FlashPlug


If you haven't yet figured out I love to read on my Palm, then you probably haven't been reading my column for that long. I probably spend more time reading on my Palm than any other single activity. All of those books take up a lot of space. 8MB just doesn't cut it some times. For this reason, I recommend buying a TRGPro if you are looking for a new unit and intend to do a lot of reading. I've been considering trying the FlashPlug by JKS Technologies for a while to add more memory to my 8MB Palm Pilot Professional. I finally gave in and got one a few weeks ago. I love it.

The FlashPlug is an extra 8MB of Flash memory that plugs into the III-style hotsync port (and can be used on a V using the Bridge). It is quite small, approximately 1"x3/4"x1/4" and is very light. In addition to carrying extra or large Doc files or databases, the FlashPlug provides a detachable portable mechanism for backing up your Palm. Take a backup with you even when you aren't near a computer.

By default, the FlashPlug comes partitioned into three drives - one 4MB and two 2MB drives. It is very easy to repartition the plug. I currently have two drives - a 6MB partition for Doc files and a 2MB partition for backing up databases.

Copying files between the FlashPlug and your Palm is very easy. JKS Technologies provides a utility called FlashCmd that lists all of the files in RAM and lets you select files to copy to the FlashPlug. The number of selected files and their total size will be listed underneath the file list. Just chose the drive you want to put them on and tap Copy. A progress bar will keep you updated on the status of the copy. You can switch to a list view of the files on the selected FlashPlug drive. From here, you can select files to copy back to RAM or delete files from the plug. Remember, when manipulating files using this utility you always copy. You must then delete the files if you no longer want them in RAM or on the FlashPlug. File transfer is quite fast. Of course, large transfers still take a while but even when transferring approximately 3MB of files in one copy I wasn't sitting there tapping my fingers waiting for it to finish.

The copyright of the article FlashPlug in Palm Computing Devices is owned by Janice Karin. Permission to republish FlashPlug in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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