WHAT’S HOT

   A Health program with
components for both the desktop and the Pocket PC that
allows you to use the same databases in both.

SETUP

   FitnessPlus has two
components, one for your desktop PC and another for the Pocket
PC. The program ships with one installer for both.
First it installs on your PC, then on your device.

Installation Screen

    Normally there isn’t much to discuss about a program’s
setup. However, FitnessPlus is different. I don’t
think I’ve ever had so much trouble with an
installation before. The first time I installed the
program, it looked like everything was going well.

Installing Database File #1

Installing Database File #2

Installing Database File #3

    After completing the
PC installation and being prompted to install on the Pocket PC, I started
seeing DOS windows popping up. I get a bit paranoid when I see DOS boxes
that pop up, then vanish. Nothing in the installer told me what was
happening. Plus the DOS boxes went away before I could really tell what
was happening. I could see that the boxes were a result of the FitnessPlus
installer, but beyond that, I had no idea. Turns out, the installer
was placing three database files on my device. It surprises me that
this is the only method that can be used for this – I haven’t dealt
with DOS in years.

Confirm File Replace

    I
was also prompted on my device to replace some files.
This isn’t unusual, as many developers include helper
files with their software that might not be included
on all devices. What made this experience unusual was
the fact that FitnessPlus wanted to replace one of my
newer files with an older version. I opted to say "No" to this in case whatever program had put the newer
file on my device needed it.

    When I went to start FitnessPlus on the Pocket PC, I
started seeing error messages. Six of them before the
program’s interface would open. Of course, I was
unable to use the program so at this point I had to
contact SmartCell’s tech support. Support was only
available through an online form, so I sent a message
detailing my situation and waited for a reply. About 2
days later I received a response asking me to check my
database file sizes and asking
"did you follow the
exact instructions in the ‘Important Installation
Instructions’ text file?" I was a little offended by
that. If the instructions were so important why not
make them part of the desktop installation program?
Regardless, I had read the instructions. I took a
snapshot of the database files and attached it to an
email, and also wrote SmartCell this detailed reply
regarding following instructions: