Shareware To Go

Entrepreneur, Nov, 1999

Software finds for Windows CE users

The PalmPilot may rule the handheld computing market, but Microsoft's Windows CE operating system still has legions of fans. Are you one of them? Want to spice up your Windows CE handheld with spiffy software? You're in luck - more Web sites filled with jazzy software offerings come online all the time. Take a look at what's out there:

* www.cecentral.com: Want one-stop shopping for peripherals (communications and the like) and full-featured software (including fides for handwriting recognition, financial management, travel and maps)? This site ranks as one of the Internet's most complete retailers of CE-related gear and tools.

* www.windowsce.com: Full of try-before-you-buy shareware, this site offers hundreds of tides pertaining to communications, productivity, utilities and so on. AOL users, in particular, can rejoice: Several tides make it simple to download AOL e-mail and to send and receive Instant Messages.

* www.winfiles.com/apps/ce: Head to CNet's WinFiles, where hundreds more shareware rides await you. Don't miss the button for "Newest CE Shareware." Another convenience is that WinFiles provides a tool that lets users easily register that is, purchase - shareware that suits them.

If you crave more links to boost the usefulness of your CE device, go to PDAntic.com's roundup of top sites (www.pdantic.com/wincelnk.htm). For the motherlode of WinCE info, surf into the Windows CE Web Community site (www.windowscewebring.com,), which catalogs some 250 CE-related sites (including 20-20 Consumer, www.20-20consumer.com/windowscehpcs, a site that provides you with instant surveys of current pricing on CE devices for sale via the Web). While you're at it, check out Microsoft's Windows CE site (www.microsoft.com/windowsce/products), which is filled with news, tips, books, tech support and still more links to software developers and retailers. It's a rich resource that's packed with info on how to make WINCE boxes hum with productivity.

For even more about software for your palmtop, see "Software," August.