About Me & From My Pocket
UPDATED 10/21/2011
Hello! and Welcome to From My Pocket! I got my first Pocket PC about 13 years ago and have accumulated quite a collection of Windows Mobile devices and Windows Phones over the years. I was a Judge in the Smartphone & Pocket PC Best Software Awards in 2007 and 2008. I love fiddling around with new gadgets and especially love learning new things and figuring out new uses for them. I am currently carrying around a couple of phones running the new Windows Phone 7 operating system, a windows mobile standard 6.1 phone, and a Zune HD.
When I'm not messing around with my Windows Phones, hanging out on the
internet, or teaching, I'm probably running down the road or outside
with my dogs - a sweet Labrador Retriever named Gracie and a cute little
Rat Terrier named Milo.
I live on 8 acres about 35 miles west of Atlanta, GA and have worked for many years in roles such as software training and support, marketing analyst, consulting manager with a large international consulting firm, and project manager. When I left my last corporate job, I went back to school and now I teach college business courses in Atlanta. I hold BBA and Masters of Science degrees in Decision Sciences.
I've been a Microsoft MVP in Windows Phone since 2008, so I guess that means I'm a bit of an expert.
I started writing articles for this blog when I was using a windows mobile 2003 HP IPAQ. At the time I was spending a lot of time on HP's IPAQ forum answering questions and decided to write some tutorials that I could refer users to for their more complicated questions. I also wanted a place for myself where I could document information I had gleaned from all the places on the web I've visited building my knowledge of windows mobile.
I've still got several windows mobile devices/phones that I use regularly, but now I'm using the new windows phone 7 devices as my day-to-day operational devices. I really love where Microsoft is taking this mobile OS and look forward to seeing how it evolves in the coming months and years.
You've landed in the corner of the web where I discuss many different topics, ranging from basic "getting started" best practices for new mobile device users, to specific mobile application tips and tricks, to "how to" documentation about many of the ill-defined and poorly documented functions and features of Windows Mobile devices. I'm not a technician, so I don't write about the more technical aspects of mobile devices, nor will I spend much time showcasing the latest and greatest technology. I figure there are already plenty of other places where you can go to get that kind of information.
Take a few minutes to review the archives for a complete listing of articles posted to From My Pocket. I've organized the archives both by month and in alphabetical order.
Commenting on Articles
I hope you'll have some things to contribute to my blog. I enjoy reader comments because they enhance knowledge and provide a sense of community. To keep things positive and meaningful for all the readers here, please keep a few things in mind when posting comments:
- I moderate all comments. I'm in favor of freedom of speech, but I will delete inappropriate, irrelevant, ranty or spammy comments.If you have a complaint against Microsoft, Windows Mobile, Windows Phone, go somewhere else to vent or create your own blog where you can freely share your thoughts.
- Feel free to include relevant links to your own or someone else's site in the comments you post. Posting links to relevant websites promotes learning, shares knowledge, adds value to the conversation and improves the blog.
- I will delete irrelevant links. If you leave a comment with a link in it that has no relevance to the post you're commenting on it will be be deleted.
Subscribe to From My Pocket
I hope you'll find some useful information here and that my blog will become one of your first stops in your quest to learn about your windows phone.
You can stay in touch with From My Pocket by subscribing to its RSS feed. All you need to do is add the feed to your favorite news aggregator and then you'll be notified whenever a new article is posted here.
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Rest assured, I respect your privacy and won't use any of your information for any other purposes. I promise to keep all your details completely private.
You can also follow me and the blog on Twitter.
Contact Me
You can find an instant messaging client in the sidebar of the blog. If I am online, I am happy to correspond with you real time. You can also drop me an email and let me know how you're using your gadgets.....email addy: profjulie@live.com.
If you've got some issues with your device, please don't post it here. Instead post it to the Microsoft Answers Windows Phones forums and post it there. If I see your question, I may post a reply to it, but you'll also get the benefit of answers from other windows phone experts and users.
Thanks for stopping by and I hope to see you again soon,
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All the very best to u Prof. Julie... hope to learn a lot from ur posts on this site..
May the force be with u !!
Hey Phreaker! Thanks for the well wishes. Did you ever get that rw6800? I got an hw6925 in December and I'm loving it.
Thanks for stopping by.
julie
Hi Prof Julie,
Really nice blog you got here!
You will have time for the HP Forum also?
Best regards Kaj.
Hey Kaj! Thanks for the kind words. Yeah, you'll still see me at the HP Forum.
Thanks for dropping by!
julie
Congratulations, Julie!
Very nicely done.
And really great article being understandable.
I'd hope this might also save you from answering the same question over and over again.
Rainald
Rainald, Thanks for the kind words. Here I can provide a more detailed explanation than I can on the forums, and I hope that new users will enjoy coming here to get their questions answered.
julie
Hi Julie,
Thanks for the advice regarding the File Explorer. I downloaded DTree from Pocket PC freeware and I think that I would prefer the Total Commander version.
Dave..I'm driving an rx5915
Hi Dave! I'm not familiar with DTree - will have to check it out. But that's the beauty of freeware, isn't it? You can always keep looking and haven't lost any $$ while doing so.
Thanks for stopping by, julie
Hi Prof. Julie!
As I mentioned on the HP (iPAQ) Forum, my rx3115 "up-and-died". I've been searching other horror stories for similarities & noted you're a frequent contributor (I'm currently trying your suggestion of just letting it recharge). I've added you to my FAV's list. And I thought my surfing days (here in NYC) were over...
Thanks for sharing your talents & experiences!
Ted
Ted, I'll take a look at your thread on HP's forum and see if I can offer any additional suggestions.
Thanks for stopping by!
julie
Hello Julie. I have tracked with interest the development of a new ROM for my 4700 since it is awful with the HP WM5 ROM. I see that people have had good success with the new AKU 3.2.5 version. It is reported as fast and stable.
Wondering what you have learned about this?
I have read about the hx4700 ROM update. Have you seen Menneisyys' article about it?
HP IPAQ hx4700 users, here's something you will LOVE......
Hello Julie, yes I did see the post. My 4700 is really slow right now so I was wondering if you would suggest trying it.
I don't have an hx4700, but I respect Menneisyys quite a lot. I think if I had updated to WM5.0 and was suffering along with the degradation in performance, I'd give it a shot. Of course, ROM updates can be risky, so be sure you plug the Pocket PC directly into AC power (do not rely on USB charging), plug the cradle directly into a USB port on the back of the computer (do not use a hub). Remove any installed storage cards from the Pocket PC, turn off any power saving options on your computer and, lately I've seen some threads that suggest you also disable your firewall and antivirus software.
Let me know how it goes! Julie
Hello Prof Julie,
Your blog is the best thing that has happened on my computer for a long time.
Cannot understand why HP users have been deserted and ignored by HP.
Hope they appreciate your help to their customers.
Expect they are profit only.
Raymond,
Glad you are finding my blog useful. Thanks for dropping by and for the kind comment.
Well Julie, I loaded the AKU3.2.5 ROM. WOW!! My 4700 is back from the comatose state it's been in since I put on the HP ROM. This is fantastic! Even the GPS works. I followed the recommendations of Menneisyys for the installation. Finally a WM5 that actually works. I'm so sorry I paid HP for their garbage. I wish there was a way to get my money back.
That's really terrific, Jack! I'm so glad to hear of your great experience with this ROM. It's too bad it didn't come from HP, but so glad you got your 4700 back! Thanks for letting me know.
julie
Hi Prof.
Like the site. I ave an HP2410. I seem to have to align the screen daily. I have a clear hard plastic cover over the screen, but seems when I use the ipaq, then shut it down, wait a couple days, I have to realign the screen again. Any suggestions?
Thanks
Snellville, Ga.
I have an hw2415 (essentially the same pocket pc as you). I'm not sure why you would need to align your screen so often. When was the last time you performed a hard reset?
PLEASE HELP , HOW DO I DO A HARD RESET ON A IPAQ 1945 , THE ONE ON THE USERS GUIDE IS NOT WORKING , THE IPAQ IS PRESENTING MEMORY ON A CARD THAT IT DOSENT HAVE .
See this link: How to hard reset an h1945
If that does not work, removing your battery for a couple of hours will force a hard reset.
Hi Prof julie!!! Thanks again for the help on getting my new HP iPAQ 211 synced with my desktop PC...works great!! I'm really happy with the HP 211 and thanks to you again, have started D/L'ing e books using your info on MobiPocket e reader...love it. I'm really new to pocket PC's but with your informative site, am learning a lot, keep up the wonderful work here!!!
Your Fan!!!
dewalt57
I'm glad to hear the 211 is syncing to your desktop and that you are loving your Pocket PC. They are amazing devices once you get them workiing properly!
I got a ipaq 211 for Christmas but the only thing I use it for so far is pocketgenie (genealogy). I used my old compaq 3xxx solely for that program. Id like to tap some other uses for the new one. Im new to your blog but what I cant find is an index for just 211 questions.
I have never used an IPAQ 211, so I have not written any articles that are specific to that IPAQ. But, most of the information here is applicable to any windows mobile device. The only major difference is that the 211 has a VGA screen and many other windows mobile devices have a QVGA screen. Consequently some software may not display properly on a VGA screen, although I think most newer applications or versions of applications have been written to accommodate both QVGA and VGA screens.
Thank you, maybe some of the other articles will be helpful in my quest to master this device.
Umm...Prof. Julie, I sent you an email on your email ID given on the website, I need some help and would rather that I remain a personal correspondence, so you might want to check your email.
Much Regards
--Werentuckl
Werentucki - I check my email every day and I have not received an email from you. Could you resend it?
Hi Julie,
Firstly a huge thanks for all your efforts on HPs' support forum where I first came accross your helpful posts when getting started with my HP4150 a few years back. Your Microsoft MVP award is well and truly deserved!
So I'm hoping that I might add to that award with my own "Yeah for the day" as we call it down here in Australia by solving my little problem that for the life of me I can't figure out.
My 4150 has been working flawlessly since I've had it. I've changed the battery once about 18 months ago after the use time kept getting shorter and shorter.
My problem is that in the last 2 weeks the unit has been having some kind of power/battery/holding its charge issue.
It first started one morning out of the blue when about an hour after taking it off the charger i got an unexpected "Main battery low message". Though unusual since it came off the charger less than an hour earlier, I didn't think it was anything too major and just decided to place it back to be charged again. (Note: I always charge it via the AC/wall outlet and not through a USB link.)
When the issue recurred 12 hours later after being fully charged (it said 100% charged) and then 5 mins later it said 0% charged), I thought it might be the battery.
I purchased one on ebay where I bought my previous one that's lasted close to 2 years . Charged the unit for 24 hours and although it initially said 100% charged, the same thing happened after about 15 minutes this time around. Recharged it for 48 hours with pretty much the same result - and sometimes even got a "main battery VERY low message" instead after the same length of usage.
I have trawled through the various forums and have tried a variety of things including soft and hard (full) resets.
All with no luck.
Based on the age of the unit, replacement cost and the local HP service centre's minimum repair/'look at' fee, it's probably not worth pursuing that angle but thought you might have some additional input/suggestions.
Anything advice would be greatly appreciated. (And if you need any additional input from me to help you with your answer, feel free to let me know via the this forum or my email - whatever works best for you.)
Thanks in advance,
Ivan
Hello Ivan,
Thanks for your very gracious post here. I am glad to help you and others and have enjoyed most of the time I have spent on HP's IPAQ forum. I see you posted your question on the forum there, and I responded to your thread there, but I will also post my reply here:
It could be that (1) the backup battery needs to be replaced or (2) that the replacement battery is defective or (3) that the battery sensor in the IPAQ is out of whack.
Hi Julie,
Many thanks for your reply.
I also saw your reply on the HP forum and replied there. Like you, I'll also post it here:
----------------
I followed your calibration procedure, though unfortunately it hasn't helped.
Equally, I don't have anyone that I know with a 4150 so can't test out the new battery in their unit.
As far as the back-up battery is concerned, I've checked with HP here in Oz and they don't sell the part by itself. I'd have to get the whole board. Go figure...
I'll have to look to get one from overseas and see how it all goes - or maybe just change tack and buy myself an i-phone :o)
Again, many thanks for the reply.
Ivan
-------------
I'm sorry to hear that the calibration procedure did not resolve your battery problem.
You could check these suppliers for a backup battery.
PDA Smart
IPAQ Repair & Parts
These disassembly instructions might help you once you get the backup battery.
Thanks again Julie :o)
Thanks for your answers on the Hp forum. As a newbie I look forward to reading and learning more about using a pocket pc (iPAQ 111). As a retiree this will help me keep up with the younger folks.
Thanks for your help with my IPAQ 111 USB connection problem on the HP Support Forum. I reached a point where I thought the problem was insolvable and would have given up if it weren't for you.
Mike
Mike: I'm glad I was able to help you out, and I hope you find my blog articles interesting reading.