[General Questions and Answers] quadjacks:
Where to install Pocket PC software?

cant take credit, Source: http://www.ppcsg.com/

I think this could be a sticky, or maybe not! Just good info! As the biggest issue I see here, especially for VZW guys, such as myself, PPC Speed!

Where to install Pocket PC software?

Almost every application works best if installed in the MAIN MEMORY, we need to exercise proper memory/space management so as to keep our PPCs in optimal condition. This is because the more applications you install directly into the PPC's MAIN MEMORY = the more physical memory space it uses to store those application data = the less free program memory it has = the SLOWER your PPC becomes blink.gif.

1) INSTALL IN STORAGE CARD:

i) What should come here:

a. Ideal to dump all those non-important applications here like games as well as information applications, etc, that:

- do not require fast loading.

- do not monitor system resources (e.g. battery life, available memory, etc).

- do not consume a lot of system resources.

ii) Examples:

a. Most PPC games.

b. Dictionaries.

c. Language Translation softwares.

d. Educational softwares.

e, Mapping/GPS softwares.

f. Sprite Backup (storing it here has additional advantages).

g. MobiPocket Pro.

iii) Advantages:

a. The number of applications that can be put here is limited ONLY by the size of your SD Card, i.e. most stuff can and should go here.

b. Saves a lot of space in MAIN MEMORY, especially if you have large applications (i.e. over 10MB).

iv) Disadvantages:

a. Programs stored here run slowest (i.e. take a long time to load, especially for Today Plug-ins).

b. Icons in Program Menu load slower (i.e. take a longer time to appear).

c. Icons placed in the Start Menu will appear as squares (this is because the PPC system cannot find the images of the icons in time).

2) INSTALL INTO STORAGE:

i) What should come here:

a. Stuff that you initially wanted install into MAIN MEMORY for faster loading of Today Plug-ins but fret wasting precious space in there. Like they say, "when no fish, prawn also good", so STORAGE is the next best option.

b. You want your icons to appear beautifully as their original states instead of squares in the Start Menu.

ii) Examples:

a. Today Plug-ins such as SBSH's CalenderPlus Today, SBSH's Pocket Weather, etc.

b. System applications which do not require speed such as XP Shutdown, OmegaOne’s 1-Pass, etc.

iii) Advantages:

a. Programs stored here will not be wiped out after a hard-reset, but note that:

- You have to manually access them from a file explorer.

- Some of them might not work because of missing .dll files and registry values.

b. Make FULL USE of other means of space given to us.

c. Icons (from the programs installed in STORAGE) can appear in their original states in the Start Menu.

iv) Disadvantages:

a. Some PPCs have very little space in their STORAGE (e.g. O2 Mini only has about 7MB).

b. A handful of programs will not work if placed here.

3) INSTALL INTO MAIN MEMORY:

i) What should come here:

a. Most suitable for comprehensive system monitoring programs, multi-functional Today Plug-ins etc.

b. Known programs that can work only in MAIN MEMORY (e.g. Microsoft Reader, Carlsoft Ruler, etc).

ii) Examples:

a. SPB Pocket Plus

b. SPB GPRS Monitor

c. OmegaOne Battery Pack Pro

d. Symantec Antivirus for Handhelds

e. ScaryBear Check Notifications and Notify Clear Fix

f. Resco Explorer 2005.

iii) Advantages:

a. Fastest loading of all the options.

b. Softwares installed here are most stable.

iv) Disadvantages:

a. Limited space in MAIN MEMORY.

b. Worse of all, the more applications you install here = the slower your system response.

c. Therefore, you'll have to choose carefully what you put there.