Launchers

[jmccullough]

Can you share your thoughts about the launchers that are available? I've been using Launcher III on my Vx and I've just bought a Sony T665C.

I've been thinking of changing and I demoed ZLauncher the other day, but it was so ugly I dumped it almost right away.

I was also thinking of moving to Launcher X, but I keep hearing bad things about tech support, so I'm a bit leery of that.

Finally, what about CRS Launcher, and where is it available?

Among these choices and others, is there one that you think is best at managing information and programs both in RAM and on the Memory Stick?

Thanks for whatever information you can provide.

[aaronrkelly]

Try YiShow, you can get it at palmgear - thats what I use. It has a simplier interface then ZLauncher but it also lacks alot of features that ZLauncher has....I use it and it works well for me.

[Mastervtec]

me too, Yishow all the way!!

[Sid]

I would suggest giving ZLauncher a second look (especially if you have a T665), it's very configurable and there are a good number of free themes available if the default one does not suit your taste. You have the power to make it ugly or pretty :)

[ckmoose]

I agree with Sid. I didn't like the look of ZLauncher at first, but it is so configurable and with the large, growing selection of themes, I'm sure you can find a way to make it look the way you want it to.

Before I tried ZLauncher, I used Megalauncher. It's very nice. I just didn't like the newest version.

I've tried literally all of the Launchers out there and have found MegaLauncher and ZLauncher to be the fastest, and most configurable.

I hope that helps a bit.

[T1000X]

I'd like a launcher that I could skin to look like the desktop of an OSX Apple system... and a VG skin to match.

[X Destruction]

http://www.cliesource.com/sdownload/download.php?id=3224

http://www.cliesource.com/sdownload/download.php?id=3532

Those two with zlauncher will make it look like osx.

[dorr1]

If it's all about tech support, then don't even bother with a Sony! LauncherX is GREAT! It's been very stable for me so I haven't needed any tech support. Try it!

[EventHorizon]

Why is everyone so adiment on getting launchers for their CLIE. I have tried both ZLauncher and Launcher X and I find myself still using the Palm OS...Maybe it's just me. I agree that it would be nice to have a launcher that I can customize, I like the tab idea. I just can't bring myself to buy a program just to open files/apps when my 665 came with a nice simple launcher that does everything that I need. I like to follow the K.I.S.S. ruls I suppose.

Before you all start replying to me saying I'm crazy to stick with the Palm OS, I'm just saying it's what I prefer.

[Sid]

Originally posted by EventHorizon
Why is everyone so adiment on getting launchers for their CLIE. I have tried both ZLauncher and Launcher X and I find myself still using the Palm OS...Maybe it's just me. I agree that it would be nice to have a launcher that I can customize, I like the tab idea. I just can't bring myself to buy a program just to open files/apps when my 665 came with a nice simple launcher that does everything that I need. I like to follow the K.I.S.S. ruls I suppose.

Before you all start replying to me saying I'm crazy to stick with the Palm OS, I'm just saying it's what I prefer.

If the default launcher meets your needs and you're happy with it, that's great! You're not crazy :)
It's nice that there are many customization choices available to the Clie owner.

[francois]

Yishow for me is simple, easy to manage and very customizable. For me simple and reliable is the best choice. I use Yishow for clie 5.3

[roakleyhall]

I went the launcher route when I found out it made it easier to deal with my expansion card located programs. Using LauncherX's shortcuts allows me to keep a lot of progams synced without worrrying about broken conduit links. LX has been stable and gets MS located programs up and running very fast.

[sindu]

Yishow makes my 665 more appealling....

[jetro]

i will go with Sid and say that you give zlauncher another look. You can make it look the way you want it. Just spend sometime with it and you will see. I dare say its the best launcher around. Pair it with a sony hires/hires+ and it shines :)

[riversen]

Just my $0.02... the ZLauncher has really improved in the last few weeks with a nice upgrade, a ton of new skins, icons, etc. If you look around, you can have virtually anything you want (Mac or Window XP look and feel, etc.). I use a science-like look. It is crisp and quick. For me it enhances my PDA look and feel while allowing to more functionality. After trying the rest (and being a bit turned off by ZLauncher at first), I really like the quickness and ease of it now for a great cost, too... lol.

[DanT]

MegaLauncher can be made to look clean, organized and appealing too. Here is a screenshot (http://www.cliesource.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=408&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500) of my tools folder. If you're willing to let someone (e.g., your kids or friends) to play games on your Clie, but you don't want them to get access to some of your private info, it also has lock folder, as shown here (http://www.cliesource.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=441&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500) in addition to hidden folders.  If you are into gadgets, buttons, and don't mind to look a bit messy, check this: http://www.cliesource.com/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=399&papass=&sort=1&thecat=500 

[riversen]

Lock folder... did I miss that? Was that added in the latest upgrade? Cool, if it was.

[DanT]

Not sure. I was happy with ML3.2.2 until finally decided to upgrade to 4.3. I'm glad I did.

My Clie is now child-proof, so to speak, with the lock folder. I put Application, Backup, FastCPU, FileZ, HotSync, JackSprat, JackFlash, JackSafe, McFile, MSBackup, MSImport, MSAutorun, PiDirectII, Prefs, and Security in that folder. So no one can get access to any file managers or can accidentally change the settings but me. I can let them play around with the games or mouse around with some general apps harmlessly. The apps in the lock folder would not be shown in the 'All' folder. You can't exit to the default launcher w/o the password. I set all of my MSs with MSAutorun to automatically launch ML upon inserting each MSs. So far I haven't seen any back door to the lock folder w/o entering password.  ML does a good job with this setup.

[Yuriv]

I think LauncherX is the best money that I've ever spent on a Palm application - beautiful to look at, extremely intuitive, and full-functioned. Unfortunately, I have read a few threads suggesting that support is now non-existent from the maker.
Thankfully I have never needed support!

[wnm]

I love LX and moved up from LIII. Unfortunately, many have reported support issues (I have never had a problem), and promised improvments look like they will never materialize.

[riversen]

Well, I know that the ZLauncher is the best one for the value. It is an ever developing tool that is really awesome. I love all of the new skins that they come out with all of the time.

[rav2b]

I liked Megalauncher, too, until the upgrade. Don't know why they had to change it rather than just updating it, but it felt so different. Now I'm using ZLauncher, which I had a tough time liking because it was so ugly. Thanks to XDestruction for pointing me to the links to skins that look so much better!

[crittersmom]

I like Launcher X also. I suppose I could actually go read the manual, but does anyone know a way off the top of their head that I can add a background to it?

[Sid]

Originally posted by crittersmom
I like Launcher X also. I suppose I could actually go read the manual, but does anyone know a way off the top of their head that I can add a background to it?

Currently Launcher X does NOT support backgrounds.

[tanker_bob]

ZLauncher rules! It's the least expensive of the pack, and the most powerful and customizable. The file manager is super easy to use, and the Theme Manager makes backgrounds, icons, and skins a snap to use. ZZTech support is unbeatable. I've used most every launcher out there, bought three of them, and ZLauncher shames them all.

[sebring]

Originally posted by riversen
Lock folder... did I miss that? Was that added in the latest upgrade? Cool, if it was.

The locked category came in with V4. Unfortunately, they don't let you both hide and lock a category, you have to chose between the two.

[Keysralph]

I give LauncherX a score of 85%.

I give no other launchers more than 55%.

I have tried a dozen or so launchers. From Silverscreen, Megalauncher, Yishow, ZLauncher, Launcher III, to Clie Launcher, and CRS launcher.

Some had fancy photographs, but limited functionality. a few enjoyed crashing. All those with photos, I either regularly coughed, made program names difficult to read, or the program icons, that are supposed to easily draw your eyes to them were merged into photographs. What is the use of having highlight, if you highlight everything? Or how distracting is it to wear a pinstripe suit with pinstriped shirt, tie and shoes. This makes it very difficult to focus on the important. Like the difference Between Datebk5 and Datebk5 "wanabees" who try to get your attentions with colours, whilst promising you the world in functuality, in the "Next" version.

I think the idea of a photograth is great, and sometimes I wish for one on LauncherX, but not at the expense of legability. It will be available, at some point

There are die hard "Skin" users, who use "Skins" on other progams like Netscape, Opera, mobile phones, who will be happy with virtually any Launcher with a pretty photograph, regardless of performance, but if you want functionality, consider LauncherX.

I have temporarily removed LauncherX from my Sony, and did not realise how fast it is. The built in launcher is useless for those of us with Memorysticks. I have a T625, and am using around 24meg+ of the 32meg Memorystick memory, and because within the built in launcher, everything on the stick is clustered together as one catagory of your Memorystick, everytime you hit want to access a program on your card, you hit the catagory for Memorystick, and at present it takes my T625 12 to 16 seconds to find all the information on the card (if you have a 128 meg card, I would hate to think how long it would take) and that is before you even press the Icon to load that program. I have dis-abled "remember last catagory" in the built in launcher, to avoid another 12 to 16 seconds when leaving the program using the Home button, and it tries to read the card again, or the next time you return to the launcher.

Pros (things I like)
The best File system I have seen in any launcher, and now I am spoilt.

You can beam any file, or group of files, from anywhere on the card, or anywhere in RAM. Regardless wether that file normally shows a padlock for copywrite, or security.

You can copy to or from RAM, or Move any file, or group of files, from anywhere on the card, or anywhere in RAM. Regardless wether that file normally shows a padlock for copywrite, or security.

You can email any program or file, or more, for programs like Snapper.

LauncherX recognises all documents formats in RAM or on the Memorystick for Wordsmith, Quikword, Isolo, and Doc. Your documents display with the appropriate Program icon for that document. Press on the document launches program opening at that document. I have a catagory for documents showing all my Wordsmith Documents and Doc files.

Every time you move to Card, you can choose another location, make a new folder, and LauncherX remembers, and displays it. You can set a number of locations on your card and have LauncherX display everything in those folders in your launcher.

Unlike the built in launcher, and other programs like Zlauncher, LauncherX does not use everything on the card as one catagory (which can be 30 plus assorted programs on a 128meg card, consisting of mixtures of games and regular programs.). A shortcut, to each card program, is automatally mixed in with your RAM programs, allowing you put all your games together, and other catagory of programs together, regardless of wether they are on your card or in RAM. A tiny card symbol next to a program tells you that program is on the card. If you drag the Program Icon to a Card symbol on the LauncherX toolbar, you can transfer it to or from memorystick in a couple of seconds.

There are many skins available, and for each skin, you can choose: -

Normal - Like your built in launcher, but there is no Memorycard catagory, as all Memory card programs get merged into individual catagories of your choice.

Left hand Tabs

Small Left Hand Tabs - ideal if you want the tab to only display an icon, not the name.

Tabs on Top.

Right hand Tabs

Small Right Hand Tabs - ideal if you want the tab to only display an icon, not the name.


LauncherX comes with exellent customisation, especially for tiny print. You have different texts with or without embolding different colours, for, Tabs, Icon Text, and more, each catagory with different settings.

Icons can be up to 5 wide, Tiny, and more.


Things that would be nice
Photograph (coming) Maybe A different photograph on every Catagory.

Support for viewing OS5 HiDensity Program icons in OS4.1 SonyHiRes Clies. Like v3bhack, or to allow that hack to work from within LauncherX.

Currentlt to send programs, or Docs by email, we pressing the "email" icon and checking the boxes next to the files you want to send. It would be also be nice to drag a program, or Doc, to the "email" icon, like we already do for the other icons.

It would be nice if the new updated smaller Skin Maker released soon.

It would be nice to use Icon Manager, or an updated Resourse Edit for 16bit, to create and edit icons. etc.

It sometimes takes a while to get an answer when emailing, except when registerating. They appear to be faster now.

Anyway,

Good Luck

Ralph:)

Here are links.

Download
http://www.launcherx.com/download/files/local/lx_102.zip

Homepage
http://www.launcherx.com/

My Favourite Skin L3 High res OS4 Sony and OS5
http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?prodID=46242
A Forum for LauncherX
http://www.launcherxplanet.com/forums//index.php?act=SF&f=2

[tanker_bob]

Actually, ZLauncher does most of what you say you like and/or want--tab locations, card apps in any category/tab, high density icons, etc.--and a whole lot more. The support is outstanding, and all promised features are delivered. LauncherX has yet to deliver active skins or the Homer button, for instance, which were two of its big selling points. Oh, I know, it will be in the "Next" version.

Every launcher has its strengths and weaknesses, and I'm glad you like what you use. Competition makes the market stronger, benefiting everyone. I'd just suggest that you do your homework before critiquing software with which you are not familiar.

[Sid]

I'm using ZLauncher, of course :)
Sometimes, however, I take a break from a graphic background and use "none", but I still use ZLauncher.
One suggestion that I sent to ZZTechs is for ZL to have tha ability to display a graphic in only one Tab/Category, the remaining Tabs would have no graphic, that way I could have a "busy" graphic displayed on a "blank" category like "Unfiled" but then switch to an easily readable Tab like "Main" when I need to.

[riversen]

What about creating a background like Windows does with the arrangement of pixels and colors? Is that an impossible code task? I don't know, so I thought I would ask you guys. This way, I could create a nice design on my own.

[Keysralph]

I got irritated a bit with Zlauncher, but I'm dyslexic. I liked the idea of their High Density Icons built in, and others should copy that idea. I really wanted it to work out, and be (in my oppinion) as useful to me as LauncherX, or better. But I had difficulty with the tabs along the top. I hate having to scroll to the left and right through the different tabs, or the default way Palm uses the drop down menu, and prefer horizontal tabs fitting nearly twice as many catagory tabs available at any time. I get dizzy trying to focus on horizontal scrolling tabs.
I did think some looked nice, like Copper Deck was interesting, for something different. But the different settings for print and icons, for each catagory, and more in LauncherX kept me in there, for now. Every so often I take a break, to try the latest launchers.

I suppose the minimum preferred requirement, now i have been spoilt, is: -

All Programs on the card must be mixed in with programs in the RAM, so all Games, can be together in the same Tab, wether on card or in RAM. (Several Launchers do this)

Must have drag application to a card symbol to move app to and from card, and do so in seconds, as I shuffle my RAM, when needed.

Tabs should preferrably be on the right, allowing more catagories for immediate use. You don't have to shorten catagory titles, to fit more Tabs in, as you do with tabs at the top.

A manual overide for refresh card apps, to speed up Clie, everytime you hit home.

A decent file management that has no restrictions on what file in RAM or Card, is copied, moved, beamed, and to anywhere. Even with padlock symbols.

Recognises my Wordsmith Documents, anywhere, in RAM or CARD.

Doc recognition. And must allow me to assign my Doc Reader.

Hack recognition, allowing all hacks to appear in launcher.

Email is very nice. But to be honest, I am more likely to send applications, only around the time I change to OS5. However, I will send Wordsmith Docs, or simular.

Photos would be nice, if of Family, but I haven't found, in my oppinion, a suitable Launcher with Photos.

It must be fast, especially running off card.


Maybe I'll see something else, soon, but not yet.

The only two areas negative.

when LauncherX weren't answering their emails, during a three month period ending Feb, and that was a pain, as I had the serial number wrong, and it took nearly 3 months for them to answer, and only after I sent carbon copies to PalmGear, who chased them. Apparently, the take up was too much for them, as it came the number one downloaded software., overnight. That is no excuse, though, and I was determined to change to something else.

And the other is that, although LauncherX is the most Solid, I've used, out of those meeting close to my requirements, it is still can get corrupted by other faulty databases. Normally, if you ever get to the the type of Crash where the logo flashes on and off, LauncherX crashes after the reset, and you have to reassign a button to apps, or MSgate and delete LauncherX and prefs.

But there are no other alternatives for me at present.

Zlauncher gets good reviews.

Good Luck.

Ralph:)

LauncherX is Shareware $24.95 $18.95 until May-31-03
http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?prodID=1284

Zlauncher is Shareware $12.00
http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?prodID=43812

[joecat]

LauncherX

[Grandizer]

Another for ZLauncher. The guys at ZZTechs can't be beat for customer service. And they do listen to us folks and try to implement the requests in their next updates. They take their jobs so seriously, they even got back to us testers while they were on they're one week break (which they so greatly deserve).

At any rate, you'll seriously be amazed at what the next version will have. I know it knocked my socks off enough to get rid of YiShow permanently.