PalmPilot: The Ultimate Guide, Second Edition

Step 1: Create the HTML Document

There are two components to a Palm Query Application. The form (or “query”), which is originally written in HTML, and the server CGI program that replies to the query. Entire books are devoted to each of these topics, but this section offers a few helpful notes.

Guaranteeing a Good-Looking PQA

On this book’s CD-ROM, you’ll find several example PQAs; install one onto your Palm VII, and then load the corresponding source HTML into your browser, as shown here in Netscape Navigator. Adjust your browser window until it’s as narrow as a Palm VII screen.

Now load the HTML into a web-page editing program, make changes to your taste, and load it back into your browser. When it looks good in the browser, it should look good on the Palm VII, too.

Keep It Small

As you design your PQA-bound HTML document on your desktop computer, you should have at your side the invaluable—but free—Palm VII Content Style Guide. (The latest version is at http://www.palm.com/devzone/palmvii). This guide provides powerful lessons in design, simplicity, and reducing the amount of data that travels to and from the Palm VII. (Remember that a low-data-rate PQA is an inexpensive PQA, and therefore one that will be a hit with your target audience.)

Keep the PQA layout as simple as possible: what minimum information must the user provide to get the answer he or she wants? If possible, design a ...