What is Commander ? 

Commander is several utilities, rolled into one stand-alone application for the 3Com Palm Computing® Platform.

Firstly, Commander is a replacement for the built-in Application Launcher, providing multiple views of your applications (similar to categories), and configurable display ordering of those applications (manual, alphabetic, or by most recently used). Additionally, individual applications can be set private, and/or locked, protecting those applications from unauthorised view, or use. 

Secondly, Commander is a full replacement for the built-in Security application, providing the ability to automatically lock your Palm device, hide private records, or simply display an 'owner' message, whenever the device is turned on, or under a variety of other configurable conditions. Commander 'Startup commands' are not limited to security tasks, but may also be configured to run a specified application, turn on the backlight, and various other tasks. 

Thirdly, Commander provides 'Shortcut Commands', which offer the same wide range of options as Startup Commands, such as revealing private records or turning on the backlight, but may be activated by entering a graffiti shortcut, from within any application. 

Which versions of PalmOS does Commander run on ? 

Commander operates identically on all versions of the Palm Computing® Platform. It has been tested on versions 1.0, 2.0, and 3.0 of the OS running on the appropriate Palm hardware, but has NOT been tested on devices upgraded with replacement memory cards (eg Pilot 512K with PalmPilot 1Mb upgrade card, PalmPilot with SuperPilot upgrade). Obviously, some functions, such as turning on the backlight will not operate on some machines. Several PalmOS 3.0 features are not currently implemented in Commander, such as the ability to beam applications betweeen devices, and the ability to manage application memory use. These features will be added in a later version of Commander (see future ideas for further details).

What about compatibility with other applications ? 

Commander, and Commander Lite, have been tested with an array of other applications and Hackmaster extensions, without incident. However, Commander replaces the functionality provided by certain other applications, and has not been designed, or tested, to operate alongside these applcations. Notably, Commander should not be run alongside 

  • TealLock
  • LaunchPad
  • QuickLaunch
  • Check-In
  • PowerHack
  • HideHack
  • Hide and Off
  • AppMan
TealGlance will run with Commander. If the TealGlance 'Active when Locked' option is set, TealGlance will display before entering a password. If the option is not set, a Commander startup command may be defined to run the TealGlance, or CallGlance applcation.

How do I install Commander ? 

BEFORE DOING ANYTHING, Ensure that your device system password is either unassigned, or that you know what it is set to. A Palm device that has been locked by Commander is secure, and unless you know the password, there is no way to gain access to it without performing a hard-reset. 

The application itself should be installed using whatever method you normally use to install applications on your Palm device. Usually, this means running the 'Application Install' application from your PC. 

To get Commander to do anything useful, it must be activated. From the 'Options' menu, select the 'Activate' menu item. The Activate screen will be shown. Simply check the 'Activate' checkbox, and press 'OK'. This will result in your Palm being reset. Commander will be fully activated after the reset. 

Something went wrong - what now ? 

If Commander ceases to function correctly, the first step is to reset your Palm device. This often cures a multitude of ills. Holding down the 'scroll up' button whist resetting will force Commander NOT to activate itself during the reset. If problems still occur, you may wish to un-install, and then re-install Commander. To report bugs in Commander, please send an email to commander@palmation.com

How do I un-install Commander ? 

Because Commander contains several operating system extensions, it protects itself from accidental deletion whilst it is active. (Removing an application that contains active system extensions will cause the Palm device to crash). In order to delete Commander from your device, it must first be de-activated. The simplest way to do this is via the 'Activate' panel under the 'Options' menu. Simply uncheck the checkbox, and hit 'OK' to reset the device. The second way to disable Commander is to reset the device whilst holding down the 'scroll up' button. Commander will be disabled after the reset, and can be removed from the system by running the Memory application. 

I'm locked out of my Palm device - what do I do ? 

There are two reasons why you may be locked out. Firstly, the password you are entering is incorrect, or you have forgotten what it is. Secondly, Commmander may not be reading your password correctly. 

To eliminate the possibility of a bug in Commander, you should reset your Palm device, holding down the 'up' scroll button whilst you do so. The device will reset, and you will be greeted by the device's built-in security application, demanding a password. If your password is still not recognised, then the password you are entering is incorrect, and is not the same as the one that has been set. 

How secure is Commander ? 

Commander is designed to secure your Palm device's data. Unless you know the correct password, there is no way to gain access to the machine without performing a hard-reset (which will erase all the data stored therein). Some other security applications can be broken into by holding down the 'scroll-up' button whilst resetting the device. Commander is truly secure, and cannot be broken into by this, or any other known method. If you do not know the correct password, your only option is to hard-reset your device, and then restore your data by performing a HotSync. 

I've registered, but I still get the 'Please register..' message on the Welcome screen

There may be two reasons for this; 1) The registered .prc has not installed correctly or 2) you have not updated the 'Owner' message since installing Commander.  In either instance, first check to see which version is installed by selecting the 'About' option under the 'Help' menu - it should say 'Commander 1.43 - REGISTERED' (or the equvalent version no.) If not, then follow the instructions for performing a version upgrade
Alternatively, if the registered version is installed, you should configure the owner message from the 'Options-Security' menu, by simply tapping the 'Owner' box and updating the information with your own user text. (This should only occur when a registered copy of Commander is installed on a system which is running an unregistered version of the Commander database).

I've lost my registration details - how can I download my registered copy of Commander?

Just send us an email at commander@palmation.com, with some form of registration id if possible (eg. order no. from PalmGear HQ or previous correspondence from Palmation), and we'll send you access details for the Commander Registered Users Area on our web site, where you will be able to download the latest registered version of Commander.

I've changed my email address - how can I let you know?

Simple, just drop us an email at emailupdate@palmation.com, stating your new address, and we'll update our database immediately and send you a confirmation of the change.

Can I upgrade from Commander Lite to Commander ? 

Yes. Registered users of Commander Lite can upgrade to Commander for only $6.95 (usual price $14.95, a saving of $8.00!), either via post or through PalmGear HQ.  For upgrade details, please send an email to upgrade@palmation.com

What about volume licensing?

Palmation offer extremely flexible discounting schemes for volume licenses and corporate orders.  Please send an email to enquiry@palmation.com for further details.

© 2000 Palmation Limited