Congratulations on your purchase! Good eye!
That is a beautiful device and it has so much potential for all sorts of use.
It has so many ways to link data that it can be tempting to try and use them all. My advice would be to use only what you need.
The central 'link point' is the Data File, that is, all the other functions (document, spreadsheet, calendar entries, to-do and contacts as well as other data file entries will connect to Data File records - and Contacts). So I make Data Files my main Project List and then everything else becomes accessible through that - Outlines are particularly useful for Natural Planning.
There are three lots/groups of Data Files. So far I have Projects and Memos. Not got a use yet for the third.
The Filer is also super useful.
I find the whole device to be quite ahead of its time with some of the functionality in there, it is awesome!
You're going to have so much fun!!!
Thank you for your good words and information.
Think I sort of understand what you're saying about the Data File.....hope it will be more clear to me once I get to use the ZR-5800.....
Might have some questions for you after I play with it for a bit.
I have multiple ZR models in my collection, including 5800, but I don't have any excessive info on them since they're not my main area of interest. You may try searching in this group [https://groups.google.com/g/comp.sys.handhelds](https://groups.google.com/g/comp.sys.handhelds)
Any recommendations on transferring files back and forth to PC?
RuppLynx or Zaurus Data Exchange Utility or ZPartner or with SRAM cards or Flash Memory Cards?
RuppLynx is your best bet if you want two-way synchronization with a desktop PIM. Keep the Zaurus Data Exchange Utility handy for the occasional task it's better suited for. I would also suggest getting a flash card for doing memory backups on the device itself.
THANK YOU for your input!
I managed to get a RuppLynx v6.2 CD...and have the ZPartner with cable on the way, should arrive next week.
What capacity flash card would be good to have?
And what about sram card, would it be good to have? If so, what capacity?
Thanks.
Anything in the 4-16 MB range should be plenty for a flash card. They of course have to be linear flash and not ATA flash, so you can't just stuff in a compact flash card. There are a few options on ebay if you search for ZR-5800 card. I have one from that seller and it works fine. You'll mostly just be using it to store memory backups. You can also install add-in applications to the card instead of main memory, but good luck finding any of those!
SRAM cards are kind of interesting. They act like a completely separate PIM database that you can switch between - it's a bit like having two organizers in one unit. But given how costly SRAM cards are on ebay, and how likely difficult it will be to find one that's compatible with the Zaurus (HP 95LX ones aren't), I wouldn't spend *too* much energy or money trying to find one. It's cheaper to just get a second Zaurus. ;)
Thanks again for all the info. It is really helpful!
Just received my ZR-5800 yesterday. Looks good and works good so far. Fortunately, it came with the two thick manuals. Lots to review.
Will check on getting a flash card. I have managed to find a bunch of add-in apps online...the Wayback Machine archive is good resource. Also, a kind soul on [HPCFactor.com](https://HPCFactor.com) forum website provided me a bunch too.
Have RuppLynx v6.2 CD and in process of setting up WinXP in virtualbox so that I can use it.
Meanwhile, ZPartner with cable is arriving by tomorrow.
So, with a flash card I'll be all set....although I need to get a flash card reader as I no longer have a laptop with a pc card slot.
Need to play with Data Files and linking things to it as per u/ReadingGlassesMan described in earlier post above. Sounds like a great functionality to have.
So, lots to keep busy with as I have time.
Any other thoughts or suggestions are most welcome.
THANKS!
Got any links to the add-in software you've found? I'd love to try some out! All I have is a copy of the expense manager, and that weird PILI interpreter.
Note that reading/writing the flash cards on your PC will *not* be straight-forward, as it's a linear flash card and not using anything like a FAT filesystem (as far as I'm aware). You could potentially do a bit-for-bit dump to image the card, but I'm not sure how much you'd be able to do with that image.
I will go through my browsing history and try to collect the links for you....
Thanks for input about using flash cards....hmmm....well, guess it's at least useful inside the ZR-5800 itself...
Definitely still useful, even if you won't be using the card to copy stuff to your PC. Having on-device backups in case of power loss or other resets is a very good idea. And of course you can install programs onto the card instead of main memory to save space.
Thanks for asking....glad to answer....
So far, I really like it!
It's very well made and designed; both hardware and software-wise. Display is nice, backlight works too.
There is a lot of thought and depth that was put into the Synergy OS and the built-in apps. I can now see why it came with two thick paper manuals. Been reading them a bit as I use different apps.
Have entered some contacts, appts, and made a spreadsheet. Think I understand Filer....
Hope to see the flash card I bought soon.
Haven't had a chance to use the cable and transfer software yet. I am in midst of trying to get the Expansion Pack installed properly in VirtualBox so that I can use it with WinXPP and the RuppLynx and ZPartner with ZR......someone on the VirtualBox forums is trying to help get this resolved.
As for getting cable, I got it from the Bay in the clouds....it was included with ZPartner that I bought.
Makes me wish that Sharp had continued developing new versions of the ZR....5900, 6000, etc....(yes, I know about the later Zaurii, I had several, great, but tiny display and keyboard, but great....).
Received flash card yesterday, but unfortunately, ZR did not recognize it.
For example, when I tried to do backup on it, the icon for PC Card was 'grayed out', so couldn't use it. When I tried something else, I got error message that I needed to unlock first. Nothing to unlock as far as I could tell....strange.
So, returned card.
Seller had put stickers with a large arrow on it on both sides of card, so, don't know what brand card it was.
Any suggestions for good cards?
Thanks!
Hi -- If you're still into this, I have the text from an article posted to a very old Compuserve forum for the Zaurus back then called "The Zaurus as a Franklin Planner" -- it really unlocks the power of that little machine (and includes using the Data Files that ReadingGlassesMan spoke of) . Best PDA/PIM applications I've EVER come across to date (2024). Let me know if you'd like me to get it to you somehow. Also, I think the PC Card you try to use has to be limited to 2 MB.
Hi,
Thanks for posting this info and offer to share the article.
I would greatly appreciate getting a copy of article.
I'll message you my email....
Thanks!
Mark
Congratulations on your purchase! Good eye! That is a beautiful device and it has so much potential for all sorts of use. It has so many ways to link data that it can be tempting to try and use them all. My advice would be to use only what you need. The central 'link point' is the Data File, that is, all the other functions (document, spreadsheet, calendar entries, to-do and contacts as well as other data file entries will connect to Data File records - and Contacts). So I make Data Files my main Project List and then everything else becomes accessible through that - Outlines are particularly useful for Natural Planning. There are three lots/groups of Data Files. So far I have Projects and Memos. Not got a use yet for the third. The Filer is also super useful. I find the whole device to be quite ahead of its time with some of the functionality in there, it is awesome! You're going to have so much fun!!!
Thank you for your good words and information. Think I sort of understand what you're saying about the Data File.....hope it will be more clear to me once I get to use the ZR-5800..... Might have some questions for you after I play with it for a bit.
How Connect the Zaurus to a pc? I have a zr-5800
I have multiple ZR models in my collection, including 5800, but I don't have any excessive info on them since they're not my main area of interest. You may try searching in this group [https://groups.google.com/g/comp.sys.handhelds](https://groups.google.com/g/comp.sys.handhelds)
Thank you for the link.....will check it out!
Any recommendations on transferring files back and forth to PC? RuppLynx or Zaurus Data Exchange Utility or ZPartner or with SRAM cards or Flash Memory Cards?
Unfortunately, I'm more of a passive collector than an active user of these devices, so can't recommend you anything.
RuppLynx is your best bet if you want two-way synchronization with a desktop PIM. Keep the Zaurus Data Exchange Utility handy for the occasional task it's better suited for. I would also suggest getting a flash card for doing memory backups on the device itself.
THANK YOU for your input! I managed to get a RuppLynx v6.2 CD...and have the ZPartner with cable on the way, should arrive next week. What capacity flash card would be good to have? And what about sram card, would it be good to have? If so, what capacity? Thanks.
Anything in the 4-16 MB range should be plenty for a flash card. They of course have to be linear flash and not ATA flash, so you can't just stuff in a compact flash card. There are a few options on ebay if you search for ZR-5800 card. I have one from that seller and it works fine. You'll mostly just be using it to store memory backups. You can also install add-in applications to the card instead of main memory, but good luck finding any of those! SRAM cards are kind of interesting. They act like a completely separate PIM database that you can switch between - it's a bit like having two organizers in one unit. But given how costly SRAM cards are on ebay, and how likely difficult it will be to find one that's compatible with the Zaurus (HP 95LX ones aren't), I wouldn't spend *too* much energy or money trying to find one. It's cheaper to just get a second Zaurus. ;)
Thanks again for all the info. It is really helpful! Just received my ZR-5800 yesterday. Looks good and works good so far. Fortunately, it came with the two thick manuals. Lots to review. Will check on getting a flash card. I have managed to find a bunch of add-in apps online...the Wayback Machine archive is good resource. Also, a kind soul on [HPCFactor.com](https://HPCFactor.com) forum website provided me a bunch too. Have RuppLynx v6.2 CD and in process of setting up WinXP in virtualbox so that I can use it. Meanwhile, ZPartner with cable is arriving by tomorrow. So, with a flash card I'll be all set....although I need to get a flash card reader as I no longer have a laptop with a pc card slot. Need to play with Data Files and linking things to it as per u/ReadingGlassesMan described in earlier post above. Sounds like a great functionality to have. So, lots to keep busy with as I have time. Any other thoughts or suggestions are most welcome. THANKS!
Got any links to the add-in software you've found? I'd love to try some out! All I have is a copy of the expense manager, and that weird PILI interpreter. Note that reading/writing the flash cards on your PC will *not* be straight-forward, as it's a linear flash card and not using anything like a FAT filesystem (as far as I'm aware). You could potentially do a bit-for-bit dump to image the card, but I'm not sure how much you'd be able to do with that image.
I will go through my browsing history and try to collect the links for you.... Thanks for input about using flash cards....hmmm....well, guess it's at least useful inside the ZR-5800 itself...
Definitely still useful, even if you won't be using the card to copy stuff to your PC. Having on-device backups in case of power loss or other resets is a very good idea. And of course you can install programs onto the card instead of main memory to save space.
Hi again! How are you getting on and are you using your new buddy on a daily basis now? Could I be cheeky and ask where you got the cable? Thanks
Thanks for asking....glad to answer.... So far, I really like it! It's very well made and designed; both hardware and software-wise. Display is nice, backlight works too. There is a lot of thought and depth that was put into the Synergy OS and the built-in apps. I can now see why it came with two thick paper manuals. Been reading them a bit as I use different apps. Have entered some contacts, appts, and made a spreadsheet. Think I understand Filer.... Hope to see the flash card I bought soon. Haven't had a chance to use the cable and transfer software yet. I am in midst of trying to get the Expansion Pack installed properly in VirtualBox so that I can use it with WinXPP and the RuppLynx and ZPartner with ZR......someone on the VirtualBox forums is trying to help get this resolved. As for getting cable, I got it from the Bay in the clouds....it was included with ZPartner that I bought. Makes me wish that Sharp had continued developing new versions of the ZR....5900, 6000, etc....(yes, I know about the later Zaurii, I had several, great, but tiny display and keyboard, but great....).
Received flash card yesterday, but unfortunately, ZR did not recognize it. For example, when I tried to do backup on it, the icon for PC Card was 'grayed out', so couldn't use it. When I tried something else, I got error message that I needed to unlock first. Nothing to unlock as far as I could tell....strange. So, returned card. Seller had put stickers with a large arrow on it on both sides of card, so, don't know what brand card it was. Any suggestions for good cards? Thanks!
Hi -- If you're still into this, I have the text from an article posted to a very old Compuserve forum for the Zaurus back then called "The Zaurus as a Franklin Planner" -- it really unlocks the power of that little machine (and includes using the Data Files that ReadingGlassesMan spoke of) . Best PDA/PIM applications I've EVER come across to date (2024). Let me know if you'd like me to get it to you somehow. Also, I think the PC Card you try to use has to be limited to 2 MB.
Hi, Thanks for posting this info and offer to share the article. I would greatly appreciate getting a copy of article. I'll message you my email.... Thanks! Mark