>Are there any shareware utilities to convert Ogo datases or spreadsheets
>into usable data, tab delimited text or Excel format?
OmniGo: Import database files with GDBIO
Some OmniGo owners have successfully transferred CSV (comma separated value)
data into OmniGo database files using GDBIO.EXE, a freely distributable
program that came with the 1993 Palmtop Paper subscriber bonus disk ("Free
1993 Subscriber PowerDisk"). GDBIO.EXE was designed for the HP100LX and
HP200LX, which use a database engine similar to the OmniGo 100.
As with any data transfer operation, back up your database files before
attempting this!
Here are step-by-step directions:
1. On the OmniGo, create database with the desired fields and add at least
one record.
2. Copy that database to the PC. You can use OmniCom from Feras Information
Technologies. Or transfer the database file to an SRAM card in the OmniGo
with the Transfer application or with a file manager for the OmniGo, and then
copy the file from the SRAM card in a PCMCIA card reader on the PC. Or use
any other means available to you.
3. On the PC, use GDBIO to display the structure of the database. It will
look something like this:
"Sam","Jones","Product Mgr","Mktg"
"Fred","Smith","Shipper","Ops"
"Mary","Rogers","CEO","Mgmnt"
"Bette","Johnston","Eng","MIS"
Here is a listing of the structure:
Fld Name_____ Type__ Off Reserved Flags
1 first name string 0___________ Relative
2 last name_ string 2___________ Relative
3 position__ string 4___________ Relative
4 department note__ 6___________
4. Generate a CSV file with the same structure. Perhaps you'll export the
data from another database manager or PIM application. You may need to map
the fields into the correct order.
5. Use GDBIO to convert the CSV file to a GDB database. GDBIO uses the
existing GDB to determine the import structure.
6. Transfer the new GDB to the OmniGo, replacing the original file. Or
transfer it to the OmniGo, delete original GDB, and then name the new file
the same as the file you deleted.
7. Open the file in OmniGo Database. The file selector may show that it
contains fewer records than it actually does. This will be corrected when you
close the file.
NOTE: As an alternative to steps 6 and 7 you can transfer the MASTER.MDB file
to the PC and modify it with GDBIO, too. MASTER.MDB is a database file that
stores the names and sizes of the other existing databases on the OmniGo.
Article#0973
Updated 05/29/96