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19/04/2002 Interview with Clark Fralick- winner of various Clie World Competitions
What PDA do you currently use and why?
I currently use and love my Sony Clie N760C. I've been using it for about 6 months now. Compared to my first PDA, a Handspring Visor Platinum (see question 2), it is simply superior. When I went to upgrade PDA's I was looking for something with color that would be more than just an organizer and the only options were a Prism, 505 and the Clie. (I did pick up a PPC and seriously thought about changing platforms). Because I also have a Sony digital camera that took memory stick was also a factor is choosing this PDA. How cool, I could take a lot of pictures and load them on my PDA for a little show and tell. Finally, The screen, I think this is what really sold me. I'm a sucker for flash.
What was the first PDA you owned and what were your initial impressions when you got it home?
My first "real" PDA was a Handspring Visor Deluxe (ICE). I was very impressed with the idea of the Springboard module. (Once again, sucked in by flash) I was somewhat familiar with Palm and the whole idea behind Handspring. I thought it was the coolest thing. When I got it home, I started reading and playing, I don't think I put it down for a week.
Do you consider yourself a 'typical' PDA user and if not, what do you use it for that most people probably don't?
That's pretty subjective. Naaa, I'm not typical. A day doesn't go by that I'm not reading something on PDAs or installing a program on my PDA to see what it does. (Thank goodness for backups) I'm always looking for that application that will make my life just a little more organized. Obsessed, now that's a term my wife uses and is probably correct in saying so. I probably have wasted away too many hours and dollars on this quest. I mostly use it to organize my life, take a few notes, keep track of everything, but I'm always thinking how to use it.
You are sentenced to spend 3 months on a desert island as a punishment for not visiting Clie World every day- what one Palm application and game would you miss the most?
Kind of stiff punishment don't you think? I swear it won't happen again. I would have to have Palm Reader Pro and about 50 books. I wasn't a big reader until I started reading on my PDA but now I read constantly. I currently have a MS with about 70 e-books on it. Currently, I spend the majority of my PDA dollars on e-books. As for games, I would have to say Text Twist. I know it's not the flashiest game out there but until I memorize every word, I'll keep playing. I'm not in to RPG or arcade games. The closest I get is Calisto, Bejeweled (which I enjoy very much), Breakout and all of the wonderful games from Jason Goldman. (300 Bowl, Dartz, Pinballz and HexCon.
Who is your favourite music artist and why? Your favourite song by them?
Oh Wow, This is a hard one. There's so many. I would have to say Jimmy Buffett. I started listening to him about 20 years ago and just really liked the sound. I guess I enjoy the imagery he paints with words. He'll never win any awards but his concerts are something else. My favorite song would have to be "Fins" "My name is Clark and I'm a Parrothead"
Where do you see the PDA industry going in the next year- Palm, Pocket PC or another platform to be dominant?
I don't see it going anywhere until the OS 5 machines come out. I think there will be a few machines from Sony and Handspring but I think the real excitement will be later when Bluetooth is more readily available. I think the NR70 is a cool idea but why now? I would like to see some other machines like the Linux based machines but I think those types of machines will be few and far between. Pocket PC I believe is still searching for an identity. When they first came out they were the cool multi-media machines, now they seem to be going after the enterprise market. Until they find a niche, they will always play second fiddle to Palm.
What do the Americans think of the British? (asked this before and it caused a ton of emails- see Tanker Bob's interview)
I think a lot Americans have no opinion of the British (Isn't that where the Beatles are from?) other than they play a different form a football and they have good beer. I just don't think they care. Of course, I live in a very small community that is detached from the civilized world. I think we as a "global community" have grown immensely thanks to technology, Hell, if you would have asked me a year ago I would be interviewed by a PDA website located in the UK I would have laughed. The British people I have met have always been kind and courteous just as I expected. PS. I would love to visit there someday when I get rich and famous…as soon as molecular transportation is possible. (I'm not a big fan of flying over the ocean)
What's your favourite PDA and non-PDA related web site?
PDA Websites I visit everyday are.. Palmgear – I'm always trying to find the perfect addition to my collection of programs. ClieWorld – No! This is not kissing up to Shaun. I really like the site. (Plus, I've gotta keep trying to win these contests) As a Visor user, I frequented VisorCentral everyday. I have found the Clie equivalent (almost). Yahoo Groups – The best damn support group period. Palm Infocenter – Good, quality information. Fictionwise- My major source for reading material. Try it out. ClieSource-An excellent source for Clie info. NonPDA related sites Astronomy Picture of the Day http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/astropix.html ESPN.Com
What would you change about Clie World & what new feature would you like to see?
I would like to see a more active forum. I know I can go to ClieSource or Yahoo but I like to go to a site a sit for a while. Talk about things on the site. You meet a lot of people through various discussions and it becomes a very supportive group.
What do your friends think about your PDA? (any bad comments from the uninitiated?)
They think it's cool. I'm always showing my colleagues things I can do with a PDA. I am a teacher and I show them my grade book, lesson planner, outliner, dictionary, word processor, spreadsheet etc. They are always amazed and then they say the same thing. "I could never do that, I'm just not good with computers" This drives me nuts! They just don't want to spend the time.
What's the secret of your logo/graphic creation?
I don't have any secrets, just enthusiasm for the product. When I teach I try to get my kids excited about the different ways to solve problems. I approach artwork the same way. I start playing around with different elements until something clicks and then I keep playing with those elements. Eventually I get a logo that represents what I want it to be. And hopefully people like it.
Thanks to Clark for taking the time to do the interview. Good answers!