Byte-Size Software Packages

What's on my Newton (upgraded MP2000)

I think it's fun to show people what's on their computer so here's what's on my Newton. Keep in mind that these are packages that I find fits my needs the best and doesn't reflect on reviews or awards. So perhaps your favorite PIM or utility is not on my "Must Have's" list. It just really shows that people have different ways of using their Newton to organize their information. I also add some of my own insights (for what it's worth!) on each package.

My Newtons:
Upgraded MP2000 - I was lucky to get one the first day they came out. It was upgraded by Apple and is still running great except that the power switch has a diffilcult time turning the Newton off and controlling the backlight. I also use an Apple 4M and Kingston 16M storage card. It's my eveyrday workhorse.

MP2100 - Got this as a backup to the above.

Emate 300 - Neat design. I have the Newer ram upgrade installed.

Older Newts - MP100, MP110, MP130.

My Must-Haves
These are packages that I couldn't live without; programs and utilities that are essential to how I use my Newton. You will notice that the first few are my programs : > I write them for the way I work and I use 'em! All software is commercial unless noted by "Freeware." in the comments section. In no particular order:

PIMple Byte-Size Software My first program I wrote for the Newt! Really essential to my everyday work! Created this about three years ago and it still has features that modern Palm Pilots and Wince PIMS don't have! Simple but useful. Freeware.

OutlineStyles Byte-Size Software Great for visually enhancing my outlines (I uses the outlines stationary a lot).

BBEditor Byte-Size Software Good text editing features! Doesn't get in the way of writing.

Hilite2000 Byte-Size Software Should be part of any PDA's OS! Sort of proud of this one!

StartBar StandAlone The best bring-app-to-the-front utility! One tap, no searching a list. Cons - incompatible with DashBoard. Uses some screen real estate but is well worth it. StandAlone wrote great Newton software and a lot of it! Ben Gottlieb is one of the Who's Who of Newton programming.

Backdrop Plus StandAlone There are freeware apps out that are similar but I like the little extra features on BD Plus.

Notion Pelicanware Could not do without this list maker! I keep all my students' monthly payments, my payments from concerts and keep records of my tax info on Notion!

HyperNewt Fondation Systems Great way to group together and organize various types of information such as names, notes, appointments.

Super Notepad StandAlone Some peope have had problems with SNP but it's been very stable for me.

PocketMoney Catamount Software My digital checkbook. I don't use it to it's full potential but PM is essential to my bad bookeeping skills! Hardy Marcia is another Newton Who's Who.

Prefs Cleaner StandAlone No Newton owner should be without this. Use it to delete preferences from deleted packages. Freeware.

Backlight Plus Fondation Systems Neat stuff came out from Foundation Systems. Nice to control your backlight. (my power switch is acting up so I can't use it to activate my backlight). Freeware.

Newton Toolkit Apple Couldn't create my apps without it!

Freeze Utilities StandAlone Gotta have an option to freeze packages and save heap! Freeware.

GestureLaunch ICS Great piece of programming and thinking different! One of the first ingenious uses of the ButtonBar area. Dan Rowley's a Who's Who also.

QuickNames Pro Landware Names searcher. Maybe I'll try another one but QN works for me.

Aloha Catamount Software I use AOL so Aloha is great for me! Works well but being that AOL is dropping support for its older desktop clients I may need to use something else in the future.

Viewframe Jason Harper Some people play games on their Newt, I like to poke around it's software guts with Viewframe. Essential to learning how to program and debugging the Newt. I bought this when it was a commercial product for about $100 and now it's freeware, but I still don't regret the purchase!

AllDatesLong Newton Crafts (Japanese site) Makes the Day view of the Dates app display about 15 hours. Nice! freeware.

Jig! DublClick Good for a few quick games to kill the time. Great freeware game!

Nice to have but...
Here are some packages that are great but I don't install because of some features or incompabilities.

Dashboard Five Speed Software Unfortunately incompatible with StartBar but Mark Mason may fix this in a later version. When this is fixed I'll thaw it and defintely use it! (I've paid my registration fee!)

MoreInfo Silverware "What!?" you say. Not essential? Great piece of software but in some ways it does repeating items not to my liking. Many users swear by this app.

DateMan StandAlone Same comments as MoreInfo. (I'm a registered user of both DateMan and MoreInfo. I guess I'm a PIM junkie)

TimeTrax Currently I'm not a registered user because even though it displays great views of your appointments, repeat items scheduled/rescheduled using the built-in Dates app do not get recognized correctly. At least it did this when I tried it.Probably the best calendar views for the Newton.

What's my Newton Carried In?

I must admit I searched a lot for the ultimate case. Here's what I use:

Eagle Creek (I don't remember the name, sorry) - Small padded Cordura shoulder bag. Main zippered pocket holds Newton vertically; pocket for either glasses, wallet or Gameboy ; ) Zippered pocket for checkbook, one interior and two exterior pen holders are very convenient. Simple, light and compact makes it a good everyday bag Buy it at many sports stores such as Sports Chalet, REI, SportMart. About $25-30.

Eddie Bauer - Holds lots of stuff but is a little bulky. Eddie Bauer makes great practical bags. If you can get to their outlet stores you can get a good deal. This is one of last year's design made of Cordura (the current design uses a some funky material which I don't like.) It was my everyday bag until the Eagle Creek. About $25-30.

Tumi Small Travel Tote - Great leather bag for classy affairs or business meetings. Small outer compartment for glasses, wallet, etc.; middle compartment for Newton (not padded so I put a piece of 1/2" foam at the bottom); zippered back copmpartment for pens, business cards, flat stuff. Buy it at better luggage stores. About$200.

E&B Glove - The ultimate minimalist case. All leather, fits the Newton like a, um, glove. I've attached to the inside of the cover a pocket for money, credit cards or PC modem. My attachment also has a stylus holder that. E&B does not currently list them at there website but I've heard that they still stock them. Give them a call. I don't remember the price - probably about $80.

My Computer:

Computer I use to program the Newton: Powerbook G3/300 192MB, OS 9.0. The best computer I've owned!

Newton Development tools: Newton Toolkit 1.6.4b3, Resedit, ClarisWorks 4.0 (for icon design).

Other good things I use: IntelliMouse, QuickKeys, Conflict Catcher 8, Kaleidascope, FileMaker Pro 4.0, Farallon Skyline 1.1.

PIMple	Byte-Size Software	My first program I wrote for the Newt! Really essential to my everyday work! Created this about three years ago and it still has features that modern Palm Pilots and Wince PIMS don't have! Simple but useful. Freeware.
OutlineStyles	Byte-Size Software	Great for visually enhancing my outlines (I uses the outlines stationary a lot).
BBEditor	Byte-Size Software	Good text editing features! Doesn't get in the way of writing.
Hilite2000	Byte-Size Software	Should be part of any PDA's OS! Sort of proud of this one!
StartBar	StandAlone	The best bring-app-to-the-front utility! One tap, no searching a list. Cons - incompatible with DashBoard. Uses some screen real estate but is well worth it. StandAlone wrote great Newton software and a lot of it! Ben Gottlieb is one of the Who's Who of Newton programming.
Backdrop Plus	StandAlone	There are freeware apps out that are similar but I like the little extra features on BD Plus.
Notion	Pelicanware	Could not do without this list maker! I keep all my students' monthly payments, my payments from concerts and keep records of my tax info on Notion!
HyperNewt	Fondation Systems	Great way to group together and organize various types of information such as names, notes, appointments.
Super Notepad	StandAlone	Some peope have had problems with SNP but it's been very stable for me.
PocketMoney	Catamount Software	My digital checkbook. I don't use it to it's full potential but PM is essential to my bad bookeeping skills! Hardy Marcia is another Newton Who's Who.
Prefs Cleaner	StandAlone	No Newton owner should be without this. Use it to delete preferences from deleted packages. Freeware.
Backlight Plus	Fondation Systems	Neat stuff came out from Foundation Systems. Nice to control your backlight. (my power switch is acting up so I can't use it to activate my backlight). Freeware.
Newton Toolkit	Apple	Couldn't create my apps without it!
Freeze Utilities	StandAlone	Gotta have an option to freeze packages and save heap! Freeware.
GestureLaunch	ICS	Great piece of programming and thinking different! One of the first ingenious uses of the ButtonBar area. Dan Rowley's a Who's Who also.
QuickNames Pro	Landware	Names searcher. Maybe I'll try another one but QN works for me.
Aloha	Catamount Software	I use AOL so Aloha is great for me! Works well but being that AOL is dropping support for its older desktop clients I may need to use something else in the future.
Viewframe	Jason Harper	Some people play games on their Newt, I like to poke around it's software guts with Viewframe. Essential to learning how to program and debugging the Newt. I bought this when it was a commercial product for about $100 and now it's freeware, but I still don't regret the purchase!
AllDatesLong	Newton Crafts (Japanese site)	Makes the Day view of the Dates app display about 15 hours. Nice! freeware.
Jig!	DublClick	Good for a few quick games to kill the time. Great freeware game!

Dashboard	Five Speed Software	Unfortunately incompatible with StartBar but Mark Mason may fix this in a later version. When this is fixed I'll thaw it and defintely use it! (I've paid my registration fee!)
MoreInfo	Silverware	"What!?" you say. Not essential? Great piece of software but in some ways it does repeating items not to my liking. Many users swear by this app.
DateMan	StandAlone	Same comments as MoreInfo. (I'm a registered user of both DateMan and MoreInfo. I guess I'm a PIM junkie)
TimeTrax		Currently I'm not a registered user because even though it displays great views of your appointments, repeat items scheduled/rescheduled using the built-in Dates app do not get recognized correctly. At least it did this when I tried it.Probably the best calendar views for the Newton.