24/03/2003 Interview with David eaton- ace reviewer and owner of Clie Connections.
1/ Tell us a bit about yourself- where you live, what you do etc.
I live in a small community about an hour east of Atlanta, Georgia. I have worked for 15 of the last 18 years in the computer industry and am currently employed by SKC Films, a world leader in the production or PET films. (Visit www.skcfilms.com if you would like more information…) I operate the MIS Help Desk and field requests for hardware, software, and printer support. When not at work and at home I can usually be found at church where I am very active as the Youth Director, preparing for and teaching the teenagers 3 lessons a week.
2/ What PDA do you use (and why?) and how many have you owned?
I have owned 6 different PDAs starting with the very first Sharp Wizard and progressing through several Palm and Handspring devices to the Sony Clié NX70V that I own today. I picked this model because of the amount of extra features it had, the larger screen, and the fact that it was all built into a package that could still fir in your shirt pocket.
3/ What's your most prized possession?
Wow! That’s a hard one! If I had to pick only one physical possession I think it would have to be by Clié. I take it with me everywhere I go (except into the shower) and rely on it constantly.
4/ If you could only pick one application and one game for your PDA what would they be?
Another tough one... If I had to choose only one application I think it would be BibleThumper because of it’s many features. I use it constantly in studying for the lessons that I teach at Church. If I had to choose only one game I think I would go with a collection of card games although I’m not sure which one I would favor the most. Not being a big game player, I’d have to shop around and find one that I liked first.
5/ What your favorite song, film and book?
Song: “I Can Only Imagine” by Mercy Me Film: “Rocketman” Book: “Chronicles of Narnia” series by C.S. Lewis
6/ Why do you enjoy writing so many reviews and what motivates you to spend so much time on them (and why Clie Planet when there are bigger sites around?)?
There are bigger sites? Can you provide me with their email address? (Kidding…) I really enjoy writing and so I get a lot of satisfaction from writing about things that I enjoy. The chance to constantly try out new software is a big plus, although most of the software gets removed to make room for something else to evaluate. (It’s not all fun and games, however. The constant loading and removing of software and cause the potential of a new piece causing conflicts and making your Clie go belly up - something that has happened more than once. However the benefit is worth the risk, in my opinion.) As for the reason that I choose Clie Planet to write for, it was actually the other way around. When I got my Clie last Christmas I began visiting a few Clie-related sites and contacted a few about doing some reviews for them - something I had done until that time. You were the only one to email me back and give me this opportunity. I am very grateful for that chance and the kind remarks you make regarding my reviews and articles.
7/ If you could add one thing to Clie Planet what would it be?
That’s a hard question to answer because the “one thing” is really out of your hands: the increased participation in your site by those who visit it - both in the contribution of news articles and reviews and in the forums.
8/ Who would you most like to meet (living or dead)?
Jesus Christ
9/ What's the most profound statement you have ever heard?
My dad had a saying that I really like. (He actually had a lot of them but you only wanted one, right…) “I am not who I think I am; I am not who you think I am; I am who I think you think I am.”
10/ Anything you would like to add...?
It has been a real pleasure writing all these reviews and articles for you. I hope we can continue this relationship for a long time to come. By the way, is it true that you give out a new Clie of their choice to anyone who writes 50 reviews or more? ;) Totally untrue- anyone who writes 50 reviews actually get's a 3 bedroom house and a small island of their choice
What a nice bloke! If you want to read some of David's work please visit his Clie Connections page.