PDActivate 2.0

Spend just a few moments with Launch 'Em, and you'll never go back to the Palm OS's default application launcher. Although Launch 'Em doesn't inherit any previously defined categories, setup is simple, and the benefits are worth the extra work. A tabbed interface provides effortless access to applications and databases, and moving, deleting, or copying items becomes as easy as drag and drop. The toolbar adds user-selected Gadget plug-ins to the usual battery and time indicators, ranging from the simple (power off, backlight, beam document) to the nifty (hide/show private files, small icon editor). Convenient new stylus shortcuts present you with a quick list of recent and commonly used software, or immediately return you to the last opened program.

If you want to view all of your commitments and due items at a glance, Today's the perfect aid. Conveniently combining Datebook and To Do List data on a single screen, Today can sort by due date, priority, or category, and automatically launch first thing in the morning to ensure that you don't miss anything. For long hierarchical lists, look to ListMaker, which is ideal for checklists that you might keep for shopping or traveling. Lists of "needed" things can be derived quickly from stored items, so that you won't have to enter common tasks repeatedly.

The fully algebraic calculator, SynCalc, far outstrips even the scientific calculator that's included with Handspring Visors. Featuring unlimited nested parentheses and functions, as well as programmable shortcuts, it can be extended further through math libraries and macros that are available from SynSolutions' Web site. On the more playful side, SimpleSketch provides a handful of tools (paintbrushes, basic shape and text tools) that are perfect for jotting down a quick note or doodling freehand. Taken separately, each of these applications is useful enough; by bundling them together at a reasonable price, PDActivate 2.0 becomes indispensable. --Jack Gardiner