Natara Bonsai Beta

Thank you for your interest in the Bonsai 4 for Windows Mobile Beta

This beta is open to all Bonsai users. Please post your beta feedback to the Bonsai beta section of the Natara User Forums.

This is a beta version of the product and there are a few months to go before release. It is not feature complete. As with any beta, expect the software to crash. Expect possible data loss and/or outline corruption. Make sure you keep backup copies of your outlines and preferably such that you have a history of the last few versions of these files.

Beta Screencast
To get a quick intro to this beta, please watch the screencast.

. Requirements

Windows Mobile based 2003, 2003SE, 5.0 Pocket PCs
Windows Mobile 6/6.1 Classic, Standard, and Professional
Requires .NET Compact Framework 2.0 (will be downloaded and installed if not present via the Natara Updater app but only after user confirmation)

Download Link
The beta can be downloaded using one of the links below. Use the CAB file if you want to download and install Bonsai directly on your Windows Mobile handheld.
Windows Setup (include the PC and Windows Mobile apps)
CAB Format (for OTA installation)

Evaluation Code
New users will have an automatic 30 day evaluation period. If the beta reports that it has expired, refer to this thread to obtain an evaluation number to continue using Bonsai. There is also links to purchase the software rather than enter the evaluation number.

Installation (Windows Setup)
Download and run the setup to install Bonsai. The installation wizard will lead you through the installation of the Bonsai Windows Mobile application as well as the optional Bonsai Desktop and ActiveSync/WMDC sync software. Once Bonsai is installed, please check back periodically for program updates. You can also subscribe to the Natara blog to receive product update notices.

Installation
Download the CAB to your handheld and use File Explorer to launch the CAB file to start the installation. Once Bonsai is installed, use the “Check for updates” menu to periodically check for program updates.

Why are we making this beta available if it is not feature complete?
Most of the core features of Bonsai are in and working. I am sure some users will find this beta useful while others might feel it is too incomplete to be worth the effort. If you have a massive outline with several thousands of items, performance maybe become an issue until we performance tune the software.

What feedback are we looking for?
I am sure there are many cosmetic issues with the Bonsai interface still to be addressed and a list of un-implemented features to bring it to the level of the current Palm product. I do not encourage discussion about these minor issues as I most likely already know about it. Once the beta has matured, then feel free to discuss it in the beta forum. When reporting an issue, it is generally best to start a topic for each issue rather than lumping several into one.

We are most interested in:

Reports of any crashes (Log of crash can be found in the \Application Files\Natara\Bonsai\BonsaiLog.txt file)
Details about any outline corruptions
Top three "most missed features" from the Palm version (to help prioritize our development)

List of major features not yet implemented (not necessarily a complete list)

Support of linking to calendar, task and other outlines
Undo
Cut and Paste of Outline Items
Multi-Select of outline items and any operations that can target this selection
Drag and drop of outline items
Use of context menus. This beta is focused on Smartphone devices; WM devices without a touch screen. Features that are Pocket PC specific will come later in the beta.