Quickies: SL10, 256 MB SD, CreatorIDs, and More

Best Buy has the new Sony SL10 in stock at its webstore and in many of their retail stores. It's $150 but Best Buy has a $25 mail in rebate, dropping it to $125. CompUSA has it on its webstore and in some retail stores, too. SonyStyle says it will be available tomorrow. -nXt

Computers4Sure is offering a Lexar 256 MB SD card for $172. -Larry

The Palm CeatorID List is working to make a collection of all applications' CreatorIDs, even the ones that aren't listed by PalmSource. -Ed

Many Handspring Visor users whose handhelds don't have internal batteries save money with rechargable ones. However, the batteries have to be removed from the Visor to be recharged. TechTV's The Screensavers gives fully illustrated instructions for modifying the cradle from a Visor so it can recharge these removable AAA batteries. -Zan Hecht

Proporta is offering solid silver handheld cases. These are made to order for a variety of handhelds. They are polished to a perfect mirror finish and then lined with baize. -PR

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Another list of CreatorIDs?!

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/29/2002 10:10:03 AM #
"The Palm CeatorID List is working to make a collection of all applications' CreatorIDs, even the ones that aren't listed by PalmSource"

Uh... what on earth for?

The "ones that aren't listed by PalmSource" is a clue, but surely the real response to that is to bug the authors of said unlisted CreatorIDs until they do register them properly?

RE: Another list of CreatorIDs?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/29/2002 10:32:01 AM #
Well, the point of using an unregistered Creator ID is so that a software developer can leave a little counter that isn't removed when the application is deleted. It's a dirty trick, however, sharware is a dirty business. People delete and reinstall if the don't want to pay.

So one creates a list of creator ID's so that sophisticated users can circumvent this mechanism. Then the developers will simply change the unregistered creator ID's they are using, or even use multiple ones. That leaves more junk on your PDA that isn't removed.

RE: Another list of CreatorIDs?!
stephen007 @ 7/29/2002 12:04:57 PM #
I'm not trying to get around any Shareware mumbo jumbo (I register the apps I keep), but my Palm is just filled with junk of unknown origin. I install *a lot* of software on a trial basis and end up deleting the majority of it in 5 - 10 minutes. In looking at my Palm using Filez I've noticed that a lot of applications leave crap around on your system that is no longer needed. I found a file containing High Scores for a game I'd played ONCE, two years ago!, on there. That's a little ridiculous.

Thank you for the database.

Stephen

RE: Another list of CreatorIDs?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/29/2002 12:46:37 PM #
I hate all that extra junk! It just destroys the greatness and sleekness of the PalmOS. PalmOS reminds of what OSs were 10 years ago...each application consisting of 3 files or less...compared to the Windows mess of today. My Winnt folder has 13,013 files. If developers can't find a more efficient way, Palm units will soon have several hundred junk files as well.

If they are going to put junk in there, the file name should be more descriptive. If they are worried about people reinstalling the shareware app, then maybe they should look at other methods to protect their shareware.

These developers are just as the software pirates. The fact that software pirates steal software, doesn't justify developers to steal memory.

Shareware CreatorIDs
potter @ 7/29/2002 12:52:37 PM #
I have seen this technique of using an alternate CreatorID for hiding unregistered limiting information used a couple times. However, there is no reason for the shareware author to not register this alternate CreatorID. They can simply register it with no information, or as confidential information. And if they do not register it, they are risking some other author registering and using it, thus overwriting their information.

RE: Another list of CreatorIDs?!
potter @ 7/29/2002 4:22:25 PM #
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/29/2002 12:46:37 PM wrote:
>
> I hate all that extra junk!
I personally do not mind the 20 or so bytes buried in the 'Saved Preferences' database. If the shareware authors did not hide the unregistered limit information there, then they would hide it in the 'DataBookDB' or worse, in a whole new database with the same createrID as one of the other standard apps. What I do mind, in agreement with you, is all the sloppiness that leaves whole databases or many large records in the 'Saved Preferences' or 'Unsaved Preferences' databases lying around which should have been deleted when the application was deleted.

Note: With current PalmOS devices, not all "extra files lying around" are caused by sloppiness on the program authors. If one moves an application to a removable media, and then that media is removed, all the extra database associated with that application would still be in memory.

RE: Another list of CreatorIDs?!
drw @ 7/30/2002 1:10:33 AM #
I'm assuming that junk is also copied to the backup folder on the desktop so that if one truly wanted to wipe the slate clean one would need to rename the backup folder to something else, do a hard reset, then reinstall desired apps.

---
David
RE: Another list of CreatorIDs?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/31/2002 9:40:52 AM #
The reason I started the list is 2-fold. The first reason is that I found that a lot of settings in my Saved Preferences belong to -none- and I want to keep my Palm 'clean'. The second reason, which was also posted here earlier, is that if you delete an app on your removable media, the files on the Palm are not deleted. With a list of CreatorIDs I can periodically check if some apps have left files after the app was deleted.
Someone here also commented that an app can be registered with confidential information but than the information will still remove in Saved Preferences after I don't use the app anymore. So confidentially registered apps will also be listed with the app that they belong to.
I know the information can be used by people to use shareware without paying for it. This is not the intention of the list. After only a couple of months my list of Saved Preferences was 13 pages long. Now it's back to 8 pages just by figuring out what I don't use anymore.

Regards,
Jeroen

RE: Another list of CreatorIDs?!
Ed @ 7/31/2002 9:50:54 AM #
Jeroen, I've tried several times to email you at the address on your site with more CreatorIDs but it bounces back every time. You might want to have a talk with BigFoot.com.


---
News Editor

RE: Another list of CreatorIDs?!
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/5/2002 5:02:00 AM #
That's very strange. I've created an address at hotmail, creatorid@hotmail.com That should probably work for anyone. Maybe bigfoot refuses email from certain domains.

Regards,
Jeroen

Proporta Silver Cases

Beavis @ 7/29/2002 10:32:00 AM #
Great looking case. I think if I ever bought one, I'd need a case to protect the mirror finish on the silver case.

RE: Proporta Silver Cases
sandbuck @ 7/29/2002 4:04:21 PM #
That's just what I need. I'd spend my days running around like Rain Man in a closet, trying to keep it smear- and scratch free.

"Definetly scratched. Definetly dangerous to go outside"

GPS Stick

tpipher @ 7/29/2002 11:50:18 AM #
I am in bad need of a GPS for my 615, I found one from Sony but only in Jap! (http://shop.brando.com.hk/pega-msg1.php)
Has anyone tried this thing out? Does the driver support English?

RE: GPS Stick
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/29/2002 1:14:43 PM #
Yes, it works with English CLIEs.
RE: GPS Stick
jonr @ 7/29/2002 10:11:39 PM #
Hmm... I would like to see a review of that software. I'm a bit of a outdoor nut, where could I find a review of stuff like this?
J.

RE: GPS Stick
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/30/2002 8:42:56 AM #
I was the person who responded above. I made a mistake. The GPS memstick only has Japanese drivers. It was the Bluetooth memstick I was thinking of. Sorry.
RE: GPS Stick
Schorsch @ 8/4/2002 7:10:32 PM #
I have tried very hard to find a GPS which works with the T and NV 70 series.
I Have a Memory Stick GPS, but I didnīt get it to work untill today with any "common" OS navigationsoftware.
Tne MS GPS still works just with Navin you Pocket, which is only for Japanese maps.
There is comming a satellite plot viewer with th MS-GPS. Thats all untill today. Although the MS-GPS takes alot of power out of the Sony, so that you must already connect an 12V powercable to the Sony, when you like to use it as an Navigationsystem.
Finaly, I asked my hardwaresuplyer, to build an GPS to the practical needs for the "Sonnycommunity"

Yesterday i got my Sony GPS.

It is a "all in one"

12V plug, T and NV70 series, seriell connector and GPS-receifer.

The 12V plug charches the GPS and the Sony Palm at the same time. I like that very much, because after using my sony as "Navigator" i have a fully charched Palm too! The GPS is able to recife WAAS/EGNOS DGPS signal, so the possitioning will be accurate up to 1 Meter. It works with all PalmOS softwares. Prices is 279 US-$

Georg

RE: GPS Stick
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/25/2002 2:08:27 PM #
Can you please tell me where I can purchase this English SONY GPS you're talking about?
RE: GPS Stick
I.M. Anonymous @ 9/24/2002 12:53:06 PM #
I believe the Memory Stick GPS supports only the Sony proprietary GPS protocol and not the standard NMEA. I don't believe any standard navigation software will work with it especially since the software needs to look for the PEGA-MSG1 device and actually turn on power to it.

There is one U.S. software package that does actually support this GPS if you can get it. It's a Golf application called StarCaddy (www.starcaddy.com).

Why use SD instead of CF?

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/29/2002 11:58:52 AM #
What are the advantages of SD over CF? CF costs half as much and is available in 512 MB and 1 Gig. I'd like to see a review article on the types of flash memory and why manufactures decided on a particular type. Why do PPC's use CF and Palm's use SD?
RE: Why use SD instead of CF?
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/29/2002 12:28:19 PM #
The main reason I've heard cited is size. It's a lot harder to fit a CF slot into a Palm V-size unit than an SD slot. You end up with either a bulge or a backpack, like the Visor Edge.
RE: Why use SD instead of CF?
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/29/2002 12:29:51 PM #
>Why do PPC's use CF and Palm's use SD

SIZE

RE: Why use SD instead of CF?
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/29/2002 12:57:30 PM #
ahh, because my Palm m500 can't take CF, duh!
RE: Why use SD instead of CF?
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/29/2002 1:01:10 PM #
I wish someone besides HandEra would use CompactFlash. I know that SD is smaller but CF is cheaper and has lots of peripherals like modems. I'd get a HandEra if it was color and not quite so big. I'm realistic and I know a PDA with a CF can't be as small as a m515 but it could be smaller than the HE330.
RE: Why use SD instead of CF?
sub_tex @ 7/29/2002 1:35:29 PM #
The HP Jornada PPC's are pretty slim and house a CF card no problem.

I would buy a Palm device with a CF slot any day.

RE: Why use SD instead of CF?
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/29/2002 2:40:12 PM #
The other reason to use SD instead of CF is power. The CF spec allows for relatively high power drain over what most Palms can handle.

> I know a PDA with a CF can't be as small as a m515
> but it could be smaller than the HE330.

I somehow doubt it. The 330 is already pretty small and light, for what it contains. It is smaller and lighter than any other device with SD and CF slots I am aware of.

The 330 isn't any bigger than the Jornada, and the 330 weighs less and handles type II CF cards (the Jornada only takes type I).

RE: Why use SD instead of CF?
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/29/2002 11:23:23 PM #
Another reason (though you wouldn't know it from Palm's implementation) is *speed*. SD rate across the bus is 10MB/s (mega BYTEs, not BITs!!) - CF is around 2.5MB/s from memory. Shame we are lumped with a very slow VFS/FAT implementation... :-(

At least with SDIO cards we *should* be seeing much higher rates than CF devices (eg scanners, GPS, GPRS etc), as they don't use the crappy VFS/FAT layer.


G.


RE: Why use SD instead of CF?
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/31/2002 8:47:40 AM #
> CF is around 2.5MB/s from memory.

CF is capable of speeds faster than that. Lexar makes 3.6MB/sec (their 24x) cards currently. It is really dependent on the the slot implementation. I think I've seen maximums on CF listed at 6MB/sec, but I don't even think that was a fixed value. There aren't any consumer devices that handle 10MB/sec SD either at the moment. Most devices you would buy today have faster CF slots than SD.

Of course I've also seen literature that SD can/will eventually go beyond 10MB/sec in the future as well.

256mb MS?

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/29/2002 1:08:32 PM #
i know 256mb Mstick doesnt exist,,, yet. but when it does how much do you think will it cost?

GS

RE: 256mb MS?
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/30/2002 6:53:03 AM #
"i know 256mb Mstick doesnt exist,,, yet. but when it does how much do you think will it cost?"

I would say that it will cost about the same as the 256MB SD cards and not much more.

But Sony had better get there butts in gear. A new format was announced today for FujiFilm & Olympus cameras and they are saying they will have 256MB by the end of the year. These things are just planned for cameras at this time, but still...
Fujifilm announce xD Picture Card
www.dpreview.com/news/0207/02073002fujifilmxd.asp
Olympus announces xD-Picture Card!
www.imaging-resource.com/NEWS/1028022124.html

An argument against SD cards a few months back was that they cost more than Memory Stick cards. That is no longer true!

RE: 256mb MS?
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/30/2002 7:41:58 AM #
256, 512 and 1GB MS should be coming before the end of this year.
RE: 256mb MS?
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/30/2002 10:18:42 AM #
"256, 512 and 1GB MS should be coming before the end of this year."

And your source is?

The 256MB card should have been out already. I'd be impressed if they had a 512MB card out by the end of this year. 1GB would be big news. I would even stop calling it 'Betastick'.

SL10 not selling well

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/29/2002 3:50:54 PM #
They're dropping the price already!
RE: OSLO not going to sell well
I.M. Anonymous @ 7/29/2002 4:02:27 PM #
They dropping the product already.

The original Visor battery mod

I.M. Anonymous @ 7/31/2002 3:23:09 AM #
Stephanie's Visor Page - http://www.felesmagus.com/visor/ - more detailed instructions on how do to the battery mod, plus she wrote it first.
Credit where credit is due.
Palm_Otaku @ 8/5/2002 2:46:41 AM #
Well, Peter Strobel (referenced in the originally-linked page) was the first to do this mod. Till Harbaum later posted his variation on this theme.

So it's a cool mod, but hardly original ;)

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