UpLink: Microsoft's New Support Site for the Pocket PC

An "uplink" is the transmission of important information from someone who knows to someone who needs to know. In that sense, you could consider Handheld PC Magazine an uplink of important information from our contributing writers to our readers. Well, when Microsoft recently launched a new Web site to support users of Pocket PCs (Palm-size PCs), they gave it an appropriate name "Uplink!"

UpLink (www.microsoft.com/windowsce/uplink/) is an online "e-zine" that came into being in December of 1999 and is "published" (i.e., updated) bi-weekly. Microsoft has made a couple of previous attempts at a Windows CE e-zine, but UpLink is by far the best. UpLink has lined up some top-notch contributing writers, including Chris de Herrera, Todd Ogasawara and Craig Peacock (who also contribute to Handheld PC Magazine) along with Jason Dunn, Frank McPherson and Tedd Riggs (who can write for us anytime they want).

The site is well laid out and it's easy to find your way around it. More importantly, it has lots of good information, for both the novice and experienced Windows CE user. This includes short articles and reviews that cover Pocket PC related Accessories, Communications, Games, Internet resources, Multimedia programs, Productivity enhancers, and more. You'll also find an interesting tips section (e.g., Dealing with Error Messages; Viruses on Windows CE), an archive of short "How-To" articles (Configuring for the Internet; Accessing Newsgroups), and an "Ask the Expert" page with answers to common questions.

A look at the December 15 edition

As I mentioned above, the site is updated every two weeks. This seems to involve publishing 2 or 3 short articles on a giving topic, a couple of unrelated reviews, and additions to the tips and how-to section. To give you a little flavor of what the site has to offer, I'll give you a brief guided tour of the December 15 edition.

The theme of the issue is "The Wireless Connection." The main story, "The Magic of Wireless" by Chris de Herrera, describes various ways to use wireless communications to access e-mail and the Internet wherever you are. The other main articles for this issue were reviews of the Socket Digital Phone Card and of Microsoft's Web on the Go. Unrelated articles published on December 15 include reviews of HP's CapShare 920 portable e-copier, Conduits Technologies' Pocket Player (an MP3 player) and Phatware's HPC Notes, a sophisticated note taker and organizer.

While this issue will not be the current issue by the time you read this, you will be able to find these articles by searching the site (use the "Index and Search" option). I spoke with the Editor of UpLink. He said, "UpLink is going to grow and grow, we consider this Version 0.5 in some respects. UpLink will grow to be an indispensable part of the Palm-size PC experience and we encourage our visitors and your readers to send in their comments and ideas to help us make UpLink serve their needs."

If you use the Pocket (Palm-size) PC, this is another site that deserves to be in your bookmark file. Go ahead and downlink to UpLink, and let them know what you think (editorial e-mail addresses are found on the "Contributing Writers" page).

Until next time, I'll see you OnLine.