List FAQ's

# FAQ's ## Does List work with a Macintosh? Of course it does! The only part of the list distribution that doesn't work with a Mac is the PC application listdb.exe. The Pilot application list.prc will work fine with your pilot, and the "backup" feature will work with the HotSync software on your Mac. Without the PC application listdb.exe to convert between .csv and .pdb files you are restricted to input via the Pilot only, at least until someone out there takes the source for listdb.exe and makes a Mac version (hint hint..). ## I can't get backup to work!? If you've set the "Backup next HotSync" check box, then done a HotSync and found that the list databases were not backed up check which version of HotSync you are running. HotSync 1.0 and HotSync 2.0 both had bugs related to backing up 3rd party databases. This backup problem is caused by a bug in the 3Com/Palm program, not a bug in List. See the 3com website for information on this problem: http://palmpilot.3com.com/custsupp/downloads/readme21.html ## I can't find the backup files!? If your Palm desktop software is installed in c:\Palm and your username is "Moo" then the backup directory will be c:\Palm\Moo\Backup. This is the directory where files will appear when you HotSync. If the List database name is "Books" then the filename will be "Books.pdb". If the Hot-Sync operation does not result in any files being created then verify using the customization dialog that the "Backup Next Hot-Sync" flag is set. If it is set, the database should be backed up. The backup operation clears the flag. The desktop software may mangle the names if you have a space or other "strange" characters in it, but you should be able to easily recognize the name. ## Any plans to support more fields? No, I do not intend to add support for more fields to List. However, List already sort of supports more than 3 fields: Think of it this way -- the first two fields are visible in the main display, all other 'fields' are part of the Note field. You can use CR's to create multiple 'fields' in the note field. The .csv format supports note fields with extra commas, these extra commas are turned into CR's in the note field. For example: Unfiled,field one data,field two data,field three data, field four data would create a List entry with 4 'fields', the last two as part of the Note field. Not exactly multiple fields, but it is probably close enough. ## How many databases does List support? List can handle up to 12 databases, then the database selection screen would be required to scroll and I wasn't willing to add that complexity to the program. So while List tries to prevent you from having more than 12 databases installed, if you HotSync more than 12 in -- List will only show you the first 12. ## Can I import list data into Microsoft Excel? Yes, it will hopefully become easier as the third party companion programs mature, but for now you have to follow these steps: 1) First HotSync your Palm device to your PC. 2) Locate the database in the backup directory. If it was named "books" you would find "books.pdb", this can be found in {palm desktop}\{username}\Backup 3) Copy the file (ie: books.pdb) to the same directory as the listdb.exe program 4) Open an MsDos prompt (dos window) 5) cd (change directory) to the directory with listdb and your database (ie: cd \temp). 6) Run listdb as follows: listdb -x books.pdb books.csv 7) Edit the resulting books.csv file and remove the fist line (you can use notepad do edit the file). The first line contains some header information that Excel won't want. 8) Import the edited file into Excel. Similar steps can be taken to print the list file on your PC. ## My Note field has more than 11 lines, how do I edit it? If you are editing large notes (more than 11 lines) you have to drag-scroll the text to see it all (tap & hold the pen on the text, drag it to beyond the bottom of the text until it scrolls to the desired location). This is actually a problem with the Palm table UI element, and I have not found a way to work-around it yet.. Good news! The new version 0.98 has extended note editing. When the note field becomes large, a "Note" button appears that allows you to enter a full screen editing mode. ## I can't download List, can you email it to me? No. I'm sorry, but the only way to get List is to download it. ## I installed List and all the buttons have funny characters (hearts) on them You failed to read the readme.txt file! You should only install ONE of the .prc files. The english version is "list.prc", the other .prc files are the various translations of List. Send you questions to: Roo