Application Description
Town Compass® DataViewer SoftwareCopyright ©1999-2005
Patent 6,757,673
Patent Pending
Note: DataViewer requires at least Palm OS® v3.5 to run correctly.DataViewer is as convenient as a book and as powerful as a computer. Navigation is simplified by a table of contents, an index, and keyword search. Three-tier hierarchical Database support and index cross-referencing delivers an unparalleled methodology for accessing Database information.
DataViewer v2.8 includes the advanced features of Graphic Support for enriched content presentation; Font Setting Options; Storage Card Compatibility; "Tap & Dial" for Palm OS® Smartphone auto-dialing; "Tap & Add" for calendar event support; Email & URL Hotlinks for enabled devices; "Footnote Lookup" for bibliographical, glossary, and definition information; Global Find Search support; Graffiti Quick-Find Autoscroll support; High-Resolution Display support; and Infrared Beaming of the application, databases and records.
Key Features:
Organization & Navigation
There are three easy ways to find stored information with the DataViewer: 3-Tier Hierarchy, Fingerpoint® Alphabetical Index, and Keyword Search.
The DataViewer Hierarchy is based on creating categorized lists organized by Subject, Category and SubCategory. 'Associated' lists are located next to one another, so browsing lists becomes intuitive. Visual Guide
The Fingerpoint® Alphabetical Index is a roster of all lists in the Database. When a list is selected from the Index, you are returned to its place in the Hierarchy, which also allows you to see other 'associated' lists. Visual Guide
You can search Databases using your handheld's "Global Find" feature. Enter a keyword to search every record in your loaded Databases. Visual Guide
The DataViewer also allows you to store multiple Databases on your handheld, and switch between them without leaving the program. Visual Guide
Display
"Font Setting Options" allows you to select the text you are most comfortable reading. Change Details Page text from our Town Compass® custom font to the Palm OS® system default font. You can also make text a larger size for easier reading! Visual Guide
Not only do you see information in list form, but each individual record is displayed on an entire screen to minimize scrolling. Visual Guide
Each Database also comes with a colorful Cover Page. Visual Guide
DataViewer can display both Grayscale and Color graphics. No matter what Palm OS® device you use, any Database with graphics will be optimized for your screen resolution.
Supported Resolutions:
Sony Hi-Res (320x320)Sony Hi-Res+ (320x480)Palm Hi-Res (320x320)Palm Standard (160x160)Handera Hi-Res (240x320)Palm Hi-Res (320x480)Palm Hi-Res Landscape (320x480)Tapwave Full Screen (480x320)Tapwave (320x320)
Interactive Features:
"Footnote Lookup" inserts links to footnotes within text. Tap on a footnote and a pop-up window appears explaining the footnote. No need to search a glossary or bibliography list -- tapping on the footnote lets you keep your place in the text field window! Visual Guide
"Tap & Dial" allows 1-tap dialing for Palm OS®-enabled Smartphones. All Databases with phone numbers, such as our City Directories and Business Books of Lists, are now mobile communications hubs. Visual Guide
"Tap & Add" automatically enters dated event information into your handheld's calendar with one tap. Remind yourself about important dates and events, such as sports games and business conferences. Visual Guide
"Infrared Beaming" enables information sharing through your handheld's IR (infrared) port to other handheld devices. The entire record is sent to their Memo Pad. Footnotes are beamable, too! You can also beam the DataViewer itself and Databases that are "Beam-enabled", such as Demos and Freeware. Note: Beaming the DataViewer or a Database requires an amount of available handheld RAM equal to the size of the file being beamed (i.e. DataViewer requires 141K of available handheld RAM to beam, while a 200K Database requires at least 200K of available handheld RAM to beam). Visual Guide
Email & URL Hyperlinks are now hot, so email- & Internet-enabled devices can take advantage of easier communication and information retrieval. Visual Guide
Storage Card Compatibility:
Storage Cards
DataViewer may be run off of Palm's™ MMC expansion cards and SD cards*, Handspring's™ Springboard modules and compact flash cards*, and Sony's memory sticks*. All Databases work normally even if loaded on a storage card.
*Note: Some storage devices use directories for file placement. In order for DataViewer to read Databases from these particular storage cards, the Databases should be placed in either the \Palm\Launcher\ directory, the \Programs\TownCompass\ directory, or the \Palm\Programs\TownCompass\ directory.
Without Database(s) loaded on storage card: DataViewer requires only 4K of available handheld RAM to work properly
With Database(s) loaded on storage card: DataViewer requires at least 200K of available handheld RAM to work properly
Updated Description:
2.87 (3/8/05) - Added extended font character support to DataViewer's default font. Also added patent copyright info.
2.854 (3/29/04) - Fixed memory error bug and dropdown list bug.
2.823 (1/29/04) - Added Unicode font support.
2.8 (3/24/03) - Palm Bitmap image compression replaced by JPEG compression (smaller Databases now!); more directory options for storage devices, too.
2.58 (1/17/03) - Font Setting Options added -- 2 types of fonts that can now be made larger!
2.5 (12/2/02) - Palm OS 5 support; complete High resolution support, including Silk Screen devices.
2.41 (10/25/02) - High resolution support; Graffiti Quick-Find function added; New Font Type.
2.2 (5/20/02) - Footnote lookup pop-up windows added; now includes Samsung Smartphone support.
2.1 (2/11/02) - Now has storage card compatibility and cover page images.
User Reviews
1035 of 2081 people found this review helpful:
06-Oct-05 by Thorbjørn Lee
The viewer is a great product, and the price is more than fair, however the content available to use with it is rather limited. The company is a service company, whose service is the packaging of information for the viewer, which is how they make their money. As a result, they do not provide a way for third party development of content for the viewer, hence the limited content available.
If the packages they provide are what you want, great. But if you want content beyond what the company provides, you will be disappointed. I did not even download the viewer when I found neither the content I was looking for, nor a way to get the content prepared for the viewer so I could port content I want to the viewer.
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1005 of 1983 people found this review helpful:
22-Jun-05 by Yael M
this application is so neat. it's very organized and pleasing to the eyes. i think i downloaded almost all of the free applications. just wish thought that I can create my own application with this program.
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1046 of 2062 people found this review helpful:
25-Mar-03 by Alan Bornstein
This is a very sweet piece of software. Tech support is almost immediate and friendly. It seems as though they all go out of their way when you have a question or an issue.
The WorldBook is incredible with its illustrations.
There are even a number of free databases.
Try it you'll like it.
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1047 of 2102 people found this review helpful:
18-Jan-03 by Alan Bornstein
I am presently using a few databases, all loaded onto my Memory Stick. It works flawlessly with the latest update(v2.8). Any issues I had were immdiately addressed and resolved. The friendly tech support is great! The "Index Only New York" database came in handy the other day when I needed to locate a drugstore in the Theatre District. Don't leave home without it!
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1041 of 2071 people found this review helpful:
18-Jan-03 by Garth Michaels
TCDataviewer version 2.8 is an excellent program, and the technical support is amazing. I emailed the author about font changes which would make the databases more readable. We ended up carrying on a real-time discussion and the changes were implemented while we talked! There are a number of fine databases available for DataViewer including several free ones - all of which are keepers. Try this version. You won't be disappointed!
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