Initiate - I don't understand the benefits

[Tedology]

Hello all,

Well, took a look at Rob's webpage (VERY nicely designed, I may add! ) and looked at Initiate.

I guess I don't see the benefit (or of other launchers, for that reason) vs. Palm's default screen.

Example: Initiate allows me to type the first few letters to choose an application. Well, with Palm's default "home" screen, I type in "cam" and it brings me to Camera. I type in "Fil" and it brings me to FileZ.

If somebody could explain why I should have Initiate (or Zlauncher, or any other launcher) over just using the Palm home screen, I'd appreciate it.

Almost 4 months of having my Palm and I am STILL learning! 

[dmcduck]

Here are a couple possibilities:

1.  If the only application that you have that starts with 'fi' is filez, once you type 'fi', Initiate automatically opens that app.
2.  Initiate can bring all your apps that are loaded on the card into your "All" category.  I run LOTS of apps off my card, and it is nice to have them all on one screen along with the apps that are locally on the device.

Oh, and don't worry about the learning thing...I've been using the Treo for 2 years and I'm still learning! 

[chckhbrt]

Well Tedology

Launchers are a personal preference. All are good and will do various things according to what the user wants.

In I8, you can set up categories like teH Duck mentioned, or you can set up views or use both categories and views. You can hide any view, category or tab you don't want to see You can skin I8 and use different backgrounds in each view if you want.

For examaple, you can set up a view to show only your Docs 2 Go Word files or text files, etc and open them, another view to show only your memos and open them, another view to show only your contacts and dial them from I8. Another view to show your images, etc.

You need to explore I8 to determine if it's for you. I8 also has a small foot print when compared to ZLauncher and MegaLauncher.

Chuck

[Tedology]

Thanks, Duck & Chuck, for giving me some insight. I appreciate your help! 

I guess I should just download Initiate and see all it has to offer.   

[ConfusedVorlon]

Try the Initiate Tips email series
http://www.hobbyistsoftware.com/updates.php [edited to correct the url]

One feature I use a lot is the ability to type a few letters for an application as well as typing a few letters to open a contact and make a call...

[egadgetguy]

Look at Zlauncher... If you tap-hold on an app, you can get info, beam it, move it, copy it, set it to the quick launcher, send it in an mms, delete the app, send it to a catagory... etc. all within the launcher and without going to some tab where you have to go through a huge list to find the app you were just looking at.

You can also use tabbed catagories, top and bottom bars with shorcuts to fav apps. and all in a nice looking interface.

BTW, I8 is getting bigger with every iteration. I really do not like the interface either... but that's just a personal observation. Any 3rd party launcher is easier to use IMO then the default launcher.

[Tedology]

Try the Initiate Tips email series
http://www.hobbyistsoftware.com/updates.php [now edited to correct the url]

One feature I use a lot is the ability to type a few letters for an application as well as typing a few letters to open a contact and make a call...

Hi there,

Just an FYI... that link you provided goes to pretty much a blank page...with an "Unable to init 1" or something similar error.

So, are you saying that Initiate allows me to type in "t...o...d.." and have my friend Todd's contact info. come up and I can call him? Right from the home page? That IS a cool feature.    (I'm getting tired of having to push the phone button first. )

[smith]

This is the same for docs, music files, memos, websites etc. I can launch pretty much anything from the pwr user view.

[Tedology]

Thanks for your input, Smith.

I'll need to trial download it, it seems. 

Should I try the Initiate Pro? Since I will want to use the phone features?

[chckhbrt]

Hey Tedology...

You can get the latest Initiate Pro 3.24 at the link below.

Just scroll down to the red text and download Initiate_Beta_3.24.prc file.

http://www.hobbyistsoftware.com/AllPrc.php

Chuck

[Tedology]

Great, thanks, Chuck... along with a heaping serving of kudos.   

[Ben]

The advantage with going with the full blown releases is the ability to experience the application to its fullest. Always though, do a backup of the device before installing and make sure you uninstall the application as indicated in the documentation.

Initiate is an excellent application. By design it handles many features well and does more than just the basic job of launching applications from the card. ZLauncher, as mentioned above, is another application that excels in what it does, though the approach used by both applications is a bit different and each has its own set of features.

If I were looking for an application with REALLY GOOD SUPPORT, Initiate is what I would go with.

Ben

[ConfusedVorlon]

I meant http://www.hobbyistsoftware.com/updates.php
-sorry

[egadgetguy]

The advantage with going with the full blown releases is the ability to experience the application to its fullest. Always though, do a backup of the device before installing and make sure you uninstall the application as indicated in the documentation.

Initiate is an excellent application. By design it handles many features well and does more than just the basic job of launching applications from the card. ZLauncher, as mentioned above, is another application that excels in what it does, though the approach used by both applications is a bit different and each has its own set of features.

If I were looking for an application with REALLY GOOD SUPPORT, Initiate is what I would go with.

Ben

You must see something I don't about it. I'm a ZLauncher fan and I cannot find enough to like about I8 to get me to switch. [not to mention I"d be tossing away the $20 I paid for ZL!]

I will say the the author seems to be on top of updates and listens to ppl's feature requests. I may have to have another look!

[Tedology]

Well, I'm trying out I8 for a week...thanks to Rob's generous challenge.

If I don't care for it after a week, I may try Zlauncher and he'll pay 20% of the cost (unless I'm misreading his offer) 

So far (this is my first day), I don't think I'm using it to its full potential. I guess I have to have it on "Power User" mode to get full potential.

In regular mode, I tried to type in the first couple of letters of a contact, and it doesn't show up... but in Power User mode, it does.

I'm learning!