Freeware for Your PDA

April 30 -- Ever consider taking your Personal Digital Assistant to bed?

You would if you have the PalmaSutra, an abbreviated digital version of the venerable Kama Sutra text that you can install on your PDA for free.

Sounds ludicrous? Well, in a day and age where people are relying on their Palm Pilot for entertainment and information, it may not be so far off target.

The PalmaSutra, along with thousands of other programs, are right at your fingertips, and quickly uploaded to your PDA. Programs range from news and informational portals, to organizational and professional utilities, to games.

So Many Programs, So Little Memory

It may seem appealing to have increased functionality and programs on your PDA, but one thing to remember is that memory comes at a premium. Experts believe that if you are interested in increasing the flexibility of your PDA, then it's wise to purchase one with at least 8 to 16 MB of memory.

"Unlike PCs, you cannot easily expand memory on a PDA by adding a new internal or external hard drive. If you run out of memory, you will be forced to delete programs or purchase a new unit with more memory," said Tony Ferrara, vice president of Internet marketing for Software Archives, a portal site that includes links to different freeware and shareware sites for personal computers and PDAs.

Beware of Viruses

Like your desktop computer, your PDA is also susceptible to viruses, especially if you wish to upload software onto it. Although it would be helpful on any PDA, anti-viral software is especially important for PDAs with wireless Internet access. If you're using your HotSync button to upload new information, anti-virus software on your PC can normally detect contaminated files; your wireless PDA could be defenseless without the software.

And if you think you're immune from Web-borne viruses because your PDA doesn't have Internet access, be warned. Experts across the Web say that malicious techno geeks will be able to beam viruses right to your handheld.

Software companies, such as Symantec and McAfee, have anti-viral software for your PDA that cost about $30 each, but you can test the software for a limited period of time for free. (See below for one example of a free application.)