Just for you, Sherry, I checked this out not only on the Zodiac, but the hx4700 and the T5, as well. There is no difference in the time it takes to display the stats, and I would say it's immediate. There certainly isn't a noticeable delay in displaying the stats, health and food bars on any of my devices. I click on a fish, look at the stats area, and see the information. Just FYI, Village Sim runs equally well on the T5 and the Zodiac 2.

You are certainly a busy lady Barbara! Just looking at all the postings on the site, you have addressed every one, and have found the time to work on my problem too! Thank you!

So here's another question: What about the graphics on your devices? The reason I wanted to switch from x30 to x50v is because the VGA is SO beautiful, and makes the graphics on the x30 look cartoonish; if I had never seen the VGA graphics I wouldn't even be thinking of switching because the speed is fine on the x30. So, do the T5 and Zodiac have graphics programs that compare to the VGA? I've read about the "graphics accelerator" but I'm really computer illiterate, so I don't know what that means!

Also,(sorry....more questions!) how does the game show up on the Zodiac? It's a landscape type device right? Does it play on only a portion of the screen? And, can you play it in portrait mode as well? And, is it comfortable to play games with a device in a horizontal position?

Thanks again Barbara.....You're sweet for taking the time to find out this stuff for me....With all the health problems around here lately, this game is such a great escape for me....but I am definately ready for Village Sim, so if the a palm device has a great graphics program, I really think I'll go that route. I wonder why the developers do games for palm devices first....must be a programing thing......

Thanks so much
Sherry

Uh-Oh I just realized that if I switched to a palm device, I would have to purchase all my games again. Even though I play Fish Tycoon most of the time(and it IS my very very favorite,and I wouldn't mind purchasing IT again,) I do have other puzzle type games that I play which are all about $20 each which would be very spendy after the purchase of the device itself! Hmmmmmm....I am really rethinking this now......

Hi, Sherry! Don't worry about the questions - that's what forums are for!

First, I'll address your question about cost. It can get very pricey changing platforms from PPC to Palm OS if you have very many applications. Depending upon the software developer, they may be willing to give you registration codes for your new platform (I did that with my Astraware games), but not every developer will do that. It also depends on whether or not your programs are available in versions for both platforms (many of mine were not).

As to why LDW releases games first on the Palm - it's because they find that it works best developing for Palm (the trickier platform), and then porting to the PPC.

The displays on my T5 and my Zodiac 2 are not as nice as the VGA display on my hx4700. And my Zodiac 2, even on full brightness, is dimmer and 'yellower' than my T5. It still looks good, and you don't notice unless you have the devices side by side. The Zodiac displays Village Sim and other traditional Palm games in the usual square format. Unlike the Pocket PC, many Palm games do not support full screen mode. It's easier (and cheaper) to offer one version of the game that supports the vast majority of Palm devices in use (PPC applications are all full-screen). The Zodiac operates normally in landscape mode, because the layout of the controls is similar to the typical game console controller (GameCube, Playstation, X Box etc.) If you intend to play 'action' type games, that can be very handy. Most of the games I play don't use those controls, but the solitaire program that comes with the Zodiac lets you use them to play without the stylus. That's handy. Since Village Sim and other 'square format' games don't take up the whole screen, you have your choice on the Zodiac to display it in the center of the screen with margins on each side, or on the side of the screen with the normal graffiti silkscreen displayed next to the game.

Graphics accelerators are not programs, rather they are part of the hardware built into the device. Depending on the type of accelerator, it can provide a big performance boost with many games. It all depends on the game and the hardware you're using.

In general, if our customers switch from Palm OS to Pocket PC (or viceversa) they will not have to pay for the game twice, of course!

Awww how nice of you Carla!