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Visor Hacks: Tap Thinmodem's Flash Memory
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Installation strategies

If you already use one or more of the bundled Thinmodem applications and like them, here's the installation strategy I recommend after having tried various options:

  • Move the application(s) you like from the Thinmodem module to your Visor's onboard memory. You can do this by launching the existing Thinmodem application, tapping the menu icon, and selecting "Copy Applications." You can now move one or more of the apps you want to keep to your Visor's memory.
  • Now, HotSync your Visor and back up its contents.
  • Free up enough memory to add the 560k solo installer.
  • Download the installer from the CardAccess Support page.
  • Upload the installer via HotSync to your Visor.
  • Run the installer, realizing that all of the existing applications on your Thinmodem module will be wiped away.
  • Use the newly installed File Mover app to move the programs that you want to reside in the Flash memory back to your Thinmodem.

This is the fun part: Which apps are you going to move? I prefer to keep MultiMail in my Visor so I can review mail even if my modem module isn't inserted.

MultiMail Ins and Outs

Yes, I coughed up the $39 to buy the full version of MultiMail because it's a pretty good e-mail client. But, geez, is it expensive! I'd like CardAccess to strike a deal with them to provide us with a lite version for free or at least a reduced cost. Also, many people don't realize that if you do upgrade MultiMail, then you're forced to download a new version that only installs in your Visor's memory, not on the modem's Flash memory. So, not only are you out 39 bucks, you're also out more than 200k of Visor memory while the old demo version sits there useless on the modem card. Double-ouch! That is, unless you take advantage of this new Thinmodem software upgrade.

I recommend that you install programs in the Flash memory that you will only use while online, such as a browser and/or an IM client. At this point in time, File Mover won't let you move any original system applications or standalone data files to the Flash memory. But you can move applications that you've downloaded and installed on your Visor.

What to look out for

While I was testing a preview release of the update software, I encountered a problem with File Mover that prevented it from functioning properly with the Flash memory on my modem. As it turns out, Card Access has used a couple different types of Flash memory in their modem modules, and one type in particular had a software bug in the Flash memory driver.

Card Access has isolated the problem, and added the fix to the current upgrade. This means that everything should work just fine after the upgrade. If, however, File Mover doesn't work properly and gives you a fatal error that forces you to perform a soft reset, don't worry. The modem will still function properly. Contact their technical support at support@cardaccess-inc.com, and they'll get you fixed up and on your way.

Final thoughts and new goodies

After many hours of using the Thinmodem module, I think it has performed as well as any laptop or standalone device I've used to date. I've logged on via four different ISPs, including AOL's e-mail and IM services, without a hitch.

The included six-foot telephone connecting cord is of high quality and should withstand the rigors of everyday use. Some folks, however, don't like the extra space it takes to carry around.

The short phone-jack connector.

The short phone-jack connector is only 4" long and fits easily in your pocket.

Card Access has addressed that concern by offering a short phone-jack connector that's only 4" long and has a female phone-jack connector. This is much easier to tote and allows you to use any standard phone cord (that you can pirate) with your Visor.

The new short phone-jack connector isn't available online yet, but you can order one now directly from support@cardaccess-inc.com for $5 USD.

If you don't already own a Thinmodem, but would like to know more about this product, there's an excellent review at visorcentral.com.

Derrick Story is the author of The Photoshop CS4 Companion for Photographers, The Digital Photography Companion, and Digital Photography Hacks, and coauthor of iPhoto: The Missing Manual, with David Pogue. You can follow him on Twitter or visit www.thedigitalstory.com.

Related Articles:

Thincom -- a visorcentral.com review of the new CardAccess modem module for Handspring Visors.

Palm Shots -- an ingenious application for displaying JPEGs on your Palm platform PDA.

Wireless Palms: What Are the Options? -- a look at OmniSky wireless service for Palms.

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