Comments on: Using vintage handhelds as alarm clocks

By: P. Johnson

P. Johnson — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 02:49:08 +0000

I have been using an old Treo 280 as a extra calendar in my kitchen. I have it set to always display the calendar and always stays on with some AlwaysOn app. I leave it plugged in so power is not an option. Every so often I beam my datebook database from my Treo 680 to the 280. I have it mounted on the side of my fridge right by the door so I always see it as I come and go. Makes a handy backup for those times I don’t check my Treo 680 before leaving the house. Also, keeps my wife up to date as she has a huge datebook database and we choose not to sync.

By: the food handler

the food handler — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 15:25:35 +0000

i just got a palm about a month ago and i dont really have any idea how to use it so thaks for the help

By: Ou Boet

Ou Boet — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:23:42 +0000

Why only use an old PDA as your alarm clock? I use my current PDA (Palm TX) as my alarm. I use the very excellent Palmary Clock program and have multiple repeating (an non repeating) alarms set up to cope with varying awake up times.

However, I do like your idea above. If I had a spare PDA I’d probably try to find something that would disply a clock on the screen all the time so that I could see it in the dark. Right now I still have to use my watch for that. Might be handy if I could just half open an eye (and nothing else) to see the time if I wake up at night.

TimeCopy is an essential application to have. I can’t beleive that PDAs don’t ship with something like that. PDAs tend to be woefully accurate.

Regards

By: Andrew C

Andrew C — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 17:52:37 +0000

I tried a cellphone as a alarm clock but it failed many times. I need to:
1)Make sure it is next to my bed every night.
2)Make sure it is not on silent.

Many people read on their phone at night and make the phone silent. You would need to remember to switch it back on again before sleeping.

An old Palm is much better as an alarm clock. It hasn’t failed me yet.

By: antique clocks

antique clocks — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 08:19:30 +0000

“not being able to select a default for weekday alarm only” ha cell phone will do this for you… and its totally portable.

By: Doug C.

Doug C. — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 01:09:13 +0000

Andrew,

I sympathise with your issue with alarm clocks — not being able to select a default for weekday alarm only. And I certainly do not dismiss your innovation in adapting a timepiece so it will better suit your needs.
I just feel that there is nothing like the genius of a mechanical movement. And to survey the evolution of the mechanisms of time, well its just absolutly fasinating…until electricity came into the picture that is.

You know, you can still find authentically handmade German cuckoo clocks that have enough sense not to sound their cuckoo or music later than eight p.m. each night. They know enough when to start back up again in the morning as well. I’m with you. Seems like a modern electric clock should be at least smart enough not to sound during one’s off days.

Doug C.

By: Andrew C

Andrew C — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 20:55:42 +0000

Doug,

I own a Swatch Oscillation which is a transparent automatic watch. I can watch the mechanism for ages. One of my favourite books is Longitude by Dava Sobel which shows the race for an accurate clock to assist in sea navigation. Another great book is Time Lord by Clark Blaise which is about the setting up of times zones. I am a bit crazy about time in general. I would love to own a watch with atourbillon escapement

I wrote the article after getting frustrated with clock radios which can’t be told to only go for mon-fri and exclude public holidays. I have an old Palm and so I made the best alarm clock ever (in my view).

Andrew.

By: Doug C.

Doug C. — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 04:10:20 +0000

Is this really a vintage timepiece? New technology is great I suppose. But what ever happened to the appreciation folks once had for the nostalgia and rich artistry found in one of the old-world handcrafted mechanical clocks. Truly masterpieces. I suppose people are just too busy to appreciate the finer, simpler things in life these days. Rather unfortunate, don’t you think?