                                                          Apr. 11, 2001

                           HANDYSHOPPER v2.0
                    for the Palm Computing Platform



FAQ (FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS): -----------------------------------------

1. Does HandyShopper work on my device?
    -  HandyShopper works on any Palm-based device running version 2.0
       or higher of the Palm OS.  Palm m500 series, V/VII series, IIIc,
       III series, etc -- YES.  HandSpring Visors -- YES.  Sony -- YES.
       ...etc.

2. Will databases created with the HS2 Beta work with the final version?
    -  Absolutely!  You won't need to do anything except install the
       final version.

3. It's really annoying to have to tap the little magnifying glass icon
   to use the Lookup mode.
    -  You don't have to!  Just start writing graffiti (when there is no
       item selected).

4. The Contrast button doesn't work on a PalmV or PalmVx or m100, etc.
    -  You have discovered the "No Stylus" mode.  For more information,
       see the Instructions section in the Readme.txt file.

5. How do I get to the Preferences?
    -  Use the Actions popup (at the bottom, next to the magnifying
       glass icon).  OR, use the menus by tapping the Menu circle (in
       the lower left corner of the graffiti area), then tap Options,
       then tap Preferences.

6. I imported from 1.x, but it did not import my aisles.
    -  After importing, you turned on Per-Store Prices and Aisles.  If
       you turn off Per-Store Prices, you will see your aisles again.
    -  When you turn on Per-Store Prices in the Preferences screen, it
       gives you the opportunity to copy the old "generic" price/aisle
       information to specific stores.  To copy it to more than one
       store, use Copy Prices more than once (by turning Per-Store Price
       off and then on again).

7. I entered a bunch of aisles, but HS2 does not display them.
    -  You have turned on Per-Store Prices and Aisles.  If you entered
       the aisles before turning on this feature, then see the previous
       question (above).
    -  If you have already entered separate aisles for different stores,
       then is the current store set to "All Stores"?  HS2 cannot
       display an aisle when "All Stores" is active and Per-Store Prices
       are turned on (which aisle would it show??).

8. Using the Quantity field is very awkward; I don't care about decimal
   quantities.
    -  If you have the Calculator enabled (tap the calculator icon to
       toggle it on/off), it is no more awkward than in HS1.  Just tap
       the number on the calculator.  Although the calculator is still
       there, you can still tap elsewhere to do something else.

9. It is very awkward to pick an Aisle from the aisle dropdown; I have
   to scroll it a lot for large aisle numbers.
    -  Try writing graffiti.  You can either write A-Z, or 3 digits
       (from 000 to 200).  To select an aisle less than 100 you can
       either write "002" or "015", or you can write "2" or "15", and
       then write either dot dot or the newline stroke.

10. What happens when "Need" is hilighted and I tap it again?
    -  This switches to the "Not Needed" view.

11. What good are "multiple databases"?
    -  C'mon, use your imagination.

12. How can I import/export to a CSV file?
    -  This is not currently possible.  See the "Future Features"
       section in the Readme.txt file.

13. I don't understand the symbols in the leftmost column.  I would
    expect just a checkbox.
    -  In the "All" view:
        -  BOX = item is Needed.
        -  CHECKMARK = item was needed, but is now complete (for
           instance, you have the item in your shopping cart).
        -  DOT = item is not needed (and is therefore not counted
           by the Total command).
    -  In the "Need" view:
        -  BOX = item is Needed.
        -  CHECKMARK = item was needed, but is now complete (for
           instance, you have the item in your shopping cart).

14. Is there a desktop version of HandyShopper?
    -  One user has written a desktop companion for HandyShopper 1.7
       (the desktop companion can be downloaded from www.palmgear.com).
    -  There is no desktop companion for HS2, and I don't have time to
       write one.  Hopefully, the author of the first one will have the
       time and desire to do so.  It is impossible to write one until
       after the official final version of HandyShopper is released and
       I also finish the CSV/PDB converter program mentioned in the
       Readme.txt file.

15. How can I reset the items in the All view back to dots instead of
    checkmarks?
    -  You must use the "Checkout" command on the menus, or
    -  Use the Reset command (on the menus) which has an option to reset
       items to dots.

16. Why do I have to use the Checkout command?  HandyShopper 1.7 did not
    require this.
    -  True, but HS 1.7 could not keep a running Total.  HS2 remembers
       which items were Needed, so that it can sum them for the Total
       command.  When you're finished shopping, you need to use the
       Checkout command to let HS2 know that you've purchased the items,
       so it doesn't keep trying to sum them in the future.

17. How can I purge (delete) only my completed items?
    -  The Purge and Reset commands only affect the items in the current
       view (unless you choose the "Purge all items" or "Reset all
       items" checkbox).  For instance, if you Purge from the Not Needed
       view, then only completed items will be purged (tap the Need tab
       until neither the All or Need tabs are highlighted).  Or, another
       example, if you Purge from the Need view while "Target" is the
       selected store and "Music" is the selected category, then Purge
       will only delete Needed items from the "Music" category that are
       connected to the "Target" store.

18. How can I make sure my databases are backed up when I HotSync?
    -  Use either (or both) of these approaches:
        a.  Make sure the "System" conduit in the HotSync settings is
            set to "Handheld overwrites desktop".
        b.  Use BackupBuddy NG (http://www.backupbuddy.com).

19. How can I make a copy of an entire database?
    -  Follow these steps to do it via HotSync with your PC:
        a.  Important - see FAQ #18.
        b.  HotSync.
        c.  On your PC, find the database and double-click on it to
            queue it for installation on the next HotSync.  The database
            on your PC will have the same name as on your Palm, plus a
            ".pdb" extension.
        d.  Rename the database on your Palm device.
        e.  HotSync.
    -  Follow these steps to do it via infrared beaming:
        a.  Beam the database to another Palm device (or a PC/laptop
            with an IR port).
        b.  Rename the database on your Palm device.
        c.  Beam the database from the other Palm device (or PC/laptop).

20. How can I find other commands in HandyShopper?  Is there a menu?
    -  Yes, as with most applications written for the Palm OS, you can
       pop up the menus by tapping the lower left circle next to the
       Graffiti area.

21. Is there a way to beam a database to another device?
    -  Yes, use the Beam Database command (on the menus).

22. Can I share a database with my partner, so we can merge the list?
    -  No, there is currently no way to do this with HandyShopper.  I
       hope to add a feature to merge databases via infrared beaming.
       Like many other users, my wife and I want to share a shopping
       list and merge our Need lists when one of us is going to the
       grocery store.


