comsparks

I'm thinking about purchasing the Pocket Mechanic but don't want to waste my money on a program that my X51V can do. I would appreciate any inputs.
Thanks

Menneisyys

It all depends on what you want to use it for. As a generic tweaker/ systems app, I'd recommend SKTools 3.0 far more heartily.

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jeffkelly

Pocket Mechanic is primarily designed for storage card management. Yes, there are a few other addons, but the primary intent is to give you format (high/low level), defragment and slack space analysis capabilities. Anton coded in other features found in MemMaid and SKTools (locate large files/folders, fix invalid shortcuts, locate notification queue duplicates, duplicate file locator, view CE databases, free up ram and safe program removal).

I own MemMaid, SKTools and Pocket Mechanic. Each program overlaps in some way, but Pocket Mechanic is unique when considiering storage card management. It's an awesome program and I highly recommend it!

J

twmiller

A card reader and Norton utilities on your PC works the best (and is the fastest).

cjw

Originally Posted by twmiller

A card reader and Norton utilities on your PC works the best (and is the fastest).

What do you use Norton Utilities for

I've got it on my PC and use it for general system maintenance / clean-up but wasn't aware it could do anything for cards.

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Bright

You may want to try out using the trial version. I am with Menneisyys in recommending SKTools more heartily.

DrGAV

As for me, there's nothing Pocket Mechanics can do what SKTools can't, and SKTools can do a lot more.

comsparks

Can SKtools defrag and if so how do u do it? I'm using it now because of the recommendation on this thread and it looks great. Please keep up the inputs.

DrGAV

Originally Posted by comsparks

Can SKtools defrag?

it doesn't, and afaik it doesn't intentionally, since defrag doesn't make any sense on flash ram. actually the only result of defragmenting flash cards is redundant write cycles which don't lead to any performance improvement and only shorten the card's life.
in brief, defrag makes sense on hard drives to reduce heads movements, but flash has no heads to move.
believe me, SKTool's authors just don't shoot any marketing bull adding useless features.

comsparks

Thanks DrGav. I bought SKTOOLS and using it now. Thanks all for the inputs.

Menneisyys

Originally Posted by DrGAV

it doesn't, and afaik it doesn't intentionally, since defrag doesn't make any sense on flash ram. .

Let me disagree. Please see the links at http://www.pocketpcmag.com/blogs/index.php?blog=3&p=923&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1. In a nutshell: flash ROM memory cards AND flash ROM file stores GREATLY benefit from regular optimiization (which can be a simple "copy all files off there, possibly format it and then just back to fight fragmentation", NOT a fully-fledged defrag operation - the latter is in no way needed)

I also REALLY recommend the thread at http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=39583 on chkdsk and other stuff.

Originally Posted by DrGAV

believe me, SKTool's authors just don't shoot any marketing bull adding useless features.

Argreed. The additional stuff of PM, IMHO, is just not needed; SKTools is a great tool.

cravaus

I am liking SK products so much because they are so flexabile. When SKTools Shortcuts are combined with nScriptM and SKScheMa the possibilities of the product are so much more than anything else available. Of course you have to get creative with scripting. I love when developpers make their programs so open. Go SK.

Menneisyys

Originally Posted by cravaus

I am liking SK products so much because they are so flexabile. When SKTools Shortcuts are combined with nScriptM and SKScheMa the possibilities of the product are so much more than anything else available. Of course you have to get creative with scripting. I love when developpers make their programs so open. Go SK.

Yup, nScriptm makes it possible to accomplish a LOT of things one would never think of; see for example my latest Screen Capture roundup.

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twmiller

Originally Posted by cjw

What do you use Norton Utilities for I've got it on my PC and use it for general system maintenance / clean-up but wasn't aware it could do anything for cards.

Yep - Norton can clean up any drive. Hard drives and removable storage. I have been using this method for a year or so with no issues.

The card reader cost about $11 dollars. No only do I use it for my PPC but our digital camera. Once a month I make backups of my CF & SD (about 2 plus gigs of info) on my PC and then I defrag the cards. I have never had any card issues.

Some time last year, there was a thread or two talking about issues with PPC programs that perform storage card maintenance. The conclusion from these threads was to buy a card reader and use the PC utilities.

I have never tried Pocket Mechanic, so I have no opinion either way. I paid good money for my Norton software, and it works.

DrGAV

Originally Posted by Menneisyys

flash ROM memory cards AND flash ROM file stores GREATLY benefit from regular optimiization.

Thanks Menneisyys for the info! I will make a note to do it when I archive my flash card on PC next time.
Anyway, I wouldn't do it on my PPC even if users and competitors pursue SK to add such feature to SKTools :)