Using the application
Once loaded, you launch the application from your Palm handheld and select the presentation you wish to view. The slides themselves are difficult to read if you have used a font that's smaller than 18 points. Overall, it does a decent job of reproducing the slides on both color and non-color Palm computers. To view the slide full screen on your Palm handheld, simply tap the slide, and it will enlarge. Then, using your stylus, you can drag the image to view the desired section of the slide. Tap the screen again, and the slide reduces to fit the screen, as shown in Figure D.

FIGURE D

Your presentation will shrink to fit the screen, but it might be hard to read.

There's also a memo option so that you can make notes regarding the presentation.

Beaming a presentation
The powerViewer program allows you to beam a presentation to another user. However, if the user doesn't have powerViewer, you'll need to "beam" them the application first and then beam them the presentation. Because of the size of the application and the size of each presentation, this takes a while. I recommend putting both devices on a table or desk because your hands and arms will get tired. Once the data is received, the user will be able to view the presentation on his or her Palm handheld. However, the user won't be able to upload the presentation back into PowerPoint.

Shortcomings
The application itself is interesting, but because of the limited resolution of a Palm handheld screen, presentations are difficult to view without zooming in on each slide. I wasn't able to try the software on a Palm m500 or Palm m505, however. For users with limited space on their handhelds, the size of the application and the presentations is a concern. Also, there's no way to convert a presentation on the handheld back into PowerPoint (a feature that would make the product more robust).

Overall
The product itself shows promise. Given the limitations mentioned above I have reservations about spending $39.95 for the product. That said, being able to carry full-color (or even black and white) presentations around in your pocket is a powerful business advantage when sudden opportunities arise.

Jeffrey Greer is a Technical Consultant/Program Manager for MassMutual Financial Services in Springfield, MA. He has also been a Palm consultant for four years and specializes in finding existing Palm solutions that can enhance and streamline existing business processes for customers.