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Desktop Connectivity

Q: How do I connect the OmniGo to my desktop?
A: In order to connect your OmniGo to the desktop for synchronization, you'll need an OmniGo serial cable and connectivity software. If you just want to transfer files between the OmniGo and the PC, a PCMCIA memory card can be used instead of a serial cable. Memory cards are discussed in Section 6.

Hewlett-Packard offers two different options for connecting your OmniGo to a Windows PC: the older Connectivity Pack and the newer Link to Windows. Both allow you to backup and restore data and include basic PIM software. In order to install applications on your OmniGo from a Windows PC, you'll need the Install Manager from Geoworks. Geoworks also sells Clip & Go, which allows Windows and the OmniGo to share a common clipboard. If you do not use Windows, there are various shareware and freeware programs available for Macintosh, DOS, UNIX, and OS/2.

In order to get a compatible serial cable, you can either buy one of the above connectivity options, order one from an HP vendor (or directly from HP), or build your own. If you're interested in building your own serial cable, a pin-out diagram is available on the Tips page.

Q: What is the Connectivity Pack?
A: The Connectivity Pack is Hewlett-Packard's first attempt at connectivity software for the OmniGo. It primarily duplicates the functionality of the OmniGo's appointment book and phone book applications, and synchronizes that data between the PC desktop and the OmniGo. The Connectivity Pack runs on both Windows 3.1 and Windows 95. The serial cable is also included. (The Connectivity Pack initially had problems synchronizing to-do items, so HP released a patch for it. An improved version with the bug fixed was released in December 1996.)

Q: What is Clip & Go?
A: Clip & Go, developed by Geoworks, allows the OmniGo and your Windows PC to share a clipboard. This means that you can cut text, ink, or spreadsheet cells from the OmniGo and paste them into a Windows application. It also allows you to paste text and spreadsheet cells from Windows to the OmniGo.

The Clip & Go application uses the following conversion criterion:

  • Spreadsheet data converts to WK1 format, which you can paste into Lotus 1-2-3, Microsoft Excel, and Quattro Pro spreadsheets. Excel and Quattro Pro paste only surface values (no formulas), so Clip & Go saves a complete copy of the WK1 data to a separate file.
  • Electronic ink converts to Windows bitmap format (BMP) with a resolution of 72 dots per inch. Ink data will not copy back from Windows to the OmniGo.
  • Text converts to plain ASCII text and rich text format (RTF).
  • Records from Phonebook, Appointment Book, World Clock, and Database convert to both ASCII text and RTF.
Clip & Go and Sync & Go (see the next question) are currently the only ways to convert OmniGo spreadsheet data to a format readable by Windows software. Link to Windows includes Clip & Go. The OmniGo 120 contains the Clip & Go client in ROM.

Q: What is Link to Windows?
A: Link to Windows is the latest connectivity option from Hewlett-Packard. It is actually several applications working together to provide a complete connectivity solution. At the heart of Link for Windows is IntelliLink's Sync & Go, which allows you to import, export, and synchronize your OmniGo data with various PIM's; it also lets you backup and restore your data files. If you do not have one of the compatible PIM's to synchronize with, you can use the included HP PIM software, though it is relatively basic. Geoworks' Clip & Go is also included, allowing you to cut and paste data between the OmniGo and Windows. The Strategy Games pack from Geoworks is thrown into the mix, along with a copy of Install Manager and a serial cable.

The Sync & Go application is compatible to some degree or another with the following programs:

  • ACT! for Windows 2.x
  • Advantage 1.0
  • Day-Timer Organizer 2.x
  • dBASE III/IV/V
  • HP PIM
  • Lotus Organizer 2.1
  • NetManage ECCO 3.03
  • Now Up-to-Date 1.5 for Win 3.1, Win 95
  • Paradox 3.5, 4, 5
  • Schedule+ 1.0, 7.0
  • Sidekick 1.0, 2.0 for Win 3.1
  • Sidekick 95 1.00
Q: What is the Install Manager?
A: Software and electronic books (Content) for the OmniGo are often available in the form of a "package." A GEOS package (with the .GPK extension) contains the files to be installed. Geoworks' Install Manager, also referred to as the Installer, allows you to install and uninstall the files contained within packages directly to the OmniGo or to a PCMCIA memory card. It makes managing your collection of software and Content a breeze because even after you've uninstalled an application or Content title, it still appears on the checklist, so you can install it again if the need arises; there's even a description for each item.

You can assemble your own files into a package by using a program called Shipper, also from Geoworks. The Install Manager and Shipper are available for free download from Geoworks' website (or from this site's Software page), but they only come in Windows flavors.

If you do not have Windows, there is a freeware IZL application called UNGPK that can be used to extract the contents of a GPK file on the OmniGo. For UNIX and OS/2, Asher Hoskins' OgInst and OgFTP programs can be used to install GEOS packages.

  • Visit Geoworks' website at http://www.geoworks.com

    Q: What if I use DOS?
    A:     OmniCom is a freeware DOS file transfer program for the OmniGo. It allows you to perform basic file management (e.g., create directory) as well as upload and download files. OmniCom is a useful utility even if you already own the Install Manager, for many of the procedures in this FAQ and the Tips page require you to use it (not to mention that it transfers at 19,200bps versus Install Manager's slow 9,600bps). OmniCom is included with IZL, which can be downloaded from this site's Software page or from Max Mansour's archive.

    Q: What if I have a Macintosh?
    A:     If you have a Macintosh, you can use MacPCCOM and Mac On The Go (available from the Software page) to backup and restore data. You'll need a proper serial cable to connect your Macintosh to the OmniGo. In order to install applications stored in GEOS packages (files with the .GPK extension) you'll need an IZL utility called UNGPK. The whereabouts of UNGPK is unknown, but you can download the two Macintosh utilities from this site's Software page or from Max Mansour's archive.

    Q: What if I use UNIX or OS/2?
    A:     If you use UNIX or OS/2, you'll need a copy OgFTP, from Asher Hoskins, to connect the OmniGo to your UNIX or OS/2 workstation. OgFTP will allow you to transfer files to and from the OmniGo. To install applications stored in GEOS packages (.GPK extension), you'll also need a copy of Asher Hoskins' OgInst. Both programs can be freely downloaded from the author's website or from this site's Software page.

  • Visit Asher Hoskins' website at http://domestic1.sjc.ox.ac.uk/~ahoskins/omnigo


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