Downloading Software
Removing Software
Software Formats

Downloading Software

Step 2. Unpacking Software
The file you just saved will often be in a compressed format (this makes the file smaller and easier to download). Before you can install it on your Palm it will need to be decompressed. Check the filename of the program you just downloaded. If it ends with '.ZIP', '.SIT', '.SIT.HQX', '.SIT.BIN', '.BIN', '.TGZ' or '.TAR.GZ' you will need to complete this step. If the filename ends with '.PDB', '.PRC', '.TXT' or '.EXE' you can skip this step.

Depending on the filename extension and the type of computer you are using, the unpacking process will be different.

.ZIP files - A Zip archive contains multiple files within it. The archive must first be expanded with an unzip utility. For Windows, suitable choices include WinZip, ZipMagic, and 123Zip. For the Macintosh, suitable choices include ZipIt. For either Windows or Macintosh, StuffIt Expander can also be used.

.SIT files - This is another archive format. For either Windows or Macintosh, StuffIt Expander can be used to expand these files. Files marked .SIT.HQX or .SIT.BIN or .BIN are other Macintosh-oriented formats that can be decoded with StuffIt Expander as well.

.TAR.GZ or .TGZ files - This is a format used primarily for UNIX audience files. A combination of gunzip and tar can be used to decode these files.

(Files ending with '.PDB' or .'PRC' are already in a decompressed format can be loaded directly onto you Palm. Files ending in '.TXT' are plain text files. Files ending in '.EXE' are executable files which typically operate in a Windows or DOS environment.)

Step 3. HotSync
Once you have decompressed the program, you need to schedule it for HotSync in order to transfer it to your Palm. The easiest way to accomplish this is with an installation utility. An installation utility comes with the Palm desktop software. The included tool and instructions for various platforms are given below:

1. Start the tool
2. Click on the 'Add...' button
3. Select the file to install

1. Start the tool
2. Click on the 'Browse...' button
3. Select the file to install

1. Start the tool
2. Go to the 'HotSync' menu and select 'Install...'
3. Click the 'Add to List' button in the 'Install Handheld Files' window which appears
4. Select the file to install.

1. Start the tool
2. Click on the 'Select...' button
3. Select the file to install

(Note that Pilot Desktop 1.x is no longer supported by 3Com. We suggest that all Macintosh users upgrade to MacPac v2. The upgrade is available from our site by following this link.

Installation utilities are quite simple to use and will allow you to select the '.PDB' and '.PRC' files you wish to transfer to your Palm the next time you HotSync. Next time you put your Palm in its cradle and select 'HotSync', your application will automatically be installed. Once you have done this, check your application launcher to confirm that the program has been added.

Removing Software

If you find that you no longer need a particular program (or are trying to conserve memory), removing it from your Palm is quite simple. On the original Pilot 1000/5000 and the PalmPilot Personal/Professional:

• From your applications launcher, select the 'Memory' application.
• Tap on 'Delete Apps' in the lower left-hand corner of the screen.
• Select the Application you wish to remove and tap 'Delete...'.
• At this point you will be asked to confirm your request. To do so, tap 'Yes'.
• To return to the application launcher tap 'Done' and confirm that the application no longer appears.

On the Palm III and newer models, from the Applications launcher:

• Tap the Menu icon
• Go to the App menu and choose Delete
• Select the application you wish to remove and tap 'Delete...'.
• At this point you will be asked to confirm your request. To do so, tap 'Yes'.
• To return to the application launcher tap 'Done' and confirm that the application no longer appears.

Software Formats

Many pieces of software available on our site require other programs to view or operate the item (for example, if the file you have downloaded is a text document, you will need to have a document viewer installed on your Palm to be able to read it). Such requirements are usually indicated in the brief description. Here are some of the common file formats you will find with direct links to the software programs required to operate them:

• Doc - This refers originally to the Aportis Doc format for storing large documents on PalmOS. Now, besides Aportis Doc, there are other tools such as TealDoc and QED which can be used to view these files.
• TealDoc - This is an extension of the Doc format to support the inclusion of pictures. TealDoc is the primary reader for these items.
• ImageViewer - This is a graphics format for the Palm which supports 4-bit grayscale images. ImageViewer is a possible viewer for this format.
• JFile - This is a database format supported by the JFile program. MobileDB - This is another database format supported by the MobileDB application. The free MobileDB Lite can view these files.
• cBasPad - These programs require the cBasPad BASIC language interpreter to execute.
• CASLrt - These programs required the Compact Application Solutions Language runtime module to execute.
• RPN - RPN is a very popular calculator with the capability to support scripts to extend its built-in functionality. As a result, many such scripts have been written for it.