Synchronization between my Zire 71 and my Windows XP desktop was flawless, and Life Balance can integrate with your Palm's built-in To Do list. As I don't use mine, I didn't do much with this feature, but it did appear very powerful.

Llamagraphics offers a full 30-day trial period, and I strongly recommend you give it a full trial. The first few days can be awkward; entering tasks (especially if you don't read the Advice Book first!) can be tricky, and getting my head around the "the software is going to tell me what to do next?" concept was very difficult.

Suddenly, though, it all just clicked. The software isn't telling me what to do; it's a guide, a coach, to help me make good choices and to help me really focus on what I say I really want to do. If I don't do those things, I find myself re-evaluating what I say and what I actually do, and my life gets closer to balance as a result.

New Year's Resolution Number 5: Use Life Balance every day, and write a follow-up article in December 2005!

I would have to say that Life Balance rates a 5. I genuinely can't think of anything the program should be doing differently.

OUR RATING: 5 of 5

James Booth is Editor-at-Large at ZATZ Publishing. In addition to writing for Computing Unplugged and Connected Photographer, he's the author of Do-It-Yourself Wedding Photography. A self-taught photographer, James also dabbles in digital graphics and has learned to be a PC and handheld specialist through personal trial and error. James can be reached at jbooth@zatz.com.