I dont believe the palm type computers can be programmed.
However, if I'm wrong, it would be possible to do what you say.
The program would be contained in volatle memory and so would require a
constant power source.
You would have to somehow match the output of the senders to the input
of the computer, which would not be easy.
Also, the interior of a vehicle is a hostile environment for all but an
industrial computer, due to heat and vibration.

Date:    Wed, 3 Nov 1999 21:44:41 EST
From:    KENWILFY@AOL.COM
Subject: Computerized Gauge Setup

Here is my latest brainstorm on my quest for the ultimate Gauge cluster
that
doesn't take up alot of space and require cutting or drilling:

I was thinking, why not just get one of those small note pad computers
with a
back lit screen (like palm pilot or whatever).  Then mount it's docking
bay
on my dash next to the instrument cluster and secure it with a velcro
strap.
Now all I have to do is setup all my senders and then wire then into
some
type of plug that will plug into the computer (I have no idea what this
entails).  Then all I have to find is a program that would take the
sender
readings and display them in either a number readout or some type of bar
graph, etc.  You could have several "layers" of gauges that you could
scroll
through by pushing a button, basically telling you everything that is
going
on back there (thinking of installing a camera in the engine compartment
to
actually watch the motor itself but I wonder if this is overkill/could
be a
distraction while driving? :)

So what do you think?  Am I dreaming?  Could this be done without
spending a
million dollars?  I mean you could use the small computer for other
things
too and just plug it into the van when you were taking trips and wanted
to
keep an eye on things.  If I bought 6 gauges and some instrument pods I
would
be out around $200 so buying a small computer would not really be that
much
more money.
Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,
Ken Wilford