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-- Hackaphobia (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=2270)

I have a confession. I am afraid to try hacks. I think I read about too many problems, and the fact that I don't even really understand what they are certainly doesn't help. I don't want anything too complicated, but I think I would really have good use for switchhack and maybe just a few others. Do I HAVE to run Hackmaster to run any other hacks? Does Hackmaster and the other hacks make the batteries run out quicker, or is it just certain hacks (like the ones that mess with the backlight)?

I would appreciate any help (just keep it S-I-M-P-L-E )


Thanks,
Sari


Work like you don't need the money, dance like nobody's watching, and love like you've never been hurt.

Why not try it and see for yourself. There's no better teacher than your own experience.

V

Let me elaborate a little on Vman's reply. Roughly, Hacks are to the Palm OS what TSRs were to DOS. If you don't remember the days of TSRs in DOSville, they provide functionality beyond that supported by the OS. IOW, they operate to some degree outside the law. So. When there is a dispute between two Hacks, there may be no sheriff to peacefully resolve matters . . .

It goes without saying that the more Hacks you add to your system, the greater the chances of trouble (too many gunslingers in town).

Note that some Hacks are just plain bad . . . you will find them listed on this site's known outlaw list.

The good news is that most Hacks are either freeware or shareware. You can try before you buy. As long as you avoid the No-No list, you shouldn't have any problems with a single Hack. Hope this helps . . .

[This message has been edited by yucca (edited 01-28-2000).]

sari, instead of SwitchHack (share/nagware) you can use PhlegmHack (freeware) which works the same. You'll need Hackmaster installed also. I've been using a number of hacks without any impact on speed, battery life, or stability.

Sari, I've been there. I too was terrified of Hacks.
Now I just have a healthy respect for them.
Yes, some can do terrible things. So be careful.

Yes, you need Hackmaster (or that Eval-something-or-other program).
Only certain hacks reduce battery life.
I've been using the following hacks for a few weeks with no problems:
SwitchHack
MenuHack
SafeHack
ClearHack
TealGlance

Hacks aren't quite as "hackup" as TSRs in DOS... the Visor does have built-in hooks for modifications, which DOS really doesn't.

Didn't. Anyone out there still using DOS?

One thing you might want to try is using EvPlugBase instead of Hackmaster. It's a more polished product, and it has checks to keep you from doing stupid stuff like removing a hack (plugin) that's active.

Thanks for the information. Maybe I will try to venture out slowly and dip my toes into the water, one hack at a time just for peace of mind.

Sari

So who needs DOS (or it's offspring) when you have a BVD? Granted, Win98 makes a nice backup device (albeit expensive!) for the Visor! (not to mention a sledgehammer operating system for web browsers!). Not using the stationary computer at home for much else these days.