Z Launcher Pros & Cons?

[Ancient Mariner]

Being somewhat new to the world of PDAs, have heard and read a lot about Z Launcher. Just what does it do that is bigger, better, faster than the built in launcher? :confused:

[kcpirana]

I am thinking about getting a launcher, too, and was directed to this article (http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/software/palm_launchers.htm), which compares them. I'm not familiar w/ ZLauncher per sea, but there's some great launcher info here. :)

[matrix42]

The best bet to see what Zlauncher can do is to give it a try, if you don't want to install it, sit down with a couple of cups of coffee and go through the manual, the latest release 4.01 has just been posted at the regular places.

All after market launchers have a huge variety of improvement/features/functions beyond the built in one, kinda like "have it your way" thing.

I use ZL and it is the best IMHO of all that I have tried , it's commonly reported "con" is it's too complicated to setup, well at first glance it is a little daunting, but if you take the time to get to know it you will luv it!!

-Scott

-Scott

[bryus]

I second the ZLauncher recommendation. I have had it for a few months and am still finding features. I had Launcher X for about six months and it was usefull, but I kept finding things I wanted to do that I couldn't.

I also had Embark, on my HandEra because it worked well on a non-color display. However, it is only a basic launcher on the other end of the spectrum from the do-it-all ZLauncher.

I have tried Silver Screen but was never impressed with it's interface.

[krispy]

Back to the original question... ZL has a built-in file manager which also manages external cards. It has a built-in launcher for programs on the card. It has a power-off button on screen, which on a T3 is very handy, (I hate the hardware button!) Ascetically it way above the built-in launcher w/backgrounds and customized tabs. All these pluses would cost you much more than ZL...

[blues]

When I first got my T|T3, I tried most of the 3rd party app launchers and Silver Screen seemed to fit my needs the best.

ZL, to me, just looks too busy. The builtin file manager is redundant for my needs because I like to use SuperUtility for that. Also, with PowerON 6, you can set any button to be your power button, so I don't need that feature either.

Try ZL, Facer, Launcher X, and Silver Screen... That's what I did.
Maybe I'll give ZL another try. :-)

[bruin1971]

I have been using ZLauncher on my Tungsten E for 3 months now and have found it relatively easy to set up and use. It does require some time to become familiar with the many features but it is definitely time well spent.

In particular, I appreciate the ease with which I can change the tab properties and back images, especially with the current 4.01 version. Moreover, I found that the power-off icon/button at the bottom of the screen to be quite handy.

I highly recommend you try it out BEFORE you purchase it in order to make sure this is the launcher program that meets your needs.

[bryus]

Originally posted by blues
When I first got my T|T3, I tried most of the 3rd party app launchers and Silver Screen seemed to fit my needs the best.

ZL, to me, just looks too busy. The builtin file manager is redundant for my needs because I like to use SuperUtility for that. Also, with PowerON 6, you can set any button to be your power button, so I don't need that feature either.

Try ZL, Facer, Launcher X, and Silver Screen... That's what I did.
Maybe I'll give ZL another try. :-)

I know I was intimidated by the near excessive number of options on ZLauncher at first. However, you can have as much or as little on the screen as you want. It truely is the most flexible and versitle launcher I have tried. I am still finding new settings that I hadn't used before after about a month.

[derekweb]

When it comes to ZLauncher, I found that the best way to deal with the mass influx of new stuff is simply to Deactivate EVERYTHING. Then, while reading the manual, go in and turn things on one by one (or just play around with it and turn things on one by one.).

Either way, it's best to start is slow, and then build it up and customize the appearance to how you like it done.

[bryus]

Originally posted by derekweb
When it comes to ZLauncher, I found that the best way to deal with the mass influx of new stuff is simply to Deactivate EVERYTHING. Then, while reading the manual, go in and turn things on one by one (or just play around with it and turn things on one by one.).

Either way, it's best to start is slow, and then build it up and customize the appearance to how you like it done.

Great advice. I actually started with just tabs across the top (my preference) and the top bar for time/memory/card status. Then, as I learned more about it I started customizing the top bar, then added the bottom bar, then customized the theme/background. Now with version 4 I have customized all the tabs.

[kazuni]

I've recently tried a few other launchers (silverscreen, appshelf 1.04, launcher-x, launcher III, YiShow) they are actually not bad, but i still like the fact that zlauncher can let u launch programs and databases from card and updates them back on card if the database changes. It's really handy if you have a lot of stuff in your palm and 32Mb is just not enough sometimes ;)

[intrepid]

I would like to second what many posts have been saying about Zlauncher being one of the best out there. Yes the learning curve is a little high, but the running apps from the card, Quicklaunch anywhere and filemanager are great assets. For those who think it is too busy, set it up the way you want it. I have seen very simple setups all the way to the very complex and confusing. Set it up however you want it. Thats the joy of ZLauncher.

[Ancient Mariner]

In the Icon View mode, is there any way to move the description down a notch. In the default mode, the description is across the icon. I would like to be able to position it underneath the icon. I have read and re-rread the manual and maybe I missed it, but I cannot find anything that tells me that information.

[pipesmoker]

Not sure, as I just installed ZL a couple of weeks ago, and haven't got this far, but have you tried Theme Manager, and Icon Set to see if it's there you alter it?
I've not got icon sets on my ZL yet, so can't advise, but it's the only other thing I can think to try.

G.

[MythoFactory]

Originally posted by Ancient Mariner
In the Icon View mode, is there any way to move the description down a notch. In the default mode, the description is across the icon. I would like to be able to position it underneath the icon. I have read and re-rread the manual and maybe I missed it, but I cannot find anything that tells me that information.

-go to the tab settings, icon tab.
-there's a check box in front of the Col and Row prefs, uncheck it
-you should see a bunch of settings appear, set the 'height' to a 32 or more

does it works?

BTW, sometimes, the icons are over the standard size of 44 * 44, and ZL displays the whole icon, whereas the default launcher just crops the bleeding part. if it's such a case (only one app with the text overlapping the icon), you should send a bug report to the app developer...

[Ancient Mariner]

Thanks, that works just fine. One other question. How come Z-Launcher loses some of the app icons? In the default launcher, the app has the appropriate icon, but when I go to Z, I get the blue circle.

[kazuni]

for me i just used appicon (a program that lets u edit program icons) and download the zlauncher icon packs and use the appicon program to map them on the application you like (except some rom programs) too bad the author didn;t fix the icon editing problem :()

[derekweb]

Where did you get Appicon? Can you provide a link? My DA programs have that issue that Ancient Mariner is describing, and of course I am using ZL.

[MythoFactory]

appicon is very unstable on OS5 devices. If you want to give it a try anyway,
http://member.nifty.ne.jp/mmaeda/e/palmos.html#aicn

[derekweb]

Erm .....

/thinks twice.

I think I'll have to side with stability and security instead.

/sigh

[krispy]

kazuni, separate question... Who is the wallpaper in your icon and where can I find it, (her)! Also, I am a zlauncher user. it has more options and built-in apps than all the others...

[kazuni]

haha the wallpaper i made it myself ;) if u want a copy i can send it to you ;) her name's kaila yu, an import car model ;)

[saluyot]

kazuni, a question also. sorry i'm a zlauncher newbie so i ask here how will you arrange the app icons in zlauncher to appear windows-like like in your pda screenshot. is it in the theme? or in the theme manager? thanks.

[kazuni]

you can set them in the tab. go to tab -> tab properties -> icon and click the checkbox on the right of "View \/icon []"

you will see a bunch of selections ;)

[ackmondual]

I DON'T use it, but at a glance, it seems to eat up about 500 - 700KB of mem. that may be Too steep for some ppl who just want a fraction of Zlaunchers full feature set

[hedgetrimmer53]

I tried ZL and most of the other launchers out there but I ended up going with Facer for simplicity's sake. I thought that ZL was extremely busy on the home screen and I loved the simple look and feel of Facer.