VisorCentral.com - Which Memory Solution Will You Choose?

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VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Springboard Modules (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=10)
-- Which Memory Solution Will You Choose? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=12602)

Posted by Matthew Nichols on 03-05-2001 10:29 PM:

Well, there have been polls on wether people will buy which CF adapters but what about comparing all the options available? I'm probably going with MemPlug.

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Posted by akur on 03-05-2001 10:42 PM:

I'm getting innopocket because I got 2 CF card and my digital camera uses CF for storage. Memplug is nice for people that got digital camera using smart media card.
Maybe I'll get memplug too, but for now I'm waiting for my Innopocket.

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Posted by EricG on 03-05-2001 11:02 PM:

I'm getting the memplug for the reason akur pointed out (My camera uses Smart Media & I already have a USB smartmedia reader/writer for my pc - bypass hotsync to install programs & such) and primarily for the backup utility, I have found issues with the handspring backup module, it fails to backup ALL the files and as a consequence when I've had to restore my mail, addressbook, to-do's, and memo's are corrupted. I've been looking for an alternative to the backup module since last year.. Also the picture & video viewer (gMovie) really gets me thrilled to get this module.

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Posted by MikeD on 03-05-2001 11:27 PM:

I want the Memory Stick Module

I'm still waiting for this memory stick module to come out. Hopefully, soon!

Posted by orion on 03-05-2001 11:44 PM:

InnoDrive/MS

The InnoDrive/MS is still going to be put out. There was a big thread going on about it around a month ago. Just hang in there (I am too), but don't expect it anytime soon...

Posted by EricG on 03-06-2001 06:34 AM:

The MemPlug is the end-all-be-all solution for me..!!

I don't really have any need or desire for a Sony Memory Stick adaptor. My #2 adaptor choice would be a compact flash adaptor, I get that long before I'd get a Sony MS based springboard. I'd only really consider a memory stick version if the springboard was next to free and Sony was practically giving away the memory sticks as well (I doubt this would ever happen).. don't get me wrong, I love Sony stuff, just don't see the need (personally for a memory stick adaptor).

Additionally, as a MiniJam owner, I think Innogear should have focused on getting the MiniJam file system updates that lets MiniJam users put palm programs and datafiles on the MMC cards as well as all the other "promised" features (blinking led alarm, etc) before they spent time, money, effort and resources on a memory stick springboard, even a Compact Flash/Smart Media adaptor would have been time better spent.. As a MiniJam owner waiting for these features I am a bit upset by their decision.

For the record, once I have my MemPlug module in hand, I will have officially given up on ever seeing any further MiniJam updates from Innogear..

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Posted by orion on 03-06-2001 11:55 AM:

Yeah well we know the problems InnoGear has been having. After I emailed them about the InnoDrive thing and everything blew up it doesn't seem like they've changed. They really need an announcement...

Too bad really. As for the Adapters, I think the InnoPocket is going to be my main one, only because I can fit it in my Thin Case w/the card inserted...

I'm waiting for a CF Adapter that is an actual Spring Board (ie. actually loads software, FAFileMover, a backup, a JPEG Viewer, etc), that fits the card flush inside and is the same color as the MemPlug (because I like clear graphite ).

Posted by sdoersam on 03-06-2001 03:14 PM:

Matchbook and SmartMedia

One thing I thought was interesting was in the recent comparison on VC, that they mention the capability for type II cards in the MatchBookDrive and SmartMedia capability through an adapter. http://www.visorcentral.com/page/0-4-77-5-4.htm I also like the durabilty test they did. Sounds like they got the quality/fit&finish issue worked out. Makes the MatchBookDrive MD-100 look like the best choice! If you haven't checked out the article, take a look: http://www.visorcentral.com/page/0-4-77-1-4.htm

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Posted by EricG on 03-06-2001 06:42 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by orion
I'm waiting for a CF Adapter that is an actual Spring Board (ie. actually loads software, FAFileMover, a backup, a JPEG Viewer, etc), that fits the card flush inside and is the same color as the MemPlug (because I like clear graphite ).

I agree, this is also another reason why I am not rushing to get one of the current CF adaptors, No disrespect to Dave Kessler & CO., I realize how difficult the software has been to write and I think he has a great product.. I think he is on the right track. Personally, I just wanted something where all the support software was in flash on the springboard as well, also, like I said before my digital camera uses SmartMedia and I have spare SmartMedia cards hanging around. The memplug's support software does everything I am currently looking for in a springboard based storage solution and more (i.e. gMovie looks real kool).

(I think the memplug comes in other colors but I am not sure, I'd get one to match my Prism case if it does)

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Posted by Matthew Nichols on 03-06-2001 07:03 PM:

I guess I should have thought about an Innogear option, oh well.

I'll be getting the MemPlug mainly for the reason that it has all that Springboard software built in, plus I have an extra 2mb & 8mb card laying around. I recently downloaded gMovie & while it has potential you can't do much without an unregistered copy, and I don't think MemPlug includes full version. I do wish MemPlug offered more than one colored module, when they first started out they showed a different looking module and I remeber them showing a cobalt blue one.

MemPlug's website needs a little work though too, why in their logo/image header do they show blurred out pictures of the ThinModem & that game collection springboard? There are a couple of spelling errors too.

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Posted by adfleisher on 03-06-2001 07:56 PM:

As a beta tester for the MemPlug, I am very happy with it's performance, as I've noted earlier in previous threads. While my DigiCam uses CF, the advantage of better software and the addition of flash memory to hold the resident apps is very important. The other thing that has not been noted yet is that since the qMovie application is capable of reading data directly from the card for use by the module. This means that they may be very close to allowing ANY programs on the card to be run from the card without the need to copy to RAM. This advancement would make this THE ultimate module, and on top of everyones wish list.

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Posted by EricG on 03-06-2001 10:35 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Nichols
I guess I should have thought about an Innogear option, oh well.

Unfortunately it doesn't exist (well yet anyway), it would have been nice and was 50% of the reason why I got the MiniJam..

I have kinda learned a lesson from that experience, if you are not happy with what features a product does or doesn't ship with regardless of any "promised" features, don't buy it until it does. Think of it this way: "Would you be happy with it, the way it currently is, if it was never updated again, and remained the same as the day you got it? i.e. As-is."

In hind sight I wish I had done this with the MiniJam. Ironically, shortly after I got my MiniJam I saw and purchased the MpTrip Cd player for $90, in addition to playing normal audio CD's it also plays mp3's off of a standard cd-rom (something like 11 hours of music per CD). I use my MpTrip more than the Minijam, I tend to only use the Minijam when it is inconvenient to carry a portable cd-player with me. Had the MiniJam shipped as promised (i.e. files on the MMC cards, LED blink for alarms, skin editor etc..) I would probably use it a lot more.. Due to the lack of any further updates for the MiniJam (last one was due to lack of color support and compatibility issues on the Prism), I can only assume that Innogear has moved on to other products.. Don't get me wrong, I love my MiniJam, I just wish it did all the things it was supposed to. Oh well..

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Posted by kalahari on 03-07-2001 12:20 AM:

You didn't have my option listed...

I'm choosing the upgrade to 16MB for my Prism.

Of course, I do have a homemade CF adapter, a MatchBookDrive, 8MB Flash and will probably buy a 16MB Flash.

Posted by TheOne on 03-07-2001 12:59 AM:

Full version gMoive

The MemPlug you are able to buy from the market shall include a full version gMovie...

Posted by EricG on 03-07-2001 05:10 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by kalahari
You didn't have my option listed...

I'm choosing the upgrade to 16MB for my Prism.

Of course, I do have a homemade CF adapter, a MatchBookDrive, 8MB Flash and will probably buy a 16MB Flash.

The 16mb upgrade is a different type of solution thats why it's not a choice.. (this is off-line storage)your homemade CF adaptor & your Matchbook Drive however, is more along the lines of what is being discussed.

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Posted by EricG on 03-07-2001 05:13 AM:

Re: Full version gMoive

quote:
Originally posted by TheOne
The MemPlug you are able to buy from the market shall include a full version gMovie...

Too bad it doesn't have sound like Teal Movie. I could deal with recording Start Trek Voyager into an mpg file with My Dazzle DVC (do it now anyway), converting it with gMovie, and watching it on the go..

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Posted by kalahari on 03-07-2001 05:47 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by EricG
The 16mb upgrade is a different type of solution thats why it's not a choice..

My post was supposed to be light hearted. If you want to be picky about it, since when is the internal memory and flash memory not called memory?

Posted by EricG on 03-07-2001 06:22 AM:

Not being picky, it's just they are really very different in the way the work and interact with the Visor.. (apples & oranges type difference). Anything on the CF (or SmartMedia, MMC card etc..) module has to be copied into the Visor first before it's even seen by the Visor. It's not always available. There are many threads on visor central that have already explained the differences in more detail. The CF module is seen like a hard disk and not as "memory", the flash memory is not directly accessible by the visor's cpu.

Put another way, A gallon of milk and a gallon of gasoline are both the same? they are both gallons right?

It's a common mistake folks make because they are both measured in MB. As you can see from my example above, you wouldn't want to get the two mixed up..!!

See:

http://discussion.visorcentral.com/...+disk#post69670

dkessler explains it very well in this thread:
"Running programs directly off CF memory is not technologically possible. CompactFlash memory is much different than the Flash memory in Handspring's 8MB Flash module. The Flash memory in Handspring's module is a type that the Dragonball processor in the Visor "knows" how to access directly. The memory looks just like conventional ROM to the CPU and as a result it can directly execute applications and read (but not write) databases that are stored there.

To the CPU, CompactFlash doesn't look like Flash at all. It looks like a disk drive. The Flash chips in a CF card are not visible to the CPU. All that the Visor can "see" is the CF controller chip, which looks exactly like a hard disk controller. Just as your PC or Mac cannot run any programs on the hard disk without first loading them into RAM, the Visor cannot access any programs on the CF card without first loading them into RAM. And unlike a desktop system, the PalmOS running on the Visor knows nothing about "loading programs". It assumes that everything it needs has already been loaded into RAM via a hotsync.

The only way to get around this is to use an application to move the files from the CF card to the Visor's RAM before the Visor tries to use them. This can be done manually using a file mover application, or automatically using an operating system extension. The second approach is the method that TRG's AutoCF program uses. Indications are that Innogear is working on a similar program for their InnoDrive products and Kopsis is working on such a program for users of FlashAdapter compatible Springboard modules. At this point it's unclear whether any of these solutions will ever support programs or databases larger than 8MB.
"

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Posted by ss@rr on 03-07-2001 02:54 PM:

Well, I'll be a little bit picky. The thread is titled:
"Which Memory Solution Will You Choose?"

It does *not* specify external/removable/can't run programs type of memory only. If you're going for external, at least include the 8/16 mb flash option in your poll.

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Posted by Matthew Nichols on 03-07-2001 03:52 PM:

No need to argue over it guys

Yeah, I left off Flash Memory because I was mainly thinking on the terms of external memory & to disscuss the merits of each. I'm glad you can afford $300 to upgrade your memory & buy a 16mb module but I don't think thats what most people are doing. I think the main interest, based on posts on this board, is in these type of "card" based memories because of their price.

Okay, so I've both alienated the InnoGear people & flash memory users with this pole. Would anyone else like to stand up?

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