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Implications of MemPlug & PiDirect

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Topic: Implications of MemPlug & PiDirect    Pages (4): « 1 [2] 3 4 »
headgamer
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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Bismarck, ND
Posts: 114

quote:
Originally posted by Bret Snyder
PiDirect is sold separately?


Yeah, I'd be interested in that too. But to be honest, even if it is, I will buy it anyway. PIT has been WONDERFUL to me in the past week with their customer service and satisfaction efforts, so they have my undying loyalty from now til my Prism dies. The only thing I hope for is, if it is sold separately, that it can be installed to the Memplug's Flash RAM... All I can say is, bring it on...

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headgamer is offline Old Post 06-02-2001 04:27 PM
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enhanceyourlife
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Going by the manual, PiDirect will require V1.4 of the Module so I had presumed that an update will be available including the PiDirect.

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enhanceyourlife is offline Old Post 06-02-2001 04:38 PM
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lennonhead
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It says "PiDirect (beta version) will be available for public download on 15th June 2001" at the site. That sounds free to me.

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lennonhead is offline Old Post 06-02-2001 07:01 PM
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Matthew Nichols
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Glad to see the new web page design, its in many ways superior to the old one. Also happy to see more info on PiDirect, I want it now!

Who else thinks Pi should colorize the CSpotRun icon though?

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Matthew Nichols is offline Old Post 06-02-2001 07:06 PM
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Matthew Nichols
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Checkout their comparison table: http://www.memplug.com/Compare.htm

quote:
**PiDirect Sold Seperately...


I've got no cash now...Hopefully it won't be very much since I really want this app (And I was expecting it to be free, especially for us early adopters & those who had to go through PalmGear Hell)

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Matthew Nichols is offline Old Post 06-02-2001 07:13 PM
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MHCohn
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Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Mineola, NY USA
Posts: 161

quote:
Originally posted by lennonhead
It says "PiDirect (beta version) will be available for public download on 15th June 2001" at the site. That sounds free to me.


Perhaps they will make the free version somewhat more limited than the full version, as to the number of files which can be accessed directly, etc. That's pretty common with "free" Palm OS programs. Reassures you that the program works the way you want it to and whets your appetite for more.

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MHCohn is offline Old Post 06-02-2001 10:45 PM
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jasonp
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Registered: Dec 2000
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PiDirect UserGuide (Draft) on website

They've posted a draft copy of the users manual for PiDirect for those interested. Here's the link.


http://www.memplug.com/Prodinfo/PiMount1.htm

near the bottom.

jasonp is offline Old Post 06-03-2001 04:38 AM
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miradu
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Registered: May 2000
Location: St. Paul, MN
Posts: 1429

"The Following limitations apply to evaluataion version of PiDriect:

1. support 10 files under \Palm\PiDirect\ subdir. only.
2. Disable sub-dir editing and changing
3. PiDirect disabled when card eject
4. Show up Nag Screen "

So there we have it. PiDirect is useless unless you buy it

I wish compaines didn't want to make money.. and just make me happy !

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miradu is offline Old Post 06-03-2001 11:22 PM
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MHCohn
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Exclamation

quote:
Originally posted by miradu2000
[B
So there we have it. PiDirect is useless unless you buy it! [/B]


Hardly useless. That's ten, count 'em - 10 - of your largest games or programs running off the module, and freeing up your Visor RAM. On top of 8 - 128 megs of storage, CSpot run, gMovie, back up etc.

I don't know what they intend to charge for the full PiDirect, but that's still damn good for free! Heck when I bought the MemPlug it was without even the promise of ANY additional programs and databases running off the module. Given their track record so far, I'm betting the price for the full program will be pretty reasonable and worth it.

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MHCohn is offline Old Post 06-04-2001 12:14 AM
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Kintama
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Won't Launcher III give you what you need for free?

James

Kintama is offline Old Post 06-04-2001 03:29 AM
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Matthew Nichols
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quote:
Originally posted by Kintama
Won't Launcher III give you what you need for free?


Launcher III is only capable of launching apps off the card, PiDirect will also allow you to load read-only databases off the card (Like images & movies).

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Matthew Nichols is offline Old Post 06-04-2001 04:12 AM
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headgamer
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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Bismarck, ND
Posts: 114

quote:
Originally posted by Kintama
Won't Launcher III give you what you need for free?

James



Not completely. Now with Launcher III you can put the apps on the SM card and "run" them from there. However, the difference between Launcher III and PIDirect is that PIDirect allows you to also keep your databases associated with those apps (provided they are read-only db's) on the SM card too. That can make a HUGE difference for certain apps and games which use large db's...

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headgamer is offline Old Post 06-04-2001 04:49 AM
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ssas
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Angry

Isn't it strange ? Some time ago PI said that we'll be able to run our apps directly from the memplug. There was no word about price. Looks like they just want more money. PiBackup is not fixed yet, PiMover is still ugly, JPGviewer is useless, but they are creating new apps to own our money.

ssas is offline Old Post 06-04-2001 05:38 AM
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zef
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Registered: Nov 2000
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Question PI Comparison Chart

The comparison chart needs to include speed! The trade between SM and CF is power, speed and cost. Since PI now has products for both, it would be more than a public service for them to benchmark both types comparing different file sized and applications. By the way, current( amps) is not the same as power and standby power is also a critical trade if you leave the mempug in the pda most of the time. For the CF, a comarison of the PI vs Kopsis software would be interesting.

zef is offline Old Post 06-04-2001 05:57 AM
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adfleisher
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I think this is completely unfair. Sure the applications lack a little in the appearance department, but I have yet to have any serious problems with their functionality. Backup does not yet work as ORIGINALLY advertised, but unattended backups with a PDA would probably worry me a little now that I've given it some thought. If my visor popped on and tried running a backup while I had low batteries it could cause more harm than it prevented. An application as valuable as PiDirect is worth the price they are likely to ask. As a beta testor for this program, I am limited as to what I can reveal, but all the claims made by the website regarding functionality of this application are completely accurate, and it is being revised WEEKLY to ensure that any bugs reported are investigated and fixed prior to release, which is more than I can say for most developers of software, much less springboards. Give the guys from Pi a break, they are doind a bang-up job in my book.

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adfleisher is offline Old Post 06-04-2001 06:05 AM
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Matthew Nichols
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quote:
Originally posted by ssas
Isn't it strange ? Some time ago PI said that we'll be able to run our apps directly from the memplug. There was no word about price. Looks like they just want more money. PiBackup is not fixed yet, PiMover is still ugly, JPGviewer is useless, but they are creating new apps to own our money.


While yes, I am dissapointed that Pi will be charginf for this, I have to disagree with you about Pi's software. What is "broken" in PiBackup? The JPGViewer was designed for high resolution cameras, even at 1024x768 its display is bareable - if you want to look at small images then convert them to gMedia format. Yeah, PiMover does need some UI fixes but its pretty good for what it is.

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Matthew Nichols is offline Old Post 06-04-2001 06:09 AM
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TheOne
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Registered: Mar 2001
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PiDirect's price

quote:
Originally posted by ssas
Isn't it strange ? Some time ago PI said that we'll be able to run our apps directly from the memplug. There was no word about price. Looks like they just want more money. PiBackup is not fixed yet, PiMover is still ugly, JPGviewer is useless, but they are creating new apps to own our money.


MemPlug may not be prefect but I don't think there is any competitive product like memplug out there. PI's guys also have to earn $$$ to feed themself.

TheOne

TheOne is offline Old Post 06-04-2001 08:02 AM
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PiDeveloper
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quote:
Originally posted by ssas
Isn't it strange ? Some time ago PI said that we'll be able to run our apps directly from the memplug. There was no word about price. Looks like they just want more money. PiBackup is not fixed yet, PiMover is still ugly, JPGviewer is useless, but they are creating new apps to own our money.


Some fact I want to share with you all,

1. When PiDirect is announced, we haven't said it is free.
2. Pi-Apps is not perfect, and still have areas to improve, but I don't think they are ugly, useless and buggy.
3. We have continuous improving. And have released 3 flash update in the past 3 month since Memplug released. And our support team reply customers' email round the clock. How many SpringBoard Module manufactures have this kind of support?
4. The CSpotRun porting just spend me a few weeks spare time to complete, and I place it free for download. But PiDirect spend our whole software team a few months, working days and nights, could we charge for our effort?
5. PiDirect will be bundled with next updater with a few limitation free for download. But if you really love this software and want to support us, you may want a full version.
6. If you think it is an easy task to make a similar program, you are welcomed to download our Memplug SDK for free. Which has completed API for accessing SmartMedia.

- PiDeveloper

PiDeveloper is offline Old Post 06-04-2001 01:43 PM
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Euxx
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Registered: Mar 2001
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PiDirect

Interesting to know. I saw only two memplug flash updates. Where is third one?

In memplug documentation I saw the note that limited version going to bothering us by nag screen. It really was not good idea because module itself is not free.

And comparing with orher modules... HELL WHY you did your API incompatible with others? I mean VirtualFS. Give us compatible API and we will just forget about your software and will use alternatives. Now you give us no alternative even if MemPlug is better then others.

Euxx is offline Old Post 06-04-2001 02:36 PM
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GSR13
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Registered: Apr 2001
Location: Atlanta, GA
Posts: 708

Until this morning I was completely unaware that Portable Innovation was going to charge for PiDirect. At first, I was upset but have now had some time for this to sink in. I love my MemPlug. It is one of the only reasons I keep my Prism and do not get the new Clie. That said, the reason I love my MemPlug are:

Portable Innovation has superior support.

They have consistently updated the software since I bought the MemPlug.

They talk to the end user via Message Boards and Email and keep us informed.

They strive to improve their product.

I have praised PI since I got my MemPlug and will continue to do so. I will also purchase PiDirect provided the cost is reasonable, and based on their history I believe it will be.

While I do agree that PiBackup has some minor problems, I cannot find one thing unsatisfactory beyond that. Any other little bugs have been resolved by PI almost immediately. The only other unresolved issue I have is with the my Prism crashing doing a FIND. PI has stated this will be fixed in the next update.

Would I like PiDirect to be free? Absolutely. Will I continue to support a company that has offered a superior product and then gone above and beyond what other companies are doing? Absolutely. I will put my money where my mouth is to do that.

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GSR13 is offline Old Post 06-04-2001 02:53 PM
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