The Only Thing Better Than Cheap Is Free!

[Brad Adrian]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=85760' target='_blank'>http://www.handango.com/brainstore/...productId=85760</a><br /><br /></div>Are you looking for a great task switcher at a great price? How about the chance to win that great task switcher for FREE? If so, this is the site for you!<br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/adrian/handyswitcher.gif" /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=85760">HandySwitcher</a>, from DinarSoft, is a full-featured add-in that'll help you manage all the programs you have running at once. One of its most important features, though, is that it makes that funny little "X" in the top right-hand corner of your Pocket PC screens actually CLOSE your applications!<br /><br />There are plenty of other functions, too:<br /><br />• Choose the behavior of the close (X) button (single tap and tap-and-hold). <br />• Congifure which programs you don't want them to show up in the menu.<br />• Optionally choose to hide icons. <br />• Integrates with <a href="http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=79935">HandyMenu</a> and <a href="http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=84246">HandyLauncher</a>.<br />• Customizale location of the icons.<br />• Low memory usage.<br />• Can be installed on any memory card.<br /><br />The good news is that this swift little applications only costs $3.99 and can be readily downloaded from the <a href="http://www.handango.com/brainstore/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&productId=85760">Handango site</a>. The EVEN BETTER news is that DinarSoft wants to give away a free copy of HandySwitcher to five lucky Pocket PC Thoughts readers. <br /><br />All you have to do to be eligible for this giveaway is be a registered Pocket PC Thoughts reader! Sometime next week we're going to randomly select the winners from our database of registered readers, so make sure you're <a href="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/forums/profile.php?mode=register">registered</a>!

[DaveStall]

With the wealth of free task management software available, I can't see this product being all that viable. I would say this is something that should be integrated into one of the existing products an an upgrade perhaps, but I can't see spending one penny on this app, much less $3.99.

Dave

[DinarSoft]

With the wealth of free task management software available, I can't see this product being all that viable. I would say this is something that should be integrated into one of the existing products an an upgrade perhaps, but I can't see spending one penny on this app, much less $3.99.

Dave
- None of the freewares have the same features in such very small size
only ~70KB

- HandySwitcher is the most popular task manager for PPCPE users
http://www.pdaphonehome.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=25460&highlight=handyswitcher

- one of very few task-managers which work on 2003SE QVGA/VGA
http://discussion.brighthand.com/showthread.php?threadid=106143&highlight=handyswitcher

But, everyone has his own opinion, if you don't like HandySwitcher maybe we'll have you as a customer for another product ;)

DinarSoft

[rhmorrison]

I'm fond of IcBar (http://icbar.ictinus.com/index.html) myself.
Simular features, simular size, & FREE!

[DinarSoft]

I'm fond of IcBar (http://icbar.ictinus.com/index.html) myself.
Simular features, simular size, & FREE!
similar size on disk maybe, but in memory ICBar loads lots of bitmaps into memory

[Blue Zero]

I fail to see any critical different between this and any other true-free task managers...

In this ever demanding world, where every pennies count... even 3.99 are just couple of pennies too much


Enlighten me if one thinks other wise :wink:

[PiatekHS]

VBar at only 21k is smaller, free and seems to do everything this does for $4..

Have a look at http://www.vieka.com/vbar.htm

[dean_shan]

I'm a fan of PocketNav (http://www.scottandmichelle.net/scott/cestuff.html). Free and very smalll. The UI is good too.

[Sven Johannsen]

My apologies in advance for this....

I hate free software. While there are many instances and genres have free options every bit as good as commercial (costs $) ones, it give the mistaken impression that software should be free, and the folks that are trying to make a living, or supplement their living, are just greedy.

It's nice that there are some folks that have enough spare time, or are benevolent enough, that they can donate their time and efforts to the rest of us. Those of you who spend a majority of your time donating it to charitable efforts, and thereby not making money, should certainly feel justified in expecting others to do the same for you. The rest of us really shouldn't be complaining about software prices that are less than a pack of cigarettes, a couple of candy bars at the vending machine, or a latte at Starbucks. Most everyone here at least has the where-with-all to possess a $200-$600 dayplanner (MP3 player, game platform, whatever your particular reason for a PPC is).

Personally, I think it is just rude to splatter a thread identifying a particular solution with a benevolent offer from the vendor with various alternatives, just because there are free ones out there. There are plenty of threads asking for task switchers that these could be highlighted in.

All I see happening here is that you are telling an ISV that his time and effort aren't worth anything. That's not terribly beneficial to the future of the platform.

[PiatekHS]

Personally, I think it is just rude to splatter a thread identifying a particular solution with a benevolent offer from the vendor with various alternatives, just because there are free ones out there. There are plenty of threads asking for task switchers that these could be highlighted in.


Sven, I think you have a point, but would like to say that imho sharing information is what these forums are about.. As with any product one should differentiate it from cheaper offerings to make the cost worthwhile, whether cheaper is free or not.

Most people are happy to pay for products that give them those perceived benefits.

[volwrath]

My apologies in advance for this....

*snip*

All I see happening here is that you are telling an ISV that his time and effort aren't worth anything. That's not terribly beneficial to the future of the platform.

In this case you are exactly right that you are telling a developer his time might be better spent elsewhere when there is a plethora of excellent free switchers

I don't see it hurting the platform too much, because sales matter more than talk. If the developer makes millions off the handy switcher he will soon forget this forums negative reaction.

[DinarSoft]

My apologies in advance for this....

*snip*

All I see happening here is that you are telling an ISV that his time and effort aren't worth anything. That's not terribly beneficial to the future of the platform.

In this case you are exactly right that you are telling a developer his time might be better spent elsewhere when there is a plethora of excellent free switchers

I don't see it hurting the platform too much, because sales matter more than talk. If the developer makes millions off the handy switcher he will soon forget this forums negative reaction.

Very true, (but only "if" we make millions)
and we want also to add that responses like this might drive us or others from doing promotions like this in the future

[pocketman]

I have already HandySwitcher and love it. Can I get credit if I won a copy? ;)

if there are alternatives for a software, the major differences between FREE and Commercial are support and upgrades.

in the FREE world, there is no gurantee for anything.
in the Commercial world, it depends on the vendor.
I did not have to contact Dinarsoft for support issue (HandySwitch is doing fine with me) but i read about people thanking Dinarsoft for their support.

[normaldude]

VBar at only 21k is smaller, free and seems to do everything this does for $4..

Have a look at http://www.vieka.com/vbar.htm

That's what I use. Vbar. Works great, and it's free.

[normaldude]

Personally, I think it is just rude to splatter a thread identifying a particular solution with a benevolent offer from the vendor with various alternatives, just because there are free ones out there. There are plenty of threads asking for task switchers that these could be highlighted in.


I'd rather have informed consumers. Consumers can then compare the various free & paid products, and decide what's best for them.

I use some free software. I use some paid software. And personally, I like knowing all my options (free/paid) before shelling out cash.

[Sven Johannsen]

Personally, I think it is just rude to splatter a thread identifying a particular solution with a benevolent offer from the vendor with various alternatives, just because there are free ones out there. There are plenty of threads asking for task switchers that these could be highlighted in.


I'd rather have informed consumers. Consumers can then compare the various free & paid products, and decide what's best for them.

Don't disagree. Just said it was tacky to do this in a thread announcing the product and a give away. If you are looking for a task switcher, post a question or search what is already out there. If you think the one you have is great, post an endorsement or review.

How would you like it if you were selling your car, and had a prospect in the driveway, and your neighbor comes over and says, "Hey, my buddy Bob is selling his car for less than what you are asking, and it's just as good. BTW, is it OK if we paste his flyer here next to your for sale sign?"

Maybe I just have an old fashioned view of good manners.

[isilver]

This program seems like a cool one. I especially like that no one has gone out of there way to slander the program, But rather point out some alternatives for those who don't have the money or are looking for alternatives. Until now I thought the only alternative was wisbar, But now I know differently.

I also think that the intention of the posting was not to sell but rather to notify people that there is a new program switcher application on the market. It would have been pointless for them to try and sell a product on a open forum. You are always going to get a majority of complaints that will be posted about the programs.

[rpommier]

Also remember that freeware is just that, free. If you get support good, if not oh well, you didn't pay for it. I've had that happen to me plenty of time with software I like.

If the developer loses interest in the program then he isn't obligated to fix it. So that's one thing you pay for when you purchase software, support.