PiDirect VFS 1.0

Table of Contents

Table of Contents. 1

Introduction to Memory Card Access. 2

Requirements. 2

Installation.. 2

Un-installation.. 2

Product Features. 2

Screen Shots. 4

Operating Instructions. 5

General. 5

Changing or editing path used by PiDirect. 5

Adding applications to Preference List. 5

Optional Preferences. 7

Limitations. 8

Online Resources. 9

FAQ web site. 9

User Guide web site. 9

Software download.. 9

Product Support Email. 9


Introduction to Memory Card Access

There are a variety of memory cards (e.g. CompactFlash, SmartMedia, Secure Digital (SD), MultiMedia Memory Card (MMC), Memory Stick (MS), etc.) available for different handheld devices.  These memory cards are similar to a diskette in that they are an external storage media.  As such, the data and/or programs stored on them must be transferred into DRAM on the handheld prior to use.

The purpose of PiDirect is to enhance the use of these memory cards.  This is done by providing a way for read-only programs and data that are stored on these cards to be used without the need to transfer the complete program and/or data file to DRAM on the handheld device prior to being used.

 

Prior to using PiDirect, other programs must be used to set up a subdirectory on the memory card and also to transfer the program(s) and/or data from the desktop computer or the handheld device DRAM to the memory card subdirectory.  Specific instructions for doing this are given below.

Requirements

  1. Sony Clie series (S300, S320, S500C, N600C, N700C, N710C)
  2. Palm m500 series (m500, m505)
  3. HandEra 330, TRGPro 3.5.3 with VFS support

Installation

  1. On the memory card, create a subdirectory. Such as /Palm/PiDirect/.

This may be done by using McFile, Filez, or a similar program.

  1. Move the desired Palm programs and databases into the newly created subdirectory on the memory card. Again this may be done by using McFile, Filez, or a similar program.
  2. Move the files PiDirectShortCut.prc, PiDirectPanel.prc and PiDirectExt.prc onto the palm enabled devices using the Palm OS Install Tool and HotSync.

Un-installation

  1. Access the PiDirect Panel by tapping on the PiDirect icon in the launcher.
  2. Then tap the disable button.
  3. Delete the applications PiDirectShortCut.prc, PiDirectPanel.prc and PiDirectExt.prc using the built-in application or any other 3rd party launcher.

Product Features

Ø      Allows read-only databases stored on a memory card to be seamlessly accessed by a PalmOS™ VFS enabled device

Ø      Allows applications and libraries stored on a memory card to be seamlessly accessed

Ø      Allows changing and editing sub-directories used by PiDirect

Ø      Maintains a directory list used by PiDirect to permit changes between different directories.

Ø      Allows users to pause and resume PiDirect when entering and leaving some applications that may be in conflict with PiDirect.

Ø      Expands PalmOS™ devices memory up to 128MB or more, seamlessly

Screen Shots

 

Before PiDirect is enabled, the “Databases on card” is zero.

After enabling PiDirect,  the number of “Databases on card” show on the screen

Applications show up on the default launcher after PiDirect is enabled

 

Pop up a path list to change the scanning directory

(Registered copy only)

Edit the sub-directory list

(Registered copy only)

 

Optional Preferences for PiDirect Panel

Preference List is list to avoid conflict between PiDirect and other applications (e.g. backup programs can be set as “Pause and Resume”)

File management applications can be set as “Disable and Rescan” to detect possible file changes on exit from the file manager

 

Operating Instructions

General

  1. Create a subdirectory on the memory card. Such as /Palm/PiDirect/ using McFile, Filez or Memory Card Reader
  2. Move the desired Palm programs and databases into the newly created subdirectory on the memory card
  3. Tap on the PiDirect application icon shown in the launcher panel.  This will display the PiDirect panel.
  4. Select a valid path by tapping on your selection in the PiDirect panel or enter a valid path with edit-subdirectory option.
  5. Tap the enable button
  6. The number of databases supported will be displayed on screen

 

Changing or editing path used by PiDirect

  1. When in the PiDirectPanel, tap on the Path pick list
  2. Select the desired sub-directory
  3. To add a new sub-directory to the subdirectory list, select Edit Subdirectory list….

 

Notes:

PiDirectPanel will support up to 16 user specified subdirectories

PiDirectPanel will not create the subdirectories, please use other 3rd party file manager, such as McFile or Filez, or a card reader to create the directory

 

Adding applications to Preference List

  1. When in the PiDirectPanel, tap on the Setting button. (PiDirect must be disabled first before the Setting button can be seen)
  2. A list of Palm applications will be shown, each application can be one of these 4 states:

 

Ø      Preset - the setting is fixed by PiDirect to avoid conflict

Ø      Auto Pause - PiDirect will auto pause when entered, and resume when exiting the application (For applications that may conflict with PiDirect)

e.g. Backup applications

Ø      Auto Rescan - PiDirect will auto disable when the application is entered, and rescan its subdirectory when exiting the application (For applications that may update the content of the card)

e.g. Card File Manager applications

Ø      Default – PiDirect will do nothing when entering and exiting these applications

 

  1. Those applications set as Preset cannot be modified.  Tap the left side of the application name one time to set it as Auto Pause, tap it two times to set it as Auto Rescan.
  2. Users can reset the list to default setting by tap the default button to use PiDirect default setting, which will set the preference list to avoid conflict with common 3rd party launchers, backup and file managers.

 

 

 

 

 

Optional Preferences

Ø      Disable during HotSync

Check this option to temporarily disable PiDirect during HotSyncs.

 

Ø      Disable after reset

Check this option to disable PiDirect after handheld device is reset

 

Ø      Create in PiTech Category

Check this option to create a card’s application under the “PiTech” Category for the default launcher

 

Ø      Set card database as read-only

Some applications’ databases may attempt to modify databases on the card. (e.g. TealDoc ). Checking this option may avoid the conflict.

 

Ø      Symbol before icon name

Set the symbol to be displayed before application icons (For default launcher only)

 

Limitations

The following limitations apply to PiDirect and its specified subdirectory:

 

  1. Only valid Palm programs and read-only[1] databases should be placed into the memory card subdirectory used by PiDirect
  2. Do not remove power to the unit when a program or database on the memory card is opened
  3. As dynamic memory would be needed for storing the header information, it is recommended that the number of files in the specified subdirectory be kept below 50.
  4. Applications residing on the memory card cannot be beamed
  5. Applications residing on the memory card cannot be deleted

 

Note: 

Ø      While most software will work properly when run with PiDirect, some applications may need to be upgraded.  Check with your software vendors for more information.

Ø      Never put system preferences databases (e.g. saved Preference, unsaved preference) in the PiDirect subdirectory.

Ø      Never put editable databases (eg. MemoDB, DateBkDB etc) under PiDirect control

 

The following limitations apply to the evaluation version of PiDirect:

1.      A maximum of 20 files only are allowed in \Palm\PiDirect\ subdirectory.

  1. Subdirectory editing and changing is disabled.
  2. A “Nag Screen” will appear

 

 

 

Online Resources

FAQ web site

www.pitech.com/faq.html

User Guide web site

www.pitech.com/prodinfo/pidirectvfs.htm

Software download

www.pitech.com/download.html

Product Support Email

Email: info@pitech.com


[1] TIPS: PiDirect does not support the creation or modification of databases on the memory card. If an application attempts to either create or write to a database on the memory card, it may cause the palm device to crash. If the application needs to create or modify databases, it may be placed in the appropriate subdirectory on the memory card while the associated databases remain in internal RAM memory.