sleuth255
12-10-2002, 01:33 PM
You know, I used to dream of the day when my PalmOS would be truly "multitasking" but lately, with the TT I've been wondering. Why do we want this? What I really need on my Palm is for each app to begin where it left off when I last used it (if this is applicable to the app).
For instance: When I switch to the web browser I want it to be on the same URL as it was the last time I used it.
I used to think that I needed multitasking in my Audio player, but Pocket Tunes is changing that too. When I want my Palm to be an audio player, I just run Pocket Tunes, put on my headset, drop my TT in my shirt pocket and go do what I was doing.. Having the music continue when I switch to datebook or something would be nice, but certainly not worth the overhead of a true multitasking OS. Rather, I wouldn't mind if the audio stream stopped, then started up in the exact point where it left off when I switch back to the Audio App. again.
Likewise, when a spreadsheet I'm working on recalcs, I'm usually waiting for it (not long with a TT btw :)) If I do switch to another app while a recalc is occuring, I'd be more than happy to let it continue when I switched back.
See what I mean?
Is PalmOS once again being fed a bill of goods by the PPC marketing Juggernaut? Does PalmSource really need to invest the time and considerable processing overhead/memory size requirements to provide true multitasking in PalmOS when its use will be limited at best?
The only good use of multitasking IMO would be something like getting mail in the background. But even that isn't really necessary. At Comdex, I picked up my mail when I had time. The wait for transmission wasn't even an issue for me.
What are good instances of the need for MultiTasking in PalmOS?
For instance: When I switch to the web browser I want it to be on the same URL as it was the last time I used it.
I used to think that I needed multitasking in my Audio player, but Pocket Tunes is changing that too. When I want my Palm to be an audio player, I just run Pocket Tunes, put on my headset, drop my TT in my shirt pocket and go do what I was doing.. Having the music continue when I switch to datebook or something would be nice, but certainly not worth the overhead of a true multitasking OS. Rather, I wouldn't mind if the audio stream stopped, then started up in the exact point where it left off when I switch back to the Audio App. again.
Likewise, when a spreadsheet I'm working on recalcs, I'm usually waiting for it (not long with a TT btw :)) If I do switch to another app while a recalc is occuring, I'd be more than happy to let it continue when I switched back.
See what I mean?
Is PalmOS once again being fed a bill of goods by the PPC marketing Juggernaut? Does PalmSource really need to invest the time and considerable processing overhead/memory size requirements to provide true multitasking in PalmOS when its use will be limited at best?
The only good use of multitasking IMO would be something like getting mail in the background. But even that isn't really necessary. At Comdex, I picked up my mail when I had time. The wait for transmission wasn't even an issue for me.
What are good instances of the need for MultiTasking in PalmOS?