Nice Start Review

[Janak Parekh]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.jenneth.info/nice%20start%20review.htm' target='_blank'>http://www.jenneth.info/nice%20start%20review.htm</a><br /><br /></div><a href="http://www.jenneth.info">Jenneth</a>, who loves to customize her Pocket PC, writes in with another review on her blog - this time, of <a href="http://www.trancreative.com/nicestart/">Nice Start</a>, a program that replaces your standard password screen with something that more closely resembles the XP login screen. We reported on this program a <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=4513">few months ago</a>, and it's nice to see such a detailed review.

[awierenga]

http://www.jgui.net/ltm/

[GC2350]

I think they now allow you to try the software before you buy it... I just found this on their website....


This links to the original site to download... (http://www.trancreative.com/downloads/nicestart/nssetupdemo.zip)

[Doug Rausch]

Handango now has a downloadable trial.

Nice product by the way, a lot of bugs when it first came out but the developer has really improved it.

[Terry]

Nicestart doesn't work with the ipaq 5455 ... fingerprint recognitio n breaks the app & can lock the ipaq requiring a hard reset.

[bdeli]

Nicestart doesn't work with the ipaq 5455 ... fingerprint recognitio n breaks the app & can lock the ipaq requiring a hard reset.

New features in latest version 2.0:
http://www.trancreative.com/nicestart/default.htm

Display running application icons
Time-lock and hard-reset options after a number of failed attempts
Log password activities
Built-in Help document
Fix various memory leak problem, date format bug (now OK for all locales)
Fix bug in iPaq 5450 that the Bio Swipe is not restored after Nice Start disabled

[RKosin]

Choices too many choices.... using NiceStart version 2 in iPaq 3950 but still found a problem with pocketcandy displaying Matrix. A complete removal of NiceStart 1.8 for the upgrade was not permited because the TurnOff utility was loaded in the ROM which required (?) a hard reset for removal. Now under listed programs is both versions. Operating probleming...no not really, then why do it :roll:

[blusparkles]

Yes - I found removing version 1.8 to be a bit problematic. Basically what I did was rename those Nice Start files in the Windows folder that the "Remove programs" utility said it couldn't uninstall (by changing the file extension), then uninstalling the program, resetting, then installing the new version. Same sort of procedure for removing most today plug-ins.

The later versions of Nice Start (from about v 1.8.3 upwards) remove this problem and allow you to uninstall it without doing the above procedure. Sorry to hear that you were having problems with the program. But as I said (and as Doug Rausch also pointed out), this program is continually making small but significant improvements with each new release.

[Janak Parekh]

I think they now allow you to try the software before you buy it... I just found this on their website....
Thanks. I didn't see it last night, but it was admittedly late. ;) I've updated the post.

--janak

[yawanag]

I downloaded this app. when it was $5.95. I had to return my T-Mobile unit back because it froze and I couldn't use it any longer. I was without it for 7 days. I've already written about this so I won't go into it again.

TranCreative did make a note after that Not compatible with T-Mobile

What I think is outlandish now is that they've upgraded and some people are still having problems (read a view on another site that it still hangs with T-Mobile)and asking $9.90 for it!

[tekguru]

The only problem I haev here is the download link for registered version 2 fails for me ;-(

[jeffmd]

this looks real nice. any other programs like this that arnt nearly as buggy?

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I love the look of this app and I'd be tempted to try and then buy, BUT I wish it would display the owner information (and owner notes) right on the password screen w/o requiring you to click a link. This, to me, would be more helpful than having a large analog clock and calendar taking up a third of the screen.

[RKosin]

A trend here in this thread needs to slow down, NiceStart is a worth while app and supported registered users in the upgrades...it provides security on a sync as a guest without showing a screen display and requires a password....all comments should lead to a better product so if other reviews reference problems, lets have a link or site name :confused totally:

[blusparkles]

Firstly, the review I wrote is based on my personal experience with the product - I myself haven't had any problems with it (and I've been using it for over 3 months). I have an iPAQ 3970. Yes, I had a problem uninstalling the program, but this is a common issue with programs that load files in the ROM and isn't actually a bug inherent in the software. There ARE ways that the developer can get around this, and the lastest versions of NiceStart fix this.

Secondly, developers don't always have all of the devices on hand for them to test their products on. I agree - it would be good if they had a specific section where it mentioned all of the Pocket PCs that are directly supported (ie tested on). The only problem, therefore, that I can see with this program is that T-Mobile Pocket PCs are not supported. Not exactly cause to call this software "buggy", just that its not compatible with some Pocket PCs. And I guess it's the developer's prerogative as to what devices they choose to support or not - remember, supporting an additional Pocket PC would probably mean buying at least one (probably multiple) unit to test it on.

I couldn't find where they said that the T-Mobile is not compatible with Nice Start. So either they fixed the problem, or they've removed the reference. Either way, it's something worth following up. If indeed Nice Start is not compatible with T-Mobile and causes the sorts of problems that you've been describing, then a warning to that effect should clearly be in any product description for this program. TranCreative have a discussion forum located here (http://www.trancreative.com/discussion/display_forum_topics.asp?ForumID=6) where the developer replies quite promptly to questions. If you are a registered user of this product, then you really have a right to get this thing sorted out, or get your money back. Could you post a link to the review that you're referring to?

I don't it's outlandish that they're asking for more money for this product when they've put substantial time into updating the product and adding more features. Yes, there may be some compatibility issues, but the features that this program provide (on compatible Pocket PCs!) are well worth the paltry $9.90 that they're asking for. From someone who buys a LOT of software (ie someone like me who has a job to support her Pocket PC software-buying habit), I think it's great value for money. But again, this is my personal opinion - for a registered user who hasn't had the product work for them (and worse still, caused their Pocket PC to freeze), I can understand why you think it's outlandish.

Yawanag - I'm sorry about your bad experience. Something like that would probably turn me off a particular program too, particularly if I had to part with my precious iPAQ for more than a few hours!

Tekguru - did you buy this through Handango? Because I downloaded the latest version yesterday with no problems.

[Steven Cedrone]

I love the look of this app and I'd be tempted to try and then buy, BUT I wish it would display the owner information (and owner notes) right on the password screen w/o requiring you to click a link. This, to me, would be more helpful than having a large analog clock and calendar taking up a third of the screen.

Looking at the screen shots in the review, I see a few skins that do have owner info. Maybe you should email the developer and see if notes are an option as well???

Steve

[SeaRanger]

I use Nice Start on my iPaq 1910 and it works great. I have never had an issue or problem. BTW, contrary to a previous post, the log-on screen can display owner information. You just need to use one of the skins (or create your own) that incoporate it.

[Ekkie Tepsupornchai]

I love the look of this app and I'd be tempted to try and then buy, BUT I wish it would display the owner information (and owner notes) right on the password screen w/o requiring you to click a link. This, to me, would be more helpful than having a large analog clock and calendar taking up a third of the screen.

Looking at the screen shots in the review, I see a few skins that do have owner info. Maybe you should email the developer and see if notes are an option as well???
:oops: :oops:

Ugh! I hate it when I do this! I remember this being an issue when the app first came out, and I didn't see it in the list of changes or improvements with the latest release...

OK... no excuse... I'm just lame!! :oops: :oops:

If the trial works, they're getting my money!!

[TECHIUM]

Just a note of support, I'm running Nice Start v. 1.6.1 which I purchased from Handango when it first came out, and have had relativly few issues. In fact the only problem of note is the lack of speed when recognizing how much available space is on my 128MB 90% full CF card from a soft reset state. The only improvements I can think of at this time would be 1. The ability to add more storage status options. For instance while Nice Start shows my CF card it doesn't show my SD card, even if I take the CF card out. 2. A "framed template" with drop down selection for different info one might want displayed at startup. This would be more valuable to me than the skinning option as it would give you the abilty to modify your display dynamically without the need to have access to a desktop to create a custom skin to fit your need. IE imbed the clock frame with the ability to switch to an MP3 player/Web browser. This would compromise the default security somewhat, but you could enable diferent levels of security much like profiles on a NT/W2K/XP environment. 3. The ability to add a startup message. As an example in most corporate/gov. environments there is usually some kind of warning about the authorized use of the device. This would seem like a natural add on for this product. I realize some or all of these issues/suggestions may have been already put in place by the latest upgrade, which I will download now, but I thought I'd mention a few here. Overall an excellent product, one I would highly reccomend.

[Gregg]

I have just purchased NiceStart 2 days ago; I used it for a day but didn't sync my IPAQ 3870. Well today I have noticed that I am unable to maintain an active MicroSoft ActiveSync Connection (Version 3.5, Build 12007) or an active Pocket Controller-Professional Version 3.08 Session.

If I reboot both the PC and PocketPC I will get both Active Sync and Pocket Controller active, BUT as soon as I touch the screen (usually my GigaBar shortcuts) on the PocketPC both the PocketController and ActiveSync disconnects.

I have been using this configuration for months (I updated Pocket Controller a couple of weeks ago) without any problems. I have also been sync-ing without problems. This has started happening since I loaded NiceStart 2.0.

Any recommendations will be appreciated; have anybody else ran into this problem?

Besides the above mentioned issue, I definitely like this application.


:confused totally:

[bdeli]

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