AlphaSmart Manager Software. AlphaSmart Manager for AlphaSmart 3000 and AlphaSmart Manager for Dana allows teachers to easily configure and manage an entire classroom set of up to 30 devices. AlphaSmart Manager software streamlines the tasks that you do everyday – from retrieving and printing files from students’ devices, to updating them with software and word processing files, to. AlphaSmart is a registered trademark and Dana Wireless, Dana by AlphaSmart, DanaWeb, and AlphaSmart 3000 are trademarks of AlphaSmart, Inc. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc. Palm OS, Palm Powered and the Palm Powered logo are trademarks of PalmSource, Inc. VeriChat is a trademark of PDAapps Inc. Dana by AlphaSmart: Word Processing The Dana, from Renaissance Learning (formerly AlphaSmart), combines the word processing functions of a NEO with the organizational functions of a Palm. This Quick Guide covers word processing and printing. A separate Quick Guide is available for organization features.
The AlphaSmart Dana is a Palm OS device that falls somewhere between a handheld and a laptop. AlphaSmart has announced an improved version that offers more memory, a better screen, and updated software.
The Dana runs the Palm OS 4.1 and most of the software written for it but it has a full-size keyboard and a 560-by-160 pixel screen. With this update, the screen now supports 16 shades of grey.
Another significant change the amount of memory has been doubled. The original version offered 8 MB of storage, while the new one has 16 MB.
Most Palm OS software will run in a window in the middle of the screen, plus quite a few applications come with the device that can use its entire display. This includes versions of the Address Book, Date Book, To Do List, and Memo Pad. Of course, the Dana can HotSync with a desktop or laptop like any Palm OS device.
Other apps that will ship with the Dana and can use its full screen include AlphaWord, a word processor with spell-checker and thesaurus. It will also come with office productivity software, including a spreadsheet. The new version has more fonts and comes with PrintBoy Premier from Bachmann Software, which allows the device to print from AlphaWord to printers that support infrared and USB.
With this update, the Dana will include the Palm OS Input/Output library for SD, which allows it to use devices such as Bluetooth SD cards and many other SD peripherals. It will also have additional USB drivers, including support for several USB modems and select 802.11b Wireless Network adapters.
The majority of the new features (other than expanded memory) can be installed on previous Dana models using DanaUpdate 1.2, available from the company for $10.
Dana can be purchased directly from AlphaSmart for $379 plus shipping by calling 888-274-0680 or on the web at Dana Online Store. DanaUpdate 1.2 is available by calling AlphaSmart at 888-274-0680.
AlphaSmart annpounced in July that it is working on the Dana Wireless, a version that has built-in W-Fi. This will also include the improvements in the updated version of the regular Dana. The wireless version will cost $429 and is expected to be available soon.
Related Links
Alphasmart Dana Software Replacement
- Previous Topic | Next Topic
- You are not subscribed
Alphasmart Neo 2
| Author | Message |
|---|---|
Subject: Dana vs. AlphaSmart My 8th grader writes slowly and has had an AlphaSmart on loan this year for note taking. For HS I may have to purchase a key boarding device. Is the Dana a better tool for HS? Inquiring Mom | |
Inquiring, | |
I was able to compare both devices side by side last week and the Dana does have a major advantage in terms of note taking - it displays more lines of text than the AlphaSmart and the font can be changed so as to make the printer more easily read. As noted in a post above, the Dana also has a PDA for calendaring etc. inquiring mom Inquiring Mom | |
Did you end up buying one of these devices? What was the result? | |
Inq. Mom, |