ActiveSync (proper noun; registered trademark of Microsoft): Microsoft brand software that connects Windows Mobile devices with the desktop PC and transfers data between the two locations.

Category: Short text description assigned to a record to help organize personal information and sort multiple records stored in the same folder or application. (e.g., VIP client, restaurants, good dates, bad dates)

Chapura (proper noun; registered trademark of Chapura, Inc.): The name of a software development company located in Mobile, Alabama, USA. Founded in 1996, Chapura, Inc., works passionately to simplify its customers’ lives with excellent service, support and software products. Chapura offers products for Palm OS and Windows Mobile devices and smartphones as well as for Windows PCs. These products include PocketMirror brand software, KeySuite, PocketCopy, Call Log+, TurboPasswords, and Pocket Favorites. Also means “funny hat” in India, so we’ve been told.

Conduit (noun): Software that electronically connects two or more applications for the purpose of transferring data between the locations. (e.g., HotSync software not only provides the connection between the desktop and handheld to synchronize data and settings in the Palm OS software between the PC and handheld but also enables third party conduits, like PocketMirror, to synchronize between the desktop and handheld.)

Device name: Name assigned to the handheld device that is required so that the HotSync or ActiveSync software can identify which device you have connected and which settings to use during synchronization (e.g., Susie’s new Treo 650).

Device type: Brand and model name or number of the handheld. (e.g., Palm Treo 650).

Folder: Electronic storage directory in which you can organize data to keep like information together and separate from other, unrelated data. Outlook offers one default, or root, folder per Contacts, Calendar, Tasks and Notes application.

HotSync (proper noun; registered trademark of PalmSource): PalmSource brand software that connects Palm OS devices with the desktop PC and transfers data between the two locations.

Login name: The name used by software applications that require a secure entry process to access protected data. Sometimes referred to as “username.”

Microsoft (proper noun; registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation): Oh, just a little software company in the state of Washington led by a man named Bill Gates. Developer of the Windows Mobile operating system among many other products.

Operating system: A software platform built into hardware computers, such as PC’s, pda’s and smartphones, that allows the computers to perform its intended duties. Each desktop and handheld device is designed to run only one operating system per device. Device makers may customize the operating system to work with specific and unique hardware features to help differentiate their devices in the marketplace. Third party software developers, like Chapura, build applications that will work with and take advantage of the efficiencies and features built into the operating system. (e.g., Palm OS, Windows Mobile, Windows 2000, etc.)

Outlook profile: A collection of settings and data specific to a given user of Outlook. Multiple people may use the same Outlook program and keep their data separate by employing one Outlook profile per person. When opening Outlook, the software gives you the option of choosing which profile to open or creating a new profile.

Outlook profile name: The identity, or description, assigned to a collection of settings and data specific to a given user of Outlook. (e.g., Susie Smith – Manager, Tim Jones – Admin. Asst.)

Palm (proper noun; registered trademark of Palm, Inc.): The name of a company that makes handheld devices and the brand name of their devices. The history of the company and the trademark is confusing, so if you’re confused, it’s understandable. Company name and ownership have undergone many changes.

Palm OS (combination of proper noun, Palm, with acronym for operating system): The name of the operating system software now developed by PalmSource that serves as the platform for millions of handhelds and smartphones. Device makers like Palm license this operating system and build it into their hardware devices.

PalmSource (proper noun; registered trademark of PalmSource): The name of the company that makes Palm OS.

PDA or pda: Acronym for “personal digital assistant.” Industry insiders typically use this term to describe handheld devices that do not come with telephone capabilities built in as well (this combination device is commonly referred to as a “smartphone”). However, some people still use this term to describe the entire handheld computer category. Not to be confused with PDA (acronym for “public display of affection”), so beware of the context.

PocketMirror (proper noun; registered trademark of Chapura): Chapura brand software that synchronizes Outlook with Palm OS and Windows Mobile handheld devices. There are three editions of PocketMirror software: the two for Palm OS include PocketMirror Professional and PocketMirror Standard, and the one for Windows Mobile is PocketMirror Professional for Windows Mobile. To select which of the two editions of Palm OS PocketMirror software is right for you, click here. Note that PocketMirror is spelled as one word, not Pocket-space-Mirror. It's just a little pet peeve of ours when we see it misspelled.

.pst: File format extension appended to a file name. This indicator denotes an Outlook Personal Folder file in Outlook. A common use of a .pst file is a standalone user using a .pst file instead of an Exchange mailbox as the default information store. Users typically can create additional .pst files by turning on Outlook's AutoArchive feature, which moves older items into a .pst file on a regular schedule, or by using the File, Import and Export command to export data to a .pst file.

Public folder: Directory on a Microsoft Exchange server accessible to any person whose PC is connected to that server and who has the proper permissions. Many times, a company uses public folders to hold client or personnel information that is helpful for all employees to have access to.

Settings: Customizable software features that affect the way the application works or looks. Though the default settings are recommended by the software maker, you can adjust the software’s default settings to suit your personal preferences. Handheld software settings are accessible via the HotSync or ActiveSync programs. Some Chapura software application settings are accessible via Start/Programs/PocketMirror/PMSettings.

Smartphone (noun and proper noun): 1. (noun) A mobile phone that also has the capabilities of a pda. 2. (proper noun) Name of the edition of the Windows Mobile operating system that runs on devices that have both pda and telephone capabilities but whose screens do not react to touch.

Subfolder: Electronic storage directory created within another directory. Subfolders create a hierarchy of directories that help organize data to keep like information together and separate from other, unrelated data.

Sync (noun and verb): 1. (noun) Abbreviation for “synchronization, ” which is the process of matching data sets with one another. (As used in a sentence: “Chapura software got my data in sync.” Not to be confused with “There’s that cute boy from *NSYNC.”) 2. (verb) Abbreviation for “synchronize,” which means to match data sets with one another.

Synchronization: The process of matching data sets with one another.

System conduit: Also referred to as Backup on newer devices. Software that electronically connects the desktop with the handheld device and communicates information about the handheld’s operating system’s settings between the two places. This setting should always be set to the default setting of “Handheld overwrites the desktop,” so that any programs or preferences on the device get restored during the next synchronization, should the handheld lose the data via loss of power.

Technical Support: At most technology companies, this is a group of people who may or may not respond to you at all, may or may not know what they are talking about, may or may not give you the impression that they care about the problem you are having, and may or many not speak English well enough to be understandable, especially over a mobile phone connection.

At Chapura, Technical Support is known as Actually Technical Support, because Chapura Technical Support representatives actually help our customers. Chapura Actually Technical Support is free, friendly, responsive and knowledgeable. And English is our first language. With a southern accent to boot! To see what customers are saying about Chapura Actually Technical Support, click here.

USB (noun used as an adjective): Acronym for Universal Serial Bus. It is a type of electronic outlet found on computers that enables a wired connection between that computer and other device. Common terms include “USB port,” “USB flash drive” and “USB cable.”

Username: Code established during an account set-up process and required for future access to that account. The account login process usually requires a password, also. (e.g., Chapura Customer Accounts use the customer’s email address as the username.)

Windows Mobile (proper noun; registered trademark of Microsoft): The name of the operating system software developed by Microsoft that serves as the platform for millions of handhelds and smartphones. Device makers like HP and Compaq license this operating system and build it into their hardware devices. This operating system has been known by many names, since it has changed names practically every time a new version was released: