New ML Version in May...

[Utes Rule]

Look for a new version of ML in May along with new Skins and Icons (both tab icons and app icons) to be released by Megasoft.

I got another response from Maxim today with the suggestion that some of my suggetions will be implemented in the next version.

All the talk about how responsive and quick to update ZLauncher, but so far ML has been VERY responsive as well.

I LOVE ML!

[*YellowRose*]

Originally posted by Utes Rule
All the talk about how responsive and quick to update ZLauncher, but so far ML has been VERY responsive as well.

I LOVE ML! Hmmmmmm.

MegaLauncher will be updated next month.

ZLauncher will be updated next week. :D

BUT, as long as you like it, I say "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!"

[DanT]

Since you brought up ZL into this, I'm curious about its footprint, how big is it?

[tanker_bob]

Originally posted by Utes Rule
All the talk about how responsive and quick to update ZLauncher, but so far ML has been VERY responsive as well.

I LOVE ML!
You're "VERY" joking, right? Short memory:

ML 3.2.2 -> ML 4.0 = over 1 year

ZL 2.21 -> ZL 2.22 = 7 weeks
ZL 2.22 -> ZL 2.30 = 2 weeks
ZL 2.30 -> ZL 3.00 = 3 weeks

ZZTech also fixed a minor bug in 3.00 in one hour after it was reported. ML 4.0 wouldn't even run on many devices w/o locking up, and the bugs took weeks to sort out.

The additions between ZL 2.22 and 2.30 included an entirely new file manager. Between ML 3.2.2 and 4.0, MegaSoft2000 basically only added 16-bit color support and removed archiving.

I'm glad you like MegaLauncher. Competition makes the market stronger. However, it would be best to refrain from comparing ZZTech's responsiveness to MegaSoft's. There is no comparison there, and it insults the hard working folks at ZZTech.

[*YellowRose*]

Originally posted by DanT
Since you brought up ZL into this, I'm curious about its footprint, how big is it? Program is 312K, Skin is 213K (Aquawood-Sony HiRes) and both files are required.

If you use a background, it adds 200-300K depending on your type of clie.

[DanT]

Not bad at all, considering it has file manager too. ML4.3 seems a little bloated (386K for prc, 179 K for pdbs, 21K for category icons, 200K for background, so overall ML related footprint is about 786K) but after comparing the screenshots at the gallery section, I still like the looks of ML. It is very sharp down to the font of the icons.  Fortunately I like the default skin so no memory waste for skin.

[Utes Rule]

You said: "You're "VERY" joking, right? Short memory:

ML 3.2.2 -> ML 4.0 = over 1 year

ZL 2.21 -> ZL 2.22 = 7 weeks
ZL 2.22 -> ZL 2.30 = 2 weeks
ZL 2.30 -> ZL 3.00 = 3 weeks "

Granted, there was a long time between 3.2.2 and 4.0, but since then, there have been 3 updates and another on the way next month. Compared to YiShow or especially LauncherX, that is very timely. I have also been impressed with how Maxim has ALWAYS responded to my inquiries or questions.

I like ML. I have tried ZLauncher and it is a very nice product. In fact, there are some features of ZL that I wish ML had. Bottom line is that I already own 3 launchers (the default launcher, ML and SilverScreen) and I just can't justify spending money for another one (ZL) when it really isn't any better than ML in my opinion.

[tanker_bob]

When I reviewed ML 4.0, the 320x320x16-bit background, icon file, skin, and supporting databases tipped the scale at 1081K on my T665C. That's about the same as ZL, but without all of ZL's features. The ML 4.3 executable for Sony hi res is about 387K, as compared to about 324K for ZL 3.0. Also, ML backgrounds are bitmaps that weigh in at about 200K for 320x320. ZL's are the same size in RAM, but can be stored as jpgs on the MS averaging around 40K there.

ZLauncher takes the rap for its footprint, but MegaLauncher's RAM footprint is about the same and its background storage on the stick is much heavier. Even at that heavier weight, ML has fewer features overall and especially no file manager.

[tanker_bob]

Originally posted by Utes Rule
Granted, there was a long time between 3.2.2 and 4.0, but since then, there have been 3 updates and another on the way next month. Compared to YiShow or especially LauncherX, that is very timely. I have also been impressed with how Maxim has ALWAYS responded to my inquiries or questions.
My jaundiced opinion of MegaSoft2000 comes partly from my looooooong wait as a registered 3.2.2 customer. While YiShow and ZLauncher were blossoming, I was stuck waiting for over a year with 8-bit color support on my 16-bit color device. Beta testers were abandoned for months during the development process. That's unacceptable to me. When I finally had enough, I investigated and then registered ZLauncher and haven't looked back.

As a registered customer, I had problems with FastCPU 3.0. Maxim worked with me for about a week. When the problem wasn't resolved after a couple of tries, he evaporated and never again answered my inquiries. Other owners of T665C devices had the same experience. My registered FastCPU now lies in my hard disk's dust bin. He may be answering your emails today, but don't think it will become a habit.

OTOH, I've been emailing ZZTech for months, and regularly testing for them. They've answered every single email, and incorporated virtually every feature we users ever requested. They also gave logical explanations when they couldn't. All for less than 1/2 the price I paid for ML.

That's where I'm coming from. Hope you don't get burned the same way.

[DanT]

Thanks for what you and others (including ZL) have done. The pressures have finally worked on ML. :D

[Tixx]

Originally posted by tanker_bob

My jaundiced opinion of MegaSoft2000 comes partly from my looooooong wait as a registered 3.2.2 customer. While YiShow and ZLauncher were blossoming, I was stuck waiting for over a year with 8-bit color support on my 16-bit color device. Beta testers were abandoned for months during the development process. That's unacceptable to me. When I finally had enough, I investigated and then registered ZLauncher and haven't looked back.

As a registered customer, I had problems with FastCPU 3.0. Maxim worked with me for about a week. When the problem wasn't resolved after a couple of tries, he evaporated and never again answered my inquiries. Other owners of T665C devices had the same experience. My registered FastCPU now lies in my hard disk's dust bin. He may be answering your emails today, but don't think it will become a habit.

OTOH, I've been emailing ZZTech for months, and regularly testing for them. They've answered every single email, and incorporated virtually every feature we users ever requested. They also gave logical explanations when they couldn't. All for less than 1/2 the price I paid for ML.

That's where I'm coming from. Hope you don't get burned the same way.

I had the exact same experiences as above.

[Got_Clie?]

Did they send out a new code when old ML users upgraded to ML 4? I just upgraded a couple weeks ago, and this morning it asked for my code, I entered what I had (the 3.2.2 code) and it refuses it.

[DanT]

The reg. code for 4.x is different than the 3.2.2. They sent me upgraded notices for 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3. All of the 4.x reg. codes are the same.

After ML told me 4 times to upgrade, I finally gave in and upgraded my 3.2.2 straight to 4.3 and never looked back. I'm glad I did. There are so much more useful features in 4.3 that 3.2.2 didn't have, such as:
1. Background
2. Category icon
3. Lock category
4. Hidden category
5. Hidden bottom & top tool bars
6. External memory display
7. App icons

The lock and hidden categories are extremely useful for me.

So go ask Megasoft2000 for your new reg. code.

[Got_Clie?]

I sent them an email this morning. Hopefully I will have the code in my email by the time I get home this evening.