Stylus free selection of address book records using PDA hardware keys.

By Chris Jones
Copyright (c) 2002

This manual accompanies Notap Version 1.3
Released July 2002

For the latest version please go to PalmGearHQ


Instruction Manual

1. Overview & QuickStart Guide


Notap allows you to quickly access your address book records without using your PDA stylus. It does this by using all 6 hardware keys in various configurations, to step you through a selection process to arrive at the full page display of any particular address book record. It is rapid, easy to use and does not require any memorizing of mnemonics.

This can be particularly useful while walking, in the car, or any situation when you would like to see your complete address book record, without removing your stylus from your PDA or using your other hand.

QuickStart Guide
Notap is really easy to use. Install it (see below) like any other app. Go to your systems preferences, choose "buttons" and select "notap" as the default application next to the little phone icon (instead of "Address").

Now, whenever you press the address book hard key, you will be presented with a list of categories. Choose the category of the person you are looking for using the hard keys, or scroll using the arrow hard keys if you can't see the right category. Then you are shown a list of letters. Choose the starting letter of the persons last name (or company if that is how you sort your records) with the hard key next to the letters (even the scroll keys select letters here). Then you will see a list of names - choose the person's name (or scroll up and down using the hard arrow keys) and you will be taken to the full page record. To exit at any time, hold any hard key down for half a second.

Simple! No need for the stylus!

See below for more detailed information. If you do not use the built-in standard Address Book application, you will need to read the "Preferences" section below before using Notap.

Notap is Freeware! I hope you find it useful.


2. Requirements




3. Installation & Setup

Just install the Notap file ("Notap.prc") using your favourite palm install tool as you would any other application. You should then make Notap the default application to be launched by the "Address" hardware key. To do this, go to the preference application (usually found in the system category of applications) and choose the "buttons" section from the top right pulldown menu. Then select the address application button (identified by a picture of a phone handset) and choose "Notap" as the application to run when the button is pressed.

If you do not use the built-in standard Address Book application, you will need to read the "Preferences" section below before using Notap.


4. General Principles


"Notap"uses the 6 "hard" keys of your PDA to navigate through your address book to choose a single address record. These keys are the four application keys ("Datebook", "Address Book", "To Do" and "Memo") and the two hard up and down scroll arrows. These keys are found on the lower front case of the PDA, just below the writing area.

In some screens, all the hard keys will be used to make a selection, while in others, the four application keys will make a selection, while the arrow keys will scroll the available choices up and down.

In general, if you hold down any of the application keys for half a second, you will exit "Notap" and go directly to the appropriate application. If you do not press any keys, Notap will go directly to your regular address application after 60 seconds.

Also, if you are not in Notap and you want to pass directly to your regular address book, you can do this by holding down the address key for about half a second.


5. Category Selection Screen



This screen is the first screen shown when you run the application. If you don't use categories you can omit this first screen and go directly to the "all" category. You can set this preference preference screen from the options menu (see below).

The current categories you have in your address book will be displayed in large type next to one of the four "hard" keys. If you have more than four categories, an up and down arrow will be shown. These indicate that pressing the hard scroll arrows will scroll the visible categories available for selection.

You can scroll up and down until the category you wish to select is displayed, then press the hard key that corresponds to that category. You will then move on the the alphabet selection screen (see below). This screen will then contain only records from the category you have selected


6. Alphabet Selection Screen




This screen shows a series of alphabet ranges. These ranges are based on the records in the category you have chosen, and are divided among the six hard keys. All the hard keys (including the scroll up and down keys) allow you to select a range of letters. The letter chosen from each record depends on the method of sorting you use in your address book preferences. That is, either the first letter of the last name or the first letter of the company.

Choose a range of letters by pressing one of the hard keys. If your selection contains more than four letters, these letters will be redisplayed to allow you to pick a single letter, further narrowing your choice of records.

In addition, the category you have selected is displayed in the top right corner of the screen.


7. Record Selection Screen


Once you have chosen a range of letters, the record selection screen is displayed
This screen shows you the names of individual records, based on the letter range you chose. You can select any of the records shown, or scroll up and down using the hard scroll keys.

When you press the hard key next to a particular name, you are passed directly to your address book application, and the record you chose is displayed in full screen mode.




8. Preference Screen


The preference screen is chosen from the options menu. It allows a number of choices to be made.

Allow Category Selection
If you use categories, check the box. When you start Notap you can then select a category. If you don't use categories, uncheck the box. Then when you start Notap you will see only a range of letters based on all of your address book records.

Address Application
If you use an alternative address book (examples are "Address Book R", "Address Pro", "SuperNames" etc.) you can select this as the default application to run when you have chosen a record. Only address applications that use the standard Palm address database can be used.

Sorting Method
If you use an alternative application, you will be given the option to choose how this application sorts the records. Unfortunately the address book database only stores information on whether it is sorted by last name then first, or company then last. If your address app sorts in some other way, you need to set it here. If you then later change your sorting method in the other app, you need to reset it here. Otherwise there is no way of Notap knowing how the records are sorted, and it cannot correctly show the selection letters. Also, since whenever you hotsync, the address book gets resorted according to the standard address book preferences, I generally do not recommend you use alternate methods of sorting your address book when using Notap. The option is however available.

Known Incompatabilities
Notap will not work with ActionNames.
There have been problems in Palms running AportisDoc.


9. FAQ & Troubleshooting



  • Notap crashes my Palm!
    Unfortunately, although I have tried to make Notap compatible with many alternative address books, they occasionally do not do things in a predictable way! The commonest problem is an alternative mode of sorting used by that address book.

    Despite this, Notap should not crash - always email me if your palm crashes and I'll see what I can do!


    10. Disclaimer


    IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHOR BE LIABLE TO ANY PARTY FOR DIRECT, INDIRECT, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, INCLUDING LOST PROFITS, ARISING OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE AND ITS DOCUMENTATION, EVEN IF THE AUTHOR HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.

    THE AUTHOR SPECIFICALLY DISCLAIMS ANY WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. THE SOFTWARE PROVIDED IS ON AN "AS IS" BASIS, AND THE AUTHOR HAS NO OBLIGATIONS TO PROVIDE MAINTENANCE, SUPPORT, UPDATES, ENHANCEMENTS, OR MODIFICATIONS.

    You should not use Notap if you are not happy with this disclaimer.


    11. Revision History



    Version 1.3: July 2002: Colour Version

    Colour icons for those users insistent on their necessity!
    Version 1.2: September 2001: Bug Fix & Code Optimisation

    Occasional bug in some situations caused Palm to crash, probably due to errors with card numbers. Fixed. Some improvements in code and manual.

    Changed to Freeware!

    Version 1.1: February 2001: Update

    New screen layout with icons to left instead of right for easier navigations

    Version 1.05: January 2001: Bug Fix

    Fixed problems with databases containing fields starting with lowercase letters, which meant not all letters were displayed.

    Also allowed selection of sort methods not supported by the built in Address Book app but used by other third party applications.

    Version 1.0: January 2001: Initial Release




    12. About the Author


    Chris Jones is an Anaesthetist (Anesthesiologist for North Americans) living in Sydney, Australia. He has been programming computers since his father bought an Exidy Sorceror in 1977 when he was 9 years old. He has been using a Palm III since late 1998, and started programming the Palm in July 2000. He principally programs medical applications, his major work being InfusiCalc, which can be downloaded from his web site     AetherPalm devoted to the PalmOS for Anaesthetists.

    Favourite applications include Ric Huebner's "Parens" and "Mathpad", John Leung's "Accounts & Loans", "ePocrates qRx" and Mark Schillingburg's "Whatzup" - all are highly recommended.

    Please feel free to pass on any comments, bug reports or suggestions to Chris Jones .


    13. Acknowledgements


    I would like to thank Robert Mykland, Author of     "Palm Programming from the Ground Up" for his excellent book.

    Thank you also to beta testers Chris Holmes, Peter Jones, Ted Wu.