[DonAtIsYet]

I upgraded from a Treo Pro to a TouchPro 2 over the weekend.
It's running Windows Mobile 6.51, HTC Sense 2.5.

Bonsai runs great with a few minor exceptions.
- It wouldn't sync until I registered on the handheld. Bonsai ran fine but the sync failed.

- I sometimes get a Save error. Mostly, maybe always, in landscape mode.
Error saving to My Documents.
Then a long error that the error message for the exception is available but can't be displayed...Please install .Net...

- Selecting items with fingers is difficult. For example, I generally have to open the on-sceen or the physical keyboard to open an outline.

But, I have to have Bonsai so it's worth the little work-arounds.

Thanks for a great app.

[skenop]

Don - as a WinMo user can you comment on my questions on the topic just before this one? Thanks - I am glad to hear that you have been using it successfully.

[DonAtIsYet]

Additional quibble:
The menu shortcut keys don't work.

For example, on the Treo Pro, I can do Menu-R-E to add a new child record.
Now, I have to manually hit the menu selections.
Not a big issue, just a little slower.

It might also just be part of the HTC interface.

[Richard Murphy]

DonAtIsYet, on 29 March 2010 - 07:26 AM, said:

- I sometimes get a Save error. Mostly, maybe always, in landscape mode.
Error saving to My Documents. Then a long error that the error message for the exception is available but can't be displayed...Please install .Net...

Please look for a "\Application Data\Natara\Bonsai\BonsaiLog.txt" file and attach it when replying to this message. This should provide some details about the crash.

DonAtIsYet, on 29 March 2010 - 07:26 AM, said:

- Selecting items with fingers is difficult. For example, I generally have to open the on-sceen or the physical keyboard to open an outline.

Did you try increasing the font size in the Menu/Options/Global Settings form, Font settings (second page), Font Size for the outline font? This controls both the font size for the outline and the outline manager screen, which will increase the size of the row used in the list. Does this solve the issue? Should the font size be configurable independently for the outline manager and the outline?

[skenop]

As I mentioned elsewhere, I am shopping for my first smartphone. I have been researching for months and months and continue to find new twists that affect my decision.

I tried out the Touch Pro 2 (actually the Tilt2 at AT&T but I understand it is supposed to be the same phone). My initial impressions were not real positive, but then I am new to the smartphone arena and I know that it is a matter of getting accustomed to the whole touchscreen concept (even though I have used Palms for 12 years, smartphone touchscreens in general have not knocked my socks off).

I recently read some very negative user comments about the Tilt2, while those for the Touch Pro on average have been better over a similar number of users. However, having just gone back and reviewed the reviews again, I am seeing more positive than I did a few weeks back.

@Don - While I know this site is for Bonsai, what is your overall impression of the TouchPro2 as an end user? Bonsai is *the* reason I would choose this phone as it is what seems to be my only decent option with AT&T who has our family coverage.

This post has been edited by skenop: 01 April 2010 - 07:53 PM

[DonAtIsYet]

Background: I've used electronic organizers since Sharp Wizards in the early 90s. My 1st Palm was the Pro 100 (I think that was the model, the 1st one available). I've used a number of Palm OS devices culminating in the Treo 700p. I switched to Win Mobile with the Treo 800w and then to the Treo Pro.
The HTC Touch Pro 2 is the 1st non-Palm organizer I've owned/used in 14 years I guess.

Windows Mobile is definitely different than Palm.
However, within a week after switching, I could do things faster on the Win Mobile device and was starting to forget how to do things on the Palm.
And that was on the 800w. A truly bad product. Extremely buggy, I had to reset it at least once per day and it locked up and slowed down all on its own. I know it wasn't the individual unit. I had 3 of them (replacements).
The Treo Pro is MUCH better. Much faster and more stable. Almost worry free.

The HTC Touch Pro 2 is better still.
Faster. This is especially noticeable on 'big' apps like Bonsai and DayNotez.

It has a lot of neat touches.
- Sense 2.5 is cool and easy to use.
- Fast GPS. It's actually used by the built-in weather app to detect where you are.
- Auto light detection to determine how bright the screen should be.
- Integrated contact info. See recent calls, texts, emails, and facebook updates for a contact all in one place.
- To ignore a call, simply place the phone face-down and it will stop ringing.

So, I do like the device and Windows Mobile.

There are some other factors though:
I've never used (and won't use) an i-whatever.
I don't live in the google universe so an android won't work for me.
I have a blackberry for work but it's pretty pathetic for anything except email.

[DonAtIsYet]

Concerning menu selection and font size.

I did increase the font and that made things a lot better.

Thanks.

Personally, I'd like to have an extra font selection. Maybe call it Menu Font or similar.
I wonder if this would be confusing for people?

A product that I've used that managed this well is Pocket Informant.
It's a PIM that uses Outlook data.
It has a Finger Friendly mode that makes navigation items bigger, etc.

On the topic of UI: Can the function icons at the bottom of the screen (filter, detail, etc.) easier to press?
I recall an earlier note that this bar was meant to support scrolling and not pressing. Pressing a button with my finger tends to cause the bar to scroll side to side and not select the button.

Have you submitted your products to the MarketPlace?
It's handy because it makes it easy to install apps to new or rebuilt devices. Everything is in one place.

This post has been edited by DonAtIsYet: 02 April 2010 - 05:58 PM

[skenop]

Again - thanks for the great info.

I agree on the i-devices considering Apple's grip. Actually I would love an Android version of Bonsai but I know Mr. Murphy gets more than his share of suggestions for new development.

So probably won't do Android partly because of the lack of Bonsai-quality software but also due to monthly cost. Tilt 2 is now in the lead on my list.

[skenop]

DonAtIsYet, on 02 April 2010 - 05:57 PM, said:

On the topic of UI: Can the function icons at the bottom of the screen (filter, detail, etc.) easier to press?
I recall an earlier note that this bar was meant to support scrolling and not pressing. Pressing a button with my finger tends to cause the bar to scroll side to side and not select the button.

I would second the vote to work a little on the function buttons. I have to use the stylus to reliably get those to work.