"Microsoft." What do you think (or feel) when you hear that word? It's not just a company name any more it's a force in our lives. Up to half of my waking hours are spent in a world created by Microsoft.
My relationship with Microsoft took two steps forward recently. The first was when a new version of their Pocket PC Web site appeared in November (www.pocketpc.com). It was friendlier and more pleasing than the earlier iteration which I had avoided. The second was when the PocketPC.Com product manager for the site, Steve Seroshek, sent me a friendly e-mail.
According to Steve, their goal in re-designing PocketPC.Com was to "put together a new site that is clear and simple. We've found that customers want fresh content and they want it easy to find. Hopefully with our
new design we have accomplished that."
The new PocketPC.Com is much more useful than the old one, with a clean and well-organized interface. It may not have as much content as some of the other all-purpose sites we list in Best Sites (www.PocketPCmag.com/bestsites.htm), but it has an excellent selection. Which is good. Sometimes you don't want everything you just want the best things.
I like the site and I like Steve's attitude about it. He adds, "Mostly we have created a solid foundation that can be easily expanded and modified over time. Hey, we're not perfect, but we have created a Web site that we can easily adapt to our customers' needs."
This is a new face for Microsoft in my life, a face that listens, admits imperfections, and is trying to please. I like this relationship. Thanks, Steve.
So let's look a bit more closely at this new effort. The biggest change is that the new site has a little something for everyone: newbies, wannabees, and experienced users.
Interested in buying a Pocket PC?
Previously, there were two different Microsoft sites: one for people thinking of buying a Pocket PC and one for people who had already
purchased one. Steve admits that customers were confused by having to go two separate places to get information about the Pocket PC. The new version site intentionally combines "pre-sales" and "post-sales" information.
Microsoft's redesigned PocketPC.Com site is simpler
and easier to use.
The first two main sections of the site, Features and Buyer's Guide, are oriented toward those interested in buying a Pocket PC. The Features section gives a complete overview of the built-in applications. The Buyer's Guide offers advice on which model to buy and even offers ten reasons why you should buy one. Click on the "Where to buy" link and you're taken to an updated list of Pocket PC and Windows CE software retailers. Finally, for those undecided between the Pocket PC and Palm OS devices, the site offers a comparison of features.
Already have a Pocket PC?
The remaining sections support those who already own a Pocket PC. These include Downloads, Help and How To, Club Pocket PC and PocketPaks.
The Downloads section contains mostly free Pocket PC software from Microsoft. The programs available include ActiveSync, Pocket Streets, and Transcriber. The eBooks link takes you to a page with links to a number of Reader eBook sources.
The Help and How To section includes over 60 step-by-step guides on topics such as how to create eBooks and how to move data from a Palm
to a Pocket PC. There are also scores of tips, such as how to adjust the touch screen and how to conserve your battery. Help and How To has an excellent search function and also links to the Frequently Asked Questions section and the ActiveSync Troubleshooter.
Club Pocket PC is billed as "the exclusive club for Pocket PC enthusiasts." It includes links to Pocket PC Newsgroups, User Groups, FAQs, and links to other sites of interest to Pocket PC users.
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