What's "Uncompressor"?

[crh3f]

Looking down my "delete" list, there's something called "Uncompressor" that takes up a rather significant amount of my space (seeing as I've got 1.2mb left).

Anyone know what this is? Do I need it?

[Shrink]

If you're running ePocrates you do need it.
alan

[crh3f]

Yup, I am.

Damn that program takes up some space! I might think about running it off the MS...free up some valuable space! Can you even do that? Installation's not like a regular *.prc file...may not be able to run it off of there!

[Medcat99]

No, you can't run off the MS very successfully. I've heard that some people got it going with PIDirect, but it was VERY slow. My advice is to dump Epocrates and get Tarascon Version. It has the same info. and runs off the card without any problems. All in all, I do like Epocrates, but I need the space. If I'm going to pay for a program, it better have memory card support. Epocrates has been VERY about this, and, in my opinion, I don't really think they are even working on it. Very bad move especially for a program that takes up so much space. Maybe with Tarascon out there now, the Epocrates people will start moving a little quicker.

[Medcat99]

Here's the address:

http://www.usbmis-test.com/beta/beta_test.php

[Medcat99]

Curious, I just did a check and noticed I had the same file....Is this thing used for anything else besides Epocrates?

[crh3f]

I'd like to know the same thing...

Also, I just got rid of Epocrates...does anyone know exactly which files I can delete (can I get rid of Uncompressor?) I got rid of "EpoxLaunch", "Epocrates," and a couple of the "nc" databases I knew were associated. Are "FormFixExtn" and "HoldExtn" associated? What about "DSPHandlerPatch"? "MathLib?" Ugh...what a pain in the butt program!

[Shrink]

DSP handler patch is a Sony file.
Math Lib is a separate library used by numerous other apps.
I just downloaded the Tarascon program (beta) but haven't installed it yet. Any feedback about it, maybe compared to ePocrates?
Thanks
alan

[Medcat99]

Very good. I do like the updates and info you get from Epocrates, but it's not worth the memory it takes up. Just hotsync the prc file to the main machine and the pdb files to the memory card and your set to go. It takes a little time to unpack the files when you run it for the first time, but not big deal. The only real problem I found is that it takes about 5-6 seconds to load. I wish they could get it downs to 2-3. The delay isn't too painful, but it could be faster. Still, having all the memory from Epocrates back makes it all worthwhile. Content is very good and it has allot of the features of Epocrates including interactions, herbal guides, and some calculators. All in all, I think the only thing that I miss is the autoupdates.

Come on Epocrates, get on the ball and come up with a memory card version. Until they do, Tarascon is the way to go.

[Medcat99]

By the way, has anyone successfully deleted the uncompressor program?

[Shrink]

Come on Epocrates, get on the ball and come up with a memory card version. Until they do, Tarascon is the way to go. [/B][/QUOTE]
I just spoke with tech support at ePocratesPro and they said there are no plans at this time to release a VFS compatible version. "Too easy to beam" and therefore too many unauthorized copies would be available.
alan

[Medcat99]

Well, that settles that. I guess I'll be using Tarascon until Epocrates wakes up and realizes that there are ways to protect the software, or until Sony makes a device with ample memory. Epocrates loss really, but more and more physicians are going to Tarascon for the space issue. Too bad....

[leo_clie]

Originally posted by crh3f
I'd like to know the same thing...

"HoldExtn" ... "DSPHandlerPatch"? "MathLib?" Ugh...what a pain in the butt program!

The first two pieces are taken from the NR-Update whereas the first is only in the US-Update. Don't know what this is, but viewing it with Rsc-Editor it's only the Hold-Display. The second corrects an official bug of the NR which was NR-switch off => Cradle => Hotsync Button => NR turns on INSTEAD of starting the Hotsync immediately. I blamed for this Easylock-Dev. but fortunately wasn't his business.

Well and the last is just something for Math-Calculation. Some progs require additional Mathematic calculation (SIN, TAN, COS), etc. and they require this lib.

[crh3f]

I've installed Tarascon now, and so far like it. Seems just as functional, if not more so, than the free version of Epocrates.

By the way, I've got all the files (prc, etc) installed to the MS, working just fine.

Thanks everyone for the feedback on those other files...glad I didn't get rid of some of them!

[JohnH]

So I checked out Tarascon and am wondering what its memory advantage might be... is it just that you can install it to a MS?

I'm running an SJ-20 w/o any MS... The free version of ePocrates seems to take about 2.5mb (if you add it's various bits and pieces). The website says that Tarascon will require 3.5mb.

So the question is: If you're just going to run it from RAM, is there any advantage over ePocrates?

~JohnH

[Medcat99]

If memory is not an issue for you, then it probably doesn't matter what program you choose, although I will say the the Tarascon version is much nicer looking than the free version of Epocrates. In about a month, you will have to pay for the Tarascon version as well, and then there will be no advantage if you don't use external storage. Memory not being an issue, I would like to use Epocrates because I like the DocAlerts. For me, it's a no brainer to pay for Tarascon because of my need for space.

One last question....Did we ever resolve whether or not you can safetly remove uncompressor?

[JohnH]

Thanks for the info...

[PurpleMD]

ePharmacopeia doesn't update does it?

There is also a free Palm version of the PDR
www.pdr.net