Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 33

No doubt Visor and its springboards are top of the line gadgets, but with all these gadgets we need MORE MEMORY in the device,at least 16 or even better 32 or 64 MB, so we can run all these applications, use the omnisky, MP3, visorphone, Eyemodule, etc,. between my patients database, coding, billing applications, PDR, and others, memory is gone. If I use the 8 MB module, then I cannot use the other gadgets, I am constantly swapping modules, and getting errors here and there, the more swaps, the more errrors. any Idea if this is possible , any one working on this extra RAM
kevin mendez

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 594

Heavy agreement.
I couldn't believe HS put out a $449 Prism w/only 8Mb.
64k color MEANS more memory.
But HS never listens to be -- I'm just one stupid user.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

they know--they don't care

Don't delude yourself into thinking that Handspring or Palm doesn't know all these issues. They are currently riding the planned-obsolescence wave to fabulous riches. They want to milk every penny from each and every increment. Next time I want to upgrade my PDA, if Handspring hasn't caught up with PPC in certain key areas, I will probably switch.

Registered: Oct 2000
Location: Phoenix, Arizona
Posts: 80

quote:

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Originally posted by kmendez
If I use the 8 MB module, then I cannot use the other gadgets, I am constantly swapping modules, and getting errors here and there, the more swaps, the more errrors. any Idea if this is possible , any one working on this extra RAM

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

too many resets

I've had my reset pin out for my Prism/Minstrel more times than I can count. I have also had to HARD reset twice. Even though I didn't lose my data (thanks to Backup Buddy), I lost ACCESS to my data until I could restore it. This is really pissing me off and my reset pin is starting to get a little worn. I'm waiting patiently for a Prism or Minstrel update that will resolve these issues, but if they are not resolved I will abandon the Palm platform altogether and go run Linux on an iPAQ.

Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 33

Actually I have not had any more problems since I uninstall the hackmaster applications, after that, I can swapp modules right and left and no problems, still I would love to have more memory in the device, and willing to pay extra of course.

Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 594

Re: they know--they don't care

quote:

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Originally posted by zelchenko
Don't delude yourself into thinking that Handspring or Palm doesn't know all these issues. They are currently riding the planned-obsolescence wave to fabulous riches. They want to milk every penny from each and every increment. Next time I want to upgrade my PDA, if Handspring hasn't caught up with PPC in certain key areas, I will probably switch.

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Registered: Nov 2000
Location:
Posts: 6

planned obsolescence

that completely sucks about the planned obsolescence. i never thought of it that way but i agree that it makes sense. i've upgraded to platinum but for what use? they'll probably release a machine with 16MB or more soon and then i'll have to waste money again.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: dynamic!
Posts: 189

"Planned Obsolescence??" It's an oxymoron.

Everything goes obsolete. Once you purchase a product, any product, it's obsolete. Some products are obsolete before they're released. <micro-cough>... Excuse me. Have you 'ME' and '2000' folks heard of 'Whistler'?

That's the nature of the technology biz. No one forces you to buy a product. Something else better comes along. There are 3 certainties in life.. death, taxes, and innovation!


What happens to your 16MB when a 32MB machine is released?
I don't resent anyone for my P3 purchase. I know the P4 is swinging batter's box, and a P5 is waiting in the dugout. Nobody had to tell me this. You see a better pitch.. take a cut at it. Play ball!


[Edited by mrknowitall on 11-29-2000 at 11:28 PM]

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

difference is...

The point I was trying to make is that Palm OS products are far lagging behind the competition. The prices are comparable, so should be the feature-set.

Registered: Nov 1999
Location: dynamic!
Posts: 189

Sorry. I mistook your original post as a belief that these comapnies are corrupt, not anti-competitive.

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

oh they are corrupt...

I do think they are corrupt. I do think they are holding back unreasonably (and foolishly!) in relation to their competition. They need to make a leap forward in their plan or else they will keep losing marketshare.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

quote:

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if Handspring hasn't caught up with PPC in certain key areas

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Registered: Nov 1999
Location:
Posts: 145

And TRGPros?

With TRGPros you can use any CF cards, as well as the 1 GB Microdrive with them...with AutoRun you are able to access (not write) just like with the 8MB Springboard.

Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

wishlist

Higher resolution (slightly larger screen, too).
Built-in multimedia (sound and video).
Better handwriting recognition.
More expansion options (see below).
Cases that support pregnant springboards or more restrictions on springboard developers on the size of their boards.
A business plan that doesn't encourage vaporware.
Better browser.
An OS that doesn't require "kludges".

Some of these lead to the requirement for more memory and more processing speed. So, in fact, the memory issue IS a valid argument. I appreciate Palm OS not being bloated, but I sincerely think it's a tad on the emaciated side.

Regarding expansion--my experience with Springboard has been LESS than stellar. I have to pull my Minstrel from my Prism no less than 5 times per day (it isn't more only because I don't use it all day) in order to reset my Prism from Fatal Exceptions. I don't know a good solution for this, but true CF card support would be nice.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Dallas-area, Texas
Posts: 82

Maybe we'd settle for a memory upgrade slot that wouldn;t void the warranty? No, I'm not thinkg TRGpro or Clie, but some sort of door that exposes the RAM chip. And something to autosense the chip's capicity. And a ROM door, too.


[Edited by thatch on 11-30-2000 at 01:25 PM]

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Tim
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Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

i don't think you entirely understand

To me, this isn't just about hardware. The operating system itself is to blame for its RAM limitations, not an availability of a slot. As far as hardware goes, I don't understand why we should be happy with 33Mhz just because "we don't need more". The fact is that hardware limitations and OS limitations give us fewer options. It's not that we don't NEED more, it's simply that we don't have access to more.

Registered: Jan 2000
Location: Twin Cities, MN
Posts: 1683

The argument for not having more processor power because we don't need it IS a valid argument.

The problem is that having more processor power allows programmers to be sloppy. It's the logic of "the processor is fast enough to overcome our bloated code."

Granted, it SHOULDN'T be like that, but it is.

I'm not sure how the OS is limiting RAM. I don't think we need more RAM for applications to run, just more RAM to store more data.

Goyena:

How does the TRGPRO support the Microdrives? I went to there site to find info on that, but couldn't find anything...I'm quite interested in that.

[Edited by homer on 11-30-2000 at 04:07 PM]

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Registered: Nov 1999
Location: Pittsburgh, PA, USA Interests: Women, Drums, Visors, Computers, Home Theater and any cool gadgets.
Posts: 138

quote:

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Originally posted by thatch
Maybe we'd settle for a memory upgrade slot that wouldn;t void the warranty? No, I'm not thinkg TRGpro or Clie, but some sort of door that exposes the RAM chip. And something to autosense the chip's capicity. And a ROM door, too.


[Edited by thatch on 11-30-2000 at 01:25 PM]

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Have you guys seen this thread? http://discussion.visorcentral.com/...mp;pagenumber=1


A company called Kopsis Engineering figured out how to modify a standard PCMCIA to CF adapter to adapt a SpringBoard to CF instead. PCMCIA is not to far off spec than the Springboard and it involves just a few modifications to get it to work. But then there is the casings etc... You can read about it.

Now we can use Compact Flash cards on the Visor. They are writing the software now and that is how they will make there money. Right there they give exact directions on how to make the adapter itself as they don't do hardware

There also are people making and selling the adapters for around $63 total for the "short" version, (read below). That is the best way as you won't have to worry about the problems of getting the SpringBoard cases etc... You have to buy in bulk. My best advice is get the "short" version not the long one. The "short" version makes the CF card only stick up slightly on the top of the Visor.

I have a 64 meg CF card working on my Prism and so far it is GREAT even with the beta software! I can only copy files back and forth for now but in the future they will have software to allow it to run information right off the CF just like HS's 8 meg flash. Even now though it is nice to have basically a 64 meg HD attached to the Visor. Of course you can buy CF cards even larger, 128, 256 maybe etc...

Here is a picture of a "short" one someone made.

http://brian.covert.net/pix/adapter/

I put away my 8 meg flash now... I should sell it..

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Registered: Sep 2000
Location:
Posts: 117

yes, i know about the cf adapter

Yes, I am aware of the CF adapter project--but it is plagued by the same memory management limitations of any flash module on the visor. Plus, the power constraints on the SB slot prohibit you from using power hungry CF modules like the microdrive.