As Palm organizer users, we rely on the creators of shareware and freeware to create the fun and, hopefully, practical applications we obsessively download. On a quest to find a way to strike it rich by writing my own bubblegum dance hit on my Palm device, I stumbled upon the Web site of shareware designer, Eric Cheng at http://www.echeng.com, this month's Cool Site of the Month.

According to his biography, which can also be found at his artfully designed Web site, Cheng is a graduate of Stanford University who went to work for a software company called E.piphany after roaming about Europe for six weeks. Besides designing applications for Palm computers, his interests include photography, aquaria, martial arts, and music. The latter would appear to be the inspiration for his latest application, which allows you to play frequency accurate notes on your Palm computer keyboard by tapping or writing.

The tones are created using a string-based format, lending it more towards classical compositions, which befit Cheng's artistic sensibilities. For examples of what you can do with PocketSynth, see the Song Archive Cheng keeps on the site. There you'll find Palm unit renditions of such hits as the Bach Sonata - Allegro, Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring, and the Bach Minuet.

What makes this site most interesting, however, is the chance to take a peek into the world of a Palm computer application designer. I, for one, had always imagined the typical program designer in strictly cartoonish terms, freaks with greasy hair and Coke bottle glasses. Eric Cheng, however, has more in common with Jet Li than Dilbert. For proof, check out Figure A for the impressive shots of him demonstrating his Taekwondo technique.

FIGURE A


When not writing Palm unit applications, Eric Cheng enjoys kicking things. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Cheng extends his skills as an artist to his Web site design. Modern technology has made creating your own Web site as easy as using Word to make your aunt a birthday card. Cheng has managed to make his site stand out amidst the glut by demonstrating true craftsmanship. His work makes a strong case for raising the ability to design an attractive, easy to navigate, interesting Web site to the level of an art form. If for no other reason, check out Cheng's site to see what a well-produced Web site might look like.