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Epoc Digest Sun, 21 Jul 2002 Volume 01 : Number 034
Sent to: 457 subscribers
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In today's Epoc Digest 20 messages:
==============================
- Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 033
- Contacts to Data
- Re: M$oft readers (off topic)
- Wireless netBook / Bluetooth Headset
- Re: Freesurf in the UK?
- Luach 5763 (Jewish Calendar file)
- Re: Mako and Phoneman
- netBook, Musings, to Data, Travelmodem, Freesurf Fr, Italy, Off topic, IR modem,
- Lothar's loss
- Mp3 on netBook
- Re: Petitioning Psion
- For classic music lovers: a Proms file for Psion
- GPS on the Nokia 9210
- RE: Ericsson T68 Settings
- O2 GPRS in Holland
- subscription & problems with my Psion Revo
- Ramblings, cardboard tunnel for IR modem
- Re: Boats
- Re: Itamar's musings
- Re: Thought for the day
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Jul 2002 05:36:42 +0000
From: "vlad
Subject: Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 033
> Trygve wrote: (Sweden is a beautyful place. It's just the backlight that ain't right ;-) > or try to get someone with a PC to format it.
> Sometimes digital cameras is also able to do a better format than the Psion... I have tried formatting with a MAC in PC format. It's ok, but the Mac Finder leaves some invisible files behind. If u delete them, u strangely damage the CF-format for the Psion as well - it doesn't show immediately, only after a while, and not always. And if u copy PSion System-data from CF to the Mac
you damage the CF as well (and hang the Mac!)... Strange...
> petition
I would say: let us try. If anyone has access to a well-visited home-page,
they might integrate a voting engine and attach the results. I do think that Psion has feedback from many users. Let us add to them. I do hang on to my Psion...
best
vlad
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Jul 2002 07:21:02 +0000
From: "Alan Jones"
Subject: Contacts to Data
I've a small freeware program called "c2f" which writes selected contacts fields to a text file, to then be imported into Data. I've never actually used it, so can't offer an opinion on whether it works or not....
Should find it at TUCOWS or I can mail a copy if requested...
AJ
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Jul 2002 07:25:56 +0000
From: Julie Wills
Subject: Re: M$oft readers (off topic)
At 01:38 am 19/7/02, you wrote:
>From: "AndyHayes" >
>At work I would like to run DOS 6.2 on a low spec PC, but colleagues will >send me files that I can only open in Windoze. Someone sends me a copy of >a document written in an app in Office XP and the chances are that I can't >open it, so the upgrade cycle starts all over again. The smart-arses will >say that if I had got the users to send it as a text file I would have >been able to read it on the DOS box. I know this, but my users have got no >idea and no interest in learning how to save an item as a text file.
Believe it or not, the even smarter arses (!) will tell you the good news is that Microsoft provide FREE readers for current versions of their applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint etc.) - certainly for Windoze, and I think also for Macs. So there is no need to upgrade just to be able to read what people send you. (People often send me stuff - mostly humour - in PowerPoint files. I don't have PowerPoint or any need to create files using it, so I just use the free reader to view them.)
You should be able to find them at http://office.microsoft.com/Downloads/ (put "viewer" or "PowerPoint viewer", "Word viewer", etc. into the search field at the top left of the screen).
Specifically for Office 97/XP on Windoze:
PowerPoint viewer is at
http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/2002/ppview97.aspx
Word viewer is at http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/2000/wd97vwr32.aspx Excel viewer is at http://office.microsoft.com/downloads/2000/xlviewer.aspx
Regards
Julie Wills
Twyford, READING, UK
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Jul 2002 08:04:37 +0000
From: "AndyHayes"
Subject: Wireless netBook / Bluetooth Headset
Hi All
Trygve's news of a rumour of a wireless netBook would certainly ring true. I can't understand any other reason for supplying and FTP client in build 158. I believe that it was rumoured, but never happened. After spending hundreds of pounds on wireless access points and wireless networking cards, I was disappointed not to get my system working properly. The netBook's lack of comms (or intemittent comms more correctly) with my server was due to me being unable to get hold of a Cisco Aironet 340 card and having to settle for the 350 instead. It just didn't work properly.
I know that I said don't jump on the "upgrade for the sake of it" bandwagon, but a wireless netBook would solve my wireless networking woes and give me the spare netBook that I so desparately want. At least then I could go back to Linux7K and even try out RON if it ever should appear on the spare!
To Rolf. I looked at the Nokia headset, or at least the pictures of it. I also looked at a Motorola in the flesh in another shop. One of the assistants who had seen both said that the form factor of the Motorola is much smaller than the Nokia headset due to the much shorter microphone. I must admit that I hadn't thought about the hands-free dialling, but it is something that I have never used before anyway. I have seen my son trying to use it on his Ericsson and within not much time at all he generally gives up and dials the number. Voice dialling is so dependent on remembering what you called the person, repeating it in the same manner and having a quiet environment to say whatever the magic word(s) is/are.
Andy Hayes
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Jul 2002 11:18:43 +0000
From: "J."
Subject: Re: Freesurf in the UK?
--
RE Freesurf in the UK?
To Thomas F. VAN DER ZIJDEN
"...."Freesurf subscribers automatically have an account for FreeUK. Has anybody actually tried this out?"
I (Jack) did; It works.
An other possibility is to register at www.freeuk.com with your freesurf.fr username and password ;-]
... But the mobile call cost is unfortunatly high, still there is none "plain local vocal cost" phone#
Jack
PS happy to read that wapfr works fine
--
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Jul 2002 12:06:33 +0000
From: Itamar Engelsman
Subject: Luach 5763 (Jewish Calendar file)
Whoever is interested, I prepared again the Agenda file for the Jewish year 5763 with the Jewish date, festivals and fast days, weekly Torah reading portion and Omer counting. Included in the zip file is the program "To3" to translate the file for the series 3 machines, but I don't know how to translate it back from the 5MX to the series 5.
Send me an email and I'll send it in a few weeks to whoever replied. You may pass this message on to anyone you think might be interested.
Bye,
Itamar Engelsman
London, United Kingdom
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Jul 2002 12:41:31 +0000
From: Kevin Collins
Subject: Re: Mako and Phoneman
Hi folks.
To Gary Y Reyes :
> By the way, I use a Nokia 8310 with the 6210 patch of > Phoneman installed.
Gary, if I'm not mistaken, a patch for the 8310 may have come out in the past day or two, if you check www.zenobyte.com
--
Regards,
Kevin [Cork, Ireland]
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Jul 2002 13:29:13 +0000
From: Itamar Engelsman
Subject: netBook, Musings, to Data, Travelmodem, Freesurf Fr, Italy, Off topic, IR modem,
Answer to: Trygve Henriksen
Re. netBook - Thanks for the warning, will wait a while for developments on this matter. By the way, what do you do with all these palmtops ??????
Answer to many
Re. Musings - Yes, I could do many more moons with v. 5.0 and use my 5MX's and/or a netBook (I kind of get fed up with the greyish screen and use it mainly on my desk at work and at home), but sometimes we man are "kids" and want something new, to go with the times, right ? Sure Andy, you are right there is no need for upgrading, but don't we sometimes want to buy something that is not "needed" ?
Trygve, I thought the idea of the OS in RAM was just that it would be upgradable, even to different systems like Linux ... or Symbian v. 6.0 ? Gary, I use my Psion exclusively for my personal emailing, connecting many times a day via MochaPPP and/or mobile phone. Isn't HSCSD expensive to use ? David, there is a GPS specially for the 9210, but I am not sure you can use 3rd party ones. Question for Kevin, is it possible to connect an external modem to the 9210 or do you have to use the internal mobile connection ?
Answer to: Gary Y Reyes
Re. Contact to Data - WOW ! Am I glad I decided right from the start to stick with the DATA program and to use Contacts only for email addresses .... <G>
Answer to: Thomas F. VAN DER ZIJDEN
Re. Travelmodem - Ah, that's why I don't have the problem. The beauty of the 5MX is that you can leave allthe programs you regularly use open, which I do, which is typically Email, Agenda, Merlin, Crontab, Assistant and Macro. Any other programs I usually open and close immediately and don't use these while connected.
Re. Freesurf Fr - Why don't you just open a free account with Freeserve or Freenet in the UK ? As long as you once in 90 days dial into the account through Freeserve you can use it without limitations (if you don't dial in, the account is first suspended and than deleted).
Answer to: Susan Katz Hoffman
Re.: Italy - Europe - specially the South - is a very catholic area and I think you'll find that on X-mas day everything is closed, even musea and public transport (nice to see your photo on the website and put a face to a name).
Answer to: Emil Granström
Re. Off topic - Well, there is really no censorship on this digest. The general idea is of course to discuss EPOC, Symbian and Psion matters, but a little distraction from time to time gives it some juice I would say ? So, get out the Scalectrix and I'll come and play too .... <G>
Answer to : Rolf
Re. IR modem - I have Mobile Connectivity Update 1.10 installed. Is there a significant difference with 2.0 that makes it worthwhile to install or not ? Where does one find this these days ?
Bye,
Itamar Engelsman
London, United Kingdom
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Jul 2002 16:22:23 +0000
From: Kevin Collins
Subject: Lothar's loss
Hi Lothar,
> My father died abroad in RSA (South-Africa) at the age > of 79.
I would like to add my voice to the condolences already expressed.
--
Regards,
Kevin [Cork, Ireland]
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Jul 2002 17:36:06 +0000
From: "Tony Cabot"
Subject: Mp3 on netBook
Kevin,
Go to: http://www.geocities.com/zavorine/epoc/index.htm I have been using this program on my netBook with success. The sound quality with the tiny speaker is not great, and even at the recommended recording rates of "encode files for the only purpose of playing them with EPlayM, you should make them mono, with 8kHz sample rate, and 56-96kbps bitrate." there are occasional clicks, rather like an LP record.
Tony
*****Original Message*****
Date: 15 Jul 2002 22:37:38 +0100
From: Kevin Thorne
Subject: Mp3 on netBook, petition to Psion
Reply to Trygve Henriksen
Subject: Mp3 on netBook
<For the really obstinate, I have a few .MP3 files(ripped from CD's that I own), so can dampen their enthusiasm a little...
The netBook even have enough spare processing power that I can work in Word or Sheet, or even translate in the OPL editor, without noticeable problems while it plays .MP3 files. (I loose the keyklicks, but that I can live
with)>
Playing Mp3 files on a Psion? Please tell us how you did this - I'd love to be able to play my collection on my S7 if possible.
Reply to Vlad:
Subject: Collective petition
> should do our own market survey and try to persuade Psion to do a policy U > turn?
I guess we all dream of that. Collective petition, at least? :-) *********
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Jul 2002 22:02:26 +0000
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Petitioning Psion
Dear Kevin,
Concerning a collective petition.
<< There are over 400 subscribers to this digest and surely our collective clout must make some impression on Psion. What do others think? Worth a try, surely? >>
I'm afraid it's too late to petition Psion to continue production, even to update the Revo, Series 5mx and Series 7. Psion has shut down most of Psion Digital's operations, closed the Milton Keynes factory and made staff redundant. Though I understand Flextronics has manufactured another batch of Series 5mx's for Psion.
However, it's not to be expected that such batches will be produced indefinitely. A manufacturer has the legal obligation to supply support and repair services for a minimum statutory period after production has stopped. There comes a time when the cost of keeping support up and running won't be covered by the additional sales from a batch-wise 5mx production. It wouldn't surprise me when Psion stops selling the 5mx at the end of this year. Psion has already mentioned that it will supply support services till December 2004. A two year period will be sufficient for Psion to meet its support obligations to those who bought the last of the line models.
The above also rules out Psion updating the Revo, Series 5mx and Series 7. Such an update would extend their commercial life and pushes support shut-down well beyond December 31st, 2004. What's more, an update of the 5mx from (say) EPOC Release 5 to Symbian OS 6 requires software implementation and test engineers Psion no longer employs. The same can be said for the electronic and mechanical engineers needed to give the 5mx a colour screen.
Besides, releasing an updated Series 5mx with Symbian OS 6 and a colour screen means third-party developers updating their applications as well. How many of us will buy this updated 5mx when third-party software is updated in a piecemeal fashion? Purchasing an updated 5mx that doesn't support the purchaser but does support Psion effectively means buying for charity. When we really want to spend money this way, why not give Dr. David Potter the EPOC Digest Award for Life Time Achievement. The award consisting of a framed diploma plus a gold plated and engraved Series 5mx (Only joking)
I therefore think we'll be better off by a different form of pro-active petitioning. Like giving Nokia sufficient feedback for the company to implement some key Series 5mx characteristics in a successor to its 9210/9290. Or to keep supporting developers of third-party applications, showing an interest in new development prospects, etc.
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Jul 2002 08:32:58 +0000
From: "Nicole Carbonara"
Subject: For classic music lovers: a Proms file for Psion
Hi Group
I have made a Psion 31k text file with the Proms programme. If any of you is interested, I can email it on request. Please email
Nicole
This message has been checked for all known viruses by Trend PC-cillin
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Jul 2002 10:02:46 +0000
From: "Michael Degn"
Subject: GPS on the Nokia 9210
Answer to David Owens
> You mentioned that the TomTom City planner runs on the Nokia but can you also connect a GPS unit? <
Hi David,
Yes you can. EMTAC Technology (http://www.emtac.com/), ITOCHU Corporation (http://www.itochu.co.jp/main/index_e.html) and SiRF Technology (http://www.sirf.com/) have made a new GPS Receiver - the CRUX II / NK92 GPS for the Nokia 9210 Communicator Series.
Read more at the above sites or at
http://www.psionplace.com/articles/2002/7/2002-7-18-GPS-Receiver-for.htm l
Regards,
Michael Degn
Esbjerg, Denmark
Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by Norton AntiVirus 2002
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Jul 2002 10:54:12 +0000
From: "J.B. Gouldsmith"
Subject: RE: Ericsson T68 Settings
Dear Rolf,
Many thanks for your response. Dr. Edgar Bazda has contacted me off-digest and is in the process of walking me through the procedures for both GSM and GPRS connections via BT Openworld. I will save Edgar's email to me and, with his permission make them available to others who may be having difficulty with S7/T68 connections. Thanks again for you offer of help!
Warm regards,
Brian.
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Jul 2002 20:03:39 +0000
From: Christopher Marwood
Subject: O2 GPRS in Holland
Not strictly a Psion question, but can anyone confirm if the O2 GPRS network in Holland is working OK? Since arriving here Thursday i have connected twice successfully with my phone (S45) and about a hundred times unsuccessfully. I get message "incorrect GPRS profile" or "network not responding" or "GPRS connection failure" I have not changed settings or profile since leaving UK where it was working OK. When trying to connect with my Psion I get Comms Line Failed. Is there a log I can set which might give more precise information?
Thanks for any help anyone might be able to offer, Chris
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Jul 2002 20:29:36 +0000
From: <mhatloy
Subject: subscription & problems with my Psion Revo
Hi,
I would very much like to sign up to your service! And I also have a question for you...
I am having some problems with my psion Revo 8mb. The screen blacks out when the battery level gets under 85%, and most of the times I am not able to get it turned on again before I have used the button(1) on the back and recharged it.. It is not very fun to have to do this all the time...
Is there something that I can do about it? Is my battery almost dead?Is there another solution?
I would be very happy if you could help me with that!
Regards,
Magnus Hatloy from Norway
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Jul 2002 21:29:48 +0000
From: Kevin Thorne
Subject: Ramblings, cardboard tunnel for IR modem
Reply to Andy Hayes:
Subject: Ramblings
Andy, I always find it very interesting to find out what other users think of their machines, particularly as you were considering a 9210 at one point. You obviously like the netBook very much and I too find my S7 does almost everything I want (about 90% of what a laptop could do for me). It is a shame that ER5 doesn't support multiple sheet workbooks I agree! I don't really consider my 9210 to be a replacement for my S7 and unfortunately the S7 won't work seamlessly with it as would my 5mx (or MC218 in your case). My greatest disappointment is not being able to achieve wireless communication over anything other than IR - e.g. the PC card port won't accept a Nokia Cardphone or .802 wireless card or there is (apparently) no way to acheive it through Bluetooth. Whether the 9210 will eventually replace my S7 I doubt - it does offer extremely good convenience and integration with good portability but I do find it lacks the power I need and doesn't yet offer the maturity of software that we ER5 users now take for granted. The screen is its big attraction (even better quality than our beloved netBook/S7) which is even usable in sunshine but I'm not convinced I'm ever going to get used to that tiddly keyboard. If Nokia could arm it with a decent amount of RAM (instead of just shoving in more cheap'n'cheerful flash memory as appearing on the new 9210i) and give it the wonderful keyboard of the S5 then I'd seriously consider using it as a complete replacement for my S7. A touchscreen would be nice too, although I was quite surprised at just how easy it was to adapt to not using one on the 9210 (after I had stopped accidentally prodding it with no effect for a week!) So for me, the keyboard is the stumbling block on using it as my main palmtop. Still, at least I now know I could never put up with a Palm or a Compaq with NO keyboard at all :-)
Reply to Itamar Engelsman:
Subject: IR Travel Modem in a cardboard tunnel
I've had my IR Travel Modem for over two years now and have never had reliable service from it....until I took your suggestion of covering the two facing IR ports with a bit of card. Now, it's still early days but so far, in over 20 connection sessions or so I've experienced no trouble with it whatsoever (touch wood) with connection sessions lasting up to almost an hour at a time. Now when I disconnect it's MY decision, not the modem's! I simply made a "tunnel" out of card as you suggested and popped this over the modem and the IR port on my S7 when initiating a connection. Previously to this, I'd be lucky to get 2 reliable connections, never mind 20! I was very surprised to find (more like gobsmacked actually as I didn't expect it to make any difference for one moment) that it actually works! Many thanks for your help. I'm a happy bunny indeed :-) Of course, this leads to the question of why does this simple "modification" make the thing work properly. My guess is it's got to be something to do with the IR beam being more effective by being more concentrated as it is being forced into a narrower field of transmission i.e. any extraneous light which may have previously been lost is now guided back to the modem's IR eye. But if this were true then you'd think that placing the two IR ports very close together (to narrow the angle of the beam) would also work - but this way of doing it does not cure the problem. I'm don't think it's anything to do with the ambient light - I use it in natural light and don't use flourescent lighting in the room when I do occasionally use artificial light. Hmmm....now I'm curious. Can anyone shed some light on this? (No pun intended - honest).
Regards
Kevin Thorne
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Jul 2002 22:32:02 +0000
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Boats
Dear Trygve,
Owen : To be happy for life, get a sailboat.
Trygve : To be wet for a day, buy a kayak....
Rolf : Ocean sailing - The equivalent of standing under a shower wearing your oilskins while tearing $100.= notes into small pieces.
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Jul 2002 22:32:05 +0000
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Itamar's musings
Dear Itamar,
<< Lately I have been thinking about the netBook ... My main hesitation however is that I don't really believe that this platform will be further developed by Psion / Symbian / Teklogix >>
Many a discussion about the netBook would be more clear when people keep in mind that it's *not* a consumer product. Psion Enterprise Computing, since merged into Psion-Teklogix, developed it for the vertical application market. It's this market that dictates the speed and direction of development.
Take (wireless) ethernet as an example. A consumer product would need to support the majority of off-the-shelf ethernet cards. While Psion-Teklogix supplies the netBook for highly specific (turn-key) corporate automation projects. When wireless ethernet is part of the project specification they can use their ethernet card of choice. Meaning that Psion-Teklogix only needs drivers for 3 or 4 ethernet cards. It's only when the project specifies that card X is to be used that Psion-Teklogix has to create a driver for it.
<< It was introduced in 1999 and 3 years later besides a few updates nothing new has come out. It was introduced as the first in a series of products, but stayed by itself. As a product by itself it will have no enduring life expectation >>
You're mistaken, I'm afraid. The netBook and netPad can be configured in such a number of ways that the two form a "series of products" answering a very diverse range of applications. Psion-Teklogix will keep them in their range for as long as they're able to meet the requirements of its enterprise customers. Note that the precursor of Psion Enterprise Computing still used the Organiser II for its projects when the II was already withdrawn from the consumer market.
<< The Nokia is smaller, also a phone, also heavy to carry ... >>
Better check the 9210's specifications as it's lighter than a Series 5mx and about the same volume.
<< As Palmtop wrote "if you're looking for a modern alternative to your existing Psion PDA then you could always consider keeping the Psion primarily for when you want to write a long report or build a giant spreadsheet, using the Nokia 9210 for all traditional PDA functions" >>
That's where I disagree with Palmtop magazine as the 9210(i) is as capable a handheld computer as the Psion Series 5mx. There are a few differences, like the 9210(i) having a 3D spreadsheet and the Psion a larger keyboard. Somebody who strongly prefers the Psion's keyboard won't be inclined to see the 9210(i) as a device to create very large 3D spreadsheets on. However, this doesn't necessarily make the 9210(i) unsuitable for this type of work. After all, how many of us had to 'defend' their use of a Psion against the people who had a laptop with MS-Office in mind when thinking about portable computing?
Needless to say that there will be a number of limitations to the use of a 9210(i). However, we're familiar with such limitations in our daily work with a Series 5mx or Revo and have created some work-arounds. The workaround for using desktop 3D spreadsheets will be gone when a 9210(i) is adopted. But we'll encounter a different type of limitation on the 9210(i) and search for a new work-around.
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Jul 2002 22:32:10 +0000
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Thought for the day
Dear Owen,
<< Thought for the day: Money will not buy happiness, but it will let you be unhappy in nice places >>
As 'variation on a theme by Morgan' - A Dutch property tycoon, the late Maup Caransa, once said in an interview "I'd rather cry in the back seat of a Rolls Royce than in the back seat of a Citroen Deux Chevaux".
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
*++++++++++&
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