McFile No Longer Freeware

Posted By: Ed Tuesday, December 11, 2001 8:24:56 AM

Since the rise in popularity of Sony's handhelds and the introduction the SD slot on some Palm models, many people have turned to McFile to help them access files and folders on their expansion cards. The original version was freeware but the latest, McFile 2.0, costs $12. It lets users transfer files between RAM and a card, copy, delete and beam files, and even perform backups.

It supports the high resolution screens on the Sony N and T series and the HandEra 330. It also supports the jog wheel on models from Sony and HandEra.

By creating associations with applications that contain interfaces for external links, it is possible to Open or Send a file.

Included with McFile 2.0 is an application called McTransfer, which allows users to HotSync files into directory on their SD card or Memory Stick, rather than the default palm/launcher.

Sony handhelds come with an application called MS Gate but McFile has more functions. If Palm m500 series or m125 users wanted a good file manager, they have little choice besides buying one.

A 30-day demo version is available.

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m600?

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 8:39:57 AM #
Ed, you're sure that there's a m600 series? :)
and also, you've missed out that, an application named McTransfer is included in McFile 2.0,
which allows users to use hotsync to sync files into ANY directory on their SD/MS (rather than
palm/launcher w/o using it), which is a darn useful function...

RE: m600?
Ed @ 12/11/2001 8:52:17 AM #
Thanks for pointing out the typo.

I didn't want to complain in the article but the documentation for McFile is a bit weak. Thanks for letting me know what McTransfer does.

---
News Editor

RE: m600?
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 9:13:51 AM #
Ed, unlike the previous versions, in the 2.0 release, McFile comes with an English manual as far as I know...
You may wanna check it out...

RE: m600?
Davy @ 12/11/2001 9:40:34 AM #
documentation for McFile is a bit weak.

He did read the documentation, as I have. Just because something's in English doesn't mean it's easy to understand or clear.

McFile Documentation
Ed @ 12/11/2001 9:46:14 AM #
Actually, I want to retract my previous statement. All I saw was "McFileGuide.pdf" which is in Japanese. I totally missed the English version right next to it. *sigh* I know everyone's eyes have a blindspot but mine sometimes seems to cover my entire field of vision. Thanks for pointing it out. Now I'm really glad I didn't say anything in the article about weak documentation.

---
News Editor

Am I missing something?

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 8:49:55 AM #
The demo version on the website says Version 2.0b7

Am I supposed to pay $12 to be a beta tester for them?

I don't think so.

RE: Am I missing something?
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 9:13:12 AM #
it's not beta anymore. it's 2.0 release.

RE: Am I missing something?
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 9:57:39 AM #
The version I just downloaded says 2.0b7 the b implies beta.

RE: Am I missing something?
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 10:02:40 AM #
Where did you download it from? I just got it from http://www.jade.dti.ne.jp/~imazeki/palm/McFL/index-e.html
and I don't see anything about a Beta anywhere. The name of the file I have is McFileEng.prc Where does the one you have say b7?

RE: Am I missing something?
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 12:14:14 PM #
Hmmmmmmmmm.

To me the "b" in this case would represent "build" 7, but that is just my view from a programmers stand point. "B" or "Beta" would make me think it is a beta.

Just my $0.02

-Rusty

RE: Am I missing something?
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 12:50:16 PM #
When you run the program and go to the menu , choose "About McFile". Mine says 2.0b7

RE: Am I missing something?
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 1:32:34 PM #
Mine says "Version 2.0", nothing more, nothing less...

RE: Am I missing something?
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 3:25:23 PM #
About McFile ---> 2.0b9

9?

RE: Am I missing something?
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 8:44:32 PM #
nXt to the rescue? :)

yes there have been tons of beta of mcfile version 1.x and 2.x 2.0b7 is a beta, so is 2.0b8 and 2.0b9, but 2.0b9 was the last beta.

If you go to Imazeki's website there's an entire English site.
http://www.jade.dti.ne.jp/~imazeki/palm/McFL/index-e.html

The 2.0 final is there:
http://www.jade.dti.ne.jp/~imazeki/palm/McFL/data/McFL20.zip

Btw, make sure you load the files in the english directory.

RE: Am I missing something?
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 11:44:57 PM #
now, come on people, dont be retarded. the 'b' is for build, as the build number. if it was beta, it would say 2.0 beta. you see?! ;)

RE: Am I missing something?
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/12/2001 3:27:05 AM #
Actually the b IS for beta :)
The final version does not say any b on it.
Even a small look on his website, you can notice that there are tons of betas before the 2.0 final.

Sold only through Handango

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 8:59:33 AM #
No thanks. After everything Handango has done in the last couple years, you can have my $12 when you sell through PalmGear. Until then, I suggest an application that does, like FileMan...

RE: Sold only through Handango
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 9:35:24 AM #
You can't blame the developer for selling through Handango. He probably wants to get his money sometime in the near future, rather than three to four months after the fact which is how far behind PalmGear is.

RE: Sold only through Handango
Davy @ 12/11/2001 9:41:27 AM #
What's wrong with Handango? As far as I can tell, it has a much better purchasing system (is going to yahoo shopping leaving you feeling secure), and it gives the developers money, on time. Handango is better.

Down with Handango
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 9:56:08 AM #
!

RE: Sold only through Handango
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 1:08:06 PM #
I've found Handango's service to be awful. Their autmated replies often tell me that my registration code is in the mail, when in fact it never comes and I have to write the developer directly. I wrote them to complain about that on my last purchase and I got a reply back saying someone would get back to me in 2 business days (though the web submitting form said 3 business days; at this point my code was already almost a week late). Three days later and I still haven't heard back.

RE: Sold only through Handango
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 1:31:08 PM #
With McFile, you download the unlock key instantly... (nope, it is NOT a serial number like stuff, but something the size of about 200 bytes...)

No waiting...

RE: Sold only through Handango
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 2:54:56 PM #
Well, it's good that McFile's registration process bypasses some of Handango's failings, but I still don't think that they're worth dealing with. A friend of mine ordered a case from them, and they cancelled her order without even telling her. She clued in that something was wrong when nothing came and the UPS tracking link for her alleged package stopped working. (This is after trying unsuccessfully to reach them phone several times during the ordering process; she got only a voice mail box which told her it was full when she tried to leave a message.)

Best File Manager?

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 10:06:21 AM #
I've been using McFile for awhile mostly because it was free. Now that I have to pay for it, I want to be sure it is really better than the others.

What's you favorite file manager and why?

RE: Best File Manager?
Altema @ 12/11/2001 12:32:43 PM #
I've been waiting to be able to register McFile for a while. I can't say that I have tried all the file managers out there, just a few, but I liked McFile and went back to it several times. I especially like the multiple file selection, the ability to view text documents, and some of the other options. On the down side, if you have a few files checked but then use the pop up window on another file, McFile will perform that function on all the files. Not really a problem or defect, just unexpected. The backup feature also cannot be used to reload to a new device, as McFile does not recognize the backup when you put the card in a different machine for some reason (probably security). I guess there are other apps that are pretty good, but McFile just seemed to click, doing what I wanted before I even looked at the docs. I will probably shop around more after I register McFile, as I'm tired of it expiring every month. Even if I get hooked on something else, $12 is appropriate. I don't think I'd pay $19 for a file management utility from anybody, especially with prices beginning to get out of control.

RE: Best File Manager?
rldunn @ 12/11/2001 1:15:20 PM #
Since McFile is out of beta now, this version, if registered, won't expire.

A good alternative...
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 5:33:23 PM #
Filez. Download it @ palmgear.com
PDANature - http://pdan.has.it - Great hourly refreshed pda news, discussions, chat, reviews, commentarys, software, software update notices, features, and what not! Simply the best. http://pdan.has.it


RE: Best File Manager?
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 8:48:33 PM #
Well version 1.13 is still freeware...

But i Agree with the first reply....
There are some file managers out (like FileMan, and FilePoint). They look good on the eyes (nice bright colors, big text) but in functionality, they suck, plain and simple, and charge insane amounts of money.

McFile is, has and will be the best File Manager there is.

RE: Best File Manager? don't think so?
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 9:39:35 PM #
Don't think mcFile is all that good. I use myWorkbench which has a simpler and better user interface. myWb also launches files from external card. BTW, it has split view of different dir and medias.

Here is the link www.toysoft.ca/myWorkbench.html

Connections...

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 11:14:49 AM #
Does this have anything to do with the release of the i705? Usually strategic market moves have an impact on complementary goods and services, including McFile. It would be interesting to see what software/software developer is effected in the wake of McFile's new surcharge.

RE: Connections...
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 9:28:35 PM #
Huh.. uh no?

McFile 2.0 went final December 4, 2001

This should be part of the OS

I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 11:30:42 AM #
I always assumed that the functionality to move files from one type of storage to another or from one folder to another was a basic function on any operating system. Shame on Palm for not including a similar tool in their operating system.

Next year: buy a Palm and then pay 20 dollar for the display driver or to be able to use the hotsync button?

RE: This should be part of the OS
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 11:53:29 AM #
Get some statistics showing consumer demand for that function, and you'll see why it's not a part of the OS.

RE: This should be part of the OS
bradhaak @ 12/11/2001 11:58:55 AM #
There is very nasic functionality to in the default launcher to move apps from standard memory to the /Palm/Launcher folder on an expansion card (try the 'Send' on the 'App' menu). You can also use the Card Info app to format a memory card.

RE: This should be part of the OS
huggy @ 12/11/2001 12:48:49 PM #
Maybe I'm missing something... but isn't that what MS GATE does?

-------------- huggy ---------------
RE: This should be part of the OS
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 1:13:28 PM #
Stop being greedy, the author of McFile had put a lot of work into McFile, and to me, it feels rather like having my old PCTools on my Palm (Yup, I still have PCTools 4.3). Since when did you get PCTools with DOS 3.3?

Sure, you can still manage file without McFile, but there's a lot of things that just gets done faster and easier with McFile.

I have been using McFile since I first got my Clie (almost a year ago), and McFile had helped a lot (even a few restores after hard reset). I wouldn't mind sending him $12 even if McFile was only mildly enhanced since 1.0, but the current version actually is quite a step forward... IMHO, there might be other file management software that have functions that McFile does not have, but McFile is one that have almost everything done right...

RE: This should be part of the OS
rldunn @ 12/11/2001 1:16:15 PM #
The part you're missing is that MSGate only comes with the Clies, while people with M505s don't have anything but the limited functions in the default launcher to move files.

RE: This should be part of the OS
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 1:28:22 PM #
Well, there's still McFile 1.x, and several other file manager that should do the trick for free...

And I don't think MSGate is anything to call home about... it stinks...

Confused

Trick @ 12/11/2001 1:31:18 PM #
I am new to the world of external memory on Palm devices. Not new to Palm mind you, but it's a different world since I bought my IIIx to replace my 5000. But after much debate I went with the m500.

My 16 SD is in the mail from Palm hopefully, so I'm speaking without having worked with it at all, BUT. . . from reading posts and lurking I'm having a hard time seeing what McFile offers over the Palm management.

Both offer the ability to copy files to and from cards and the internal memory. Great. I don't need the jog dial, I don't need the high-res, so that leaves the basic functions of copying and moving, right?

"Sure, you can still manage file without McFile, but there's a lot of things that just gets done faster and easier with McFile." Like what? Or is that McFile offers it in one place instead of scattered in different menus?

Or is this a case like alternative PIMS? Action Names serves the same function as the Datebook app from Palm it just does it differently, right?

[Note: I am not trolling or trying to be a OEM cheerleader, just being a novice.]

RE: Confused
I.M. Anonymous @ 12/11/2001 5:20:35 PM #
Well, the fastest way to see is just play around with that memory card when it shows up in the mail, and you'll see why McFile is a bog step forward over the OS functionality. It's just not as easy or as friendly as Palm's advertising hints.

You'll see.



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