The Hardware Compatibility List (HCL) has always been one of the largest draws and greatest attributes of HPC:Factor. It is a unique resource that is as old as the site (and its previously named incarnation) and has been through quite a few revisions ever since.

If you are not familiar with the HCL, it is a database of cross referenced third party peripheral devices, compatibility data, notes and driver file downloads which the community can use to simplify the process of extending the functionality of the Handheld PC.

When we integrated the HCL into HPC:Factor's central database system over Christmas and New Year 2006/2007 I was rolling the idea around of designing and implementing a similar system for software. For various reasons it never happened... until now.

16 days ago and largely as a result of this forum post, I decided that as the site hasn't received any may upgrades for a couple of years it might be a good time to explore this as a hot topic.

16 days later and after much frustration on the part of Rich Hawley who has been diligently testing it at every step of the process, we are very pleased to be able to announce the initial public beta of the HPC:Factor Software Compatibility List.

Just as with the HCL, the SCL is designed to provide the community with a device neutral, cross referenced repository of software against which it is intended that you, the community, will provide information on specific compatibility with one H/PC device or another.

We are hoping that the system will be a success and that you will spend time going through and submitting compatibility information into the SCL in a way that will once and for all solve the perpetual question of

What software works with the...?

We also hope that with the SCL we can bring together knowedge and information from a range of existing (and potentially at risk) online resources that are tailored to specific devices in a way that will make the SCL all inclusive and remove some or all of the guess work associated with Windows CE software.

As ever, your feedback and thoughts are very much welcome and if you would like to contribute to the SCL, HCL or any other system on HPC:Factor we would very much like to hear from you.


Happy New Year!
C:Amie and the HPC:Factor Team

View: Software Compatiblity List