ATK, apps shown aren't really "running"..

**clockcycle** · #1 (**permalink**) 06-10-2010, 09:48 AM

Ok while just screwing around with spare parts and ATK, I realized that what ATK shows as running apps, aren't really actually running.

What do I mean by that? Well, test it, when you see something running in ATK, hold it down and "switch to" it. i.e. Sprint Football Live, you will see it actually load..

So, what I would suggest is that you run Astro, tap menu>tools>Process Manager. You will see the different levels of "running".. Lots of those are in standby listed as empty using 0% cpu.

Sometimes, certain programs/apps just shouldn't be made available to the general public, they cause more harm than good in the wrong hands.

-CC

TheMostToys · #2 (**permalink**) 06-10-2010, 09:56 AM

I'm less interested in the CPU utilization than memory. I know Android has a good memory management system and will automatically unload apps as it needs more memory, but it is slow and not perfect. Left upto Android, I never have more than 40M available memory. If I start an app that requires more, Android will do it's thing and close programs to make more available, but that takes time and only frees up enough for what is needed, until more is needed and the process continues. Since I don't need 90% of the "stuff" that is kept in memory (that leaves me with only 40M for what I do want), I need a way to clean it up. The phone is much more responsive when it does not need to do all the memory management work (when memory is simply available.)

**clockcycle** · #3 (**permalink**) 06-10-2010, 11:00 AM

Don't think I made myself clear. The program ATK isn't really displaying the currently "running" apps correctly or in other words it is easy to mistake/misinterpret an app as "running" viewing processes the way ATK shows them. I suggest using Spare Parts and ASTRO Process Manager to really view what's running and taking up resources.

I guess as an example on your PC, you see certain apps like Adobe Acrobat has a system tray, but the actual app isn't really running until it is needed. Another example would be java and such, they just have some portions preloaded in order to make loading/running the app quicker when needed.

This is what you are seeing through ATK. To test this, use ASTRO Process Manager and "switch to" any app you see on the list that you haven't loaded your self. i.e. Sprint Football Live, and you will see it actually loading it...

Hope that's clearer,

-CC

TheMostToys · #4 (**permalink**) 06-10-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clockcycle

they just have some portions preloaded in order to make loading/running the app quicker when needed.

That's exactly my point, there is stuff "preloaded" in memory, using memory that I don't want it to use. I don't want any of the apps loaded, preloaded or even listed as a part of the RAM or process list that I do not need.

I want to use my phone as I want, not what someone else thinks I might want to use it for.

Either way, it's not a big deal, I was just trying to give you a different perspective on why someone may choose to use an app like ATK. Also, I may have taken a small issue with the condescending tone about "the general public". Comments and actions like that are exactly why I am not a fan of Apple.