Archived from groups: comp.sys.palmtops.pilot (More info?)
Dear Richard,
>From the list of functions that you provided, you would probably be
served just fine by the Zire 21. However, if you are intending to
purchase a new device in that price range you might be happier with an
older device second hand. Do try to think carefully about functions
like an integrated camera, ability to play MP3s or video, having a
voice recorder, bluetooth, and WiFi. You indeed might not use them,
but before you buy a device that precludes these options, imagine if
you did have them, and think if there's any way you might use them.
Indeed, you might very well not, and shouldn't buy a device with
functions that you won't use (if you can help it!) but it is worth the
mental exercise of thinking carefully. If you had asked me seven years
ago if I would use a PDA I would have said no. But then someone gave
me a Palm III and here I am about seven Palms later . . . .
So first, I'd like to refer you to this webpage I've written some time
ago:
http://sam.lipoff.org/palmpilot/whichpalm.html
Although some of the recommendations for high-end devices are a little
out of date (but will be updated soon!) you should look towards the
bottom of the page where I write about some older devices that are
still available second hand.
In particular, for what you describe, I'd recommend looking at the
following three devices:
HandEra 330 (fantastic all around device)
Palm Vx (a true classic)
Sony Clie PEG-S360 or SL-10 (an excellent device, well made with neat
features)
If you really want a color screen you might want to consider:
Palm IIIc (yes, really!)
Palm m515 (like a color Palm Vx)
Sony Clie T615C (again, an excellent device with neat features)
These devices won't be able to run OS 5, and have slower processors
that can't play video or run super-graphic intensive games. Some
software is not compatible with pre-OS 5 devices, but probably just as
much older software is not compatible with OS 5 itself!
Even the most expensive of the devices listed above (HandEra, m515,
T615c) won't be more expensive than a new Zire 21 or 31, and the least
expensive can be had on eBay for less than a case for the Zire 21! 
Also, it is important to remember that peripherals for these older
devices can be had very cheaply, so you can add a nice case, a portable
keyboard, and other peripherals. Battery life will also be better on
an older device, monochrome screens can be used in all lighting
conditions, and I think each of those older devices is better made than
current PalmOne models.
You should take a careful look on eBay---the only snag might be that
some of these devices may not be available from sellers in the UK, and
not all US sellers are set up to ship internationally.
And to answer your other questions, yes, there are a few versions of C
(and micro-C) for the Palm:
http://onboardc.sourceforge.net/
http://www.orbworks.com/pcpalm/
http://www.aldweb.com/articles.php?lng=en&pg=5298
And an implementation of Scheme called LispMe:
http://www.lispme.de/index.html
You might enjoy looking at Michael Winikoff's page about development
tools for the Palm:
http://www.winikoff.net/palm/dev.html
If you intend to do serious text entry on your Palm Pilot, you owe it
to yourself to at least try pEdit:
http://home.columbus.rr.com/nevai/palm/
Good luck with whatever purchase you decide to make.
--Sam Lipoff
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