MANAGING STORAGE MEMORY

Even with a flash utility, if memory on the storage heap is getting low, you can sometimes still free up memory by deleting unwanted applications and files. We suggest first deleting non-TealPoint applications and data ;). Most people use the system delete screen to delete applications, but special care should be taken when doing so. The system delete screen is not designed to delete individual files, but entire applications and all their associated files with a single tap. Each single entry in the system delete screen can actually represent many individual files, grouped together under one entry by an internal 4-letter code that every Palm file has, called a Creator ID. For instance, if you try to use the system delete screen to erase what looks like a single doc file, you will instead -- yikes! -- remove ALL doc files from your Palm at once.

A better alternative is to use the delete functionality of a third party file manager application. There are several out there that will do the job and will also let you see details about the file like size and Creator ID. We actually offer two file managers ourselves. The first, TealFiles (http://www.tealpoint.com/softtool.htm), is a pop-up desk accessory that can manage, delete, and beam files in RAM, and is part of the TealTools pop-up utilities package. The second application, TealMover (http://www.tealpoint.com/softmovr.htm), is a standalone app that also supports files stored externally in VFS devices like SD and MMC cards.

MANAGING HACKS

On Palm OS organizers, the design of both the operating system and individual apps can sometimes lead to problems. As Palm OS was designed to run only one app at a time, it has few facilities for managing memory between concurrent programs. Yet apps, when tested by their manufacturers, are often run only by themselves. Consequently, adding hacks, DAs, language-support add-ons, and other programs that extend the operating system can occasionally exhaust the dynamic heap or stack, causing crashes in certain combinations. While one could simply choose not to use such add-on programs, they often provide overwhelmingly useful functionality that cannot easily be ignored.

What, then, can one do to maintain stability? First of all, be picky selecting which apps and add-ons to run. Quality developers with experience writing Palm apps are much more likely to have tested their programs with hacks and other add-ons, particularly if the developer makes more than one or two programs. Also, be selective when building a collection of hacks and add-ons. Some all-purpose, "do everything" hacks place high demands on the stack, an unnecessary risk if you don't need all the functions they provide. Lastly, since stack size will always place a finite limit on how many hacks can run at once, try deactivating individual hacks when you don't need them, or when they conflict with a certain app or other hack. If you are running TealMaster as your system extensions manager (http://www.tealpoint.com/softmstr.htm), you can use its nifty "profile mapping" feature to automatically deactivate and reactivate hacks depending on what application you are running.

EXTERNAL STORAGE DEVICES

When choosing an organizer, also consider external storage devices. Handspring Visors support, along with numerous expansion peripherals, the Springboard flash module (http://www.handspring.com). This is arguably the most compatible and fastest removable card because its memory is directly accessible by programs and the microprocessor. Yet, Springboard modules cannot be used on other organizers, are only currently available in 8 or 16 Mb sizes, and cannot store non-Palm formatted files like unconverted text and wave files. Also the file management system is non-standard and proprietary, so your choices are limited on how to move files to and from the card. When considering other expansion technologies, look for support for the standard Virtual File System, which will likely be adopted my most new apps. VFS is supported by the new devices from Palm (http://www.palm.com), Sony (http://www.sony.com), and HandEra (http://www.handera.com). Non-VFS devices like the MemPlug SmartMedia Adapter also available (http://www.portableinnovation.com). Third-party VFS support for such devices will likely be available using add-on software like the add-on library in development from Kopsis Engineering (http://www.kopsisengineering.com).

CONCLUSION

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