FIGURE B

X-Master keeps conflicting hacks from running together.

These programs are both improvements to HackMaster, and the price sure can't be beat.

TealMaster
With two free HackMaster replacements that were successful, it's interesting to see that TealPoint decided to introduce a hack manager as a saleable product.

TealPoint software (at http://www.tealpoint.com), maker of such noteworthy programs as TealDoc, TealMovie, TealLauncher, and TealPaint, released the TealMaster hack manager in May 2001. At ten dollars, is the most expensive hack manager to date. It also has the largest array of features. It's pictured in Figure C.

FIGURE C

TealMaster is a $10 hack manager.

TealMaster's biggest innovation is something called priorities. This allows you to control the order in which hacks are activated. For instance, say hack A makes changes to the properties of the launcher icons, but hack B completely replaces the launcher interface. However, hack B doesn't replace the functionality of hack A, and by activating hack B, you've covered up hack A.

Whew! Did you get all that? Since hacks are system modifications, it's possible for any one hack to clobber any other hack. TealMaster's priorities are a way to prevent "clobberin' time."

If you were to use TealMaster to set a priority, you could tell your Palm handheld to activate hack A after hack B, thus allowing both to coexist equally and providing you with maximum functionality without worrying that one hack was going to poach in another hack's territory.

TealMaster also improves on the advancements made by EVPlugBase and X-Master. It prevents users from deleting active hacks not only from the hack manager but from the launcher as well. It also brings sets to a whole new level by allowing you to assign a particular set to an application. This allows users to prevent potentially harmful collisions between hacks and applications.

Each hack manager has its advantages and disadvantages. X-Master and EVPlugBase are free, TealMaster is feature rich, and HackMaster is a reliable standby. Deciding on which is best for you may be hard, but I suggest that you use trial and error until you choose one that's well suited to your needs. However, before you even start thinking about choosing a hack manager, you should check out all the wonderful hacks that are out there, and determine your needs. This will help you make the right choice. I suggest looking through the hack sections of Palm OS software archives, such as TuCows (at http://mcmsys.pda.tucows.com/palm/util_hacks.html) or PalmGear (at http://www.palmgear.com/software/answer_category.cfm?categoryIDs=114) for hacks that you think will help improve your Palm computing experience.

Michael Compeau is a Contributing Editor for PalmPower Magazine as well as the VP of Business Development and Planning for Cutting Edge Software (at http://www.cesinc.com), a subsidiary of Mobility Electronics.