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.

PDA's have definitely been around for a while now. More people are coming to the conclusion that they are more convenient to use for more of the tasks that people do everyday. Some people however disagree with PDA's because they feel it tends to make our minds lazy. No longer do we have to walk to a shelf and get a dictionary, flip through its pages and find a word, to read the definition. Instead we can put the word in a search area and have the definition within seconds. And there are other tasks just like this that we no longer have to do.

In a way, I suppose they have good cause to feel this way, however technology is moving faster everyday, and in most cases PDA's are extremely useful. Since PDA's were first introduced into society and the computer world, they have evolved and revolutionized the lives of those who carry the PDA's. The newest PDA's have capabilities that no one ever dreamed would be possible. Making transactions on the Internet, reading emails, creating word documents and spreadsheets, their capabilities are virtually endless. Some are even cell phones as well.

This being said, the PDA has proven to be a worthy asset to the technology world as well as the computer world. It also enhances many of the tasks for everyday people as well as professionals such as doctors, lawyers, police officers, and teachers. The PDA or professional digital assistant was a good idea to whoever came up with the original plan. I am almost positive PDA's will continue to improve and be revised just like any other product, however the purpose and concept will initially be the same.

PDA's are a part of today's world and they will be a part of the future. People need to learn that technology is what this world is based on today. Those who are in disagreement about PDA's and their usage, are usually the people who don't understand them. This is the same way as the computer or digital camera. The biggest thing to consider is this; do we stay in yesterday, or enjoy the improvements for a better tomorrow? Our children and grandchildren will have an advantage if you really take the time to consider the facts.

The PDA is a useful tool in many areas of a person's life, and it is a tool that can be used for many things. It doesn't matter what type of PDA a person really has, as long as it serves the purpose or fulfills the needs of the individual.

The PDA is definitely doing to be in our future in some way or another. It is not just simply going to go away. It serves to many purposes for those in the business world and those individuals who like to keep track of their daily routine and tasks that they have to do. The idea of being able to keep track of birthdays and anniversaries alone without the means of having to write it down in a book or a calendar somewhere makes it an important asset to a lot of people.

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.

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 charged 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.

There are things a laptop can do, that a PDA is unable to do. There are tasks the PDA can perform that the laptop can't perform. One of these things is the ability to go anywhere you go, simply by putting the PDA in your pocket or purse. Obviously though small and convenient, the laptop isn't as easy to just grab and go. The PDA holds information just like a laptop, however the laptop has more memory.

As for comparing the PDA to a Laptop, it would in a sense be hard to do in the technical world we are living in today. While the laptop is bigger than the PDA it is still portable and easy to take from one place to another. However, with the PDA information that is on you laptop can be put on your PDA as well. You can use the PDA almost anywhere, yet with a laptop this could prove to be a problem in some cases.

A PDA is also easier to use in the sense, if you are in a class or business meetings and need to take a few notes, you could take the notes with the PDA faster than you could with a laptop. A PDA is obviously much lighter and carrying it with you for appointments and work or other information all day, compared to a laptop; the PDA would be lighter. Some laptops are getting lighter, but none are still as light as a PDA.

You can also listen to music on your PDA with a headset like a walkman, although you can listen to your music on a laptop as well and with a headset as well, unfortunately often times you have to bring the media player up, which in turn would entail starting your laptop up. There are benefits to your PDA compared to the laptop. Easier to manage and carry around. Information you put onto your lap top many times stays on your laptop, where as the PDA the information can be removed and put on a main computer so you free up memory on your PDA.

Viewing pictures on your laptop would definitely be better obviously because the screen is so much bigger, however there are PDA's with pretty good size screens and quality resolution so that the pictures can be viewed easily. Being held in the hand, makes the PDA easy to access files and other programs that are out of reach of the laptop or in some cases if there are several files on the laptop it can take longer for the laptop to load, where as a PDA only has so much memory and with a tap of the stylus most pictures and other files instantly show up on the screen.

Comparing a PDA to a Laptop has its good points, and to some degree bad ones too. Laptops obviously have more memory and can store more files. And today they are being made even lighter than they used to. However as far as being portable the PDA still has them beat. So, a lot of people say you can't compare the PDA to a laptop simply due to the idea that both have unique qualities and capabilities.