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xmaster-readme.txt
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2002-09-15
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X-Master 1.5
X-Master manages PalmOS system extensions (aka hacks)
X-Master is a free, stable, easy-to-use hack/extension management
program.
At A Glance
- Fully compatible with HackMaster, all existing hacks are supported
- Freeware by LinkeSOFT
- Protects active extensions
- Safe (and complete) removal of active/inactive system extensions
- Information about patched Palm OS functions
- Support for switching "sets" of active extensions
You can find a wide variety of hacks for X-Master on the big Palm software
sites.
X-Master is a free 100% compatible successor to Edward Keyes' original
HackMaster which fixes several bugs and offers various improvements,
both technical and in the user interface. A light version of X-Master
with reduced memory footprint (no patch info and no sets) is
available.
Installation/Upgrade
X-Master runs on all currently available Palm Powered (R) handhelds
with at least Palm OS 2.0.
X-Master is a regular Palm OS application. After starting X-Master,
the list of system extensions (hacks) found on your handheld is
displayed. Active extensions have a checkmark to the left.
X-Master will recognize if you have HackMaster running and will take
over the set of active hacks from HackMaster. Because it makes no
sense to have two utilities with the same functionality, it will then
remove HackMaster from your handheld.
If you've used another extension management application like
EVPlugbase or TealMaster and want to use X-Master, you should first
deactivate all extensions in the other program. Note that using
multiple extension managers at the same time may lead to unpredictable
results. You should eventually delete the other application.
You can install newer versions of X-Master over the old version
without problems. Deinstallation or deactivation of hacks is not
necessary
To remove X-Master from your handheld, first deactivate all
extensions, then delete X-Master just like any other program in the
launcher.
Note that the upcoming Palm OS 5.0 will no longer support hacks, hence
X-Master and other hack managers can no longer be used on Palm OS 5
and later.
Details
The Details dialog shows version, status (active/inactive), and the
Palm OS functions that the currently selected extension patches.
Tapping on Configure will take you to the extension's configuration
dialog (if available).
To get general information about a particular system extension, tap on
the (i) in the upper right corner of the Details dialog.
If you tap on Delete, the system extension will be deactivated and
removed from your handheld. This includes all data and the
preferences.
Reset
All system extensions are automatically deactivated after a reset by
the operating system. X-Master will pop up a dialog asking you whether
you want to re-activate your formerly active collection of system
extensions. When you check the corresponding preference option, this
popup will automatically be confirmed after 5 seconds.
Sets
If you have many system extensions installed, chances are you do not
want to have all of them activated at the same time. X-Master provides
support for easy switching between multiple sets of active extensions.
To store the currently active set of system extensions tap on the menu
Extensions->Create Set. Once you have sets defined, a popup trigger in
the upper right corner will appear that lets you select or edit your
sets.
You can define up to 30 sets. Note that the activation order of
extensions within a set matters, i.e. you can have two sets that
contain the same extensions but in different order.
To update a set to the currently active extensions, tap on Edit
Sets..., select the set you want to update and tap on Refresh.
To switch between sets with a simple stroke in any application,
install our XMSwitchSet extension.
Extension patch chain
The extension patch chain dialog, available through menu
Extensions->List All Active, lists all applications that alter system
functions. The first called extension comes first. Note that this list
may include applications that are not X-Master compatible (i.e. do
their own trap patching). These applications will not appear in the
main X-Master extension list.
Preferences
In the preferences, you can select whether you want the original
HackMaster style layout (with little (i) and (...) buttons next to the
extension name, or the default layout with Configure and Info buttons
at the bottom.
By default, X-Master sorts active and inactive extensions
alphabetically with all active extensions coming first. When you
select Strict Alpha, all extensions will be sorted alphabetically,
regardless of their activation state. When you select Activation, the
list order will mirror the activation order with the most recently
activated extension coming first.
The option Disable during HotSync is available on Palm OS 3.5 and
later. If this option is set, all extensions will be automatically
deactivated when a HotSync begins and activated again when HotSync
ends. This way you can install a new version of an extension without
having to manually deactivate the extension first in X-Master.
Note: A few hacks that expect to work during HotSync may not be
compatible with this option.
Order of activated extensions
Sometimes, the order in which extensions are activated matters. Some
extensions may not work if a different extension is activated first.
For technical reasons, for any patched system function, the last
activated extension will be called first.
X-Master retains the order in which you activate the extensions after
resets and in sets. To find out the current order in which extensions
are called, view the extension patch chain or select the preference
option to display activation order.
Compatibility
X-Master runs on all Palm OS devices with at least Palm OS 2.0.
X-Master is fully compatible with HackMaster. It uses the same
protocol and the same activation procedure as the original HackMaster.
All hacks written for HackMaster should work.
X-Master fixes many shortcomings of the original HackMaster program.
It therefore makes obsolete various third-party hacks and applications
that have been specifically written to fix such HackMaster faults. If
X-Master finds such an application, it will display an alert. You
should disable and remove these hacks and applications.
X-Master is compatible with LeftHack. X-Master can be moved to Flash
ROM.
You should not move X-Master to an expansion card, because
applications on cards do not receive reset or HotSync notifications.
Troubleshooting
Because system extensions call deeply into the operating system
sometimes subtle problems occur if several extensions interfere with
each other, or if the extension was not written for the current
operating system.
Things to check if a system extension is not working properly or if
your handheld is unstable after activating a certain system extension:
- Is the extension (Hack) compatible with your Palm OS version and
hardware?
- Is it working if all other extensions are disabled?
- Perform a soft reset.
Sometimes, applications that patch system functions without adhering
to the hack standards can interfere with X-Master. You can try Daniel
Seiferts Hackfinder to find applications that may perform hack-like
activities.
If a simple soft reset does not work, i.e. you're stuck in a reset
loop, try a reset without notification of applications
- Press the scroll-up key (the upper arrow key)
- While keeping the scroll-up key pressed, enter pin into reset hole
at back
- Release reset pin
- Release scroll-up key
Freeware
X-Master is freeware. You can freely use it and distribute it to
others as long as the program is not altered in any way. If you like
the program, you can donate a small amount of money to our PayPal
account.
Version history
Version 1.5 (22-Jul-2002
- Improved interoperability with locking apps like OnlyMe
- More compatibility fixes
Version 1.4.1 (03-Mar-2002)
- Minor compatibility fix
Version 1.4 (25-Nov-2001)
- Option to disable all extensions during HotSync (useful for
installing new versions of an extension w/o manual prior
deactivation)
- Menu entries to quickly activate/add to current set and
deactivate/remove from currentset
- Faster switching of sets that only add/remove a few extensions
(useful for e.g. XMSwitchSet)
- Support for activation/deactivation notification of Hacks (useful
for developers)
Version 1.3 (09-May-2001)
- More compatibility enhancements
- Include new Palm OS 4.0 patch names
- X-Master will no longer try to activate a patch if this patch is not
available on the current OS
- Reversed patch chain list to be consistent with main list (first
called extension comes first)
- Supports direct calling from Launcher III
- Support for JackFlash
- Support for Handera 330
- Support for XMSwitchSet extensionmore compatibility enhancements
Version 1.2 (11-Feb-2001)
- Fixed bug with garbled function names
- Fixed various sets bugs
- Improved sets handling
- Added set refresh functionality
- Reduced space between lines so that 11 extensions fit on one page
- Added light version with smaller memory footprint (no patch info and
no sets)
Version 1.1 (5-Feb-2001)
- Fixed Visor incompatibilities (our sincere apologies to all Visor
users who suffered crashes with 1.0!)
- Many other bug fixes
- Added beaming
Version 1.0
- Initial public release
Thanks to Mike McCollister for valuable suggestions. Special thanks to
Takanori Nakane for the Japanese translation. Thanks to Daniel Bergman
for the Swedish translation. Thanks to Antonio Delgado for the Spanish
translation. Thanks to Stanley Wu for the Chinese translation.
Copyright (c) 1998-2002 LinkeSOFT GmbH, Berlin, Germany
License
-------
This license agreement settles the relation between LinkeSOFT GmbH and the
user concerning the use of the enclosed software product ("program") of
LinkeSOFT in its shareware version and its registered version.
º 1
The user obtains through this license by LinkeSOFT the non-exclusive
right to install and use this program on his PalmPilot.
The program remains the sole property of LinkeSOFT.
The user further obtains the right to make a back-up copy by means of
the HotSync feature.
º 2
The user may distribute the shareware version of this program or copies
thereof. The shareware version may be published on the Inter- or
Intranet or on software collections (on CDs etc.).
Each distribution must contain these provisions and the above copyright
notice. Except for publishing on software collections the distribution
of this program has to be free of charge.
The program name or the name of LinkeSOFT shall not be used for
promotional purposes without prior written consent of LinkeSOFT.
The program may not be modified or tampered with in any way.
º 3 THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY LINKESOFT GMBH ''AS IS'' AND ANY
EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE
IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL LinkeSOFT BE LIABLE FOR ANY
DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL
DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS
OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION)
HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT,
STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN
ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
º 4 For regular use the program has to be registered according to the
general rules about shareware. Registration is made by payment of the
registration fee according to the program and web site instructions.
After registration the user receives a key that entitles him or her to
unrestricted use of the program according to this license. Registration
further entitles the user to get support by LinkeSOFT via email and free
upgrades of this program.
º 5
The user shall in no way make copies of the registered version of this
program, except such as coming under º 1. The user shall in no way
resell or lend the registered program or copies thereof to third persons.
The registered program may not be made available to third persons.
º 6
In the event that any provision of this Agreement should be or become
invalid or if there is a gap in the Agreement, the validity of the other
provisions shall not be affected. In lieu of the invalid provision or in
order to complete the Agreement, a reasonable provision shall be
effective approaching to what parties would have agreed upon if they had
considered that issue.
º 7 This Agreement shall be governed and construed in accordance with
German law as it applies to German citizens and corporations and the
parties hereby agree to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the
courts of Germany. The place of proceeding will be Berlin.
º 8
This software program is protected by international copyright law.
Palm, the Palm logo and Graffiti are registered trademarks,
and HotSync, PalmPilot, Palm OS and the PalmPilot logo are trademarks of
Palm, Inc.