Published articles
The following 40 articles by Heather Wardell have been published in ZATZ magazines.

Eight steps to successful and reliable home backups
We all know we should do it, but most people never do. Then comes that horrible moment when your hard drive fails, or your laptop is stolen, or the "I won't need that again" file that you deleted becomes vital, and everyone says the same thing: "I should have been backing up my files." [Computing Unplugged Magazine, June 2009]

TealOS: great Palm software you are prohibited from buying
TealOS is a "skin" for existing Palm devices that gives them the look-and-feel of the upcoming Palm Pre device. Fired up by David's letter and curious about this software she hadn't heard of, Heather Wardell went looking for TealOS. She expected to take a quick look, think, "Not bad," and move on. Instead, she bought it five minutes after downloading the trial. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, May 2009]

How I turned my novel into an ebook
Use Heather's experience as a guide if you want to make an ebook of your own. Late last year, Heather Wardell decided to make her first novel available for free download from her Web site. She expected to spend an hour or so getting it ready to go, but instead it took weeks and brought up questions she hadn't considered. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, May 2009]

Why we can't recommend the Acer Aspire One
As Heather's previous laptop began to near the end of its lifespan, she began looking for a replacement. But her experience buying an Acer product mirrors many other people who've also bought Acer products and, at this time, we can't recommend buying any Acer product, due to their rather poor reliability and support. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, April 2009]

CallRec gives your Treo better call recording
Even though Palm has recently announced the end of the Palm OS, a lot of us still use the devices. We'll continue to run some Palm OS reviews and stories, at least until more and more people are using the Pre. In this article, Heather Wardell looks at CallRec, which does a fine job of recording calls on your Treo [Computing Unplugged Magazine, February 2009]

Are Wii Fit yet?
In this helpful article, Heather Wardell puts the Wii Fit through its paces, as the Wii Fit puts her through her paces right back. Nintendo's Wii Fit is one of the most difficult to find gaming peripherals. Is it worth the effort to hunt down? Read Heather's review to find out. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, February 2009]

Should die-hard Palm users consider a Pre?
On January 6th, Palm announced its new operating system, webOS, and the first phone based on it, the Palm Pre. Will the Pre get Palm back into the game? Read on to find out. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, January 2009]

We review the i2i Stream wireless audio extender
These days, people tend to listen to music just about everywhere. Aerielle Technologies' i2i Stream is intended to make it easy to share music with your friends and listen on the go. How well does it work? Read this article and you be the judge. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, October 2008]

Manage your car's mileage with AutoFile
With gas prices through the roof, and no relief in sight, many people are trying to drive less, or at least be more efficient about how they use their vehicles. But how do you know if your changes are having any effect? WakefieldSoft's AutoFile lets you see exactly how you're doing. Is it worth your money? Heather Wardell's review will clue you in. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, September 2008]

Edit Office files on the go with Documents To Go
As a writer, Heather Wardell tries to have access to her works-in-progress at all times so she can revise a sticky section or just re-visit a part she particularly liked. Of course, her files are all on her laptop, but she doesn't take her laptop everywhere. Her Palm, though, is an ever-present companion, and DataViz's Documents To Go allows her to work anywhere she chooses. Should you add Documents To Go to your kit bag? Read Heather's review and find out. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, September 2008]

Quick News brings your RSS feeds to your Palm
Heather Wardell recently discovered the joys of using a RSS reader program to consolidate all her favorite blogs, and wondered if she could somehow get the same features on her Palm. Stand Alone, Inc's Quick News promised, but did it deliver? In terms of base functionality, yes. Its advanced features, though, need more work. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, August 2008]

Pocket Tunes: tunes, Internet radio, and more on your Treo
Heather Wardell takes her Treo everywhere she goes, and she often wants to listen to music in coffee shops or in her car. The Treo came with a free copy of Pocket Tunes version 3 by NormSoft, which was quite functional, but Pocket Tunes Deluxe version 4 and its Internet radio and online music store access is a giant step forward. To learn all about it, you'll want to read this review. How was support? Does Internet radio work over a Treo? The only way you'll find out is to read Heather's article. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, July 2008]

Organize your day's notes with DayNotez
Natura's DayNotez (for Windows, Palm, and Pocket PC) is a replacement for the right-hand page of your planner, providing organization options and easy ways to access your information. But is it something to buy? Heather Wardell discusses a good program that has some strange problems. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, May 2008]

Ten free (and great) applications for your Palm handheld
Most Palm software is reasonably inexpensive, but you can't get less expensive than free. Some of Heather Wardell's favorite programs are given away by their creators, and this article will list ten of these programs in the hopes they might work for you as well. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, May 2008]

Organize lists like a pro with ListPro (and also organize your movies)
If you're looking for a flexible list manager, you can't go wrong with ListPro. In this article, Heather Wardell reviews ListPro, discusses some of the minor quirks, and then we shift left to discuss Movie Collector, a powerful movie organizing program that nicely integrates with ListPro. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, March 2008]

DateBk6 has advantages over the built-in Palm Datebook
Many people use their Palm handhelds primarily for calendar and todo list functionality. While the built-in applications are more than capable of performing these duties, they don't have much in the way of extras. Pimlico Software's DateBk6 offers more than two hundred and fifty improvements over the built-in applications, and is one of the best-supported applications we've ever seen to boot. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, March 2008]

Keep your Palm safe with Warden
Like many people, writer Heather Wardell keeps her entire life on her Palm. The information isn't particularly sensitive, but it is personal and she wouldn't want just anyone getting into it. When she switched to the Treo 680, she wondered if the smartphone functionality would allow her to leave the unit unlocked, but still be able to lock it if it went missing. Warden, by CorSoft, promises to make that happen. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, February 2008]

Treo's Ringo ring tone maker isn't quite a star
Ringo, by Electric Pocket, is a ring tone manager for your Treo that promises to make assigning ring tones to contacts and groups of contacts quick and easy. Is Ringo a star? Tap here to read the full review. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, February 2008]

Hit your stride with these five running log programs
In this article, Heather Wardell puts five fitness applications through their paces, so to speak, and make recommendations for other runners and fitness enthusiasts. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, October 2007]

Hands on with the (relatively) inexpensive Treo 680
Curious about Palm's relatively inexpensive Treo 680? This is the article for you to read. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, August 2007]

eBookstore roundup: finding the best deals
This great article compares several eBook providers and gives their price for Stephen King's novel Cell and Tina Brown's The Diana Chronicles for comparison purposes. This will help you get a feel for how the prices of eBooks from top authors vary and where to get the best deals. One thing that surprised us: some stores offered the identical book for almost 60% less money than some of the other stores. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, July 2007]

Chow down and limber up with CalorieKing
Remember your New Year's resolutions way back when? Was one of them a plan to lose weight? If it was, and you haven't done anything about it, the CalorieKing Nutrition and Exercise Manager software might be able to help you make it happen. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, May 2007]

Save your money with SplashWallet
SplashData's SplashWallet suite consists of the four programs we've looked at in the past weeks: SplashID, SplashShopper, SplashMoney, and SplashPhoto, which are together intended to replace many of the things you might carry in your wallet. Is it worth buying the bundle instead of the individual programs. Read our final Splash review to find out. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, January 2007]

Create handy handheld databases with HanDBase
Why would you need a handheld database management program? There are thousands of ways you could answer this question, because everyone need to carry different data. In fact, that's the answer: everyone needs to carry some data at all times. Whether it's a shopping list, a membership list, a list of medical terminology, or the measurements for oil well drilling components, a handheld database can be an essential help. In this important review, Contributing Editor Heather Wardell tests out HandDBase and lets us know just how HanD it is. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, January 2007]

Track your money flow with SplashMoney
Marge, where's the Visa? Whether you're a spender or particularly prudent (there's a word we don't use too often in Computing Unplugged), SplashMoney can help you keep track of your finances on the go. Should you spend your money on SplashMoney? Contributing Editor Heather Wardell tells you whether you should write the check. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, November 2006]

Organize your smartphone's pictures with SplashPhoto
These days, everyone's taking digital pictures and the vast majority are being taken on camera phones. The developers of SplashPhoto claim it's "The ultimate image viewer for PDAs and smartphones". Is it? Only Contributor Editor Heather Wardell can tell you for sure. Read her article to find out. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, November 2006]

Manage your passwords with SplashID
SplashID is a password manager with a built-in password generator. The developer claims it's the #1 password manager, but we're not big on hyperbole. How does it stand up to the tough standards of Contributing Editor Heather Wardell? You'll have to read the article to find out. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, October 2006]

Oh, SplashShopper
SplashShopper is more than a shopping list. It's billed as a "smart list manager" and that's an accurate description. The program allows you to create a variety of lists, such as movies you want to watch or a list of items at your favorite takeout restaurant, as well as the expected grocery list. Does our reviewer like it? You'll have to read the article to find out. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, October 2006]

Word Monaco: a word-based solitaire game for Palm OS
Word Monaco, the newest Palm OS game from Smart Box Design is an interesting twist on solitaire. Instead of using a standard deck of cards, the game uses letter tiles. The object of the game is to create words using those letters. When all of the letters have been combined into words, you win. It's a lot tougher than it sounds! Read Contributing Editor Heather Wardell's review to find out if this is the vacation you've been waiting for! [Computing Unplugged Magazine, September 2006]

Great software to help you manage your New Year's resolutions
It's here again: New Year's resolution time! Writing out your goals and setting out the steps that lead to achieving those goals improves your chances of actually meeting your goals. Having your goals in your Palm, always accessible, should make your success nearly certain. There are many goal-setting and planning programs available, and Contributing Editor Heather Wardell tested five of them in this article. What's the right choice for you? You'll have to read Heather's article to find out. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, December 2005]

Hands-on (literally) with the Palm wireless keyboard
Palm makes a nice, portable wireless keyboard that works through your handheld's IR port. How well does it work? You'll have to read Heather Wardell's hands-on review to get a final read. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, November 2005]

Agendus Mail can help you take your email everywhere
Can Agendus Mail help you ditch your laptop for your PDA? You'll have to read this review by Heather Wardell to find out. [OutlookPower Magazine, September 2005]

Is there room for Roomba?
Do you love having clean floors, but hate vacuuming? Well so does Contributing Editor Heather Wardell, and she's found the answer. Roomba, iRobot Corporation's vacuuming robot is ready, willing, and able to help you not only keep your floors clean, but recapture your spare time, and entertain you as well. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, June 2005]

Village Sim lets you control your own village people
Author Heather Wardell is a simulation junkie. How about you? If so, then Village Sim, the newest real-time simulation game from LDW Software, is for you. Read on for the full scoop on the continuation of the Plant and Fish Tycoon series. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, May 2005]

Plucking a Berry
The Berry, from Sakar, is a handheld for children. Coming in four "flavors", BlueBerry, GreyBerry, GrapeBerry, and StrawBerry, it lets children feel like their parents. Read on for Contributing Editor Heather Wardell's coverage of this hybrid telephone/organizer. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, May 2005]

Is Busker busted?
One of the joys of author Heather Wardell's Zire 71 is being able to listen to music on the go. However, she hates relying on RealPlayer for her mobile music needs. Busker, by Electric Pocket, is a new MP3 player for Palm, and Heather had high hopes for it as a RealPlayer replacement. Read on to find out if Busker played the song of success. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, April 2005]

How to be a Plant and Fish Tycoon
If, like author Heather Wardell, you thrive on games like The Sims or Rollercoaster Tycoon, you may find Fish Tycoon and Plant Tycoon to be just what you've been looking for. Plant Tycoon and Fish Tycoon bring the excitement of pets to your Palm or Pocket PC handheld. Created by LDW Software, both games are easy to learn, entertaining, and can be utterly addictive. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, February 2005]

Balancing your year with Life Balance
Maybe you've set yourself a few goals for 2005. Maybe you want to set some goals, but you've been unsuccessful in the past. Or maybe you have so many goals you don't even know where to start. Author Heather Wardell has the answer in the form of Life Balance from Llamagraphics. [Computing Unplugged Magazine, January 2005]

Teachers can go back to school with Tiny Red Book
Heather Wardell has found the perfect teacher's pet. She reviews Tiny Red Book, Palm OS software designed to help teachers keep track of students' performance, grades, and attendance. [PalmPower Magazine, September 2002]

Lose those winter pounds with BalanceLog
Most diet experts will tell you that logging everything you eat is a great way to gain control over your eating and eventually lose weight. In this article, Heather Wardell reviews an application designed to help you do just that. With BalanceLog from HealtheTech, you'll go from a portly Ben Quadinaros to a slim Ody Mandrell in no time. [PalmPower Magazine, May 2002]