Registered: Dec 2001
Location:
Posts: 6

size matters?!

so i went for the memplug CF
adapter.

question is, does the size
of the card slow down the speed of the prism?
does size affect battery life?

thanks,
tony

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 1571

Yes

As in just about all things in life, size does matter. Still, bigger is not better in this situation. The bigger the card, the slower it will work.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

You can keep your speeds up somewhat with good strategies, however.

Example: Using Launcher III and VFS, you can store a lot of applications on the card- but the device will scan the card all the time, slowing things down. Using PIDirect slows it down a lot less.

Example: Using CruiseControl or QuickBits seems to help re-speed things up a bit.

Example: Periodically use Norton Speed Disk or other defragmenter to defrag your card (in a card reader). I really saw a lot of improvement when I did this!

Example: 'Single file' applications that you do not use often (like most tip calculators, some gags, etc.) are probably best left stored on the card, then moved onto the device to be used, then re-deleted. I keep an entire library of such applications ready for those odd occasions they come in handy!

Example: Various 'readers' allow you to store data on the card, but then they take FOREVER to find it again to read. WordSmith is the worst, but even CSpotRun can take a while if you have a lot of documents. Try spreading the 'load' over several directories and/or readers. I am using CSpotRun and PalmReader for most of the stuff (and am rapidly coming to love PalmReader!), which search in seperate directories.

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Do what you can, with what you have, where you are at!

Registered: Mar 2002
Location:
Posts: 17

Wow, I had no clue the system speed would take such a hit from just adding more memory. My Memplug CF is on it's way as well, along with a 32meg CF.

I bought it mainly for backup, and swapping out with my digicam. So I reckon I won't leave it in until I need to use it, that is to say, if the speed difference really is that unfavorable.

Registered: Mar 2001
Location: Nebraska- the Good life
Posts: 695

The speed penalty really is not that great- unless you load a ton of stuff up to be launched from the card- then it has to scan the card all the time to check for things, and that can be an annoying delay.

The only other big delays are from within programs that search the card for info- photos, texts, etc.

Otherwise, the delay is pretty small- usually almost invisible.

All I was trying to say was that it is there, but can be managed.

__________________
Do what you can, with what you have, where you are at!