Buddy

Reviewed by Rob Tillotson

Author: Jeffrey Mattox (71044.2356@compuserve.com)
Version: 2.1
Distribution: Shareware, $40
Type: TSR, LX-specific
Compatibility: 100, 200
Installed Size: 37k minimum (see below)
Memory Usage: about 40k
Icon Provided: Yes

Buddy is simply the best utility I have ever seen for the 200LX. Most of what it does falls into the realm of "small conveniences", those things that you might think of and wonder "gee, why didn't HP do that"? For example, Buddy assigns the function keys in a number of places where they would otherwise be useless. No part of the LX goes untouched - practically every application gets the Buddy treatment with an enhancement or two.

For instance, Filer gets a facelift with the addition of status information in the title and bottom bars, user definable program loading when Enter is pressed, and a few other things. The PIM apps gain linking capability. Setup includes a battery usage timer and voltage display. Memo gets automatic indentation. World Time gets a day/night overlay for its map. Appointment's daily reminder can be set to a rollover time other than midnight (great for those of us who work late at night!). The list goes on and on.

One of Buddy's main features is its effort to make the HPs keyboard easier to use. Buddy's keyboard enhancements are numerous, and can be turned on and off in each individual application. Most of the enhancements are aimed at easier typing of the symbols on the blue keys and numeric pad, through use of double-clicks and automatic shifting. Buddy also includes a feature called SmartCaps which automatically capitalizes text as you type it - it's not foolproof, but it does a good job of guessing when you need a shifted letter.

Buddy includes a System Manager compatible configuration program, a help file, and a TSR that does the actual work. The minimum memory size I mentioned above is for the TSR only, assuming it has been compressed with PKLITE. The configuration program can be removed from the palmtop once you are satisfied with Buddy's setup, and the help file is useful but not required.

Downloading note: there is no 200BUDDY.ZIP because the same version of Buddy works on both the 100LX and 200LX, adapting to either.

Download: Monash (100buddy.zip)
Download: Eddie (100buddy.zip)