Comments on: MatchBook Drive Review

Long-time reviewer Robert Zach brings us an in-depth look at the new MatchBook Drive CF Springboard. This module allows Visors to use widely available and inexpensive Compact Flash memory cards for storage.

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Application running on CF Card

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/11/2001 6:55:53 PM #

Can this MatchBook Drive support to run the Palm application when attached to Visor?

RE: Application running on CF Card

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/11/2001 7:32:47 PM #

No, The CF card in the Visor only functions as on-board ROM.

more than memory?

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/12/2001 4:18:59 AM #

The list of compatible cards is not very long... And there are no Microdrive, no modems, no ethernet cards. So it is for memory only. Considering huge prices for flash memory modules for Visor, it can be an alternative.

May be in next versions with detachable sleeve, they can create a sleeve for CF.

Visor modules are expensive and not-so-useful. I'll go for TRGPro.

Auto CF vs HS Flash SB

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/12/2001 10:11:07 AM #

You wrote:
"As a TRGpro user, I am accustomed to AutoCF. This TRG utility enables the user to install a CF card and have the applications installed on it be directly executable from CF. In function it works much like the Handspring Flash Springboard WITHOUT having to move the apps to RAM before executing..."

There is a BIG difference between TRG's AutoCF and Flash Springboard. AutoCF merely copies an application from the CF card to the TRG Pro's RAM automatically for you and starts execution of the application. This means that you must have available free on-board memory to accomodate the application. So if you want to run a 2MB application, you better have 2 MB free on your TRG Pro (not the CF memory which is storage).

OTOH, the memory in the HS Flash is directly addressable by the CPU and is therefore true RAM. Applications truly run directly off the flash. You don't have to have free memory available on the Visor to run it. That's why Springboard is technologically superior to other expansion options which are ONLY storage options not memory expansion options. An analogy would be the difference between adding had-drives vs memory SIMM cards to your computer.

Most people miss this distinction because of the "point and click" ability of the AutoCF. I hope you were not making the same mistake.

RE: Auto CF vs HS Flash SB

fleegle @ 3/12/2001 4:13:35 PM #

You wrote:
"OTOH, the memory in the HS Flash is directly addressable by the CPU and is therefore true RAM. Applications truly run directly off the flash. You don't have to have free memory available on the Visor to run it. That's why Springboard is technologically superior to other expansion options which are ONLY storage options not memory expansion options. An analogy would be the difference between adding had-drives vs memory SIMM cards to your computer."

You are mistaken. The 8 MB Springboard Module is not "true RAM". If it were, then you would be able to modify databases directly on the CF. You can't, according to these two items from Handspring's 8MB Flash Module FAQ:

Q. Why can't I modify databases when they are located on the 8MB Flash Module?

A. Unfortunately, flash memory does not support writing small amounts of data in an elegant manner. As a result, modifications to database records are prohibited when the databases reside in flash storage such as the 8MB Flash Module. Copy your database back to handheld memory before you attempt to modify it.

Q. Why do some applications crash when run from the 8MB Flash Module?

A. The 8MB Flash Module does not support the creation or modification of databases in flash storage. It is likely that the application is attempting to either create or write to a database on the Flash Module and is not handling the resulting error gracefully. Check with your application software vendor to see if a newer version of the software is available. Handspring is working closely with software developers to ensure that popular Palm OS applications are compatible with the 8MB Flash Module.

So, these statements imply that programs do not run directly from Flash since in order to run it would have to write "small amounts of data" to the flash module. Instead, the apps write themselves to RAM to run. So, in that respect, the 8MB Springboard Module is just like AutoCF.

You can read "read-only" databases directly from the CF card, just like AutoCF can.

What makes the Springboard modules unique, and possibly superior, is that you can automatically launch apps when a Springboard module is connected.

RE: Auto CF vs HS Flash SB

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/12/2001 5:14:02 PM #

My bad. I should have said "behaves like RAM although it is Flash ROM".
You are correct when you point out that you cannot write to apps on the Springboard memory, which is Flash ROM. That's because to write to a database in Flash ROM you have to set the F-ROM in write-mode. This puts the whole F-ROM in write state and has dangerous repurcussions for other programs on the F-ROM. AFAIK, there is no way to write to only certain portions of Flash ROM that are relevant to the app writing to it.

OTOH, you can read apps directly from the Flash ROM. You see this in action in the Palm devices like the IIIxe, V, Vx etc that have F-ROM. The Springboard slot has the pins to directly address the Flash ROM in the memory module. So you see, there is no need to "copy" the app to the on-board RAM, as you suggest. That's why SB is TOTALLY different from the AutoCF wherein you have to copy the app.

RE: Auto CF vs HS Flash SB

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/12/2001 5:26:25 PM #

You're correct that HS Flash Modules aren't "true RAM" but they are equivalent to the TRG's built-in Flash memory. Programs that support it can run directly from the flash module w/o being copied to RAM and databases of flash-friendly programs can be read directly from the module as well. AFAIK, programs and databases must be copied from a CF card to a TRG's RAM in order to be usable or readable, though it happens transparently.

RE: Auto CF vs HS Flash SB

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/13/2001 3:25:10 PM #

Not exactly. AutoCF transparently copies code/data one record at a time into memory (as requested). Sometimes, a program has a very sloppy database design and the whole database is one big record; in that case, AutoCF has to copy the whole database into memory.

And, TO THE ORIGINAL POSTER: The Springboard Flash obviously can't be treated like RAM by PalmOS because the DragonBall processor can only address 12MB of RAM (and PalmOS limits main memory to 8MB anyway).

Received my InnoPocket Friday

I.M. Anonymous @ 3/12/2001 11:23:04 AM #

Got the InnoPocket promptly from Asia (I'm in US, East coast). Works as advertised with a 32MB card, except:

No problem putting card INTO the device, but big problems getting it back OUT! The CF card locks into the InnoPocket so tightly that it's very difficult to pull out. Twice I've torn off chunks of the CF card's plastic ridge using the ridge as something to grab onto to get a grip on the card to pull it out. And when I say get a grip, I don't mean with my hand -- gotta use something solid and pull like heck, which is what causes the plastic on the CF card to crack and break off.

That's my only complaint. Copies to/from the card are quite fast. I can load software onto the card from any of my computers (Mac or PC) via a CF reader, then copy the .PRC or .PDB files to the Visor, as an alternate method (vs. HotSync cradle) of installing stuff.

If in the future, Palm OS 4 or other software permits the CF card to be used more like a hard disk (i.e., stuff on the card gets copied into memory as needed, transparently), that would be a great bonus.

I ordered the InnoPocket the same day that the MatchBook Drive dropped in price to $25 with free shipping. Had I known they were doing that, I may well have gone with the MatchBook Drive.