Do we have any hardware hackers on this thread?
I posted these links here yesterday...
Message 14969082
The Palm OS has definite drawbacks. The lack of FAT file support
is a significant disadvantage if one considers functions above
and beyond basic PIM (that Palm does very well). The Handspring
adapter that some are homebrewing brings up some very disturbing
facts. First, the Handspring folks use pin connectors that are
essentially based on the PCMCIA standard, but then switch two of
the connectors so that CompactFlash connectivity is eliminated.
I have no problem with the Springboard module concept, but to totally
exclude the established CF and CF+ standards seems to be a bit extreme.
Why pay such exorbitant prices for a single software module like
Tiger Woods golf when you could download a program from the Internet
and just copy it to RAM? It would be much cheaper and it would
still allow the Springboard connection to be open for other functions.
Why pay such exorbitant prices for an 8 MB backup module or even an
8 MB proprietary flash module that works in no other devices?
Please read through the FAQ's about difficulties with the marriage of
the Palm OS / Handspring interface and a CompactFlash card...
___________________________________________________________________
Q. Will I be able to run applications directly off the CF Card?
Q. Will applications be able to access databases directly off the CF Card?
Q. How is the FlashAdapter different than the Handspring 8MB Flash module?
A. CompactFlash memory is much different than the Flash memory
in Handspring's 8MB Flash module. The Flash memory in Handspring's
module is a type that the Dragonball processor in the Visor
"knows" how to access directly. The memory looks just like
conventional ROM to the CPU and as a result it can directly
execute applications and read (but not write) databases
that are stored there.
To the CPU, CompactFlash doesn't look like Flash at all. It looks
like a disk drive. The Flash chips in a CF card are not visible
to the device that the CF card is plugged into. All that the Visor
can "see" is the CF controller chip, which looks exactly like a
hard disk controller. Just as your PC or Mac cannot run any programs
on the hard disk without first loading them into RAM, the Visor
cannot access any programs on the CF card without first loading
them into RAM. And unlike a desktop system, the PalmOS running
on the Visor knows nothing about "loading programs". It assumes
that everything it needs has already been loaded into RAM via a hotsync.
The only way to get around this is to use an application to move
the files from the CF card to the Visor's RAM before the Visor
tries to use them. Our first FlashAdapter application, FAFileMover,
will allow you to do this manually. This will work well for large
infrequently used programs or reference files. Our second FlashAdapter
application, FAAutoMover, will install an OS extension that allows you
to automate this process for certain files. When the Visor tries
to run an application or access a database managed by FAAutoMover,
it will automatically be copied to RAM where the Visor can use it
just like any other database. When the Visor is done with it,
FAAutoMover will delete it or copy it back to the CF card if it has
changed. Of course this means that you must always maintain an amount
of free RAM at least as large as the largest program (and it's data)
that you intend to run off the CF card, but with the ability
to move large infrequently used databases to CompactFlash,
that isn't as much of a problem as it might seem.
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Q. Would it be possible to adapt TRG's CF applications to work with the FlashAdapter
A. No. TRG is a full licensee of the PalmOS and has the ability
to modify the operating system in their devices to support their
hardware's unique CF interface. Their applications are only designed
to work with their custom version of the PalmOS. And though it may be
possible for TRG to modify them to work with the FlashAdapter
drivers, it probably would not make good business sense for them to do so.
___________________________________________________________________
I mentioned these shortcomings earlier at the bottom of this post...
Message 13042603
As much as many dislike Microsoft, I think their approach to the
PDA market is a more complete and a more functional solution
long term than the Palm OS. I hope there is a Palm upgrade
coming soon that allows off-the-shelf CF use in Handspring.
Ausdauer@CF_is_a_superior_solution.com |
