I’m always asking my wife “what’s for dinner tonight?” Of course she always replies “wait and see” and I do. It is always terrific and she always uses some great recipe that she has acquired over the years. But our lives have become very busy with a lot of travel between our two homes so cooking from those terrific recipes could become a hassle. Of course she now has one of my iPAQs and since Pocket Cook offers her three programs to help manage preparing meals, she can have everything she needs to continue the tradition of fine meals she loves to prepare. Boy am I lucky (and grateful)!

So now I have my first set of programs and I will seriously start to delve deeply into each one. I have just enough to keep me busy, not too much to be overwhelmed, and the knowledge that I still have access to well over 90 more top rated programs. WOW, it sure is a pretty neat feeling knowing that I have already exceeded in value what the cost was for the package.

I have 10 programs --- I paid about 10% of the actual value for all the programs --- and my experience with the entire process would definitely have to be rated a 10. (I’ll be right back---I’m going to the corner store to play a number, can you guess what I will be picking?) OK, someone is saying that I had 11 programs --- #11 was for my wife’s iPAQ!

Not only did I get the opportunity to get some great software from a multitude of categories (Web, Games, Utilities, Organizational, Multimedia, Numbers, Mapping, and Personal software) but there were a host of extras included in the package! I was pretty impressed that there was a Microsoft CD of Pocket Streets 2005 (retail package) as well as several other gifts that were clearly worth a few bucks.

What else was there? To start with, a great resource, 5 Years of Pocket PC magazine back issues in MS Reader format on a separate CD. For those of you that don’t know, UsedHandhelds.com sells brand-new retractable earphones, silicon cases, 3-in-1 stylii, car chargers, travel charges, protective screens, and USB cables. You'll receive one of these as a "surprise" bonus with your CD. My gift was a very cool multi purpose laser pointer-pen-stylus…and it came with extra batteries! A Pocket PC Magazine buyers guide for 2005 and a $25 coupon from Usedhandhelds.com for use with a hardware purchase. And to top of the package, there was a renewal to Pocket PC Magazine ($19.95).

What will I get on the next round of downloads? Tough choice but I will round out my software library with the utilities that I have always wanted. One thing is for sure, they have given me plenty of time to gradually look, investigate and finally pick what I want. The ability of not having to rush is a huge plus in this terrific offer.

Some might say: "gee, I would have picked this or that utility or program". The fact of the matter is that there are several of these award winning programs that I already have. Programs like Spb Pocket Plus and Resco File Explorer are must have programs for any serious iPAQ user and were the first serious programs I bought.

I am really pleased with the decision I made to get this terrific package. Just about every program I ever wanted was there and the comfort that all of them are of the highest quality is a huge plus.

So Is It Worth It? ---YOU BET IT IS!

You can find Pocket PC magazine’s Best of Everything Software here .

You can visit Pocket PC magazine here.

Still not sure?

Why not try this “value calculator” that Pocket PC Magazine made. This will help you finalize that decision in determining if it is worth it for you --- I’ll bet you’ll find that it is.

How long do you have to download your software?

You have plenty on time to slowly and methodically get the software you want. The download and registration deadline is January 31, 2006.

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Boy if the two programs I have _tried_ to use off this CD are any indication, the PPC software market is extremely immature. Program 1: Battery Pack Pro had so many bugs (corrupts Today Screen, causes soft resets every couple of hours, etc, etc,trashed the hardware buttons). That I had to remove it after 2 days use). Program 2, DVD to Pocket PPC, Can't handle movies over 167 minutes long. Has unidentified problems with other DVDs (just quits working) and numerous other errors.

All in all pretty shabby work.

The good news? At least I didn't pay full price for this junk and _maybe_ I'll find some software that does work reliably.

Posted by latenite, Monday, Jul. 18th, 2005

I've spent well over $400 on software over the past year and a half.....I would've bought this package if only it was available sooner!

Posted by David Smith, Saturday, Jul. 2nd, 2005

Check it out. They even have a spreadsheet that allows you to check off the programs you want so you can see if spending the $280 is worth it for you. I have purchased this software collection and can only say great things about it. The registration process is simple and they contact all vendors for you and you get your registration information e-mailed to you.

Posted by jp08361, Friday, Jun. 24th, 2005

I cant tell you how much i have spent but I know its in the hundreds of dollars so for someone new it might be a good fit.

Posted by David Ciccone, Monday, Jun. 20th, 2005

coachdeb

And it is a no brainer even if you are not starting off new. I have a lot of programs, most are pretty good but with this CD, I now have rounded out my "collection" with the programs I have always wanted to get but just never did.

The savings for me was HUGE and the satisfaction was even bigger!!

Posted by Jack, Sunday, Jun. 19th, 2005

Click here and read how it works. It is a RISK FREE OFFER, you really can't lose.

Posted by Jack, Sunday, Jun. 19th, 2005

The CD reads "Demos of the best pocket pc software" are they all just demos or upon trying them do i contact PPC Magazine and ask for the regestration codes of the software?

Posted by Zeritel, Sunday, Jun. 19th, 2005

I'd seen this offer but couldn't make really good use of it because I had an older MIPS-based pocket pc -- a Casio E125. It just would never die! But finally, I couldn't stand not having something new (I gave the Casio to my daughter who is LOVING IT!) so I sprang for an Ipaq 4700 (nice choice, but still not perfect). Anyway, once I had a new target in hand, you better believe I jumped on this deal! I did exactly the same thing Jack did: sat with the software list, added up the total of the ones I'd have purchased anyway, and found that it would have taken me only 8 programs to reach $280. It's a no brainer if you have a new Pocket PC to load up!

Posted by coachdeb, Sunday, Jun. 19th, 2005

I did a quick analysis and it is definitely a good deal for me. There is sooo much!

Posted by Beth, Saturday, Jun. 18th, 2005

I think it is a bargain. I just have not done it because I was not sure. Thanks for the review Jack, I like the way you looked at it. It was very helpful.

Posted by bean_garden, Saturday, Jun. 18th, 2005

I don't know if that was a popular consensus. That certainly was not an issue I have ever heard.

Frankly, I felt it was well worth investigating for our readers. It is a terrific bargain for those that want a library of software that is ALL TOP NOTCH!

Everything in life is a choice. If one decides to get the package, then they will have saved an extraordinary amount of money. If they choose not to get the package...they still save money (because they didn't spend any).

You have to decide if it is the right deal for you...for me, it was!

Posted by Jack, Saturday, Jun. 18th, 2005

This package has been out for awhile. The popular consensus was that it wasn't worth the money and not too many people would spend the kind of money to get it's content.

Posted by JNGold, Saturday, Jun. 18th, 2005