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-- memplug review or endorsement (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=15948)

Is the Memplug "review" really a review or is it an endorsement? Yes folks there are differences between the two. Aren't reviews suppose to be neutral? Why is that Scott is telling us to buy? He didn't even mention the InnoPlus module!

What's the point of a "neutral" review. I think a reviewer needs to be objective, butI don't see anything in this review that crosses that line. If a reviewer thinks a product is great, I see nothing wrong with the review recommending that readers buy the product.

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While I don't doubt that the memplug deserves a glowing review, I'm not sure that it isn't an "early-adopter" solution. Seems like the review would have benefited from a wider lens before focusing in on the memplug: the other solutions aren't as good, but better ones are on the way... I think that the CF shakeout won't happen for another few months.

I don't like anybody sounding the "death knell" for honest developers doing their best to put out a good product.

...That said, it was a good review, just seemed to brush off the competition a little too quickly.

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First, I have to agree with the absurdity of a statement like the reviewer's death knell for other developers. Yes, I want to get information on new products and I want to know if the person is happy with it, but I don't want a cheerleader.

Second, I think the reviewer makes too many assumptions - such as, he's sure that PI will move away from their proprietary software and move to compatability with VFS or Kopsis's software or whatever. He also talks wistfully about PIDirect, which we know is an add-on not an upgrade.

Finally, he doesn't point out that PIDirect is not going to work with OS3.1, at least initially.

One thing that bothered me about the review is that he said the same thing 5 times! It was getting really repetative. And yes, it seemed more like an advertisement than a review.

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Glad to see that I was not only one that had a problem with this "review".

But, at least it is really one of the best memory solution in the martket.

Compare to other solution, MemPlug provide a better software and the most important thing is PiDirect!! ( although it needs money!) By the way, MemPlug seems to have the best potential for the future development. It owns PiDirect(Soon)/VFS(future)/Full set of API.........

I actually e-mailed the writer shortly after the review, not so much about his endorsement of the product. (I much prefer reviewers to take a strong stance, better the bias you see than one you don't)


I rather asked him about three things, that were all potential negatives for MemPlug CF:
1. PiBackup has some known flaws, this deserves mention.
2. PiDirect may never be available for VDX or Visor users.
3. Speed issues, is it faster than others, etc.

anyhow his response was that he was writing an article adressing a lot of memory comparisons in the next few days, so be on the watch for them.

Kg.

The new article is good, but again, acts as though memplug is the only cf solution out there.

That said, I'm leaning more and more towards the sm memplug, esp if it can someday run the SM cards that are being developed for the m500 series.

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I agree. The more recent memplug endorsement is better but only slightly more. It compares CF and SM and then suggests memplug either way, without even mentioning the Innopocket FlashPlus, which is also plug n play. Dave Kessler of Kopsis (FAFileMover) doesn't seem to agree with PIT that getting the VFS functionality for OS 3.1 is "physically impossible."

I'm starting to wonder whether PIT is giving VisorCentral advertising revenue for these "reviews."

quote:

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Originally posted by Anomaly
I'm starting to wonder whether PIT is giving VisorCentral advertising revenue for these "reviews."

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Scott Memplug reviews (SM and CF) do come off like endorsements rather than reviews, but I see that as reflecting his enthusiam for the product rather than any conscious agenda. Still, they could certainly be more objective, particularly on treating PI with kid gloves on the apparent lack of OS 3.1 support for PiDirect.

quote:

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Originally posted by dietrichbohn
That said, I'm leaning more and more towards the sm memplug, esp if it can someday run the SM cards that are being developed for the m500 series.

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Matt Nichols
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The Reviewers Response

People,

I built my own CF card last year. I installed the Kopsis software and it kicked ass.

Then MatchBookDrive kicked ass. I could buy it, not build it, and it worked with the Kopsis Software.

Then the InnoPocket kicked ass. It was well made, and worked with the Kopsis software, which was improved, and also began to kick much ass.

Then the MemPlug SmartMedia came out. It included a bunch of cool software like Image Viewers, Backup, and a sweet File Manager. I wished for a MemPlug CF.

Then the InnoPocket Flash Plus came out. It has the Kopsis software loaded in flash. Very sweet. I used it and like it.

Then the MemPlug CF came out: it's plug and play, software upgradable, mostly works with the Kopsis Software (some problems are being ironed out) and with the addition of PiDirect, it kicks much ass.

Now, understand that I don't know the guys at MemPlug, and I sure in hell am not going to say something is cool if it's not. We are watching the evolution of a new type of product.

Believe me, when the VFS stuff comes out from Kopsis, which will presumably support PalmOS3.1, it will no doubt kick total ass, and we will report on it. I hope it becomes the standard and Handspring hires Dave Kopsis and gives him a sack of money for being an innovator.

Ya, I'm a glowing reviewer. Especially when the Product is cool. And when the product sucks, I'm fairly brutal. Search my reviews and see. I don't pull punches either way. I'm just telling you what's cool today and what's not.

Schwarzenegger is way out, Van Damme is out, and maybe the Rock is in. Who knows. I'm just telling it like I see it. I do think it's cool, however, that everyone has such strong opinions about this subject. It's fortunate that we all agree that Visors are the PDA of choice and revel in the kind of innovation that people like Dave Kopsis and the MemPlug guys bring to this platform.

Latex,
Scott
[email protected]

Re: The Reviewers Response

quote:

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Originally posted by GlucoPilot
People,

Then the InnoPocket Flash Plus came out. It has the Kopsis software loaded in flash. Very sweet. I used it and like it.

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Re: Re: The Reviewers Response

quote:

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Originally posted by yardie
You made no mention of this in your original CD Memplug review. We probably wouldn't be having this thread if you did.

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