(Last edited Feb 26, 2008)

The Palm Launcher Application is the program in which the main screen which lists all the programs installed on the Palm. It’s similar to the old Windows’ Program Manager of Windows 3.1 where all the icons of the programs are shown in a Window screen (for those who remember way back when).

In the case of the Palm Launcher application, the category of “All” will show all the Palm programs (those with the extension of .prc) installed (eg.Datebk5.prc), very similar to the Windows’ Program Manager and individual programs with their sub categories will be sorted within that. You can launch the Palm Launcher application simply by tapping on the Home icon or, if you have it as a hardware button. Tapping it another time will have it toggle to the next category. By default, I believe that it will go through All, Games, Main, System, Utilities, Unfiled.

In order to be able to run a program, you will need to install the program file (.prc) and well as the database file (.pdb if applicable). Some programs won’t have a database program and in such cases, you only need to install the .prc file.

Some programs will only show up in the Prefs application, so if you have installed something on the Palm and you can’t find it in the Launcher, check the Prefs application, near the bottom. Scroll down to the bottom. Chances are, it’s there listed at the bottom.

To organize the programs in a manageable way, each Palm program can be categorized by a name. By default, the categories that are available are: All, Games, Main, System, Utilities, Unfiled as well as the name of an expansion flash memory card (if there is one detected in the SDIO slot). You can create new Categories of your own choosing so to categorize even further than what’s supplied.

The Launcher Application provides a medium in which applications can be displayed and launched or run. To run a particular application, simply tap on the icon. There are two views available to display the programs: an Icon View and a List View.

Simulation of the Palm Launcher Application

Alternative links: Photobucket, Image Shack

This simulation shows an overall navigation of the menus and screens that can be accessed from the Launcher Application.

The simulation will play through to the end unless I’ve inserted a pop up note to explain specific points.

To continue playing the simulation, press the button.
To go back to a previous paused segment, click on the button.
To pause the simulation at any time, press the button. To continue after it’s paused, press the button again.
To scroll forwards or backwards in the simulation, click anywhere on the left (to go back earlier in the simulation), or right (to go forward in the simulation) on the progress bar.

Screenshots of the various screens in the Palm Launcher Application

Here are a few screenshots of the Launcher application showing the various menu options and display options available.

Screenshot of the Launcher Application in Icon View. The lightning bolt in the battery indicates that the Palm is currently charging

The Icon View shows a moderately sized icon of the program with the name of the Application underneath. This view allows 4 rows of 3 icons (12 programs) to be viewed at a time.

Screenshot of the Launcher Application in List View

The List View shows a much smaller sized icon of the program with the name of the Application besides it. This view allows 11 rows of 2 icons (22 programs) to be viewed.

Screenshot of the App Menu options: Delete, Beam, Send, Category, Info, Copy

This allows you to Delete, Beam (via infrared), Send an application. As well an application and be categorized and information about it can be shown.

Screenshot of the Options menu: Preferences, About Applications

In this menu, you can set the preference of how the applications can be viewed.

Screenshot of the Preferences screen

This screen allows you to set the display of the applications either in the Icon View or List View.

Simply tap on the icon of any program and it will run. Very simple and direct. There are many third party Launcher applications that offer a lot more features and functions than the default Palm launcher including the support of other third party plugins, uninstaller features, expansion card launching, etc. Here’s a few suggestions:

ZLauncher	LauncherX	WinLauncher
MegaLauncher (Shark)	YiShow	Hi-Launcher

These third party launchers add much more features than the default Palm Launcher with plugins capability, shortcuts, skins, backgrounds, etc. Depending on your needs, you may prefer one over the other.

Personally for me, the default launcher application works fine by allowing me to view the installed programs and easily run them. And it doesn’t take up any additional RAM. The other third party launcher applications take up 400k and up of RAM, which I can’t afford, considering that my Zire 71 has only 13.8MB of RAM by default, the RAM storage dwindles down very quickly. So, for me, I opt to use the default launcher.

Again, as a simple interface that makes running or launching applications direct and easy, this application fits the bill. If you want more than that, you’d need to try the other third party applications I’ve discussed.

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