Once the PDFs have been prepared, run PDF2PDB. It is a very simple utility that provides a drop-down list of PDFs that have been prepared for transfer, as shown in Figure B. Just press the Convert button.

FIGURE B


In PDF2PDB, select the prepared PDF. Roll over picture for a larger image.

When you prepare a PDF for transfer, it places a converted version of the PDF in the PDFView subdirectory in your HotSync user directory. For example, my default location would be C:\Palm\VanceS. You can change this location in Palm Desktop by selecting Options from the Tools menu and changing the contents of the Data Directory field on the General tab. PDF2PDB creates the PDB file in the Backup subdirectory of PDFView.

Once you convert the files, delete the PDF file from the transfer list. If you leave the PDF in the list when you HotSync, it will transfer to the handheld's main memory.

Finally, use the Palm Install Tool to install the PDB, changing the destination to the expansion card. On your next HotSync, Acrobat Reader will see the PDFs.

As a tip, be sure the name of the PDF file is meaningful to you before converting it. Its name when you convert it is the name it will have on the handheld.

An expansion media tool box
The previous solution is specific to Acrobat Reader. It requires only a minimum of technical manipulation, but it should work for any expansion media-unaware application.

You need two key tools for another approach to work. The first is a freeware Palm OS extension called MSMount (at http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?prodID=29216). MSMount makes a portion of your expansion card appear like normal memory to applications. Follow the MSMount installation instructions closely. MSMount shows up as an additional menu item in the Preferences application, shown in Figure C.

FIGURE C

MSMount shows up as a Preferences menu item.

The second tool allows you to manipulate the file system on your expansion media. Tatsuo Nagamatsu, the developer of MSMount, recommends either McFile (at http://www.jade.dti.ne.jp/~imazeki/palm/McFL/index-e.html) or Filez (at http://www.nosleep.net/filez.asp). McFile is $12 shareware. It's pictured in Figure D.

FIGURE D

McFile allows you to manipulate the expansion media file system.

Filez is freeware. It's pictured in Figure E.

FIGURE E

Filez also allows you to manipulate the expansion media file system.

Both have the benefit of being entirely Palm OS-based. I've found Filez to be adequate for most purposes, but McFile is far more complete and general purpose. In particular, if you wish to move files around on your expansion card (as I did in writing this article), McFile has the capability that Filez does not.

I use the Imation FlashGO! Universal Flash Memory Reader/Writer (at http://www.imation.com/en_US/products/product_generic_1.jhtml?Id=IM_PRD334). This USB hardware accessory allows you to mount several types of flash memory devices on your PC as removable drives. It can mount MultiMediaCards, Secure Digital cards, Compact Flash, Memory Stick, and SmartMedia. It also supports Macintosh.