Registered: Feb 2002
Location:
Posts: 1

PiDirect, PowerRun, MsMount?

I just recently purchased a Visor Neo, and I am looking to purchase a CF Springboard adapter. After reading through threads that date back over a year regarding Memplug, FlashPlus, VFS, PiDirect, PowerRun, and MsMount, I'm not sure if I've become even more confused.

Presently, I am aware that MemPlug supports both external application/database storage through both VFS and PiDirect. Having read the other threads on this forum, I assume that FlashPlus/Matchbook adapters offer the same functionality with their bundled software. However, both of these products come with "evaluation" software: i.e. PiDirect needs to be registered for $19.95 to unlock its complete functionality.

PowerRun is cheaper ($15), and MsMount is freeware. Aside from not residing in the adapter's Flash memory, do these 2 programs still offer the same functionality as PiDirect or the commercial program from Kopsis? Also, it seems to me that FlashPlus/Matchbook users often mention PowerRun or MsMount? Are these 2 programs specific to FlashPlus/Matchbook?

I hope someone could clear up these issues for me. Thanks in advance.

Registered: Jul 2000
Location: Plant City, FL
Posts: 385

Re: PiDirect, PowerRun, MsMount?

quote:

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Originally posted by iveal
PowerRun is cheaper ($15), and MsMount is freeware. Aside from not residing in the adapter's Flash memory, do these 2 programs still offer the same functionality as PiDirect or the commercial program from Kopsis? Also, it seems to me that FlashPlus/Matchbook users often mention PowerRun or MsMount? Are these 2 programs specific to FlashPlus/Matchbook?

I hope someone could clear up these issues for me. Thanks in advance.

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<ul><li>Dave Kessler<br>President - Kopsis, Inc.</li></ul>

Registered: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27

Very nice explanation, Dave - that's the clearest explanation I've ever seen for the storage card/app interface issues!!!!!

Thanks.

Registered: Feb 2001
Location:
Posts: 4

Re: Re: PiDirect, PowerRun, MsMount?

quote:

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Originally posted by dkessler


MSMount is very similar to PiDirect. PiDirect offers some convenience features not present in MSMount, but both do basically the same thing. Both "trick" the Visor into thinking that one of the directories on the CF card is an extension of the Visor's RAM. The main reason for using this type software is when you have large read-only databases belonging to applications that are not VFS enabled.

PowerRUN is an app that creates "shortcuts" in RAM for applications and data stored on the CF card. When you tap a shortcut icon, the entire app and all its data are copied to RAM and when you exit the app, all the changed files are copied back to CF. PowerRUN is popular because it has less compatibility issues and databases can be written to, however apps are slower to launch and you must keep enough free RAM on your Visor to hold the largest app and all its data.

However, with more and more VFS enabled applications becoming available, many users find PowerRUN/MSMount/PiDirect completely uneccesary. With a VFS enabled launcher like LauncherIII, SilverScreen, or MegaLauncher, you can launch apps stored on CF without any special software (other than the drivers for the CF adapter). Likewise, apps with VFS support like WordSmith can read and write databases directly on the CF card using just the CF adapter drivers.

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