NPUG | AppHack

AppHack

by Bob Schmerda (NPUG #54)
02/15/00

So how many times a day do you tap your application button on your Palm, meaning the Applications circular area in bottom left hand corner of the Palm screen, next to the Graffiti box? Likeevery time you switch applications, of course?

How would you like to see your applications launch with just multiple pushes of your hardware buttons?! You can in two easy, and almost free steps!

Step 1: Download and install HackMaster. This program is the foundation for installing all Hacks, that are little utilities that wonderfully make your Palm more useful. ($5 from Daggerware)

Step 2: Download and install AppHack. After installed on your Palm, go to HackMaster and tap the checkbox for AppHack to enable it. Then tap the “+” next to AppHack in the HackMaster view to see the options for AppHack and set it up! ($5 from Daggerware)

For each of the four hardware buttons, you assign six apps to be launched by the pressing of a second hardware button (page-up and -down included). A little dialog will even pop up to remind you of your app assignments until you can memorize them.

For an easy transition to this version, just set it up so the ROM apps are activated with a double-press on the appropriate button, and then you have 20 more spaces to fill with a little thought. Or set up one button to reflect the standard layout, and use the other three for whatever you want.

Usage note on AppHack:
Just hit any of your six hardware buttons to see your new menus, and enjoy!

Notes on Hacks:

Don’t worry that these are called Hacks. They are very safe in all my experience with them for over four years. The term Hack is a popular word around us programmers, it isn’t a negative word most of the time.
Next time you have a reset of your machine, you will see a message, “do you want to reinstall your previously installed Hacks?”. When you see this tap Yes. This is needed because a reset kicks them out of memory and tapping Yes will reinstall them so that AppHack will work for you again without having to go to HackMaster to re-enable it.

Enjoy! More Hacks to come in further reviews! Got a great utility idea? Write a Hack using HackMaster API!

Both HackMaster and AppHack are shareware and are availiable through Daggerware for $5.00 each. For more information, please visit the Daggerware web site.

Bob Schmerda
C++ Programmer

AppHack

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