Comments on: Palm OS 5.2 Dev Information Posted

No PC is required for the update.

-You just backup to CF or SD
-put the downloaded OS image file in the root directory of the CF card
-hold Datebook button and reset.
-Choose the OS image (if more than one resides on the card)
-Press the todo button to begin the flash. It first verifies the files integrity, then flashes the OS.
-Then use the backup app to restore your personal data

The whole process takes only a few minutes. The process can't easily be botched as the built-in flash app is part of a separate small-rom (also flash updateable).

It doesn't feel that weird really. I'm sure it'll only take me a few days to get used to it.

I wouldn't say it's an improvement particularly, just different. Considering it's a forced change for legal reason's it could have been a lot worse.

I notice the colour themes are still there in the simulator too. Wonder if they'll make it to the OS release.

_________________________
The Phantom Strikes again

Juan Jose.

If it's a flash update, which it almost certainly will be, then no.

you know something we don't know?

Geee - I am confused: If the 4kHz low pass DSP filter is not related to the OS - how could an OS fix help then???

1) Lots of software uses the MemoPad database format, so changing this format, even to remove this limitation, could lead to other programs crashing or misbehaving.

2) More importantly, the Memopad conduit that comes with HotSync Manager knows about this limit. Changing this would mean that some Palm OS devices wouldn't be able to talk to old versions of HotSync manager, leading to customer confusion.

Finally, there isn't a big reason to fix it. There are better applications to view larger documents that allow document compression, and there are much better apps for writing larger documents. Some of these are free. Expanding the memo size would hurt the developers who have built alternative memo apps on the platform.

--
Ben Combee, CodeWarrior for Palm OS technical lead
Programming help at www.palmoswerks.com

As for Graffiti 2 hurting Palm's marketshare -- I doubt it. Something like 80% of Palm sales are made up of first-time buyers. They don't know Graffiti from Jot, so why should it bother them? It will be better for them, since Jot is much more like "regular" handwriting.

I don't know if anyone else noticed but palm.com's webpro proxy server seemed to be down most of saturday and sunday. That didn't help foster feelings of Palm loyalty ANY on my end, as I sat in a hotel room and tried in vain over and over to get something to appear on the www.

I think Palm's aggrivatingly tight-mouthed policy as of late to try and dispell some of the bad ill that's floating around is about as bad as the blunders of the Yankowski era. I have a feeling I won't be applying any updates to my T|T so that I can keep my Grafitti 1...and that there won't be another Palm in my future. I've hung in there since day 1 with a 2nd hand Pilot 1000, but I've reached the end of my rope. I am sure there are good deal of users out there with similar (if not stronger) feelings.

Anyway, back to Palm:

For starters, had Palm not bungled their operations over the past 3 or so years, they'd be in a far better financial position to battle Xerox--or they would have been bought/merged with someone with deeper pockets (Apple, Sony, IBM etc) that could help them outmuscle Xerox, who themselves are nowhere close to being in good financial shape these days.

Palm could do a lot to stem the torrent of negativity being issued by upset users like myself by offering an add-on "package" for Graffiti 1 users...price it at $19.99 and give the proceeds to Xerox. Or make the OS 5.2 flash that contains G2 free but charge a few bucks for the one that sticks with G1 and again, give the proceeds to Xerox. There are plenty of ways they could have attempted to work around the issue, but as they continue to display (much like the wireless telephone providers), retaining existing customers means nothing to them. Just suck 'em in with feature-deprived Zires and try to keep their heads above water until the next Holiday buying season...But they'd rather just sit there mum on the whole Graffiti/Real player/low-pass filter bug/various Bluetooth bugs etc etc and point the finger at the "other" Palm. I've seen the T|T called the "BMW of handhelds" in at least one review but this continued silence is not doing anything other than causing me to liken it to a Daewoo (decent vehicle, but non existent service and support).

If it's somehow possible to stick your head in the sand while barely keeping it above water, then Palm's doing such a thing right now.

In my mind my purchase was based upon The fact that I have one of two choices WindowsCE or PalmOS not Sony, or Palm Branded Devices. I opted for the Palm Device, as I see them as the father of the industry and therefore I would have a product with support in the millions. As for the other products, I am sure they have alot of gimmick's and crap you can get...but, I for one feel that the Palm Zire71 That I bought, had everything I was looking for ... Digital Camera // Mp3 Player // Expense Recording...etc...etc.

As for your mentioned drawbacks...I didn't see them as an issue at all...

An Example: Though, the volume is Measurably low in comparison to other mp3 Player etc...I contest its not really meant for this type of usage...but, rather provides it as a feature.

For the Graffiti 2 Type Library for Written recognition, I have no issue using 2 or 3 strokes to type...In many cases I just switch to using the keyboard anyway...

Complain // Complain...helps nothing...

When I purchased my Zire71 I saw that there were only a few left, and the salesmen I spoke to said they were going quickly...even now...though, they have been on the market now...Yet, I saw 20/30 other PDA's sitting on shelves collecting dust.

The Zire seems to be developed and manufactured for the new users of palm and we love it.

Joe W. Garrett

I have been wondering this ... when is some enterprising company going to radically reduce the amount of "unused space" on the front of a handheld device. The SJ30 seems to be the best so far, but it has no virtual graffiti area. That new Compaq does better and the Sony clamshells do it pretty well.

A Palm m500 has about 50% of frontal area utilized for screen real estate. With a little creativity, this % could be raised to 80-90%.

Imagine the possibilities of lists, spreadsheets, games, eBooks, internet, pictures etc!

Probable cons: durability, battery life, cost

Pat

Pat Horne; www.churchoflivingfaith.com

Graffiti 2 is by no means the dead of Graffiti. Almost all of the strokes are done in the same way, plus some more strokes to choose from. I find it easier and better, and it is really the same thing, but evolved.

-Mike

I sync, therefore I am.