VisorCentral.com - What's your dream CF/SM module?

Pages (3): « 1 [2] 3 »
Show 20 posts from this thread on one page

VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Springboard Modules (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=10)
-- What's your dream CF/SM module? (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=15573)

Posted by hxh167 on 06-06-2001 01:29 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by dvIceT

I'm a little surprised/disappointed the Flashadapter folks haven't provided a similar bridge for their users in the meantime.

I cannot agree with what you said here. Keep in mind both PIT and Kopsis are not Micro$oft. They don't have infinite money, time, and people to develop anything they want. Although VFS may not be well documented(I have some doubt on this) before the launch of OS4 or M50x series, the developers should have heard something about it. Then it's their decision to go to which direction. PIT decided to go with short term solution and Kopsis decide to go with long term solution. In the future, if PIT wants to go with the long solution, they will be very far behind. I even think they already began the research on supplying the long term solution since the users will ask for it anyway. This will probably cost you another small amount of money since they will sell the PiDirect for certain amount of money. I just don't see any reason why I need or want to pay twice for ONE function I want just because I cannot wait for a couple of more weeks.
I bought a Memplug when it first got out. I just didn't see any REAL advance on its software side after its release. Any speed advance? NO. Any quality advance? I don't think so.

People are crying for a better PiViewer. Instead, they gave us an answer to use gMovie's still mode. This is not an answer. Even just a small request like "please don't shrink the size of 160x120 pictures, keep the original size so we can see it". They won't do it. Is this a difficult thing to do? I don't think so. I just want a good jpg file viewer that can see pictures at VDX's screen resolution. With pictures at VDX's resolution, I can store more pictures than in original resolution. They don't want to make their softwares better. They just want to make things that can make money for them like PiDirect.

In my opinion, it's not a good way of doing business. Maybe they are doing business in Micro$ost way.

Posted by dvIceT on 06-06-2001 01:32 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by enhanceyourlife
If VFS is a PalmOS 4.0 technology, that means that no Visors will be able to run it?

Non-PalmOS 4.0 devices should be able to run it. It's just that PalmOS 4.0 devices will have VFS support built into the OS, though most software applications aren't written to take advantage of it yet. Sony first implemented VFS on PalmOS with the Clie, I believe, and Palm adopted Sony's implementation to fold into PalmOS 4.0. The VFS API can be implemented on pre-PalmOS 4.0 devices through shared libraries created by third-party software developers, like the Flashadapter and memPlug folks are trying to do..

Posted by hxh167 on 06-06-2001 01:34 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by enhanceyourlife
If VFS is a PalmOS 4.0 technology, that means that no Visors will be able to run it?

With an API from Dave, I can have VFS on my VDX(OS3.1).

Posted by hxh167 on 06-06-2001 01:48 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by PiDeveloper
But we have also noticed the need of standardization, Memplug with VFS support will be our next focus, and we will provide free update for memplug users once it is available.
- PiDeveloper

In order to avoid they delete their post again like last time, I quote their words here. First, this VFS support will be free as they said. That's good to hear. Second, will anyone buy PiDirect then?

Maybe someone with too much money and too little time to wait will buy it. PiDeveloper proved what I was thinking and talking in my last post even before I post it. Is that a coincidence or what?

Maybe just because they are from HongKong, I am from Taiwan.

I am happy they are going to the right direction.

Posted by adfleisher on 06-06-2001 02:59 AM:

quote from PiDeveloper:
"VFS support is tough, but may not be tougher than PiDirect.
We work on PiDirect first, because we find our users would benefit most with PiDirect support while most Palm Applications available are still not VFS awared."

I for one apreciate the fact that with PiDirect I will be able to use software solutions that AREN'T VFS aware in the interim. This seems like it was good thinking on Pi's part. They come out with a solution that will allow ALL applications to use the memory, and then work on including a standardized format along the same timelines as developers are re-writing their code to utilize the standard. These people have alot of experience in this arena, as has previously been noted in other threads they were founded by engineers that DESIGNED the Dragonball processor for Motorola. Looks like they are ahead of the curve, not falling behind.

__________________
"Whoever said bigger isn't better...Lied!"

Posted by dvIceT on 06-06-2001 03:40 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by PiDeveloper

VFS support is tough, but may not be tougher than PiDirect.
We work on PiDirect first, because we find our users would benefit most with PiDirect support while most Palm Applications available are still not VFS awared.

But we have also noticed the need of standarization, Memplug with VFS support will be our next focus, and we will provide free update for memplug users once it is available.

Noah Pro with memplug support can be downloaded from palmGear. While TealMovie is in its beta and can be obtained from their website, LauncherIII is in its beta but not public release yet. Still many other venders are working on Memplug support. and our webpage will list out our 3rd party software solutions soon.

- PiDeveloper

Originally posted by hxh167

I cannot agree with what you said here. Keep in mind both PIT and Kopsis are not Micro$oft. They don't have infinite money, time, and people to develop anything they want. Although VFS may not be well documented(I have some doubt on this) before the launch of OS4 or M50x series, the developers should have heard something about it. Then it's their decision to go to which direction. PIT decided to go with short term solution and Kopsis decide to go with long term solution. In the future, if PIT wants to go with the long solution, they will be very far behind. I even think they already began the research on supplying the long term solution since the users will ask for it anyway. This will probably cost you another small amount of money since they will sell the PiDirect for certain amount of money. I just don't see any reason why I need or want to pay twice for ONE function I want just because I cannot wait for a couple of more weeks.
I bought a Memplug when it first got out. I just didn't see any REAL advance on its software side after its release. Any speed advance? NO. Any quality advance? I don't think so. People are crying for a better PiViewer. Instead, they gave us an answer to use gMovie's still mode. This is not an answer. Even just a small request like "please don't shrink the size of 160x120 pictures, keep the original size so we can see it". They won't do it. Is this a difficult thing to do? I don't think so. I just want a good jpg file viewer that can see pictures at VDX's screen resolution. With pictures at VDX's resolution, I can store more pictures than in original resolution. They don't want to make their softwares better. They just want to make things that can make money for them like PiDirect. In my opinion, it's not a good way of doing business. Maybe they are doing business in Micro$ost way.

hxh167,

Boy were you wrong! Do you even bother to read your own thread? Please notice that PiDeveloper posted his VFS comment before your tirade against PI Technology and your subsequent self-congratulatory post.

If you don't want to pay more money for more functionality, say so. The MemPlug was sold as a memory storage option when you supposedly bought it. No one ever promised that it could be used as runnable memory and that you would get it for free. Those deleted posts you refer to *never* said that PiDirect was free. And if you've never written software, let alone JPEG decompression and display software, please don't talk about how it shouldn't be that difficult. The fact that there are so few for the PalmOS speaks to the difficulty of writing one, especially considering the constraints of present DragonBall processors.

BTW, because the MemPlug uses a software controller to handle memory card I/O, the speed of the MemPlug is largely a function of the slow DragonBall processor.

Posted by Felipe on 06-06-2001 04:32 AM:

An ATM module linked into Bill Gate's account.

__________________
Felipe Garcia
Happy Treo 600 user, so far. Thanx Cingular for having an unlocked phone.

My Treo 600 is my phone, my PDA, my watch, and my MP3 player. Oh yeah, I take a picture once in a while with it. Convergence is such a great thing.

Posted by Matthew Nichols on 06-06-2001 04:39 AM:

Seems to me that by the time VFS is in wide support that we'll have an OS4 Visor avilable. Look at how many developers have jumped on the 16-bit bandwagon...like a dozen. The percentage of m500/Clie/HandEra users is still very small. I personally will be happy with PiDirect for now, it gives us the SAME functionality as the official Handspring Flash modules and thats good enough for me.

__________________
Matt Nichols
[email protected]

Posted by mint on 06-06-2001 04:57 AM:

memplug & mp3 player in same module.

__________________
<< yes, indeed >>

Posted by septimus on 06-06-2001 04:58 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by Matthew Nichols
Seems to me that by the time VFS is in wide support that we'll have an OS4 Visor avilable. Look at how many developers have jumped on the 16-bit bandwagon...like a dozen. The percentage of m500/Clie/HandEra users is still very small. I personally will be happy with PiDirect for now, it gives us the SAME functionality as the official Handspring Flash modules and thats good enough for me.

How many times do I have to say this. Kopsis engineering has set a goal of 2 weeks, and they don't have a history of delays like some companies. Do you think you're going to have a 4.0 visor by July?

...and re: claiming that Pi is better than VFS because it allows all apps to access the memory card, so does VFS, via MSMount

Like I said, Pi is a better solution for those who have a memplug right now, otherwise, I'm waiting for what Kopsis has in the chute.

As to PiDirect providing the same functionality as the Flash module, think again. Neither Pi nor VFS do that. Take a look at the Yahoo Group for FlashAdapters, there's a good explanation of the situation (which I just deleted from this post because I thought maybe I shouldn't just wholesale use somebody's else's explanation w/out their permission!)

__________________
Don't like somebody? Click "Profile" on a post and then click "Ignore "so and so's" posts". Voila!

Posted by hxh167 on 06-06-2001 05:08 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by dvIceT

hxh167,

Boy were you wrong! Do you even bother to read your own thread? Please notice that PiDeveloper posted his VFS comment before your tirade against PI Technology and your subsequent self-congratulatory post.

If you don't want to pay more money for more functionality, say so. The MemPlug was sold as a memory storage option when you supposedly bought it. No one ever promised that it could be used as runnable memory and that you would get it for free. Those deleted posts you refer to *never* said that PiDirect was free. And if you've never written software, let alone JPEG decompression and display software, please don't talk about how it shouldn't be that difficult. The fact that there are so few for the PalmOS speaks to the difficulty of writing one, especially considering the constraints of present DragonBall processors.

BTW, because the MemPlug uses a software controller to handle memory card I/O, the speed of the MemPlug is largely a function of the slow DragonBall processor.

Of course I know PiDeveloper posted before me, but that's after I posted mine. When I hit the reply button, their post just wasn't there. I saw their post after I posted mine. That's why I post mine another post. I said I like their way to go right now. OK

Don't get too angry, OK

I just didn't see their explanation why they cannot implant a procedure not to shrink the screen-sized picture. If you cannot do it, you can explain it, right? Dave explained a lot why he cannot do this, or do that. He said a lot of things he CANNOT do and I still like him. You need to let your user to know what you can and cannot do because of what reason. Not just a lot of silence. This reminds me Palm didn't want to have a native Chinese version of Palm OS. Now what, with the competition from Linux and Micro$oft, they are licensing Acer to make native Chinese Palm OS PDA and it's OS 4.0. Will Acer be the first to make OS4 PDA? We will see.
About whether the new software is free or not is not the key point. I would love to pay for VFS support although I don't mind it's free. The point is they should not misguide people. They posted their messages and they deleted them. What does this behavior mean? You decide.

I am just an end user saying what I think. If I don't agree what you said, I will say what's my reasons.
BTW, I know the controller of SM card is on the machine--in this case, the module or the software-- not on the SM card itself. On the other hand, the controller of CF card is on CF card itself. So you said they use the software and the CPU's own power to control SM card? No wonder the module is so slooooooow. Then they even need to put more efforts to optimize the software. Don't blame the hardware too much. If they can have a hardware controller solution, good. If not, they really need to make more efforts on the software. Remember nVidia? They made their graphic card much faster by just writing a better driver. The most recent example is Dave's software for CF adapter. Originally, I was not satisfied with its speed either. But he really put a lot of effort and he finally got an answer that we as customers satisfied. That's what I admire and like to see. If PiDevelopers put more efforts on their existing softwares rather than put one product after the other to the market, I will love them.
I bought a MatchBookDrive when it's in preorder stage. I bought Dave's software when the day I got my CF adapter. I got my MemPlug long before a lot of people here got theirs. I keep these two and wait to see what will happen in the future. I just don't like PiDevelopers' attitude to get things complicated. Who knows how much blame they should share with Palmgear about the backorder stuff?Don't be mad at me. I am scared.

BTW, I forgot to mention it again. I am using VDX. So I cannot use PiDirect and maybe even the future VFS software, that's another reason why I don't even care about whether these softwares are free or not. It is just plain useless for me right now. Not I don't want to use it.

Posted by mint on 06-06-2001 05:16 AM:

To Dave@Kopsis

Kopsis would be interested in developing FAFileMover for MiniJam........at all?

well, mp3 with storage would be my dream module (for naw)

__________________
<< yes, indeed >>

Posted by EricG on 06-06-2001 05:41 AM:

I'd bet you will find a great deal of applications that support VFS will require OS 4.. (wouldn't that be a kicker)

__________________
"One of the most important things you learn from the internet is that there is no �them� out there. It�s just an awful lot of �us�." -- Douglas Adams

Posted by dvIceT on 06-06-2001 09:36 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by hxh167

Of course I know PiDeveloper posted before me, but that's after I posted mine. When I hit the reply button, their post just wasn't there. I saw their post after I posted mine. That's why I post mine another post. I said I like their way to go right now. OK Don't get too angry, OK I just didn't see their explanation why they cannot implant a procedure not to shrink the screen-sized picture. If you cannot do it, you can explain it, right? Dave explained a lot why he cannot do this, or do that. He said a lot of things he CANNOT do and I still like him. You need to let your user to know what you can and cannot do because of what reason. Not just a lot of silence. This reminds me Palm didn't want to have a native Chinese version of Palm OS. Now what, with the competition from Linux and Micro$oft, they are licensing Acer to make native Chinese Palm OS PDA and it's OS 4.0. Will Acer be the first to make OS4 PDA? We will see.
About whether the new software is free or not is not the key point. I would love to pay for VFS support although I don't mind it's free. The point is they should not misguide people. They posted their messages and they deleted them. What does this behavior mean? You decide. I am just an end user saying what I think. If I don't agree what you said, I will say what's my reasons.
BTW, I know the controller of SM card is on the machine--in this case, the module or the software-- not on the SM card itself. On the other hand, the controller of CF card is on CF card itself. So you said they use the software and the CPU's own power to control SM card? No wonder the module is so slooooooow. Then they even need to put more efforts to optimize the software. Don't blame the hardware too much. If they can have a hardware controller solution, good. If not, they really need to make more efforts on the software. Remember nVidia? They made their graphic card much faster by just writing a better driver. The most recent example is Dave's software for CF adapter. Originally, I was not satisfied with its speed either. But he really put a lot of effort and he finally got an answer that we as customers satisfied. That's what I admire and like to see. If PiDevelopers put more efforts on their existing softwares rather than put one product after the other to the market, I will love them.
I bought a MatchBookDrive when it's in preorder stage. I bought Dave's software when the day I got my CF adapter. I got my MemPlug long before a lot of people here got theirs. I keep these two and wait to see what will happen in the future. I just don't like PiDevelopers' attitude to get things complicated. Who knows how much blame they should share with Palmgear about the backorder stuff?Don't be mad at me. I am scared.
BTW, I forgot to mention it again. I am using VDX. So I cannot use PiDirect and maybe even the future VFS software, that's another reason why I don't even care about whether these softwares are free or not. It is just plain useless for me right now. Not I don't want to use it.

My apologies. There's just something that riles me about people who don't appreciate the value of and effort put into "virtual" works, like software, songs, books, etc., anything that can be converted into 1's and 0's and maintain its essence. I unfairly lumped you into that category of people.

I've found PiDeveloper to be an earnest and honest advocate for PI Technology's products in his communications here at VisorCentral. I read the posts by PiDeveloper that were later deleted by him, and they concerned technical details about PiDirect that he later said he was better off not disclosing considering that PiDirect was a then-unannounced product. No mention of a price or lack thereof, so no conspiracy there. I don't know what you mean about "PiDevelopers' attitude to get things complicated," so I'll leave you to clarify that. I stand by my previous assessment of him and by my opinion that the MemPlug is the premier external memory card solution out there. PiDirect, VFS, and availability at CompUSA will only enhance their preeminent position.

Posted by septimus on 06-06-2001 01:28 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by EricG
I'd bet you will find a great deal of applications that support VFS will require OS 4.. (wouldn't that be a kicker)

ooohhhh, I hadn't thought of that. That would suck. I know that generally developers are encouraged to not look for a specific OS version and to only look for specific features, but that doesn't mean that VFS will be recognized by the standard apps using PALM's VFS....

...dang...

__________________
Don't like somebody? Click "Profile" on a post and then click "Ignore "so and so's" posts". Voila!

Posted by yardie on 06-06-2001 03:25 PM:

Doubtful

quote:
Originally posted by dietrichbohn

ooohhhh, I hadn't thought of that. That would suck. I know that generally developers are encouraged to not look for a specific OS version and to only look for specific features, but that doesn't mean that VFS will be recognized by the standard apps using PALM's VFS....

...dang...

The only devices runnin Palm OS 4 right now is the sucky m500 series. I doublt that developers will limit themselves to such a small and ever decreasing flock.

Posted by septimus on 06-06-2001 03:36 PM:

Re: Doubtful

quote:
Originally posted by yardie

The only devices runnin Palm OS 4 right now is the sucky m500 series. I doublt that developers will limit themselves to such a small and ever decreasing flock.

Handera's plugging away at it too!

We need a programmer to respond: When a software program checks for VFS, what exactly does it check for & is this standard across the various platforms and OS versions? I had gotten the impression form the FlashAdapter forum that this wouldn't be an issue, but now I'm all paranoid!

__________________
Don't like somebody? Click "Profile" on a post and then click "Ignore "so and so's" posts". Voila!

Posted by dkessler on 06-06-2001 04:43 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by dietrichbohn
How many times do I have to say this. Kopsis engineering has set a goal of 2 weeks, and they don't have a history of delays like some companies. Do you think you're going to have a 4.0 visor by July?

Well, actually our goal is to have a development release (i.e. beta) with the minimal subset of VFS required to support the Beta version of Launcher III by mid-June. It's too soon to estimate a final release date for full VFS functionality.

__________________
<ul><li>Dave Kessler<br>President - Kopsis, Inc.</li></ul>

Posted by dkessler on 06-06-2001 04:50 PM:

Re: Re: Doubtful

quote:
Originally posted by dietrichbohn

Handera's plugging away at it too!

We need a programmer to respond: When a software program checks for VFS, what exactly does it check for & is this standard across the various platforms and OS versions? I had gotten the impression form the FlashAdapter forum that this wouldn't be an issue, but now I'm all paranoid!

An application that wants to use VFS is supposed to call the "FtrGet" function in the Palm OS and pass the feature ID "vfsFtrIDVersion" to find out what version of VFS (if any) is present on the device. Now, it's up to people developing VFS enabled apps to decide if they want to use other Palm OS 4.0 features that are not related to VFS. If they do, they are locking themselves into running only on Palm m50x devices right now. There's an awful lot of OS 3.x device out there right now, so I think it's fairly likely that developers will keep their apps OS 3.x compatible and just enable VFS features if the device provides them.

__________________
<ul><li>Dave Kessler<br>President - Kopsis, Inc.</li></ul>

Posted by septimus on 06-06-2001 04:53 PM:

quote:
Originally posted by dkessler

Well, actually our goal is to have a development release (i.e. beta) with the minimal subset of VFS required to support the Beta version of Launcher III by mid-June. It's too soon to estimate a final release date for full VFS functionality.

MMPHMMPHMMFFMMFFPHPHPH <---(DB trying to speak with his foot in his mouth)

__________________
Don't like somebody? Click "Profile" on a post and then click "Ignore "so and so's" posts". Voila!

All times are GMT. The time now is 03:46 AM.

Pages (3): « 1 [2] 3 »
Show 20 posts from this thread on one page