Remote Commander

• Overview
• Reviews of Pebbles Remote Commander
• Documentation for Palm version
• Documentation for PocketPC version

Overview

The Remote Commander allows PDAs to be used as if they were the PC's cursor and keyboard. From the handheld, Remote Commander transmits to the PC the movements and taps of the stylus and characters entered into the PDA. From the PC, through a plugin in PebblesPC, Remote Commander inserts signals received from the PDA as mouse and keyboard events into the event stream. This allows the PDA to mimic everything that can be performed with a mouse or keyboard.

Some examples of uses for this include:

• To allow multiple people to take turns controlling the mouse and keyboard, for example in a meeting situation.
• To use the PDA stylus as a pen input device for the PC, for example in situations when freehand drawing or writing is desired. This might be useful for architects and other designers who find a mouse awkward for input.
• To serve as a front-end to PCs for people with muscular disabilities. We have added special features to RemoteCommander for Palm to make it more suitable for use in this way. See also the Pebbles Assistive Technology page.

There are both Palm and Windows CE / Pocket PC versions of Remote Commander. The Windows CE / Pocket PC version also includes the functionality of MultiCursor and Scribble.

• Palm Documentation
• PocketPC Documentation

Reviews of Pebbles Remote Commander

Here are some comments on the Pebbles Remote Commander. Some comments are from Palm Station where you can add more comments.

Letter from Drew Rossman <drossman at stny.rr.com> (Fri, 3 Nov 2000)

I am the father of a handicapped child. She has a form of Muscular Dystrophy know as "Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Type II." I would, first, like to let you know how valuable a tool the remote commander has been to her. The range of motion she possesses is limited and we have found this Palm application to be of the greatest assistance.

Secondly, I would like with your permission to possibly expand the use of this software, to what I am sure is a group of folks out there, who unknown to them, an alternative to expensive assistive devices is available. I would like to via the Muscular Dystrophy Association, possibly let others know that they to can partake of this, what I view as, an extremely important tool to those less fortunate.

Have a Great Day!
Drew Rossman

Letter from Philippe Caric of Montreal, QC, Canada (Tue, 19 Dec 2000)

I'm very impressed with the quality of the Pebbles project. Good quality software is difficult to find nowadays... In a previous life I was a programmer and I'm now a flight instructor. I still like computers and I occasionally use graphic programs such as Photoshop and/or PowerPoint to create "art" for ground school presentations. Not quite often enough to justify the cost of a graphic tablet to my significant other though. For lack of a better solution, I rely on my good old Palm and Pebbles Remote Commander.... Keep up the good work!

Email from Adam Zarett <azarett at amquest.com> (Tue, 29 Aug 2000)

I was just writing to say "this is just the thing I am looking for" I am working on some applications for the Palm to control various aspects of my 2000 Honda Civic. I have audio and navigation systems running on a PC in the trunk. Your software has helped immensely in the development of my project.

Thanks, and keep up the great work.

Email from Neil (Wed, 28 Jul 1999)

{I posted this a while ago, and have actually used it a few times, but it is just so cool that I figured it was worth mentioning again}

I've always wanted a program, so that I could use my pilot to move my mouse around, and make stuff that I type in graffiti. I figured I was going to have to write it myself, or get a friend to write it, but the other day, searching for software, a keyword brought this up, and it wasn't exactly what I was looking for, but pretty close. I can now do everything with one hand. My keyboard and my mouse are rolled into one, and it only needs a simple program to run it. You can get it from Pebble's website for FREE. Only problem is that they have no help files and no installation instructions. The file RemoteCmdr.prc goes on your palm pilot, and PebblesPC.exe is run from the computer. Meaning that you can simple hook it up to any computer, with the program on a floppy disk and use your palm. Definitely a lot of fun!

Email from Richard Jacobson (Fri, 30 Jul 1999)

It works great! I have a Libretto which has the world's worst mouse. When I am on the road I have to carry a regular mouse with me. This Palm program is a godsend. It works as good as any touch pad I have every used. I put my V next to my Libretto with my travel sync cable connected (thus it lay flat) My big old mouse stays home from now on. Thank you Pebble project.