PocketMark is a simple benchmark for PalmOS-based devices, such as the Palm Connected Organizer (tm).
It evaluates the Palm hardware speed by performing some basic Integer, Memory and Floating Point tests; it then summarizes those values (IntMarks, MemMarks, FloatMarks) in a single "speed number" (PalmMarks), that is a weighted average of the three indexes; since version 0.2, DBMarks and GraphMarks are also evaluated; they are proportional to the speed in performing database-related operations (filling and sorting of records) and basic graphic operations (the iterated copy of a rectangle through the screen).
PocketMark is free software, released under the GNU Lesser General Public License version 2.1 (see the file "COPYING").
PocketMark has the registered unique ID "MarK".
2. System requirements
======================
-> PocketMarks *REQUIRES* PalmOS v2.0 or later, and MathLib v1.0 or later. <-
-> PocketMarks *REQUIRES* 20 KB of free (dynamic) memory to run (it needs to allocate some arrays to perform the benchmarks). <-
3. Typical values
=================
PocketMark was tuned to give all values = 100 on a standard Palm IIIx (no hacks installed, etc.).
The Palm IIIx uses a DragonBall EZ CPU running at 16.6 MHz; you'll have better values (i.e., > 100) with faster Palms (for example, the Vx has a 20 MHz DragonBall EZ), and lower values with older Palms: for example, Palm III and Palm Pilot Professional both use an older DragonBall CPU (even if it runs at 16.6 MHz as in Palm IIIx), and their indexes are lower.
These are the values I got (thanks to all the users who submitted their results to me):
Your mileage may vary, depending, for example, on the presence of the HackMaster and hacks: in fact, generally if you use hacks you could see slightly lower performances.
The typical execution time for the whole benchmark is about 8 seconds.
4. Disclaimer
=============
Even if a lot of care was used during the creation and the testing of PocketMark (including extensive Gremlin tests with 2.0, 3.0, 3.1 and 3.3 debug ROMs), PocketMark is provided "as is", and has no warranty: use at your own risk.
The author takes no responsibility for any damage PocketMark could do to a Palm organizer, the data and the applications stored in it.
** Please keep in mind that this is work in progress ** , as the version number states.
5. Submitting values
====================
A benchmark like this makes sense if other devices results are available to compare with: so I'd be glad if you can provide me your scores; they will be useful for the "reference table" I'm building on my web site.
Please drop me an email (with "pocketmark" as the subject) with:
- your device model and PalmOS version
- your configuration (with/without active/inactive hacks)
- if you run an overclocked device, please tell me which utility you are using (Cruise Control, AfterBurner, Tornado, EcoHack, etc.) and the settings you are using (wait states, clock speed, etc.)
- all the six PocketMark indexes (not just PalmMarks)
Your contribution would be useful to other users, too !
Since version 0.2, you can save PocketMark results in the Memopad (the button appears on the results summary screen): this makes far easier to send the results.
6. Changelog
============
v0.1 (12/20/1999): - initial release
v0.1.1 (1/4/2000): - typical results are showed under Help menu ("Help/PocketMark Results")
- documentation updates
v0.2 (2/2/2000): - new tests added: DBMark measures the speed of operations like filling and sorting
records, and GraphMark test the graphic speed by performing a rectangle copy through
the screen
- ability to save results on a Memo entry; the title of the memo is "PocketMark v0.2"
followed by the date and time of the test. I hope this will simplify the process of
sending me the results, too !
- results table updated
7. Known bugs
=============
The application version is shown as "1", even if I set it as "0.2" in the resource file: maybe a bug in PilRC 2.x ?
8. URL
======
My site (that is constantly under construction!) has a Palm section featuring PocketMark; there you can find latest version, results, and so:
http://web.tiscalinet.it/fcarello
9. Author
=========
Fernando Carello (fcarello@srd.it , fcarello@tiscalinet.it)
10. Developing infos
====================
PocketMark was developed under Win95 using the mythical GNU toolchain v0.5.0 and VFDIDE v4.1.4 (great product! Have a look at www.vfdide.com).
I'm in the process of cleaning the source code and adding (more) comments to it, in order to release PocketMark under full GPL (with full sources); but it will take some time.
* Palm Connected Organizer and Palm Computing are trademarks of 3Com Corporation; all other trademarks belong to their respective owners *
