Techie Newbie Qs

[Hobbesy]

So I'm reasonably technically inclined (or at least I thought I was) but completely new to the whole Palm scene. I just got a T3 and was trying to customize it to my tastes.

I installed ZLauncher and man I can't even download a background image. Everything seems to 'install' as a jpg. I can view them with the Photos, but don't see the files in the ZL Theme Manager. What am I missing?

If it makes a difference, I don't have an SD card yet as I was hoping all the SD issues would be sorted out by the time I needed the extra memory.

Also can someone answer some Q's I have or point me out to some site where I can start the learning how everything interracts?

e.g.
1) 64 Mb RAM is that SRAM or flash?
2) Are the built-in apps in ROM (i.e. can never be changed)?
3) How is the built-in RAM different from the SD card?
4) Why can't I play a 'test' mp3 off of the internal RAM?
5) What's all that 'crap' I see with the File Manager?

It's a pretty cool new toy and I'm just looking for basic info to start using it.

Thanks.

H

[keelinlee]

Originally posted by Hobbesy
So I'm reasonably technically inclined (or at least I thought I was) but completely new to the whole Palm scene. I just got a T3 and was trying to customize it to my tastes.

Congratulation :)

I installed ZLauncher and man I can't even download a background image. Everything seems to 'install' as a jpg. I can view them with the Photos, but don't see the files in the ZL Theme Manager. What am I missing?

Install JpegLib from ZLauncher plug in

If it makes a difference, I don't have an SD card yet as I was hoping all the SD issues would be sorted out by the time I needed the extra memory.

Yes, you absolutely need the external memory card. But, please go for Japanese brand SD card.

Also can someone answer some Q's I have or point me out to some site where I can start the learning how everything interracts?

e.g.
1) 64 Mb RAM is that SRAM or flash?

Is SDram

2) Are the built-in apps in ROM (i.e. can never be changed)?

Yes, all built in apps is in ROM.
At this, Jack Sprat does not support T T|3.

3) How is the built-in RAM different from the SD card?

Faster, instant access.

4) Why can't I play a 'test' mp3 off of the internal RAM?

Because mp3 cannot be recongnize in RAM, must allocate in memory card

5) What's all that 'crap' I see with the File Manager?

What's crap? :confused:

[BMEngineer]

keelin has answered all your queries!

[n0m0n]

quote:I installed ZLauncher and man I can't even download a background image. Everything seems to 'install' as a jpg. I can view them with the Photos, but don't see the files in the ZL Theme Manager. What am I missing?



quote: Install JpegLib from ZLauncher plug in

Do you think maybe the back images might be for Sony units???
I has a problem using back images no matter how I got them onto my unit.
I also could view them as Photo's.
Yet when I installed them into my Clie NX80v there they were...
I did have JpegLib installed at the time.
If I am missing something then get I will re sync the puppy's back onto my T3, but im not to sure they are going to work.
Correct me if I am wrong so I to can enjoy my toy.

[Hobbesy]

Hey thanks for the info. I'll try it out.

BTW, I can change the background with a PDB file. Can I convert a JPG to the PDB format somehow?

Yeah I know I'll need the SD eventually, I just didn't want that hassle of it 'blowing' up or whatever is happening to them.

SDRAM makes sense for density but I would have thought it would consume too much power. I guess Jack Sprat will eventually allow us to write to the flash ROM then.

The crap I was seeing I guess is just all of the support files for the apps in some flat directory structure. I was trying to find the JPG file I wanted to use and install as the background image.

Thanks again,

[n0m0n]

Originally posted by Hobbesy
Hey thanks for the info. I'll try it out.

BTW, I can change the background with a PDB file. Can I convert a JPG to the PDB format somehow?

Yeah I know I'll need the SD eventually, I just didn't want that hassle of it 'blowing' up or whatever is happening to them.

SDRAM makes sense for density but I would have thought it would consume too much power. I guess Jack Sprat will eventually allow us to write to the flash ROM then.

The crap I was seeing I guess is just all of the support files for the apps in some flat directory structure. I was trying to find the JPG file I wanted to use and install as the background image.

Thanks again,


No you have that backwards.
JackSprat removes ROM apps.
JackFlash puts app in the ROM.

[keelinlee]

Originally posted by Hobbesy
Hey thanks for the info. I'll try it out.

BTW, I can change the background with a PDB file. Can I convert a JPG to the PDB format somehow?...

Yes, Zlauncher will auto convert all your background pictures from JPEG to PDB


The crap I was seeing I guess is just all of the support files for the apps in some flat directory structure. I was trying to find the JPG file I wanted to use and install as the background image.
Thanks again,

Suggest to look for light color background picture

[cbulock]

About the JPEG files. You can't just Hotsync the backgrounds to the RAM if they are not already in .PDB format. The only way to use JPEG's is to have an SD card.

[Alsicole]

This has been covered before, but for the newbies I'll clear things up as the ZLauncher manual is not completely explicit.

If you have a Sony PDA you can use a JPG as a background image.
If you have a Palm PDA you need to use a BMP as a background image.

For Palm users
You cannot hotsync the BMP to your SD card, it will convert it to JPG during the process and stop you using it.
You will need to copy the BMP to your SD card using either CardExport or a card reader.
You need to install it in Palm/Programs/ZLauncher/BackImage.
Make sure you convert the image to the correct size for your screen or you will get a 'tiled' image.
Once you have done all of this then you will need to select the App Menu, Theme Manager, Back Image Tab. Highlight the file you want to use and press OK. You should then get the backimage you want.

[n0m0n]

What about for the themes???
Is the above hold true for them also???
Thanks

[Alsicole]

You need to install them into Palm/Programs/ZLauncher/Themes

The difference is that the themes are actually Palm .prc type files, so should sync directly into the right place if you hotsync.

The issue is really with how Palm treats .bmp files, so it's really only the back images that should be a problem.

If you buy a theme and background package, you'll be able to install the theme file as normal but the back image .bmp will need to be installed using the method I described before.

[n0m0n]

I have Themes that I have tried to hot sync over and they will not show up.
ZL_Jeep_Sony_64k for one.
I when I open the zip ZL files I only find ones with the word _Sony
_ in them.
They work on my NX, but I can't seem to be able to figure out how to get them onto the T3 and use them?

[JwY]

Originally posted by n0m0n
I have Themes that I have tried to hot sync over and they will not show up.
ZL_Jeep_Sony_64k for one.
I when I open the zip ZL files I only find ones with the word _Sony
_ in them.
They work on my NX, but I can't seem to be able to figure out how to get them onto the T3 and use them?

anything with sony skins don't work with palm
they need to be converted to os5 to work

[n0m0n]

Ok can you direct me as to where I may locate skins that work on this T3?
I can't seem to find any.
Also you said converted to OS5... How?

[cbulock]

With the latest beta version (and maybe the latest release version), you can use JPEG files on Palm devices. You just need to install the JPEGLib plug-in as keelin mentioned. But that will still require an external media card.

[Alsicole]

I have a ZLauncher theme and background I bought from Palmgear (for a couple of dollars). The zip file came with lots of different file options - hi-res, low-res, 320x320, sony etc. You just need to pick the right one.

Most of these are available as trial versions, so make sure you don't buy one that only has Sony versions.

[Hobbesy]

Thanks for clearing this up. I have been struggling with this, but it seems that until I get my SD card I'll have to live with the background that came with ZLauncher.