INTRODUCTION

    The busy pace of our lives necessitates some level of organization. The one technique that is commonly used for personal organization is the use of lists. From grocery list to task list, lists help organize all sorts of activities in our busy days. The use of Post It notes is very popular way to capture lists, they are easy to use, however they are also easy to lose. The solution: create and manage lists on a computer. The challenge: an application that runs on multiple computing platform from PC to Smartphone so you always have access to your lists. Ilium Software has developed such an application, ListPro. It runs on Windows XP/Vista, Windows Mobile Professional (Pocket PC), Standard (Smartphone) and PalmOS. They have just released ListPro version 5.0. Let’s see how well the Windows Mobile version of ListPro helps me organize my life!

WHAT’S HOT

    ListPro version 5.0 includes the following new features:

• Rich text formatting in notes
• Images can be linked in notes
• Lists can be exported to RSS/XML format
• Lists can be exported to HTML format
• Active links in notes
• One click list publishing to Windows Mobile devices
• New list of templates
  
  

SETUP

    There are two installation options. A Windows based installation application or a Windows Mobile .cab file.

The Windows Mobile Professional ListPro Windows installation application running on Vista.

The ListPro Windows Mobile installer. I selected to install ListPro on my T-Mobile Wing’s Storage Card.

PRODUCT FEATURES

    Ilium Software’s ListPro 5.0 is a very simple yet powerful list management application.

The ListPro lists are stored in files which easily be transferred with ActiveSync or Mobile Device Center.

The lists are composed of items which can be ordered hierarchically.

    There are four methods of creating lists: The Quick list function provides a simple method to create a two column list (Checkbox and Item). The List Wizard function provides a step by step process to create a list. The New Folder function provides the capability to group lists together in one file. The New File function creates a new list file.

The List Wizard allows you to choose the location of the new list within the file (root or folder) and which columns will be part of the list’s item.

The List Wizard completes the creation with the naming of the list.

The list is populated by creating new items. This lists contains a check box and item description. Every list item contains a rich text note area capable of supporting image links and active http links.

The list item view options provides various settings to customize the display.

The lists properties include the addition or deletion of item columns and the ability to control the lists hierarchy.

There are certain list columns which can be cleared automatically. The list’s color and font can also be altered.

The list items can also be associated with alarms.

The lists can contain column with numbers. These column can be summed to provide totals based on a predefined criteria.

    So far you are thinking: the ListPro application offers the basic list management features you would expect from this class of application. What makes it different? Well, I have found three areas which makes ListPro stand out from the crowd. They are:

First, the ability to easily share lists with others who do not have access to ListPro. The export feature is especially powerful with options to create HTML and XML files.

The ListPro HTML output using Windows Mobile’s Pocket Internet Explorer.

Second, the ListPro list exchange is an excellent repository providing access and a means to share many different types of lists.

And third, the ability to easily synchronize lists across the Windows XP/Vista, Windows Mobile, and PalmOS platforms. The simplicity of the application, along with these features make ListPro an outstanding list management tool.

HELP SUPPORT

    Ilium Software provides support via there website here or by calling (888) 632-5388.

OPTIONS

   ListPro 5.0 for Windows XP or Vista and ListPro 5.0 for PalmOS.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

    ListPro 5.0 for Windows Mobile runs on all versions of Windows Mobile 6,
all versions of Windows Mobile 5.0,
Windows Mobile 2003, Windows Mobile 2003SE, Windows CE 4.20,
and Windows CE 4.21.

BUGS AND WISHES

    I found no issues with running ListPro 5.0 on my T-Mobile Wing running Windows Mobile 6 Professional. ListPro 5.0 is missing a couple of options which would be useful. These are:

• The ability to include active links in columns,
• The embedding of images in columns, and
• The capability to encrypt lists

PURCHASING

    List Pro 5.0 for Windows Mobile can be purchased for $19.95 with Windows version bundled in here. A 30 day trial of ListPro is available here. Upgrades policies are described here.

PROS

• 
  

  Active links in notes

• 
  

  HTML export

• 
  

  RSS/XML export

CONS

• 
  

  No list encryption

• 
  

  No active links in columns

• 
  

  Images cannot be embedded in columns

Value
Ease of Use
Features
Overall

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OVERALL IMPRESSION

    This was my first time using ListPro and I was dully impressed with the simplicity of managing lists. Although I have not yet tried to synchronize accross platforms, this capability makes ListPro usefull accross the entire workday. The ListPro list exchange is a great place to find list templates with and without data making list creation a snap. I found the export to RSS/XML and HTML the highlight of ListPro 5.0, this feature provides a very innovative way to share lists. The bottom line; if you keep lists to organize your life, ListPro is a must have application.