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benjie · 10-05-2006, 01:42 AM

A "launcher" - that is a hot topic. The Palm default or built-in launcher is what you see when you list the applications installed on the device. The default launcher launchs programs, deletes programs, lets you copy and so on. It does an "ok" job, but it has limitations that can cause problems. Specifically, the default launcher does not allow you to store applications on the card as efficiently as a third party launcher such as ZLauncher. The default launcher is designed to keep data files in main device memory and the applications themselves either in main device memory or on the SD card in the /Palm/Launcher folder.

When an application is launched from the SD card by the default launcher, the application is copied to main memory and launched. Upon termination of the application, the application, the data files are modified (if not all ready modified during use) and the application is cleared from device memory and the data files left in main memory (or where ever the application is designed to store them).

A good third party launcher though keeps the application and its relateld files on the SD card in a launch folder, copies all of the files with the same creator ID to the device's main memory, launchs the applcation and upon application termination, moves everything back to the card. This means a good memory savings. This specifically means applications/files that share a common creator ID. ZLauncher and one other launcher take this a step further by handling multiple creator IDs which means it copy everything in the launch folder to the device's main memory for launching, et cetera. This allows you for instance to install Java to your device and then move Java and the Java application you are running to the SD card and loading Java into main memory only when it is needed. Without this ability, Java must remain in the device's main memory.

A good third party launcher also lets you customize the appearance and overall operation of your Treo.

The next question - Palm PDF is freeware and it handles Adobe Reader files better than the real Adobe Reader program. Ben

10-05-2006, 01:42 AM	#15 (permalink)
benjie Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In the middle of nowhere. Posts: 2,565 Thanks: 3 Thanked 69 Times in 69 Posts	A "launcher" - that is a hot topic. The Palm default or built-in launcher is what you see when you list the applications installed on the device. The default launcher launchs programs, deletes programs, lets you copy and so on. It does an "ok" job, but it has limitations that can cause problems. Specifically, the default launcher does not allow you to store applications on the card as efficiently as a third party launcher such as ZLauncher. The default launcher is designed to keep data files in main device memory and the applications themselves either in main device memory or on the SD card in the /Palm/Launcher folder. When an application is launched from the SD card by the default launcher, the application is copied to main memory and launched. Upon termination of the application, the application, the data files are modified (if not all ready modified during use) and the application is cleared from device memory and the data files left in main memory (or where ever the application is designed to store them). A good third party launcher though keeps the application and its relateld files on the SD card in a launch folder, copies all of the files with the same creator ID to the device's main memory, launchs the applcation and upon application termination, moves everything back to the card. This means a good memory savings. This specifically means applications/files that share a common creator ID. ZLauncher and one other launcher take this a step further by handling multiple creator IDs which means it copy everything in the launch folder to the device's main memory for launching, et cetera. This allows you for instance to install Java to your device and then move Java and the Java application you are running to the SD card and loading Java into main memory only when it is needed. Without this ability, Java must remain in the device's main memory. A good third party launcher also lets you customize the appearance and overall operation of your Treo. The next question - Palm PDF is freeware and it handles Adobe Reader files better than the real Adobe Reader program. Ben __________________ Treo Centro - Honolulu - 2,500 miles west of somewhere in the middle of nowhere, the land of Shakes. Kyoceria 6135, Treo 300, 600, 650, 700p, 700w, Centro & 800W + 3 other WM phones...