Thursday, October 3, 2002
Dooblo FolderSize
Posted by Brad Adrian in "ARTICLE" @ 02:00 PM
http://www.handango.com/PlatformProductDetail.jsp?siteId=311&platformId=2&productType=2&catalog=0&sectionId=0&productId=23760
As you probably know, there are TONS of little Pocket PC applications that help with memory or file management. I've been using Dooblo's latest version of FolderSize for a while now and have found that it does a good job of helping me manage both my device memory and files.
I've put together a few thoughts here on this software. Be sure to read the entire article to learn about a cool giveaway from Dooblo.
Dooblo's FolderSize
The developers at Dooblo claim that this application will help users do three things:
• View the memory status of storage cards, RAM and ROM
• Delete files and folders
• Locate and purge leftover temporary files
Happily, these features are just what I've been looking for in an application and are exactly what FolderSize delivers.
Features
First and foremost, FolderSize checks every folder in the device's RAM, ROM and any attached storage cards and reports on the amount of used and free space in each. I was originally concerned that it might take a long time to perform this function on a Pocket PC with 64MB of RAM and a 128MB storage card. However, I was pleased to find out that the entire process takes only about three seconds.
FolderSize offers a few options for how the resulting information is displayed.
Tapping on the Tools>Options menu produces a screen which allows the user to select whether or not the thermometer-like bars are displayed, whether individual files are shown, and whether or not the ROM is included in the scans. I’m very much a “visual learner,” so I always like to see the display bars. I also like to be able to see how full the iPAQ File Store is, so I usually opt to include the ROM in the display.
You can also quickly change these options on the main FolderSize screen. Tapping on the memory chip icon toggles the ROM scan off and on, and tapping on the page icon toggles the display of files.
Once the information is presented on the main screen, at the bottom there is also an analysis of how much memory is being used by unneeded temporary files.
If the device has a lot of storage space wasted by temporary files, tapping on the Tools menu gives the option to automatically and quickly purge them from the device.
If you like, you can explore and manipulate the individual files and folders that are displayed on the main screen. For example, tapping and holding on a file or folder presents options to either open or delete it.
If the “open” option is selected, FolderSize then simply opens the Pocket PC’s File Explorer application. It was probably a good idea that Dooblo didn’t decide to create its own explorer tool, but I found it a bit bothersome that when File Explorer is opened, it does not open at the folder or directory level that was selected in FolderSize.
Availability
FolderSize can be purchased at the Handango site for a mere $5.99. I consider this a real bargain.
Gotchas
FolderSize does exactly what I expected it to do. The only thing I would change is the linkage between it and File Explorer; I wish selecting a folder/file in FolderSize would open that very same folder/file in File Explorer. I consider this a pretty minor nit-pick, though.
Conclusions
I really like this program, because it does a very good job of helping me free up storage space and see the storage status of my Pocket PC. I would recommend it for anybody who wants to know just how their device’s memory is being used.
BONUS!
The generous people at Dooblo have offered to give away a free copy of FolderSize to five lucky Pocket PC Thoughts readers. We'll select the winners from our list of all registered readers in a few days. Of course, you must be registered with this site in order to win. In the meantime, you can download a trial version of the software using the Handango link above.
As you probably know, there are TONS of little Pocket PC applications that help with memory or file management. I've been using Dooblo's latest version of FolderSize for a while now and have found that it does a good job of helping me manage both my device memory and files.
I've put together a few thoughts here on this software. Be sure to read the entire article to learn about a cool giveaway from Dooblo.
Dooblo's FolderSize
The developers at Dooblo claim that this application will help users do three things:
• View the memory status of storage cards, RAM and ROM
• Delete files and folders
• Locate and purge leftover temporary files
Happily, these features are just what I've been looking for in an application and are exactly what FolderSize delivers.
Features
First and foremost, FolderSize checks every folder in the device's RAM, ROM and any attached storage cards and reports on the amount of used and free space in each. I was originally concerned that it might take a long time to perform this function on a Pocket PC with 64MB of RAM and a 128MB storage card. However, I was pleased to find out that the entire process takes only about three seconds.
FolderSize offers a few options for how the resulting information is displayed.
Tapping on the Tools>Options menu produces a screen which allows the user to select whether or not the thermometer-like bars are displayed, whether individual files are shown, and whether or not the ROM is included in the scans. I’m very much a “visual learner,” so I always like to see the display bars. I also like to be able to see how full the iPAQ File Store is, so I usually opt to include the ROM in the display.
You can also quickly change these options on the main FolderSize screen. Tapping on the memory chip icon toggles the ROM scan off and on, and tapping on the page icon toggles the display of files.
Once the information is presented on the main screen, at the bottom there is also an analysis of how much memory is being used by unneeded temporary files.
If the device has a lot of storage space wasted by temporary files, tapping on the Tools menu gives the option to automatically and quickly purge them from the device.
If you like, you can explore and manipulate the individual files and folders that are displayed on the main screen. For example, tapping and holding on a file or folder presents options to either open or delete it.
If the “open” option is selected, FolderSize then simply opens the Pocket PC’s File Explorer application. It was probably a good idea that Dooblo didn’t decide to create its own explorer tool, but I found it a bit bothersome that when File Explorer is opened, it does not open at the folder or directory level that was selected in FolderSize.
Availability
FolderSize can be purchased at the Handango site for a mere $5.99. I consider this a real bargain.
Gotchas
FolderSize does exactly what I expected it to do. The only thing I would change is the linkage between it and File Explorer; I wish selecting a folder/file in FolderSize would open that very same folder/file in File Explorer. I consider this a pretty minor nit-pick, though.
Conclusions
I really like this program, because it does a very good job of helping me free up storage space and see the storage status of my Pocket PC. I would recommend it for anybody who wants to know just how their device’s memory is being used.
BONUS!
The generous people at Dooblo have offered to give away a free copy of FolderSize to five lucky Pocket PC Thoughts readers. We'll select the winners from our list of all registered readers in a few days. Of course, you must be registered with this site in order to win. In the meantime, you can download a trial version of the software using the Handango link above.
