteries without losing data, to the importance of protecting your screen from scratches, to what accessories are available to make your Palm do even more.

I was surprised to see that TRG upgrades, Targus & Landware keyboards, and even Concept Kitchen Write-Rights, among MANY other brand names, were actually given mention in this book under accessories. I think it is refreshing to see somebody say the names of the brands that they like...I kept looking for one he didn't like, just to see if equal time was being given. :0)

The subtle differences between the different versions of Palm OS available are discussed in Palm Organizers, whether it be version 1.0 vs. 3.0, or the date-book versions included with the Handspring Visor vs. the Palm III. There is a enough information available in this book to get you started, no matter which unit you are using.

If you have a question - this book will most likely answer it: Do you know the four ways to activate the onscreen keyboard? Look on page 30; Having trouble figuring out how to beam from your Handspring's Date Book+? There is a reason...check out the bottom of page106; Want to rename the Address Book custom fields on your desktop and Palm? Turn to page 127; Wondering how to work Handspring's advanced calculator? There's a great overview starting on page 165.

Want some info you may not have been aware of? Here's a nibble: The Find feature begins its search in the application you are currently running. Did you know that all you have to do to quickly jump to a particular program on a Palm screen so full of programs that the scroll bar is showing - is simply enter the first letter of the program's name, you'll go straight to the first program starting with that letter.

Sure there are parts of this book that may make someone with a lot of Palm experience yawn, but if you are new to Palm, this book is a treasure trove of information.

From the ins and outs of the Palm Desktop on both PC and Mac computers,  to the joys of actually discovering all of the hidden talents of your indispensable "brain" that fits in your shirt pocket - there is something in this book for everyone...Enjoy! :0)

Price: $16.99 MSRP 

Published by Peachpit Press
322 Pages

Pros:
Reads like a conversation with a humorous friend - who just happens to know A LOT about the Palm OS
Plenty of pictures, screen-shots, and demos of actual Palm OS devices and software
The Gadgeteer is mentioned on page 20 :0)

Cons:
The Gadgeteer is mentioned as a resource for Palm cases on page 20. :0(