launcher vs. PiDirect

[Unregistered]

I have a Sony n610c, and run my MS with PiDirect. After reading numerous reviews, I hvae decided to get a launcher such as Zlauncher. Questions for you:

Would I still use PiDirect, or would I get rid of it?
Would I need to move files on MS to a new directory?

Thanks!

[yorrick]

These two programs are related, but they serve two very different purposes.

The launcher can manage some programs from MS in the default directory /Palm/Launcher, but the problem is that if you have a large executable or database, it will need to copy the entire file over to RAM before running it.

PiDirectII does a better job in that it still does this, but it only copies sections of the code that it needs to run to RAM for it to run, so the memory overhead is a lot less.

I rarely use PiDirect these days as I have optimised my program usage to work around these limitations (and also avoiding the resets once you run out of memory using PiDirect! :) )

The way to optimise your memory usage as follows (from best to worst...)
1) Use the flash RAM if possible (utility called JackFlash/Jacksprat).

2) Take advantage of programs that are VFS aware (Example : Isilo will reference RAM and /Palm/Programs/isilo)

3) Small executables (under 150kb or so) can be moved (using most 3rd party launchers) to /Palm/Launcher.
3a) Avoid moving databases and everything to /Palm/Launcher. You only slow the launcher down!

4) As a final step, VFS managers like PiDirect etc.
4a) Keep enough RAM in the PDA for the largest program that you may end up running!
4b) You will need to keep a base of 1.5-2Mb of RAM in the PDA for stack heap etc for the PDA to use. If you have <100kB of RAM and try to run a large program, it will do a soft reset!

Hope this helps!
BTW - please register with ClieSource. It would be great for you to join us! :)

[sebring]

There would be no reason to get rid of PiDirect, since ZLauncher and PiDirect really perform mostly different functions. While PiDirect is capable of running some apps from MS, it's strength is in it's ability to access large read only databases from MS, a capability ZLauncher does not yet possess. ZLauncher on the other hand is superior for running apps from MS, IMO, and offers extensive options for customizing your interface, as well as a very robust, full featured file manager (functions not available in PiDirect).

I currently use ZLauncher, MSMount (similar to PiDirect) and PowerRun, to maximize my free RAM. Each of the three has it's own strengths that the other two don't.

As much as I love ZLauncher, I don't use it on my N610 (just my NR), because of it's RAM requirement (approximately 1mb, without a background image). The N610 only has 8mb of RAM to start with and only 7mb is available to the user. I'd recommend you take advantage of the 30day trial period with ZLauncher before you commit, to see if you can live with it's RAM usage.

[DrDoug]

Thanks for your help. Excellent information, and hard to find compiled anywhere else.

Yes, memory is a big issue with my N610, and I move as much to MS as possible and use PiDirect. I am a physician and run one large program, ePocrates, which cunsumes nearly 3MB of RAM, so with a datebook enhancer, document reader, etc., it's a stretch to keep 1MB open! (Right now, 941kB!) Interestingly, the ZLauncher web site says it requres "at least 350kB free." You say 1MB - are they being misleading here?

Is there a smaller launcher that would add significant functionality to the N610?

BTW, I did try to register, but the email never came through to me, so the registration didn't "take." I'll try again.

[sebring]

The following is a comparison chart of several of the popular launchers.

http://www.launchplug.com/Launcher_chart.html

Since ZLauncher has such frequent updates, it isn't very current in it's ZLauncher information. ZLauncher is currently on v3.12 (release) and v3.20 (beta 4). Each successive release has significant increases in functionality. These increases in functionality do not seem to significantly increase the size of ZLauncher. On my NR, ZLauncher by itself is 333kb, the skin, of which one is required is 215kb and it's database is 290kb. I also have hires ZLauncher icons installed (optional) which use 120kb.

There are also other launchers, not listed on the chart. Launcher X may be the smallest RAM footprint launcher, with robust capabilities, but it suffers from terrible customer support, based on posts on this site, and isn't nearly as customizable as ZLauncher.

[tanker_bob]

I use both PiDirect II and ZLauncher, heavily optimizing RAM usage on my T665C. I have 70 files under PiD and 66 under /Palm/Launcher/, and most of my apps are VFS-compliant. I also use ePocrates 6.0 Pro, and wish it could put its data on the card.

As has been said, PiDirect provides the fastest access to large, read-only databases because it only loads the portion needed into RAM. PowerRun loads the entire database into RAM which takes a while with 1 MB+ DBs, although that's necessary if you're going to edit the database. I even use PiD for large WordSmith files I have for reference because PiD loads them faster than WS.

ZL can be loaded and run from your Flash, so you might look into JackSprat and JackFlash. Be sure to read the primer on my website before installing and running them, though.

[breakfastchef]

I also am using an N610 and ZLauncher. There is one key issue that has not&nbsp;been mentioned in this PiDirect II discussion. I launch most of my programs from ZL, BUT any app that has a conduit to the PC is placed into the PiDirect folder on MS. If PiDirect is active during a hotsynch, any DBs in RAM can be synched with the corresponsing app under the control of PiDirect. With ZL and PiDirect, I generally can keep 1.5 MB free.

If you run ZL without a background or any upgraded icons you can save over 300K. Aside from buying a new Clie with more RAM, you can get a 32MB memory upgrade for the N610.

If you are looking for a simple, tabbed launcher, ClieLauncher 0.2 is pretty stripped down but more functional than the standard launcher.

Larry