Comments on: Softick Cache Released

Softick CacheSoftick has released a new Palm OS application aimed to improve device performance. Softick Cache is an adaptive "disk" cache for flash cards used in Palm OS PDAs and smartphones. It works by using a set of card access optimizations using faster dynamic memory instead of the slower SD/MMC and SD host controller systems. Softick claims the utility provides up to ten times faster memory card and flash memory access and has posted some interesting stats on their website. The program supports most recent Palm OS devices, but should be of particular interest to users of the Palm LifeDrive.

Softick Cache v1.0 is available now for $9.85 USD. A free trial period is included.

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Softick Cache

shrink @ 7/23/2007 7:51:20 PM # Q
Tried it but I can't seem to see any real difference in speed of access. I am using a TX with a 1GB SD card.
alan

Alan B.
RE: Softick Cache
pascanu @ 7/24/2007 2:50:49 AM # Q
Same here. Using it on my Treo 650 with a 2 GB card. It also stalled my Treo twice, so I deleted it.

Handspring Visor -> m505 -> Zire71 -> Zire72 -> Treo650
RE: Softick Cache
VampireLestat @ 7/24/2007 2:54:49 AM # Q
damn, I was hoping it was true.

Sounded too good to be true.
I will try the demo myself tomorrow. Maybe you guys didnt set it up right?

RE: Softick Cache
shrink @ 7/24/2007 9:49:58 AM # Q
That's always a possibility :-)
alan

Alan B.
RE: Softick Cache
potter @ 7/25/2007 3:27:29 PM # Q
When it comes to caching software, the usage pattern can make a big difference in what performance changes are observed. Examples:
* Load an applications -> No change*.
* Load a small application, exit and then load the application again -> First load no change*, second load may be faster (unless the cache implements a flush on exit).
* Run an application that reads a large data file from disk rapidly sequentially -> No change*.
* Run an application that reads a large data file in small chunks, sequentially, with some processing in between -> Some improvement, if the cache implements look-ahead caching.
* Run an application that randomly reads from a large data file -> some improvement depending on how much the application re-accesses different parts of the data file. If the application rarely re-accesses the same part of the data file, then no change*. If the application re-accesses the same part quite often, then a greater improvement.

*No change: Depending on how much load the caching software adds to a system, it is actually possible for the no-change cases above to be reduced performance.

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