Switch to a handheld : Use it

The first thing you should do is pick up that documentation that you threw aside and read it. As with any new device, there's a learning curve associated with the device. You need to learn the interface, become accustomed to using the stylus, and learn how to use the handwriting recognition software. Although handhelds are essentially small, portable computers, there's quite a bit of difference between the handheld and your desktop PC. Amazingly enough, the documentation is the best place to start to learn how to use your handheld efficiently.

Use the handheld as you go through the documentation, exploring the different features and options the documentation explains. Experiment with the various shortcuts listed in the documentation, finding what may be comfortable and easiest for you to use. After reading through the documentation, just play. Sit back and experiment with the handheld, reaffirming what you've learned through the documentation. The best way to become accustomed with something is to simply use it.

After becoming somewhat familiar and comfortable with your handheld, you'll most likely want to enter data, including your schedule, calendar entries, and address book. You can enter these items by hand, but if your schedule contains more than a few entries, or your address book contains more than a couple of contacts, you're probably grimacing at the long, tedious task ahead of you. Fortunately, in most cases, you don't need to enter everything by hand.

If you use common applications on your desktop system, you can most likely synchronize the data on your desktop with your handheld device. This functionality depends on the applications you use, and the features included with your handheld. However, even if this task does not immediately seem possible -- perhaps your scheduling application is a bit more obscure, or your email client is not the most popular -- with a little effort, you should be able to track down synchronization applications online for your specific needs.

If you do use popular productivity applications, such as Microsoft Outlook, you can immediately send your address book, calendar, and even your entire Inbox to your handheld. You should have encountered the section on data synchronization when reading the documentation -- this most likely involves connecting to your desktop or notebook computer via a cradle connected to a serial or USB port, installing and configuring the synchronization software on your desktop or notebook, and hitting a synchronization button. This is usually all there is to it.

You can easily setup synchronization preferences that determine what data you send to the handheld, and what data you send back to the desktop system -- choosing specific types of data you wish to include or ignore. This can be anything from an address book or calendar, to downloading entire Web pages with varying content.

Synchronization works best if you set up a normal synchronization schedule for yourself. If you work with the data on your handheld often, you want to synchronize with your PC at least once a day -- perhaps when you return to the office or return home each day. If you find that you change and update your data more often, you can certainly increase the number of times you synchronize a day. A good rule is to synchronize at least once a day, for no other reason than to get into the habit of performing the operation. Before you know it, you'll be entering data into the handheld, entering data on your PC, and synchronizing between the two without thinking about it.

Anyone who puts personal information onto a handheld device should be concerned about security. You don't want others to be able to access your address book, e-mail, and financial information if you lose your handheld or misplace it. Fortunately, a number of security solutions for handhelds are available, with more being offered daily.

HP's new iPAQ models come with a built-in biometric fingerprint reader, preventing anyone except authorized users from accessing the Pocket PC. You only need to swipe your finger over the sensor at the bottom of the handheld to gain access. This entire operation only takes one or two seconds. This specific handheld also allows you to use a four-digit PIN (personal identification number), an alphanumeric password, or a combination of the three.

If your handheld does not come with built-in security features, a number of applications and add-ons are available to help secure your information. Simple password protection goes a long way, but if you want to feel even more secure, options are available for further biometric recognition based on fingerprints or facial characteristics. Signature recognition software that requires you to literally sign on before you use the handheld can also be used. And to protect your information even more, a number of handhelds and applications are available to fully encrypt any data while it's stored.

Think about the information you'll keep on your handheld device. How personal, confidential, or important is that information to you? What security features or devices make you feel the most comfortable? Do some research into the security options available for your specific handheld model and find one that best suits you.

As wireless networking becomes more popular, users are becoming more conscientious of the security vulnerabilities inherent in wireless communication. Handheld devices with wireless capabilities are not an exception to these vulnerabilities.

If using wireless networking, be sure to implement WEP (Wired Equivalent Privacy). With WEP enabled, only authorized users can access a wireless access point, and, perhaps more importantly, all data being transferred over the wireless connection is encrypted using a 64 or 128-bit key. This prevents casual eavesdroppers from being able to read information being sent to or from your handheld. WEP configuration is quick and easy, and virtually all wireless access providers provide this option. If you're accessing a local wireless network, verify that WEP is being used -- if it is not, request that this policy be changed.

In addition to WEP, a number of organizations offer software that use VPNs (Virtual Private Networks) when connecting to a network with a handheld. VPNs use a combination of methods to ensure secure communication -- authentication, encryption, and access control, to name a few. For organizations already using VPNs on their private networks, integrating their handhelds into their networking environment should be fairly easy, and offer the reward of peace of mind.

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