My 200LX is actually a bit of a mishmash of parts. Once I decided to make it my main PDA, I bought a few more of them off eBay so I’d have a supply of spare parts to keep me going, incase of problems. With a couple almost-complete units, I was able to pick and choose the best components, to end up with what I have now: A double-speed overclocked unit, with 8MB of memory, a good screen, and the keyboard overlay with the markings to remind me how to make accented characters.

In the software, I have figured out how to ‘delete’ the built-in PIM apps from the menu (pictured to the right). The apps are in ROM so they can’t be actually deleted from memory, and they’re all instantly accessable by pressing the dedicated keys on the keypad, so I didn’t see any need cluttering up the menu with them. Instead, I have several custom databases and a couple other programs available to me on the menu.

In the picture above, the program icons visible on my 200LX are as follows:

Filer

The standard HP 200LX file manager application.

AppMgr

The standard HP 200LX More Applications menu that is currently visible.

Basic

Good old gwbasic, just like back in the 1980s at school.

Work

A NoteTaker database I created to keep track of work stuff; like network settings, router settings, various goals and projects, et cetera.

GSafe

A custom Database I created, to keep track of passwords, registration codes, account numbers, et cetera. The database itself is encrypted and password protected. I made up GSafe to replicate the functionality of the GeekSafe program that was available for the Newton MP2100.

PassGen

A simple program I wrote to generate random passwords. You tell it how many characters, what types of characters (upper case, lower case, numbers, symbols) and provide an optional seed string, and it will give you a random password. Handy for setting up accounts for new users. Note: you can download PassGen for your own use, on my Soft Hacks page. PassGen is based on my PassGenR software for the Newton MP2100.

Hexcalc

The standard HP 200LX hexidecimal calculator program.

Setup

The standard HP 200LX setup application.

Radio

A NoteTaker database I created to keep track of various notes and schedules et cetera, for my activities with my local Amateur Radio club, and our ARES group.

Steph

A NoteTaker database I created to store miscelleneous personal notes and stuff. Encrypted and password protected.

Cellar

A custom Database I created to keep track of my wine cellar inventory, and my wine tasting notes. I created my Cellar database to replicate (and build on) the WineCellar software that I had bought for my Newton MP2100.

Wicca

A NoteTaker database that contains my entire “Liber Umbrarum et Lux” (book of shadows and light). Some folks like to read their Bible on their palmpilot, I read my Liber Umbrarum on my 200LX.

HhGttG

The original Infocom adventure game “Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy”.

Update: In February 2009, I’ve finally retired my beloved palmtop.  After several life-saving surgeries, I have run low on replacement parts and maintaining a working 200LX was becoming more and more difficult.  At the same time, other options have presented themselves.  I have migrated the majority of my data to an iPod Touch, and am learning to code for the Touch / iPhone.  

My 200LX has now entered the Retirement phase, and is living in relative peace and quiet. It still functions, but is only called-upon now and then.