Quickies: Franklin Covey, FileCaddy, Launcher X, Civilization, Cables

Posted By: As Listed Thursday, August 8, 2002 8:25:21 AM

The 183 nationwide Franklin Covey stores are giving away a 16 MB SD card or handheld case (with a value below $30) with the purchase of any handheld. These stores carry all current Palms, new and refurbished, as well as the Treo 90. -Robbie Stark

FileCaddy is a free VFS file manager distributed under the GNU Public License. It has been designed to be small, fast, and efficient. The current version uses less than 30 K. -Ed

A beta of Launcher X will be available next week, the primary developer Bozidar Benc told PDABuzz. -Ed

The FreeCiv for Palm OS Project is working to port a version of the strategy game Civilization to the Palm OS. They are looking for volunteers to help. -Larry

Smith Micro Software has data cables to connect several handheld models to cell phones. Most cables are $30 plus shipping. -Mark Snyder

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Launcher X

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 8:37:05 AM #
The funny thing about Launcher X is going to be once the beta is released to all the people that have been drooling over it and it falls short of expectations.
RE: Launcher X
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 8:47:31 AM #
Launcher X? Alright!
Roll that sucker out man!
RE: Launcher X
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 8:58:34 AM #
Wow, an anonymous cheapshot on the Internet. WHo would have thought it was possible.

Michael

RE: Launcher X
mrfrodo1 @ 8/8/2002 8:59:10 AM #
Taken them long enough...I hope it was worth the wait!

RE: Launcher X
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 8:59:26 AM #
I hope it comes with a Racer X theme.
RE: Launcher X
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 9:00:13 AM #
"The funny thing about Launcher X is going to be once the beta is released to all the people that have been drooling over it and it falls short of expectations."

Hmmm...and you base this on what?? How do you know what peoples' expections are, and whether or not LauncherX will meet, exceed, or fall short of them?

You're lips are moving, but you're not saying anything supportable.

RE: Launcher X
Ronin @ 8/8/2002 10:01:46 AM #
I usually do not respond to these types of posts but I am one person of the opinion that Launcher X has been receiving an undeserved bashing. I am at a loss as to why this is - immaturity, troll-like tendencies or simply impatience are possible causes that come to mind.

I am a user of Launcher III and I consider it to be an outstanding piece of software. It does its job extremely well, is stable, very fast and versatile. If Launcher X does nothing but add eye candy to the package I will be happy but based on the past performance of Mr. Benc this is highly unlikely. Thus I am anxious to see the new product, however, the only real expectation that I have is that it be of the same high quality as Launcher III.

As to the stream of bashing, the sole misstep by Little Mobile Creations was pre-announcing the software. Pre-announcing is a rarity for Palm software and the events surrounding Launcher X will certainly not encourage the practice in the future. To my understanding, the pre-announce was with the best of intentions and not done to cause anyone undo anxiety. The people writing this software have lives, of which writing software is only a part. As we all know, in life - stuff happens, all the time and at the most inconvenient of times.

At the end of the day, it is only software that you want but do not need. And when it is released (if it is ever released - nothing is guaranteed) you will either try it or you won't, you will either like it or you won't and you will either buy it or you won't, just like every other piece of software.

In the Spirit of Umoja,
Ronin

RE: Launcher X
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 10:58:51 AM #
It's been a long wait to get a beta version. And even though I signed up for the email list many months ago, I've not received any notices at all.
Reality?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 12:42:06 PM #
OK folks, we all want a new killer launcher that will blow our socks off. But any product that is in the testing stage so long has a tendancy to have the rest of the world move on ahead. Not to say Launcher X wont be a ground breaker.
The reality is that everyone else has been working on their launchers since Launcher X was announced and the competition is there were X had hoped to be a whole new idea.
RE: Launcher X
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 2:01:07 PM #
Ok, I have to post this e-mail that I received on JULY 3rd:

This message is not flagged. [ Flag Message - Mark as Unread ]

From: "Bozidar Benc" <benc@benc.hr>
To: "Kyle Stedman" <kyle_stedman@yahoo.com>
Subject: RE: Its me again
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 2002 22:17:11 +0200

Kyle,

I know that people are restless, but because of the lot of problems I had this year,
I wasn't able to work on LX as I planned.

Now I'm working intensively on LX, and I planned to release the first beta during this week,
but I won't be able to do it (problems with hardware this time, so I had to buy a new
computer, reinstall everything.... I lost two days).

Will put a couple of screenshots taken on the emulator on
http://www.launcherx.com/sneakpeak.cfm
Best regards,

Bozidar Benc
Benc Software Production
http://www.benc.hr

-----Original Message-----
From: Kyle Stedman [mailto:kyle_stedman@yahoo.com]
Sent: Wednesday, July 03, 2002 7:39 PM
To: benc@benc.hr
Subject: Its me again


I apologize to be a nuisance and I hope things are going well. Do you have an updated time frame for Launcher X release and can you provide a beta?

As A frequent visitor to PDABuzz, Palminfocenter, ClieSource and many, many other boards, I can attest that many people are getting very restless.

Thanks!

------------------------------

Now, it amazes me that there have been a ton of screenshots and no beta.

Im sorry to Bozidar for exposing this but if this product doesn't come in under 10 bucks, I wont purchase it.

My 2 cents

Launcher X et. al
PalmPowered @ 8/8/2002 2:37:44 PM #
I too have waited a long time for Launcher X to come out in the hopes that something superior to Silver Screen will be forthcoming. I hate to bash Silver because I think it's a great program but the folks at PocketSensei seem to have been out on a long lunch break. No new icons or themes in months, just the same old lame "Gort's Icons" and so forth. The color themes are just old re-do's of black and white themes. It's high time they got back in gear and started offering more. If they don't come back from their "long lunch break", Launcher X is just liable to have them FOR lunch!

-If you only knew the power of the Palm side-
RE: Launcher X
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 10:47:26 PM #
I don't understand this. The guy has personal issues to deal with and people cannot cut him some slack? He's given us a damn good and solid launcher already (Launcher III) and anyone can do is bash him because his personal life is more important to him than his software?

And then there's this comment:

"Now, it amazes me that there have been a ton of screenshots and no beta.

Im sorry to Bozidar for exposing this but if this product doesn't come in under 10 bucks, I wont purchase it. "

Uhm, it probably wasn't yet even a valied INTERNAL beta, let alone a public one! Perhaps he didn't want to release a buggy product in fear that you all would react in a harsh and inappropriate way? I mean, I have NO IDEA why he may think that! EVERYONE's been so SUPPORTIVE of him lately! (Yes, that's sarcasm)

Besides, I would hardly consider the sneak peek page as having a 'ton of screenshots'

I'm sorry for the ranting, but it bugs me. I'm waiting for LauncherX just like everyone else, but I'm tired of the bitching from people who actually think their PDA's ability to launch apps is more important than this man's personal life.

How can he win in this situation? If he releases a beta early, people blast him for releasing a buggy product that couldn't even compete with launchers currently out there. If he delays to add more features to bring it up to snuff with current launchers, people blast him for taking so long.

Now is that supposed to motivate him to actually get it done any quicker?

*sigh* Again, I'm sorry. It's been a bad day filled with ingrateful and inconsiderate people like this. And to come here to GOOD news about LauncherX and find very little but whining and complaining about the delays (with a few notable exceptions) was just a little much.

You all have my apologies.

Get over it!
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/9/2002 9:42:08 PM #
I think theres been way too much hype over Launcher X. Just get over it, don't live your life based on when Launcher X will come out and what personal problems the developer is having. If you didn't care so much about then when it came you'd be in a lot better of a mood. Stop bothering this guy and stop making such a big deal about it. You guys make it sound like what you do all day is sit at your computer waiting for this thing to come out.

Sorry to sound harsh but it makes me mad...

RE: Launcher X
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/11/2002 7:00:29 AM #
Launcher X looks almost EXACTLY the same as SilverScreen... BORING!!!! I'm a bit tired with both anyway.

I recently tried the new launcher Facer, and its excellent!!!! Just exactly what I need! I registered straight away, no regrets, ain't lookin' back!

Launcher X??? Nah, I'll pass....

Ricki

RE: Launcher X
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/13/2002 2:08:24 PM #
Tic Toc - Its tuesday and no sign

File Caddy

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 8:56:46 AM #
Snazzy interface and a small footprint.
I think this might give Filez a run for it's money. (So to speak, as they are both quite free!)

But can someone tell me how I can label my SD card volume? None of these file managers seem to offer that feature.

RE: File Caddy
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 9:00:49 AM #
I'm not sure how you label a volume but your handheld came with an app called Card Info, which will let you assign a name to your SD card. I think that's what you are asking for.
RE: File Caddy
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 9:17:21 AM #
How does this compare to McFile?
RE: File Caddy- found the label feature!
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 9:38:34 AM #
I found the label feature.
Sorry!

BTW:
The main difference is between FileCaddy and McFile is that FileCaddy is free.

RE: File Caddy
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 10:01:36 AM #
Thanks for the CardInfo tip!
If it was a snake it'd bit me.

RE: File Caddy not good enough
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 11:35:47 AM #
why could developers to be creative? FileCaddy interface sucks. limited features and functionalities. They should look at whatz out there and create a brand new product. File caddy looks like an over night job.

If you want good file managers look at myWorkbench, McFile, fileMan etc...

RE: File Caddy not good enough
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 1:04:20 PM #
Then you go and demand your money back, genius.
RE: File Caddy
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 3:19:50 PM #
Obviously you haven't got into details on al the file manager. There should be an option like "Rename card" or "rename volume".

even though file caddy is free. It has along way to go.

RE: File Caddy
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 5:02:53 PM #
Free doesn't always mean better.... I'll stick with McFile (for a while).
RE: File Caddy
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/9/2002 11:04:39 AM #
Free means better because you are free to improve it yourself. Unless you don't want to, in which case I have no sympathy for you.

FreeCiv?

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 9:51:58 AM #
First PDA Buzz reports on FreeCiv a few days ago, even though it's been in the works for a year now, and now you guys do too?

Are you all using the same reporter?

RE: FreeCiv?
Ed @ 8/8/2002 10:56:00 AM #
I reported on it because some reader sent in a tip. If you knew about it months ago, you could have done the same thing.

It doesn't look like there has been much progress lately so some fresh blood might do them some good. Or maybe they simply haven't updated their website lately.

---
News Editor

RE: FreeCiv?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 11:21:47 AM #
This looks very promosing. How about Hi-res with the new programmers, support for Palm, and i would buy it for $30 (As long as the real game is in there) Although i would take it for free too :)
RE: FreeCiv?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 12:24:43 PM #
Yeah Civilization on my NR70 Clie would be nice !!!

RE: FreeCiv?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 12:59:23 PM #
I would like their website to be updated though, I too would like to see them finish this!
RE: FreeCiv?
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/11/2002 7:04:49 PM #
[sarcasm]Well, FreeCiv can't be far away now - I see they've ported the logo over successfully...

:-)

Civ already in the works: Kingdom

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 8:10:39 PM #
Grogsoft already has Kingdom almost ready for release and it's pretty damn close to Civilization. What's more, it's almost ready for release.

http://pweb.netcom.com/~babs/kingdom/kingdom.html

RE: Civ already in the works: Kingdom
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 9:42:58 PM #
Close, but not close enough!
RE: Civ already in the works: Kingdom
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 10:36:42 PM #
The pre-release I have looks very much like the original... plays almost exactly the same as well. Just as addictive, just as much fun. And it's oh so close to being released. :-)

Give me a break (or brick)

I.M. Anonymous @ 8/8/2002 11:41:24 PM #
how friggin long have we been waiting for launcher x?#!$^

nuff said

RE: Give me a break (or brick)
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/9/2002 6:37:39 AM #
Since 'nuff has been said, I guess you won't be requiring an answer to your question.


RE: Give me a break (or brick)
I.M. Anonymous @ 8/11/2002 7:03:41 AM #
I've been waiting LauncherX for too long, putting up with their 'teasing'...

I've enough of waiting so I bought Facer... Now, I wonder if LauncherX can even beat Facer.

Ricki

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