power button/backlight control turns your handheld on or off and controls the backlight feature. if your handheld is turned off, pressing the power button turns the unit on and returns you to the last screen you viewed.
if your handheld is turned on, pressing the power button turns the unit off. pressing the power button for about two seconds turns the backlight on or off.
handheld screen displays the applications and information stored in your handheld. it is touch-sensitive and responds to the stylus.
graffiti writing area the area where you write letters and numbers using the graffiti alphabet. see chapter 2 to learn how to write graffiti characters.
application buttons activates the individual handheld applications that correspond to the icons on the buttons: date book, address book, to do list, and note pad. if your handheld is turned off, pressing any application button activates the handheld and opens the corresponding application. this is the fastest way to open an application.
see "buttons preferences" in chapter 6 for details on reassigning these buttons to activate any application on your handheld.
scroll buttons/ clock control displays text and other information that extends beyond the handheld screen area.
when your handheld is on, pressing the lower button scrolls down to view information below the viewing area, and pressing the upper button scrolls up to view information above the viewing area.
when your handheld is off, pressing the top button displays the time. holding down the top button for a few seconds turns on the backlight so you can see the time if lighting conditions are poor.
face plate protects your handheld and enables you to personalize your handheld's appearance.
using the backlight
if lighting conditions make it difficult for you to see the information on your handheld, you can use the backlight to illuminate your screen.
to activate the backlight:
■ press the power button and hold it down for about two seconds.
release the button when the backlight turns on.
in addition, you can assign the full-screen pen stroke to activate the backlight. see "pen preferences" in chapter 6 for more information.
to turn off the backlight:
■ press and hold the power button for about two seconds. the backlight also turns off automatically (after a period of inactivity) with the auto-off feature. see "general preferences" in chapter 6 for more information.
locating back panel components
stylus serves as a pointing device for navigating through applications and entering data on your handheld. to use the stylus, slide it out of the storage slot and hold it as you would a pen or pencil.
face plate tab releases the face plate so you can personalize the appearance of your handheld with another face plate (sold separately).
ir port uses infrared technology to transmit data to and receive data from other palm os. handhelds, and to perform hotsync operations. see "beaming information" in chapter 4 and "ir hotsync operations" in chapter 5 for more information.
reset button under normal use, you should not have to use the reset button. see appendix a for information about when and how to use the reset button.
battery door secures the batteries that power your handheld.
serial (com) port connects your handheld to the hotsync cradle/cable, which in turn connects to your computer.
this allows you to update the information between your handheld and computer using hotsync technology.