iPod touch IPod touch to use as PDA

[Brewerpaul]

Any other recommendations for nursing software. I have a Palm TX, and use epocrates, a nursing diagnoses program (still a student) and Taber's Cyclopedic. Epocrates is freel, Tabers is $50, and I'd like to find a diagnoses program...

Any suggestions to free or cheap programs for nursing... I've decided I'm junking the PDA... it's slow, it freezes, and the internet is terrible on it!

And this IS a PDA for me. I've got an iPod Classic, and it serves one purpose...

Skyscape offers a free drug database sort of like ePocrates, but different enough that it's worth having both. They also offer Outlines in Clinical Medicine and a couple of other freebies:

http://www.skyscape.com/intro/iPhoneIntro.aspx

For diagnoses, you can buy the Merck Manual, but it's a bit pricey ($49?)
I'd suggest setting up an iTunes account which will let you browse through all of their programs/apps.

 

[Dave00]

Any suggestions to free or cheap programs for nursing... I've decided I'm junking the PDA... it's slow, it freezes, and the internet is terrible on it!.

Epocrates is also available on the iPod Touch, and essential. There are numerous other medical programs available as well.

 

[Dave00]

The main problem I've had using my Ipod touch as a PDA is that sync is still a nightmare. I have a mobile Me account, Macbook, and iPod Touch - they should all talk to each other and sync. They don't. Frequently, it says it can't sync because of discrepancies between the data - well, of course... that's the point of sync'ing! Also on mobile me, it seems there's no way to default calendar entries to one calendar (work or home, etc.) So if you're making multiple entries in the non-default calendar, you have to keep changing it, every time. Frustrating. But I keep hoping it'll get better.

Dave

 

[hydrokayak]

I currently use epocrates on my PDA, and I agree... it's essential for practice. I also have a couple of other drug guides that came free with physical books I was required to buy for school, but I honestly never touch the books, or the PDA versions. They're just too clunky to use... because epocrates is so simple to use.

For nursing diagnoses, I'm using a book by Marilyn Doenges, which was pretty efficient. It's not a requirement at the clinical site, and I have a decent book at home -- which is where care plans are written. I can't see myself using it much after I graduate, as most local facilities use automated careplan systems. I generally don't have an issue writing them from my head with the help of a NANDA approved list.

I already have an iPod classic, so iTunes is not an issue there. Syncing isn't really an issue either. The only thing I'd be syncing is music and podcasts. I don't use calendars, and I'm thinking of getting MobileMe in the near future. I've used the trial and really enjoyed it.

I appreciate the help as well. I'll be placing an order very soon for an iPod touch, and putting the PDA up for sale online.

 

[rwriTouch]

I actually use my iPod Touch more than my BlackBerry. It's twice as fast and the applications are much more user friendly. I use my iPod for just about everything from entertainment to financial. I also use it at work to track projects (gotta love HanDBase!) and view them when I'm in the field. If it wasn't for AT&T, I'd own an iPhone and get rid of the BlackBerry.

 

[Brewerpaul]

Oh no! Nursing diagnoses!
I've been an RN for two years now and have not used a nursing diagnosis even ONCE. My favorite was always "disturbed energy field"-- that pretty much describes ME at the end of a shift...

 

[groovdudeyo]

Hi there,

I'm very much considering buying an iPod Touch (probably 8gb) to use as a PDA.

I'm not sure what kind of Apps i would be able to get to use on the touch however, that will make it do what I want.

Could anyone tell me if there are any kind of 'list making' applications, or organisers either on or available for the iPod touch? If so, are they any good. mostly, i just want it for to-do lists, shopping lists etc.

Also, what is the calendar function like?

Besides driving you to work and making your toast there is nothing an ipod touch cannot do.

 

[statik13]

Coming from using a Palm pilot I find that the iPod Touch is a great music and video player, an amazing web browser, great at email, a very handy remote for iTunes and almost completely useless at anything more than basic PDA tasks

The contacts app is about average. The notes app is almost completely useless (no syncing, search or categories) and the calendar app is one of the most aggravating apps I've ever used.

So many clicks to enter a simple appointment, and good luck adding a repeating appointment unless it is pretty basic. Plus, if you miss an alarm? You're hooped! I really miss the Palm function where if you don't respond to an alarm it repeats itself 5 minutes later. Gahhh! That alone got me switching back.

Even with all that, I've really got big hopes for this summers update so that I can finally replace my trusty Tapwave Zod.

 

[hydrokayak]

Coming from using a Palm pilot I find that the iPod Touch is a great music and video player, an amazing web browser, great at email, a very handy remote for iTunes and almost completely useless at anything more than basic PDA tasks

The contacts app is about average. The notes app is almost completely useless (no syncing, search or categories) and the calendar app is one of the most aggravating apps I've ever used.

So many clicks to enter a simple appointment, and good luck adding a repeating appointment unless it is pretty basic. Plus, if you miss an alarm? You're hooped! I really miss the Palm function where if you don't respond to an alarm it repeats itself 5 minutes later. Gahhh! That alone got me switching back.

I agree with what you've said. Most of your cons aren't cons for me. I never found myself using the calendar program on the TX, of the notes program either. My issue was the inability to sync in that situation -- I could never get it to work. The iTouch on the other hand syncs with my Google Calendar, Gmail, Documents and Tasks.

I also use a lot of different social networking sites. The availability of the Facebook, Myspace and Twitterific Apps have been a blessing. I could access these sites on the TX, but the browser was clunky and would crash on me. The apps are clean, simple and fast. Games are better and cost less. The ability to watch YouTube videos is nice to have and the App Store is by far the greatest thing I've ever encountered on a PDA.

My last thing to add is form factor and availability of upgrades. The iPod is mass market. There's a driving force behind producing a better model. Having a huge market like the iPod does allows for better availability of accessories, like the car. I can zip my music to the car stereo easier than the TX, and I can charge the iTouch in the car (without buying another cord).

The iPod and iPhone are here to stay. Sadly, I'm feeling the Palm products slowly walking to the door, and making a quiet exit. With the lack of a market, the use of old technology, and the higher price... Palm doesn't stand a chance. Give the App Store time to get the features you like or shout to the developers to get what you like. Try the Google application -- it might suit your needs.

 

[statik13]

The contacts app is about average. The notes app is almost completely useless (no syncing, search or categories) and the calendar app is one of the most aggravating apps I've ever used.

Just a follow up. I'm now using PhoneView to sync notes to the iPod. It works well enough so that is one less complaint. Yay! Still no search, categories or (just discovered) sorting. Boo!