ScoutPalDB FAQ

ScoutPalDB is presently in Beta. This means that we are continually adding features to it.
We believe that we are on-track for a final product that meets everyone's expectations.

• Can ScoutPal show me how to operate my computer to download and copy the ScoutPalDB files?
  (I want to get setup with ScoutPalDB and/or I need to update the database, but I am not very good with computers.)

Yes, we can login to your computer (and your Pocket PC) and show you how to do basic computer things such as downloading and copying files:

**** Follow these LogMeIn setup steps, then call us at ****

• Can I buy a Pocket PC and scanner from ScoutPal, all setup and ready to go?

Yes, you can also purchase this equipment from many online vendors, but we do offer complete packages.  If you buy from us, we get everything setup (for use with your ScoutPal subscription) so you can just open up the box, turn the PocketPC and the scanner on (see below) and start using it, plus we include a free SD memory card and card reader (for easy subsequent database updates) as well as free priority mail shipping within the USA.

Choose from the following packages:

Components (Factory new, with 1 year Warranty)	ScoutPal Packaged Price
HP iPAQ 211 Enterprise Handheld Pocket PC + SocketMobile 5m CF card scanner + The Scanner plugs into the top of the iPAQ, forming a single one-handed unit.	$799 Includes Free: Shipping Memory Card Card Reader
HP iPAQ 211 Enterprise Handheld Pocket PC + Microvision ROV Bluetooth scanner +   Held as two separate devices, connected via Bluetooth radio.	$699 Includes Free: Shipping Memory Card Card Reader

• I bought a Pocket PC and Socket scanner from ScoutPal.  I just opened up the box, how do I start using it?

When you buy a complete ScoutPalDB hardware system from us, we deliver it set up and ready for you to use right out of the box.  To start using ScoutPalDB right away, please first take a moment to familiarize yourself with general Pocket PC usage, so that you will know how to turn it on, charge the battery, use a stylus, start programs, enter and select text, choose options, and in general operate the Pocket PC with any sort of program.  Once you are comfortable with general Pocket PC usage:

• Be sure that the scanner and the memory cards are installed in the slots at the top of the Pocket PC.  Then turn the Pocket PC on and wait for the Windows Mobile "Today" screen to display.
• The first time you turn on, you will want to start the scanner driver:  Tap Start > Programs, then scroll down and tap "SocketScan."  Tap the "X" on the upper right to close the Programs screen.  You will see a Socket scanner driver icon on the bottom right of the "Today" screen.
• Tap Start > Programs > ScoutPalDB, and after a short wait the ScoutPalDB ISBN entry screen will appear.
• Press the scan trigger button on the left side of the Pocket PC to begin a scan.  (Visit the "How to Scan" page for more information on scanning.)
• If a book does not have a bar code, and you need to manually enter an ISBN,  tap "Keypad" on the bottom left of the screen and an oversize keypad that can be tapped with your finger will appear.
• The ScoutPalDB Features page has screenshots and shows some of the other features of the ScoutPal.
• You will want to periodically get an update of the ScoutPalDB database file, beginning at the ScoutPalDB download page.

• What results are displayed?
• Is the screen display the same as the shown on product (X/Y/Z, Amazon)?

The information currently available with a database lookup is shown on our Features page. We have plans to add additional information items to the database, such as title, first 3 prices, buyer waiting, etc.

• Will ScoutPalDB display results from other sites, like abebooks.com and PriceGrabber.com?

This information is available through the ScoutPal interactive web site lookup. If your PDA has wireless connectivity (Cellular data service, WiFi, bluetooth connection to a cell phone, etc., or if you have a Pocket PC/phone like a Treo 700w) you can add an optional  "Fetch" button to the lookup display, and do an online lookup on the same screen with a single tap to fetch full ScoutPal real-time wireless lookup results, including Buyer Waiting, Edition Info, abebooks.com/pricegrabber lookups, as well as "drill-down" for 3rd party offering details.

• Does it work with UPC codes?
• Does it seamlessly switch between ISBN and UPC lookups?

ScoutPalDB is presently ISBN-only.  Adding UPC lookups for non-print media is our highest-priority feature addition. It will automatically recognize and lookup UPC's without changing "modes". It will work with a scanner or keypad input just as ISBN lookups do now.  The initial release of the feature will likely have pricing info only, with quantity info in a subsequent update. Work is well underway to implement these features. We will notify all users of program updates, when they are ready.

• How do I use a scanner with ScoutPalDB?

Scanners are input devices, just like a keyboard. They send bar code digits into your Pocket PC, just as if you had tapped them in from a keyboard. Scanner support is an issue that is not directly connected with ScoutPalDB. Your scanner needs to be setup so that it can send bar code digits into any program that is running on the Pocket PC.  ScoutPalDB will recognize US EAN-13 digit sequences, and automatically transform them into the underlying ISBN.  General guidelines for identifying and scanning book bar codes can be found at http://www.scoutpal.com/db/howtoscan

• What day of the week is Scoutpal updated?

During the Beta period, the database is updated approximately every week, usually late on Thursday evening. We hope to increase the frequency of updates. The date of the current database is posted at the top of the ScoutPalDB download page.

• (general pricing questions)

  Our subscription pricing and rules are simple:

1. A ScoutPal subscription is $9.95 per month, or $29.85/quarter.
2. Each subscription gives one person access to all ScoutPal features, including use of ScoutPalDB.
3. Each person using ScoutPal, regardless of how they use it, must have their own subscription.
4. You must not share your ScoutPal Login with anyone else.
5. There is a free trial for the standard ScoutPal cell phone lookup service. The ScoutPalDB feature requires a paid subscription.
6. We have kept to the same subscription price since ScoutPal was introduced in 2002, and we have no current plans to increase our subscription rates.
7. Our price is held low by our expanding subscriber base, so please spread the word.
8. If/when ScoutPalDB is no longer designated as "beta", the price will not be affected by that event.
9. The subscription is monthly or quarterly, your choice, there is no contract.
10. We intend to stay competitive. But if you later find greater value with another service, you would simply cancel your ScoutPal subscription and move to them, and your equipment will work with any other service that runs on a Pocket PC.

• What is the pricing schedule if the same business is using ScoutpalDB on two PDAs?

A ScoutPal "Add-On" subscription (for family members or employees) is half price, at $14.95/quarter (3 mos.)