Convert documents from your computer to your PDA

by Jeffery Loo, Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins University


Table of contents


Why put my computer files on a PDA?

  • Store lots of information on your PDA for convenient access.
    - local hospital guidelines
    - policies and procedures
    - study notes
    - presentations
    - spreadsheets
    - any document you need to look up conveniently

    PDAs are fast-operating and extremely mobile, fitting in the palm of your hand. Also, using a PDA can be more convenient than flipping through a stack of papers.

  • Share your files with health care professionals on the move.
    Many health care professionals already use handhelds. They are widely used for keeping organized (with their popular calendar and contact directory functions) as well as for reading reference sources (drug guides, clinical care guidelines, etc.). Convert your files so others can read them on their PDA.

  • Reading your computer files on a PDA is sometimes easier than reading printouts.
    - Use the search function to find a key term quickly.
    - Read in the dark with the PDA's backlit screen.
    - Share your files easily: e-mail, download from the Web, beam to another PDA.
    - Remember your place with electronic bookmarks.
    - Increase the text size for readability.

Convert documents with RepliGo

Most documents on your desktop computer can be put onto your PDA for reading and reference.

But first, you need to convert your documents for PDA display; that is you save your file in a format that can be opened by your PDA.

RepliGo is great software to convert PDF, Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Web pages and more for use on a variety of mobile devices and computers:

    Palm OS
    Pocket PC
    Microsoft Smartphone
    Nokia Series 60
    Symbian UIQ
    Windows PC

It is relatively cheap at a cost of $29.95. The reader software to open your files, RepliGo Viewer, is FREE for download.

Read what others have to say about RepliGo.


What's great about reading RepliGo documents?

  • Text formatting and graphics are retained. (see sample)
  • Enlarge text or figure for easier reading.
  • Multiple columns of text can be reformatted to fit in a single column on your screen, with a click of a button. (see sample)
  • Text searches
  • Bookmarks
  • Comments (write notes in your documents)
  • Live hyperlinks
  • Text highlighting

Note: Some features are not available for certain mobile devices.


Sample pages

Here is what a RepliGo converted document looks like in the free RepliGo Viewer (reader software):

Sample 1



Figure 1. Documents retain their original formatting. (The figure is preserved.)

            tap on the icon



Figure 2. By tapping the Flowed button, you can read the text comfortably in the Flowed view. (Multiple columns have been reformatted to a single column!)

Sample 2



Figure 3. Documents retain their original formatting. (The table format is preserved.)

            tap on the icon to magnify



Figure 4. At 100% magnification, you can comfortably see the diagram on your screen.

More screenshots available.


Note: Figures are screenshots of the PLoS Medicine journal (October 2004) in RepliGo Viewer. Reproduced with permission from HandheldsForDoctors.com. Check out their PLoS Medicine for Handhelds.)


Conversion with RepliGo is simple

  1. Open your document in its native application.
     
  2. Simply click a button on the RepliGo toolbar or launch the Print dialog (usually File > Print) and then select the RepliGo printer.
     
  3. Conversion begins. It is automatically performed, so sit back and relax.
     
  4. Perform synchronization between your mobile device and computer to transfer the file.
     
  5. Read your files using the RepliGo viewer.

Try out RepliGo

  • A 14-day free trial of RepliGo is available.
     
  • After installing the free RepliGo viewer on your mobile device, you can download sample documents to test.
     
  • For a one-on-one demonstration, I can visit your office at any of the Baltimore campuses of Johns Hopkins University. Just e-mail me:

    Jeffery Loo
    jloo1@jhmi.edu
    NLM / NIH Associate Fellow Librarian
    Welch Medical Library, Johns Hopkins University

Common concerns addressed

Technical requirements

Check out the system requirements in the RepliGo user guides.

PDA versus laptop computer

Question: Why use a PDA when have a laptop computer with wireless access to the Internet?

Answer: Some advantages PDAs have over laptop computers:

  • PDAs are usually faster operating
  • PDAs are usually easier to carry with you when travelling or on the move
  • when you are in an environment without wireless Internet access, you can view your RepliGo converted web pages on your PDA

Compatibility of RepliGo documents on different PDAs

RepliGo files are cross-platform.
You can beam your documents from Palm to Palm, Pocket PC to Pocket PC, etc.
Also, Pocket PCs can open RepliGo files created for Palm-based devices.