ZLauncher vs. FileZ vs. PowerRun

[HulaGirl]

Could someone help me with this?

What are these apps mainly used for? Why is one better than the other (besides cost)? Or are they totally different from each other?

[kdallen]

Could someone help me with this?

What are these apps mainly used for? Why is one better than the other (besides cost)? Or are they totally different from each other?

FileZ is a freeware file management app. Many people here on the forum use it and love it. Zlauncher is a launcher app that comes with a file management system. I used FileZ for a few days when I got my Treo. I bought Zlauncher and discovered the file manager, which I love, and use it. I've removed FileZ from my Treo.

Zlauncher allows you to use different themes to customize the look of your Treo, then customize the way the apps are organized/displayed. You can categorize them the way you like and then create shortcuts so you can launch with keystrokes if you want. It also offers a bunch of info you can have displayed on the screen, like amount of free memory on Treo and card, battery strength in different increments, more shortcuts or favorite apps, etc. A plus is, with the file manager, I've deleted apps and not run into the problems some have with left-over files from supposedly-uninstalled apps causing conflicts and resets. It also offers an option to reset the Treo, which doesn't require you to remove the battery cover or get one with a hole drilled.

Can't help you with PowerRun, maybe someone else can jump in?

[HulaGirl]

Hmmmm . . . .

I guess ZLauncher would be the logical choice since it can do the same things as FileZ plus a whole lot more. Plus, I like the idea of being able to reset (since I have to do it often) with just a push of a button.

Thank you!

[maceyr]

I use and prefer PowerRun because it works and relatively small in size. I don't need a launcher and just use the default Palm launcher. I personally find that I can't justify using up several hundred kilobytes of RAM when something else much smaller works just as well.

But many people love ZLauncher. ZLauncher is mainly a launcher application that provides a "skin" where you can do a lot of things like sorting apps into their specific tabs as well as creating shortcuts to running apps on an SD card.

I just love small apps. We're all different.

FileZ is really a file manager, allowing you to copy, cut, move, delete files and many other features.

[Kreth]

ZLauncher is a launcher, file manager and much more. FileZ and FileProg are lightweight (in terms of size) file managers. They are also both freeware. PowerRun lets you move apps to an SD card, while keeping a shortcut in RAM. This allows you to categorize the apps on the card, which the standard Palm launcher does not.
BTW, another option for resetting your Treo is a freeware app called Soft Reset.

[Stillrockin]

Like kdallen, I started out with fileZ and loved it! I used it on my Tungsten prior to the Treo. But I read raves about zLauncher and wanted to give it a try. I simply love it! Not trying to take away from fileZ at all (I never tested power run) It was a great way for managing my apps . . . . until I tried zLauncher! For all that it does, its well worth the file size to me! Funny thing about it, I saw no sense in a "Launcher" program for the Palm OS, until I installed the zLauncher Trail. As far as moving apps from the card to ram, and back, as well as deleting applications, it is much simplier than fileZ. It allows for quite a bit of customization as far as the interface. And if you really get bored, several offer "zLauncher Themes".

As far as the file size issue goes, to me its a non-issue . . Once you install zLauncher, everything that is not permanant in the ROM can be transferred to the card with about two strokes in zlauncher. All that is left is the tiny file size of the shortcut. Sorry to ramble on, but I think you can see, I really like zLauncher

[HulaGirl]

If zLauncher can delete apps, then I wouldn't need Uninstall Manager?

[Stillrockin]

If zLauncher can delete apps, then I wouldn't need Uninstall Manager?

Its as simple as selecting the app, telling zLauncher to put it in the Trash bin. All databases associated with the app are automatically put in the Trash bin. Then, all that is left to do, is to "empty' the trash.

You don't need an Uninstall manager with zLauncher . . .

[HulaGirl]

Since you seemed so psyched with zLauncher, I decided to download the trial version and check it out. I haven't really done anything with it yet but it does look prettier than FileZ.

[HulaGirl]

I think zLauncher is definitely the way to go. It's a lot more user friendly and just looks better. Thanks for the suggestion.