M_M_Minidog

I'm afraid you're grossly mistaken. Synch'ing a PPC with any MSFT OS requires ActiveSync which is NOT built into the OS. Instead, it's a separate free download from the Microsoft Download Center: Mobile Devices On the PPC side of things, the ActiveSync client program is also a separate program shipping along with the OS but is definitely NOT built into it. This is insane! Do you realize what kind of antitrust lawsuits Microsoft would be facing if they did what you suggested? Not a conspiracy theory? You're certainly planting a seed for it. Instead, you should realize that buggy software is a fact of life and that Palm is not immune to it. I'm all but positive that active sync installs by default on a new WinXP installation. Granted it's an old version and everyone should update it with the link you gave, but it's there. And as for lawsuits? As long as MS has an open door for other devices and software, it's not monopolistic. They just don't have to make it easy. There's nothing at all wrong with that in my book, but it is being done.

I know that this is becoming a tired thread, but I just wanted to add one more 2 cents worth, to make mine a full 4.... One of my duties in my career is providing helpdesk support to a company of about 100 people. I have decided to support to the best of my abilities any pda the end user wants. I can honestly say I've had no more than a handful of ppc questions (and they've always centered around how to do a hard reset), where as the palm questions have run the gamut (primarily dealing with syncing issues, but I've been asked quite a few). I really think the biggest difference is, since MS created ppc, the syncing is built into the OS, where as that definately is not the case for palm. If anything, I would make a guess that MS even makes it a bit more difficult for Palm's to sync just to sell their own. I don't want to make it sound like a conspiracy, but maybe colorful marketing techniques????

just another piece of input. I've had both a palm device for a number of years, and now a PPC. Hopefully that allows me a bit less bias... That being said, I will totally recommend the PPC. I don't know how battery life compares, but with the newer CF gps units, battery life has yet to be an issue for me. The OS itself seems much sleeker, easier, and more functional on the PPC. I think it's mainly because being from Microsoft, it's so similar to Windows itself. I don't consider myself a MS fan, but my personal thought is they've done the ppc correctly. Plus, I have far fewer syncing issues with this than I did with Palm (for better or worse, since it's a MS device, they make sure it syncs, where as they have no reason to make it that easy for palm devices). OK, now can you tell me everything there is to know about gpx files? I'm a mapopolis user, and this seems like it could be an awesome way to better utilize my time. Give me as much detail as you can on this, please.... Thanks -Brian