FastWriter Combines Word Processing and DOC Reading

Posted By: Ed Monday, September 10, 2001 1:56:39 PM

iambic has released FastWriter, a word processor that allows users to create, edit, and sync Microsoft Word, text, HTML, and rich text files directly between a Palm OS handheld and a Windows PC. FastWriter also supports Palm DOCs and memo records, integrates with Memo Pad, and allows for conversion between file types. It is now available at a special release price of $20 but is regularly $30.

FastWriter is a complete word processor and includes formatting and editing options such as: bold; italics; underline; strikethrough; cut, copy, and paste; bullet support; text alignment; color support and more. It has a variety of options for setting font color, style, type, and size, including default settings.

It come with support for third-party keyboards such as the Palm Portable, Targus Stowaway and GoType! keyboards. Or use their on-screen pop up keyboard.

FastWriter also acts as an document reader with full screen view, bookmarks to note special passages or indicate important breaks, support for table of contents and header levels for better navigation, and an auto scroll feature with speeds under the user's control.

It supports Microsoft Word documents (.doc), memo records, and text (.txt), Rich Text (.rtf), HTML (.htm), and Palm Doc (.pdb) files and provides automatic synchronization of Microsoft Word files and other documents on a Windows PC. There is no Macintosh or Linux support.

It has 256 color support for text or the background and, on Sony Clié devices, it has Jog Dial support.

Registered MegaDoc users will receive a special e-mail notice on how to upgrade to FastWriter, as iambic acquired MegaDoc last spring and developed it into FastWriter.

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Iambic come lately?

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/10/2001 2:14:01 PM #

This seems like a nice program, but I do have one concern. Iambic keeps putting out these, been there, done that apps (this FastWriter, IambicMail, even Ababall) while their best app ActionNames hasn't seen an update in a while now. They could have at least added silent alarm support for the m500's by now.

RE: Iambic come lately?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/10/2001 4:30:33 PM #
I agree. They could easily have blown DateBk4 out of the water by now. Their focus does seem a little strange.

Wordsmith still ahead, IMHO

N473 @ 9/10/2001 2:17:18 PM #
I aplaud Iambic in their efforts, improvements have definately been made to MegaDoc. However the font support of Wordsmith, IE being able to actually see the true type fonts, tips the scales in WS's favor. I for one, will be staying with Wordsmith as my word processor until there is truly something better.

Cheers!
N473
---------------
Evolution: Palm IIIe -> m100 w/ PPK -> TRGpro w/ GoType! Pro, Pretec CF 56k Modem, 16MB CF Card

Word Doc w/E-mail

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/10/2001 2:49:17 PM #
Can anybody help me. Vx user w/Omnisky. Can I use this or any to receive attachements. Do I need special e-mail package, just use Omnisky. Any help would be appreciated.


RE: Word Doc w/E-mail
sford @ 9/10/2001 9:36:01 PM #
Not sure about the wireless aspect, but you might start with Documents to Go by Dataviz. I know it supports receiving attachments w/ email.

RE: Word Doc w/E-mail
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/10/2001 9:51:09 PM #
The Docs To Go solution is conduit sync only... What you need is Quickoffice. Check out their site (www.quickoffice.com) under SOLUTIONS, they've got a conversion companion which will convert received files from Quickword to MS Word and vice versa working wirelessly with MultiMail.

They also say that rich text support is coming for Quickword, it'll be interesting to see how that stacks up with WS and Iambic's new toy.

I second that.

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/10/2001 5:02:00 PM #
The only program I really like from Iambic is ActionNames. I don't understand why they have not released any updates yet.
1. make the split day view adjustable
2. be able to change color in 7 day grid view
etc etc....


RE: I second that.
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/10/2001 6:00:54 PM #
I like ActionNames too (primarily because it has a smaller footprint then DateBk4) but there has always been one major problem that has kept me from even considering it as a viable replacement for DateBk4. You can not view an entire appointment in the day view. The built-in datebook does it, DateBk3/4 does it, why not ActionNames. Seeing a single line of appointment information, even if there is only one appointment for the day, in the day view is just totally unacceptable to me and my needs (at least add the option to toggle the "full" appointment on).

I have written to iambic about this twice and they send back the canned response that it will be submitted to tech for consideration in the next version (or words to that effect).

RE: I second that.
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/10/2001 11:39:40 PM #
I don't think I understand the last poster's comment. I am an avid user of ActionNames, and I'm sure that there is nothing that the built-in datebook does that ActionNames doesn't. There is an "preferences" menu to select different views for you day screen. Could you be more specific?

RE: I second that.
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/11/2001 5:24:56 AM #
To my knowledge, in the day view of ActionNames, there is no way to see the full text of an appointment unless the appointment is opened. Despite the many views available for the day view approximately one line of the appointment is shown and that's it.

The built-in datebook shows the entire description of the appointment in day view by default and "truncates' the description only for the other views.

Hmm...

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/10/2001 6:01:38 PM #
Can we say: Who cares ?!?

Other than the price, this product is inferior to Wordsmith. I have Wordsmith and won't be changing anytime soon.

Also, can we trust a company that doesn't respond to customers and comes out with mostly crappy products?

Don't think so.

RE: Hmm...
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/10/2001 7:04:41 PM #
Could someone post a point by point comparison and contrast with WordSmith?

What features does one offer that the other does not, eg, WordSmith does support Macintosh(although not perfectly), but FastWriter does not. Etc, etc.

Thanks!

Can Anyone Say "iambic Office"?
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/10/2001 11:42:03 PM #
I think it is obvious they are trying to put together the makings of what will become iambic Office to compete with Cutting Edge's office suite. My guess is that it will include TinySheet, FastWriter and iambic Mail. I wouldn't be suprised to see a new iambic database program.

RE: Hmm...
AriB @ 9/11/2001 1:53:04 AM #
I care because more competition will push Blue Nomad into making Wordsmith even better

It sux - they missed something important

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/11/2001 2:45:10 AM #
Whats it is missing (in flash news):
1. Does it have support of cards ?
2. Does it have HiRes (Clie/HE330) support ?
3. Does it have FineType support ?

Fastwriter -- looks good -- but how about some HARD COPY

EJSHUMAK @ 9/11/2001 2:46:37 AM #
This looks like a product I could use. I have several siumilar programs and switch between them as my mood or writing project changes --(DocsToGo & Wuick offfice)and I would like to add this program.
BUT
I don't like purchasing a program that I cannot get on cd. And I assume this is a pretty big program to download --with the desktop portion--

I have AOL --I konw --it's allmost like admitting I'm stupid -- but apparently a heck of a lot of us are on AOL and I have a dial-up connection. Anything over 1 meg is A REAL PAIN TO DOWNLOAD---

It would be nice to have this available for purchase on a CD---

RE: Fastwriter -- looks good -- but how about some HARD COPY
Ed @ 9/11/2001 9:00:02 AM #
According to iambic, it will be available in retail stores soon.

---
News Editor
RE: Fastwriter -- looks good -- but how about some HARD COPY
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/11/2001 11:14:15 AM #
I am on AOL dial up. Don't worry the download takes less than a minute.

By the way, If you purchase a Palm program on CD, you wil always have to download the updates by the internet.

No Tech Support

I.M. Anonymous @ 9/11/2001 8:28:03 AM #
My big problem with iambic is the lack of tech support. My law firm has purchased numerous copies of TimeReporter for TimeSlips from iambic at over $150 each. However, trying to get these guys on the phone is simply impossible. I'm going to stick with WordSmith until iambic can start supporting the products it has on the market.

RE: No Tech Support
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/11/2001 8:33:30 AM #
I couldn't agree more. My consultanting companies has purchased many copies of TimeReporter and we can't get any support. Ditto, ditto, ditto.

RE: No Tech Support
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/11/2001 11:30:04 AM #
Iambic doesn't offer telephone support for TimeReporter so why would you cite not being able to reach them by phone as an issue? They are always responsive to our firm's questions about TimeReporter via e-mail. Just yesterday, I sent an e-mail in asking about an update to TimeReporter for Timeslips and I received a response from public relations in literally UNDER 20 MINUTES telling me it would be posted today and offering me extra information on where I'd be able to find it, what was coming, etc.

RE: No Tech Support
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/11/2001 12:42:48 PM #
I wrote to iambic several times about Action Names and TinySheet and always got a prompt reply. This company is a brilliant example of good service.

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