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StyleTap - the Palm OS emulator
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6/5/05 1:39am
Werner Ruotsalainen Moderator |
StyleTap (http://www.styletap.com/ ; the download link ishttp://www.styletap.com/main.php?page=downloads.html ) is the only really usable Palm OS emulator for the Pocket PC. As I've also got a Palm OS device (the Zire 71) and like some of the apps/games on the platform (for example, the great adventure game Acedior), I was very happy that it was released. Now that a new version (beta 0.9.61 ) has just been released, I've (re-)tested it. The new version is clearly better than the pevious one with clearly better compatibility. (Please see my compatibility list at, say, http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=39670&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=20 , of the previous version). I've re-run my compatibility tests with the new version, on my VGA Pocket Loox 720 so that I can also test the 320*320 HiRes mode (who would want to play games in 160*160 LoRes?). I haven't tested with the previous version; works flawlessly with the new: Bejeweled 2 and Insaniquarium. Please note that the later crashed upon loading when I installed the app on a storage card; off main memory, it worked flawlessly. Compared to the program compatibility of the previous version, Candy Cruncher works and so does WordMojo. The latter didn't work in 66% (Hi-Res on a VGA/SE screen with no pixel doubling) mode, but works in 100% (Low-Res, pixel doubling in SE) with the pewvious version; with the new, it works in Hi-Res too. Still doesn't work: Chroma Games Works, but has some control problems (left/right doesn't work, not even after button reassignment): Hellfire All other apps that proved OK still work in this release too: The overall speed of the emulation is clearly lower than with a native OS5 device (say, the Zire 71 - I've directly compared the emulation speed to that of my Zire 71), especially concerning sounds. However, most games (even Hellfire!) run pretty smooth and are actually playable. Also, keep in mind that if you want to test dozens of programs with the emulator, install it in the main memory. It'll keep its converted files in main memory too, but the conversion process will be much faster and in some cases (like the one with Insaniquarium), it'll be the only way to run the apps.
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Farmer Brown
@Menneisyys
I got to install a limited number of applications from a friend's laptop, and am still fiddling around with my new PDA to get acquainted with its quirks.
I'm currently using v0.9.070, and it seems to be quite good. Haven't gotten to installing Palm OS applications which generate data files (such as HandBase) as of yet; what I was curious about earlier was how and where the .pdbs generated would be installed.
For some really bizarre reason, I couldn't get to install ActiveSync v3.7.1 from Microsoft's downloadable file or the HP CD that came along with the hx4700. Same thing with v3.8. My desktop's using Windows 2000 SP4 - the installation process just stops! It's been driving me crazy trying to determine the cause.
Farmer Brown
@Menneisyys
How do the PalmOS applications behave under StyleTap? What I'm curious about is how the *.pdbs they generate are stored. Let's say I used Handbase for PalmOS (a version exists for PocketPC, though) and generated a database file - is it stored in a "virtual directory" that mimics the messy quagmire of *.prcs and *.pdbs in the Palm's (or Clie's) main memory? Are there options for working with these files stored in the SD or CF cards?
Farmer Brown
ABG Pro (developed, posted for free, and just sitting... no further development there), MedCalc ("sorry, MedCalc is for PalmOS only..."), MathPad (old, decrepit, abandoned, but still loved by certain people)...
[:D]These are some apps our group has in common that won't be a problem anymore under PocketPC![:D]
Farmer Brown
Wow - the implications for those of us die - hard Clie users is HUGE. No offense meant to anybody, but there are some of us who'd rather switch to Pocket PC rather that get something from PalmOne... (the reasons for which are entirely irrational).
If StyleTap accommodates powerOne Graph, it'll do the same for ALL of the Med - related apps we're currently using. This is GREAT news, really.
Thanks, Menneisyys![:D]
Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
powerOne Graph (the latest trial version available on their homepage) is working just great in the latest StyleTap.
You'll need to register at least powerOne_Graph.prc. In order to be able to use the graphical functions, you'll also need to register p1 Graphx Lib.prc's too. I haven't encountered the need for the other PRC's.
Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
Well, it's just some mouse clicks for me [:)]
Farmer Brown
@Menneisyys
Take it easy! Relax... no rush.[:D]
Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
OK, will try to test it ASAP.
Farmer Brown
Quite a number of popular apps are dependent on Mathlib.
I think a surefire way of testing Mathlib compatibility would be to run Infinity Softworks' powerOne Graph v4.n. I think Mathlib is included in the download (?). Both of them are easily e-mailable, and are still available for download at lots of sites.
Werner Ruotsalainen
Moderator
I haven't tested MathLib-compliance yet; will do it in the near future.
Farmer Brown
Sounds pretty good --- how does this emulator hold up with MathLib - based PalmOS applications? Most of them which do "special" calculations require MathLib to be "co - installed." Would MathLib mess up the way PocketPC handles its math? The question may seem somewhat stupid, I know... But I haven't bought my PocketPC yet, so I really can't say.
Thanks in advance!