1src Forums - PowerRun vs ZLauncher abilities

addict

02-21-2003, 12:40 PM

Being an NX owner, I'm interested in moving some apps onto MS. The NX-Series forum is full of people recommending PowerRun 1.2 for this, but I'm wondering if I have the same (or similar) capability in my [registered] ZLauncher app.

Will the ZLauncher app mover capability free up space on the CLIE and still allow me to run my apps at acceptable speeds?

Can I move apps from ROM?

Do I need to know what directory to put stuff in on the MS in order to make it work or is it automagic? If so, what are the ZL directories?

I've looked for info in the ZL README but didn't see anything difinitive.

emmert

02-21-2003, 12:57 PM

The big difference between zLauncher and PowerRun is that PowerRun allows you to put the data files on the card too. When you move a file to the card with PowerRun, it creates a directory with that app's name and copies all the data files to that directory also with the prc. When the file is run, the app and data are copied to internal RAM. When the app is closed, the data files that have changed are copied back to the card. The files that have not changed are deleted.

PowerRun really does have a benefit over launchers that simply copy the app to/from the card.

ojleblanc

02-21-2003, 01:06 PM

emmert,

Thanks for the explanation. I was wondering about this very issue.

rhart00

02-21-2003, 01:07 PM

I don't think you can even compare these two. It's like comparing apples to oranges. emmert explained what powerrun does well. zlauncher only moves the program file to MS, somtimes causing conflicts because the program can't find data files, databases, etc. I use both powerrun and zlauncher on my clie and it works great.

addict

02-21-2003, 01:16 PM

Originally posted by rhart00
I don't think you can even compare these two. It's like comparing apples to oranges. emmert explained what powerrun does well. zlauncher only moves the program file to MS, somtimes causing conflicts because the program can't find data files, databases, etc. I use both powerrun and zlauncher on my clie and it works great.

What situations are better suited for ZL?

What situations are better suited for PowerRun?

addict

02-21-2003, 01:18 PM

FYI, tanker_bob has a very informative section (http://www.tankerbob.com/palm/memory_vfs.htm) of his web site on expansion cards and VFS. Unfortunately, ZLauncher is not specifically mentioned.

cbulock

02-21-2003, 01:36 PM

ZLauncher basicly works the same way the built-in launcher does for handling running apps off the Memory Stick. The only difference is that ZLauncher allow you to catagorize the apps.

rhart00

02-21-2003, 01:53 PM

Originally posted by addict

What situations are better suited for ZL?

What situations are better suited for PowerRun?

I use zlauncher as a launcher for all my programs and I use powerrun to move programs to and from the memory stick. zlauncher can launch programs moved to memory stick by powerrun.

n2ifp

02-21-2003, 08:42 PM

I just use ZLauncher and that's all I have needed so far. Now if I had to use NetFront, it might be a different story. Since I hate NetFront, it's not a problem...

rldunn

02-21-2003, 10:10 PM

I'm a registered version of PowerRun from way back in my S300 days and I retried it when I moved to my NX, but I just didn't like it as much as using either LX or ZL to launch MS apps. I did some quick tests, and when PowerRun is just launching the main app and no databases, I think LX/ZL launch a little faster. And with my setup, my databases are so small that it's not a big deal to have them in RAM. YMMV.

profvisor

02-22-2003, 10:32 AM

I have been able to move everything I wanted/needed to with Zlauncher except for Netfront. That gave me a lot of errors when I tried to do it that way. So, currently, I have everything moved with zlauncher except Netfront, which I moved with powerrun. The only other advantage I see to powerrun (besides the database issue mentioned above) is that it gives each program it's own folder on the MS (rather than throwing them all in launcher) which looks a little less cluttered....

Narniahopper

02-22-2003, 11:01 AM

On a complete side note, the newest version of ZLauncher utilizes two status bars when you launch an app from MS. The top bar shows "1/1", the second shows the directory and file being launched, ex. "/Palm/Launcher/Joust.PRC".

I could be wrong, but it looks like, in the future, ZLauncher may allow you to launch two files from the MS at the same time. This would theoretically give one the ability to store and launch associated databases from the MS as well.

Sideway

02-22-2003, 02:25 PM

To me it looks like part of the file manager they promised. You know, moving multiple files between RAM and ROM. They're probably using the same code for launching apps.

I guess we'll have to wait and see.

tanker_bob

02-22-2003, 09:02 PM

Originally posted by addict
FYI, tanker_bob has a very informative section (http://www.tankerbob.com/palm/memory_vfs.htm) of his web site on expansion cards and VFS. Unfortunately, ZLauncher is not specifically mentioned.
Thanks for the endorsement! :)

I have a review of ZLauncher on PDA Avenue (http://www.pdaavenue.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=85). Others have covered the comparison to PowerRun very well. The bottom line is that PowerRun is really a single-purpose used to keep an app and its data on the memory card and still be able to change the data when the app is executed. ZLauncher allows you to launch apps from the memory card (like the built-in launcher but much better), but doesn't handle the data files in the current versions. However, ZLauncher and other third party launchers offer far more than simple app execution tasks.

ojleblanc

02-22-2003, 09:20 PM

Someone on the boards mentioned that they move apps to the MS via Silver Screen. Can someone tell me whether Silver Screen also moves the database associated with an app (ala PowerRun) or just the app?

Many thanks,

cbulock

02-23-2003, 01:00 AM

Originally posted by ojleblanc
Someone on the boards mentioned that they move apps to the MS via Silver Screen. Can someone tell me whether Silver Screen also moves the database associated with an app (ala PowerRun) or just the app?

Many thanks,

No, Silver Screen works just ike any other launcher, it just moves the apps.

gyffes

03-03-2003, 03:33 PM

In the ZLauncher v PowerRun debate, where does (the much lauded) Launcher X fall?

Thx from a BRAND NEW (heck it hasn't even arrived, yet!) handheld user.

rldunn

03-03-2003, 03:40 PM

Without turning this into yet another launcher debate, I'll only focus on the part of the launcher that runs apps off of the MS. With regard to that, I didn't notice any difference at all between LX and ZL, and I'm a registered user of both.

Anita

03-03-2003, 03:50 PM

I only use Zlauncher (and before that Yishow) to move apps to MS and I don't have any trouble with that. My biggest hog is Docs to Go and it has its own MS management system, including syncing databases to MS. I have Isilo in Ram -- though I could move it to the stick -- but ALL of my Isilo docs are on the MS and are read right off the stick (Isilo sets up a directory for it). The Isilo hotsync conduit recognizes the stick.

With the exception of Docs to go, with its built-in MS conduit, I'm a little concerned about moving databases to ram if they are databases that are often changed and synced. But I've had NO trouble using the third-party launchers to move and run apps off the stick.

I even moved PDA cookbook and its database to the stick for a while, just as a test, and it ran fine. The PDA Cookbook hotsync conduit, however, doesn't recognize external memory, so it would not be possible to update the cookbook database.

So I guess it depends on what apps you have, how many apps you need to move, and whether or not those apps are already set up for memory stick use. In my case, I moved some least-used apps to the stick and then use the built-in conduits of the other apps to use the stick. I still have a decent amount of room and haven't had (yet) to move some of the other trickier apps to the stick, so the launcher capabilities have been fine.

Anita

*YellowRose*

03-03-2003, 04:11 PM

I love PowerRun.  It would be worth the money for 1 app only (for me) and that's TVBrowser.  Those databases are 2.5 meg (I update a week at a time...).  When a new one loads (it's automatic), all I have to do is run & close the program, and PR automagically copies the new database over the old.   If it only worked for 1 program at a time, it'd be worth it for this.

Just my nickel...:)

rhart00

03-03-2003, 05:40 PM

Originally posted by *YellowRose*
I love PowerRun.  It would be worth the money for 1 app only (for me) and that's TVBrowser.  Those databases are 2.5 meg (I update a week at a time...).  When a new one loads (it's automatic), all I have to do is run & close the program, and PR automagically copies the new database over the old.   If it only worked for 1 program at a time, it'd be worth it for this.

Just my nickel...:)

well said. powerrun is great!

TheUltimate

03-04-2003, 08:01 PM

If you wanna save some room on your clie use power run, becuase it moves all the files link to the one program on to the memory stick, and also saves any additional data from the application onto the memory stick also!! Its a must have app!

alfa12

03-06-2003, 02:11 AM

MegaLauncher also moves data-files from and to the MS... Is that then the same as powerrun?

ivanteo

03-23-2003, 05:59 AM

Originally posted by alfa12
MegaLauncher also moves data-files from and to the MS... Is that then the same as powerrun?

I would like to know if ML's capability is the same as powerrun too.

tanker_bob

03-23-2003, 06:41 AM

Corrected, see below.

alfa12

03-23-2003, 07:26 AM

But why does ML ask me if I want to transfer also db´s to the MS when I want to transfer a app to the MS??

n2ifp

03-23-2003, 07:43 AM

YiShow will copy both to RAM and then it deletes them from RAM. The only caveat is that the db file on the stick, doesn't get updated. Also when you select this option, it applies to all apps that are on the stick.

PowerRun can hotsync apps too!

tanker_bob

03-23-2003, 07:51 AM

I sit corrected. I found the following in the ML manual:

"The "Copy data at start" function appears in "Advanced mode" only. When this check box is selected all the databases stored on the ext. card copy to the main memory at the start of the application and delete after the application is exited. If this application data were changed, all the replacements would be lost."

Sounds the same as YiShow as described by n2ifp. Sorry about my misstatement.

abe214

03-23-2003, 08:19 AM

This is kinda off-topic, sorry for the intrusion, but is there a way to remove the icon overlay in PowerRun? It somehow messes up icons under ZL.

Peace!

theredtomato

03-24-2003, 01:40 PM

Query: I've been told that with Power Run I can move an application to the MS, and then synch. I am not having any luck doing this. Any suggestions?

Narniahopper

03-24-2003, 02:09 PM

Originally posted by theredtomato
Query: I've been told that with Power Run I can move an application to the MS, and then synch. I am not having any luck doing this. Any suggestions?

This works on some apps, doesn't on others. Examples of programs that will sync: SplashPhoto, PocketQuicken2

Programs that won't sync: ThoughManager, WorldMate

Beavis

03-24-2003, 02:11 PM

Combine PowerRun with Invisible to hide the apps you don't use.

sebring

03-24-2003, 02:48 PM

Originally posted by ivanteo

I would like to know if ML's capability is the same as powerrun too.

ML capabilities are more like PiDirect and MSMount than PowerRun. The main difference being speed (PowerRun is much slower) and PowerRun's support of editable databases, which none of the others support.

PowerRun has several advantages:
1) Ability to move editable DBs to MS
2) Seems to support moving apps to MS that normally must be in RAM to sync (works with Worldmate anyway)
3) Small file size.
4) Does what it claims.
Negative:
PowerRun is painfully slow on my N610. Unacceptably slow. (This may not be an issue with newer devices with much faster processors).

Edited: I retract my comment that Worldmate syncs correctly using PowerRun. The next time I ran it, I got a crash and another copy of Worldmate left in RAM.

gyffes

03-25-2003, 08:03 AM

When you say, "much slower," does this take into account the 200mhz Clie's? 'Cause, although I have to stand there for a moment and watch while PowerRun shoves a bunch of files around, it really takes but moments.

That doesn' seem much like "much" slower, really. Realworld, it's what -- a second? Two?

theredtomato

03-25-2003, 10:33 AM

Beavis - What is "Invisible"?

n2ifp

03-25-2003, 08:33 PM

Originally posted by theredtomato
Beavis - What is "Invisible"?

Hi Steve!

I am not sure what he means either. He could mean invisible tabs inside a launcher, the file with hidden attribute enabled, or an option in PowerRun. 

rogerran

03-26-2003, 01:51 AM

it is a program that hides the icons that you don't use they dont take up space on your launcher screen

sebring

03-26-2003, 07:17 AM

Originally posted by gyffes
When you say, "much slower," does this take into account the 200mhz Clie's? 'Cause, although I have to stand there for a moment and watch while PowerRun shoves a bunch of files around, it really takes but moments.

That doesn' seem much like "much" slower, really. Realworld, it's what -- a second? Two?

As an example of much slower. It takes PR 26sec to load Pocket TV Browser and it's data, compared to only a second or two if I put Pocket TV Browser on MS using my launcher and store the large data file on MS using MSMount. This is on a N610. If you read the remainder of my post, I acknowledged PR may be faster on the newer devices.

The main purpose of my post was to caution users of older devices to try PR on their device before they buy based on the many glowing reports in this forum, since many of the glowing reports are coming from folks with the 200mhz OS5 systems that also cannot use MSMount or PiDirect.

Beavis

03-26-2003, 07:26 AM

Invisible can be found here:

http://www.palmgadget.com/palminvi.html

like rogerran said, it is a program that hides the icons that you don't use so they dont take up space on your launcher screen. It works great with the new OS 5 Clie Launcher.

sebring

03-26-2003, 07:52 AM

Originally posted by Beavis
Invisible can be found here:

http://www.palmgadget.com/palminvi.html

like rogerran said, it is a program that hides the icons that you don't use so they dont take up space on your launcher screen. It works great with the new OS 5 Clie Launcher.

Beavis, does invisible do anything different from just changing the file's attribute to "hidden" using filez, zlauncher or another file manager?

gyffes

03-26-2003, 10:12 AM

Sorry, sebring; jumping about among the posts like I do, I didn't realize I'd left the NX-thread..

Beavis

03-26-2003, 01:35 PM

Invisible just makes it very easy to hide and unhide apps. They are all in one easy to find list. I can quickly see what is hidden and what is not without poking through the file attributes using a file manager.

The trial version doesn't appear to have any limitations on it other than a nag screen when you use it. I thought is was worth the five bucks.

theredtomato

03-26-2003, 01:54 PM

I installed Invisible, but it does not seem to work with Zlauncher.

sebring

03-27-2003, 12:45 PM

Originally posted by gyffes
Sorry, sebring; jumping about among the posts like I do, I didn't realize I'd left the NX-thread..

No problem. I'm not always sure where I am either.:)

sebring

03-27-2003, 12:47 PM

Originally posted by theredtomato
I installed Invisible, but it does not seem to work with Zlauncher.

Did you try refreshing apps after setting an app to be invisible?

theredtomato

03-27-2003, 01:05 PM

How do you refersh apps?

sebring

03-27-2003, 01:28 PM

Main menu-options-refresh applications. There is also a gadget for doing this that looks like two green arrows chasing each other in a circle, if you have that gadget selected for your ZLauncher tool bar. I haven't used invisible, but I do know if I use the ZLauncher file manager to set an app to hidden, I have to refresh apps for the icon to disappear.