Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 60

What Springboard module to get?

I'm sure everybody is sick of "Which Springboard module should I get" threads. But here's another one...

I've decided to spend a little cash on a module. I have it narrowed down to a couple, I'll explain which ones and why, and I'd really appreciate advice/comments or whatever on which of these to choose, or none, or whatever.

I'd love to get more than one, and I could probably afford it, but I don't want to break the bank...

(1) A Flash Ram module. Either 8 MB (~$80)or 16 MB (~$140), I'm not sure which... I like the idea of more RAM. I can finally get all those E-Books I've been wanting, and get the free mapping software (forget what it's called) that I've tried before, but didn't want to eat up all my memory with the maps...

Negative, of course, is it's just more RAM. Nothing new...

2 The Thinmodem+ ($149 - more than for 16 MB RAM)(Modem + 8 MB RAM). I doubt I'd use the modem much, if at all... but if I'm gonna get more RAM, why not throw a modem in with it?

3 InnoPak 2/V. ($44.95) I almost never hear my alarms when they go off if I'm doing something. (I keep my Prism in a belt clip carrying case). I think this would be useful.

4 Not exactly a Sprinboard module, but costs $100... a Stowaway fold up keyboard. I think this would be neat, but perhaps less than useful... I don't travel a whole lot with my Prism and I'm not terrible at Graffiti.

So what ya think? Anybody? Have you tried one of these and can recommend it, or criticize it? Have you tried more than one of these and can say if one is better than the others?

Thanks guys.

PS -- I've already got an EyeModule 2. I love it.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

I'd say get ThinModem+, the 16mb card, or (one that you haven't mentioned) the MemPlug. I bought the ThinModem+ and sometimes wonder if I should have gotten the 16mb, even though I do have 2mb free on both RAM & the modem. Its neat though to be bale to browse from bed and it will be usefull for short trips. The 16mb is $10 cheaper though, and if you really don't need a modem then you should maybe get that, if you can fill it up.

As for the MemPlug, it should be out soon and I suggest you read some of the threads about it. Its only going to cost $50 + SmartMedia and there is going so be software which can read Docs right off the card, they can already do this with images & movies (Usefully if you have a Prism). I've heard nothing of supporting other things, like maps, but those are also things that you could easily move in and out of RAM for when you need them.

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Matt Nichols
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Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Indiana
Posts: 84

Sounds to me like you've chosen the 2/V. Enjoy!

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Inglewood, CA, USA
Posts: 390

It wasn't on you list, and you didn't say if you already had one, but what about the Backup Module? It would be number one for me.

From your list, I would choose the Thinmodem+. I like the idea of the 16mb Module (I always want more memory.) but I like that the TM+ has the software to write directly to the memory module instead of having to go through the internal memory first.


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My job is to comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable.

Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

Stowaway ALL THE WAY!

I don't know your circumstances, but the stowaway is the most imporant thing I have (besides my Visor). I have to admit, sence I got it, my graffiti skills dropped considerably, it's just so nice!

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-miradu

Registered: Feb 2000
Location:
Posts: 264

I second the Stowaway. I take it in meetings and everything...it's just too useful for me at this point to be without.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Elkins Park, Pa
Posts: 577

I also gotta go with the stowaway. It suddenly adds the capability to type much longer memos. It is so easy, and so small.

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-Bernie

"One word sums up probably the responsibility of any vice president, and that one word is 'to be prepared'.
-Dan Quayle

Registered: Jan 2001
Location: Seattle, Washington
Posts: 293

Thinmodem + and Stowaway

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Have A Good Day!
I Love My Prism!

Registered: Feb 2001
Location: Greenville, SC
Posts: 172

How about a backup module and FitalyStamp?
http://www.fitaly.com/

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"Life is what you experience between racing games"
Galley

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 60

HMmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. This is some interesting stuff.
I've considered a backup module, but I just can't see the value (for me. I understand why others want one)... I'm never more than about 8 hours away from a hot-sync, so... (unless there's a way to use the backup module memory like a regular memory module? :-D )

I dunno about the Stowaway. I see these recommendations and see how everybody loves it, but... but... I guess the way I use my Prism it just doesn't seem to fit (I'd probably find uses for it once I had one). I just can't see whipping out a Keyboard, unfolding it, putting my Prism in, when I could use flip it out and write on it.

(Please don't misunderstand me, I appreciate this input. I'm just trying to figure out which one to get, still.) I guess I'll refine the list

Innopak 2/V. I still like this one, but the only 2 MB RAM holds me back. 2 MB RAM isn't exactly small potatoes when you've only got 8 total, but ...

Memory module 8/16. Seeming nicer. It's just RAM, but... when you've got an Eyemodule2, the concept of moving your pictures to RAM and taking more pictures is nice

Thinmodem+. I didn't know you could write straight to the RAM. Very interesting. Must think about this one. (For those who have one, what did you do? Write a memo with all your ISP's local phone numbers, or what? (I mean, how do you know what # to call when you're traveling with it))

Memplug... I gotta read up more on that. I don't have any Smart Media cards and I don't know how much they cost. However, if docs and things can be read right off of them, this might be worth it. I'll have to look for those threads.

Thanks guys. I appreciate any more input.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 60

Well, I'm a doofus. I just noticed that in this thread I asked for recommendations on what "Sprinboard" module to get, not what "Springboard" module.

-sigh- (That's what happens when you go to school for a couple years to get a Computer Network Engineering degree and wind up in a Data Entry Temp position. I'm getting stupider by the minute.)

Memplug looks awesome. I've read some info about it. I had totally missed that. Only thing is it looks (from what I've read) like it doesn't let you read
doc files that are on the module. Well, I guess I can live with that

Also, I don't have any Smart Media cards (I don't have anything that uses them)... still. This one is very tempting.

Registered: Dec 2000
Location: Olympia, WA
Posts: 16

Stowaway is great, but don't be the only one in a meeting with one, or else you'll always get stuck taking minutes! That said, I believe you can backup to a flash memory module (Smart Media too?) with the right software, so a dedicated backup module loses some luster. I'd go for a Thinmodem+ next myself; can't resist the 56k AND the extra 8 MB to boot. Can someone clarify whether you can use your existing ISP (I'm using MSN) or do you have to pay for a separate Handheld-capable ISP? Thanks!

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Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

Yeah, I have a WordSmith document which I copied all of my ISP's #s to. Technically you can't write to RAM, you can run from the RAM. Meaning you can have programs on it that will run from the RAM (They show up in the launcher like any other app) but if you move a database to the RAM you can't edit it while its on there. So the extra RAM is really usefull to store apps and databases you're not going to edit (ex: dictionaries, books). You can usually run the program in the module & keep its databases on the Visor's RAM.

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Matt Nichols
[email protected]

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 714

MemPlug has said their software to read docs off the module is in beta to be released after launch. But when is launch?

ThinModem+ can use most ISPs, I think you have to do something special for MSN like putting "msn/" infront of your login name but I'm pretty sure its possible. The only ISPs that don't work are those with proprietary systems like AOL. Even then AOL has software to let you do some online stuff.

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Matt Nichols
[email protected]

Registered: Dec 2000
Location:
Posts: 60

All the people are asking it...

The last guy to leave Mir asked it...

The PEOPLE demand an answer...

Which module did Captain Caveman choose??...

I'll tell you, and I'll tell you why:

I was leaning very heavily towards MemPlug, with the closest runner-up being the Innopak 2/V. Then.. suddenly, unexpectedly, out of the blue, I got...
...
... an $880 car repair bill. Naturally, all Sprinboard Module buying plans are on hold for a while...

Oh well.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location:
Posts: 152

I would look real seriously at the MemPlug. They have anounced that the doc reader will be available next week and I have contacted a couple of other programers and they are concidering adding the ability to access their databases from the module. It also allows for backups, so I will probably have mine in the slot most of the time.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Alive and well on VisorCentral.com
Posts: 861

I have a memplug and I love it, I would seriously consider it.. It's a very good (and cheap - if you already have the media) It's a good multi-purpose module.

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