Installing the Office Suite
Double-click the file you downloaded to start the installation process. The process is pretty standard. The installer displays the window shown in Figure A, where you can select the components of the Office Suite to be installed. Select Install to continue the process.

FIGURE A

Choose the Office Suite components you want to install from this list. Click picture for a larger image.

The separateness of the applications in the Office Suite extends to their installation too. The Office Suite installer gets the job done by running the installers for the individual applications. This means you'll see multiple registration screens and the like, as well as run multiple HotSync operations. It isn't hard and only takes ten minutes or so, but it can be a bit confusing. Carefully follow the on-screen instructions, and you'll have no problems.

Once you have the Office Suite components installed, you need to register some of them. WordSmith, TinySheet, and PalmPrint all require registration. While the details of the registration process differ, the basic approach is the same: open the program on your handheld, find the registration screen (the About screen for TinySheet and PalmPrint, and the Register screen on the Options menu for WordSmith) and follow the directions. Be sure you do this while you're at your PC, as you'll be required to visit company Web sites and receive email to complete the registration processes.

Using the Office Suite
Here's a quick overview of each application, enough information to help you decide whether that program will suit your needs. In addition, for each program, I've indicated whether or not it supports color, and I'll let you know if there's a trial version of that particular program available at Handango.com.

WordSmith
WordSmith, from Blue Nomad (at http://www.bluenomad.com/ws/prod_wordsmith_details.html), is a feature-rich word processor that lets you view and edit Microsoft Word documents (or any documents stored in RTF format) on your handheld. You can stash the program in Flash memory and enter text with Graffiti or an add-on keyboard, as well as the virtual keyboard built into your handheld. WordSmith supports color, and there's a trial version available.

WordSmith supports all the basic formatting in your documents, including:

• Fonts (including size, bold, superscript and so on);
• Justification (left, center, right);
• Indenting;
• Tables;
• Pictures;
• Spacing (within and between paragraphs);
• Page breaks;
• Keep together and keep with next paragraph;
• Outline levels.

Figure B shows some of the formatting possibilities.

FIGURE B

WordSmith handles common document formatting tasks.

You can easily specify the documents you want synchronized with your handheld during the next HotSync and set rules for how that synchronization will occur. The process works smoothly and has never given me any problems.

Another major feature of WordSmith is FineType. This technology lets any handheld display reasonable renditions of Windows TrueType fonts, and color handhelds display high-resolution monochrome fonts. FineType greatly increases the readability of your documents and memos.