PalmOS Hacks

 

O

ne of my favourite aspects of PalmOS is that the code can be modified by “Hacks.”  A Hack is simply a program designed to change one aspect of how the operating system operates - it can modify processor or memory settings, add in new commands, or change the way certain commands behave.

X-Master

X-Master is written by LinkeSOFT, and is freeware.  It is an application designed to manage Hacks - using X-Master, you can activate or deactivate individual Hacks or sets of Hacks, ascertain what system functions they patch and remove or install Hacks.

Afterburner Hack

Afterburner is a Dragonball-device processor and memory optimiser and over clocker.  You can read more about Afterburner here.  Afterburner is shareware - if you use it, I strongly suggest that you register it!  Since I have only bought the one licence, I use the registered version of Afterburner on just my Palm IIIxe.

AsciiPop

AsciiPop is a very handy little Hack that pops up a screen showing all available ASCII characters.  It’s especially useful for inputting some of those carefully tucked away little Graffiti characters, or for using the smart decimal point “·” rather than the “.” for use in numbers.  AsciiPop was written by Nick Banks, © 2001, and is Freeware.

BatteryLog

The BatteryLog Hack is used by BatteryLog for battery uptime monitoring purposes.  The Hack and application was written by Chetan Rao, © 2001.

BeamAlertHack

BeamAlertHack stops that annoying popup advising you that Beam Receive is switched off after beaming something to another handheld.  BeamAlertHack was written by Marcel Bender, © 2001, and is freeware.

Crash

Crash attempts to automatically reboot your device should it hang, or crash.  Although this may appear to be very lazy, it’s especially useful if you happen to be using a PalmOS device that doesn’t have a stylus with a reset pin built into the tip or tail.  Crash is Cardware, and was written by Daniel Seifert, © 2000, 2001

LBIndicatorHack

The LBIndicatorHack changes how PalmOS behaves when it flashes up the low battery warning.  By default, PalmOS brings up a dialogue box, which interrupts whatever you are doing at that time and requires you to tap it with the stylus.  Whilst this is probably sensible, it is annoying, especially if you know that you’re running low on battery power, but you’re trying to complete this final chapter before the unit switches itself off!  LBIndicator allows the user to configure how the device shows you it’s running low on power by popping up a warning that does not require dismissal.  Crash was written by Noel Jackson.

PrivateHack

PrivateHack is similar to BeamAlertHack, it stops the device from reminding you that you’ve just set a record to be private.  PrivateHack is Freeware, and was written by Neil Bridges, © 1998.

snapCalc

snapCalc brings up a mini calculator over the current application.  It can be repositioned on the screen, and results copied back into the application.  This gem of an application was written by Ling Nero, © 2001, 2002.

Slow Launch

Slow Launch allows the user to double the usefulness of the standard Palm buttons.  It will launch another application after holding down a button for a pre-determined amount of time.  Although I typically only use Slow Launch for the four main PalmOS keys (Datebook, Contacts, ToDo and Memo / Notepad), Slow Launch can also be used with the Power Button, the Jog Dial and the Back Button, should your device have it.  Slow Launch was written by S Millman, © 2002.