-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tips for Posting to the Digest and how to unsubscribe

at the end of the Digest

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Epoc Digest Mon, 07 Oct 2002 Volume 01 : Number 089

************************************************************************

Sent to: 619 subscribers

In today's Epoc Digest 25 messages:

==============================

- OPL SDK again

- Re: Virus - unexpected side effects

- Netbook and PsiWin via Ethernet

- Longitude and latitude info

- Virus

- GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST

- Re: Signature files

- Re: What happened?

- Re: Duracells

- Re: Psion and WinCE

- Colour printing S7

- Jotter,

- RE:Jotter

- New Zaurus

- Re: CronTab & running macros

- Re: Microsoft file formats (4 Rolf)

- Canadian Battery Prices!

- Crapware -again (4 Rolf)

- Re: CRAPware (4 Steve)

- Re CronTab

- RE: Motorola Timeport 8767

- Button-Tipps

- Bugbear virus

- Psion emulator on PC

- OS and 5Mx Pro; CF Corruption; CoCoPa; Translauncher

*++++++++++&

Date: 14 Feb 1999 12:12:16 +0100

From: Philip S. Adkins Potter

Subject: OPL SDK again

Hi,

The OPL ER5 SDK is actually at <http://partners.psionteklogix.com/netpad-pdk/epoc_downloads.htm> (used on 06/10/2002). They keep changing the address, the earlier one was given me by Psion and worked a week ago. The Java and C++ SDKs there too.

Good luck again,

Phil.

"A generation which ignores history has no past -

and no future."

*++++++++++&

Date: 6 Oct 2002 17:55:22 +0100

From: "Steve Hodgson"

Subject: Re: Virus - unexpected side effects

When I was booted to Windows today I took the opportunity to backup my

Psion. One unexpected side effect of this was that the bugbear

executable that I had downloaded to the Psion with my 'dummy Digest'

email would have been transferred to the PC had AVG not picked it up

and ditched it.

One to watch if AV software has not been update. I realise that it

would be unlikely that an exe file that formed part of a backup would

ever be run - but you never know...

Regards,

Steve Hodgson

*++++++++++&

Date: 6 Oct 2002 19:34:39 +0100

From: Dan Siegel

Subject: Netbook and PsiWin via Ethernet

Dear all-

Anyone figured how to back up a netbook over a network? --

Daniel Mark Siegel MD, MS (Management and Policy)

Phone 631-751- MOHS / 631-751-6647

Office Fax 631-751-6644 / 631-980-3893

PERSONAL FAX(in USA): 586 283 0510 via eFax (PumaOne FAX number is now inoperative) www.skincancer.dermdex.net

*++++++++++&

Date: 6 Oct 2002 20:59:20 +0100

From: Kevin Thorne

Subject: Longitude and latitude info

I would like to use the "Add City" menu option to add some more United Kingdom towns on my S7. Can anyone recommend a good web site to get the longitude and latitude info I need when entering these extra towns into my S7's World application?

Regards

Kevin Thorne

*++++++++++&

Date: 6 Oct 2002 20:59:57 +0100

From: Kevin Thorne

Subject: Virus

Reply to Jim Watson-Gove

Subject: 081 is a virus???

I received it too, with the same result. Presumably EPOC is too small to bother writing a virus for....but then, there's always someone out there who might try just for the hell of it. I have personally received quite a few viruses from different sources in the past but none of them even bothered my S7. Presumably, as our O/S is in ROM (or locked RAM in the case of the netBook) the only damage potentially would be to files or running 3rd party programs?

Regards

Kevin Thorne

*++++++++++&

Date: 6 Oct 2002 21:35:34 +0100

From: Peter Keene

Subject: GHOST OF CHRISTMAS PAST

Hi Guys,

Wierd things are happening these days.

I've just received # 883 of the UPS5 Digest correctly dated Sat 8 December 2001, but sent today, Sun 6 October 2002. As far as I can see it came from the old digest's server. Coincidentally, I had been trying to get hold of # 83 of this digest.

To the ethereal being who sent it: thanks pal, the lines were a little crossed, but I appreciate the thought.

Regards,

Peter

Cape Town

*++++++++++&

Date: 6 Oct 2002 23:01:31 +0100

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: Signature files

Rolf Brunsting wrote:-

<< I'm sorry, but does it matter to the reader of your e-mail whether it was written and transmitted using Psion's Email, Microsoft Outlook, Netscape Messenger or Eudora? Is it still interesting after having received the 100th e-mail from your address? >>

It depends on where you are posting. I post on a mobilehome reflector, where most folk want a mobile e-mail facility.

I've had a number of folk contact me by direct e-mail to ask about using a Psion & Nokia 6210e, and I've been able to help them. They often start, " I've seen your sig.....". I'm also proud of my Psions.

Alan R Morris, G4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion 7 & Nokia 6210e

*++++++++++&

Date: 6 Oct 2002 23:01:41 +0100

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: What happened?

David Lir wrote:-

<< Forgive my technical ineptitude, but when Rolf mentioned 'pure text' I took that to mean plain text as in ASCII plain text. >>

I think that plain text generally refers to the 256 character set, rather than just the 128 lower set. Implying no HTML or control codes. I've used this definition for for about 24 years. But other folk may differ in their understanding. So using € (128 on EPOC5) would be considered plain or pure text.

<< Question for you: what is causing the ISO non-breaking space characters to show up in the Digest as unrecognized code? >>

I don't know what the Digest folk use, so can't comment. Other reflectors have similar problems that are slightly different, like putting =20 for all LF/CR ($20 = 32d = space).

Alan R Morris, G4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion 7 & Nokia 6210e

*++++++++++&

Date: 6 Oct 2002 23:01:51 +0100

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: Duracells

David Lir wrote:-

>> "I changed my previous set of Duracells after 26 hours and 32 minutes of Series 5mx use"

> Were those standard Duracells or *Ultras*?

I understand that the 'Ultra' version only has an advantage in high current applications. The 5mx is hardly high current, so I always use the standard Duracells and save the extra cost of Ultra.

Alan R Morris, G4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion 7 & Nokia 6210e

*++++++++++&

Date: 6 Oct 2002 23:02:02 +0100

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: Psion and WinCE

I wrote:-

<< There were no pre-recorded tapes on sale at that time. In fact the various video disc formats that Philips had pioneered were all a flop as they were playback only. Folk wanted to record. Only with the U-matic format, were playback only machines successful and then only used in the business environment. A similar situation occurred previously with the compact cassette and 8-track - the 8-track failed as it was record only. >>

Sorry a typo. Correction:-

- the 8-track failed as it was playback only.

Alan R Morris, G4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion 7 & Nokia 6210e

*++++++++++&

Date: 6 Oct 2002 23:19:44 +0100

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: Colour printing S7

I am absolutely totally flabbergasted !! After all the complaints of the S7 not printing colours I created a new spreadsheet tonight with the headings at the top line in blue with yellow letters. I needed a print-out and you know what ... the headings printed in colour, blue and yellow. I tried red and white on the left hand site column, printed in red. I've got an Epson Photo 870.

So I created a WORD file with magenta, red and 7blue in it. And you know what .... it printed all three colours without problem.

What is going on here ???????

Bye,

Itamar Engelsman

London, United Kingdom

*++++++++++&

Date: 7 Oct 2002 00:13:05 +0100

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: Jotter,

Answer to: David Lir

Re. Jotter - I think Rolf clearly wrote "when I'd have had the final say" indicating it is his personal opinion, not of the majority of users.

Bye,

Itamar Engelsman

London, United Kingdom

*++++++++++&

Date: 7 Oct 2002 02:43:56 +0100

From: "Jim Cooke"

Subject: RE:Jotter

Date: 5 Oct 2002 12:35:43 +0100

From: David Lir

Subject: Re: netBook NG (4 Rolf)

"There would have been no Jotter when I'd have had the final say on the

functionality set for Symbian OS 5, for example. I'd have spent the

development resources that went on Jotter on other items."

So are you saying that you think Jotter was not as important to a

majority of ER5 (or would be ER5) users as other things and hence it

should have been left aside for those more important things - or that

Jotter is just not a particularly important app or feature to you? IMO,

it would have been foolish for Psion to have released a

consumer-oriented handheld without a note-taking application in ROM.

------------------------

David Lir - \\:>{o>

Indeed, although it still baffles me as to why Psion has gone through so

many versions of PsiWin and never built a facility to sync Jotter to any

desktop PIM. This was one more reason why people switched to other

handhelds - you didn't have to worry that important things like notes

were being synced.

Regards, Jim

*++++++++++&

Date: 7 Oct 2002 04:24:34 +0100

From: Jim Watson-Gove

Subject: New Zaurus

<<Unlike the current Zaurus model, which is designed to be held in one hand and features a screen that is longer in the vertical than horizontal direction, the new Zaurus unfolds like a notebook computer with the display in the upper half and a keyboard in the lower half.">>

This is indeed exiting. The current new Zaurus uses an open OS (Unix). I was interested until I played with the thumb-board and small screen. Other than that, it looked like a potential giant killer. Now with decent keyboard and screen, it could be an eventual replacement for the 5mx,

jim - en route to Port Townsend

*++++++++++&

Date: 7 Oct 2002 09:47:26 +0100

From: Rolf Vonau

Subject: Re: CronTab & running macros

Reference is made to the mail in the EPOC DIGEST V1 # 087 :

Jan R Gustafsson wrote at 03.10 2002 (> ):

> Is there a way to write the macro so that it can

> "check" that there is something going on" and

> therefore does not switch the Psion off?

Hi Jan,

after you wrote me, that you want start BackUp, I would inform you, that Mario Collado wrote a special macro for this purpose.

Download:

http://www.psionwelt.de/MarioCollado/Backup_C.zip

Best Regards

Rolf

Munich

http://home.arcor.de/rhvonau/index.htm

*++++++++++&

Date: 7 Oct 2002 10:06:47 +0100

From: David Lir

Subject: Re: Microsoft file formats (4 Rolf)

"<< But it is interesting how everyone (colloquially speaking) seems to just expect everyone else to have the apps and hardware necessary to read MS file formats - they don't even ask first! >>

It's worse than that as the people who upgrade to a new Microsoft Office version expect the whole world to do the same at exactly the same point in time. To the effect that you receive Word files by e-mail your own version of Word can't read, ditto for Excel, Access ... etc."

Yup, that's true, and that *is* worse :), and quite often the file could have been just as easily sent in a more widely readable or accessible format!

"<< MS's dominance stretches far beyond the corporate world, I'm afraid >>

The company I work for still uses Microsoft Office '97 (on Windows NT4 machines) for the simple reason that it already has more functionality than we need. And the only reason for changing from WordPerfect to MS-Word was that we became part of a much larger company that was using MS-Word already."

Sure, this is pretty common, but I was thinking more of all the non-corporate school teachers, small-business persons, students etc who are using the latest MS apps and who seem to expect everybody else to be too :)

------------------------

David Lir - \\:>{o>

*++++++++++&

Date: 7 Oct 2002 10:07:17 +0100

From: David Lir

Subject: Canadian Battery Prices!

Itamar wrote:

"Re. Duracells - Interestingly enough I did not get any significant different usage from Duracells, Sony, Sanio or other types of alkaline batteries. I think they are all more or less the same. For UK readers, I noticed a package of 100 AA batteries at PC World for about 18 pounds (forgot the make). can't go much wrong with that price !"

A tip for Canadian Series 5 users: Ikea sells rebranded Varta AA alkaline cells for only $2.50 per box of 10! They've also got other sizes for cheap too. I've also heard that Costco sells alkaline cells for cheap - but you need a membership to Costco to get 'em :(

I find that one trip to Ikea per annum takes care of all my battery needs :)

------------------------

David Lir - \\:>{o>

*++++++++++&

Date: 7 Oct 2002 10:07:21 +0100

From: David Lir

Subject: Crapware -again (4 Rolf)

"<< Certainly the latest version of WINCE has been much improved in all of these areas... >>

Doesn't matter when version 2 of Crap smells like crap and version 3 of Crap like roses - you're still dealing with Crap <BG>."

Believing that one's chosen OS or platform is the best for one's own needs or even the best overall is fine, but to allow this belief to completely blind oneself to the merits of another platform comes across as some minor form of snobbery and honestly as being somewhat childish. I would not speak so plainly if I weren't speaking to a Drent ;>)

"<< ...why live in the past? >>

Knowing CE's past means knowing where the current version is coming from and what has changed during the years."

So? Knowing where CE is coming from and what has changed over the years can tell me how CE has improved and how it hasn't and it may even tell me how it might improve in the future, but knowing "where the current version is coming from" and "what has changed during the years" cannot make the current rev of the product *crap*!

Myself, I never seriously considered buying a WINCE machine years ago because I thought that the OS simply wasn't good enough, same with the hardware, but that doesn't blind me to the merits of *today's* WINCE handhelds, especially HP's fine Jornada 700 line.

"Windows CE is a desktop operating system and application set that has been squeezed into a small sized device."

This is incorrect. WINCE was a new build for smaller format solid-state devices. That it looks and behaves like big Windows is, of course, intentional - but it is certainly not a desktop OS.

"Isn't it silly for a 640 by 240 colour device with a 206 MHz Intel StrongARM processor like the Jornada 720 still to need hardware graphics acceleration in order to get a decent screen refresh performance?"

Maybe, but who cares? As long as the 7xx gives decent performance why should I care that it has or needs acceleration, or for that matter a 206mhz StrongArm processor? We all know that EPOC is a much less demanding and generally better behaved OS but that only makes EPOC an excellent and efficient OS - it may even make it the better OS, but it doesn't make WINCE *crap*.

"<< Just because WINCE was 'crap' doesn't mean it is 'crap' and always will be 'crap' - no? >>

I very much prefer not to spend money on three devices before spending money on a fourth that's finally at a level where the first should have been."

So? Who suggested that you buy a device that wasn't ready for prime-time - let alone three!? Did I suggest that you should have bought into *any* version of WINCE let alone the older and worse versions? I'm simply saying that just because the older versions were not up to snuff, doesn't mean this latest version or the next version (if there will be one) is no good or won't be any good. The HP Jornada of today is not the same thing as the HP Jornada of a few years back. That's not to say there's no room for improvement - there is - but that a Jornada 7xx is a fine palmtop with a lot of capability.- some of which even bests a Psion.

"I also prefer not to have my choices regarding desktop/laptop software being dictated by the handheld computer as Microsoft's doing more and more. Then there's the question of trust in Microsoft and the integrity of the people who are running the company."

So don't buy a WINCE handheld - fair enough. FWIW, I share these same concerns with you - but that still doesn't make the Jornada HPC line any less fine - and it definitely doesn't make a Jornada 7xx *crapware*.

------------------------

David Lir - \\:>{o

*++++++++++&

Date: 7 Oct 2002 10:07:29 +0100

From: David Lir

Subject: Re: CRAPware (4 Steve)

"Microsoft have NOT got to where they are by having the best product on the market. They have built their way to the top by smart acquisitions and business practice. They have never innovated but have generally used new technology from others to their own advantage."

...

"I really think that anyone with any sort of interest in ethical business needs to seriously consider the alternatives."

Sure Steve, but none of that makes the HPC variant of WINCE, as seen in the Jornada 700 line, *crap* or *crapware*. That's really my point here. FWIW, I agree that MS is a non-innovative and monopolistic shark of a company and indeed the earlier versions of WINCE for the HPC were much less than stellar -- but none of this makes the current Jornada 700 line or its OS *crap*. Sigh...let's talk about something else :)

------------------------

David Lir - \\:>{o>

*++++++++++&

Date: 7 Oct 2002 10:30:47 +0100

From: Jan R Gustafsson

Subject: Re CronTab

For Itamar:

Yes, CronTab does switch off before the the macro finishes to run. I have tested many macros for this.

I've been considering your suggestion to enter switch-on command in the macro that overrides CronTab. As just an amateur on OPL, I have not found a way to do this (anyone?) so I don't know if it would be a workaround.

On your problem on CronTab not correctly reading the working days from the Psion settings etc (I also use a "Today-setting macro"):

Have you observed the problem with CronTab & setting / making changes to time / date on the Psion. Doing this "triggers" CronTab (maybe not observed by the Psion user) and "steps" the next CronTab item a day forward. This can also happen when you synchronise / connect with some sw that makes use of time functions / clock synchronisation. For instance, I earlier used NotePlan for Epoc on my Psion & NotePlan for Win on my office and synched the notes on the two machines. This worked OK, but had the bad sideeffect that CronTab got all messed up. I have since then made it a habit to close CronTab before synchronising or carrying out any "time-related" activities. Too bad this should be needed, but of course a macro can easily take care of this.

Cheers,

Jan G

Stockholm, Sweden

*++++++++++&

Date: 7 Oct 2002 14:10:49 +0100

From: "Gregory N. Latiak"

Subject: RE: Motorola Timeport 8767

Does anyone have 'correct' modem settings for a Morola Timeport 8767? This phone does not have an infrared port, I use it with a cable. Can do internet and email, but get a psion error if I try to do a fax. mfg claims that the phone is fax capable, but that seems to be pc only.

thanks,

greg latiak

*++++++++++&

Date: 7 Oct 2002 16:15:54 +0100

From: Astrid Stappenbeck

Subject: Button-Tipps

About accessing the silkscreen buttons via Ctrl + 'number' combination Keith Giles wrote:

>>Astrid Stappenbeck mentioned a "button tip" file on a German web

site in a recent posting (I can't find it) which has the numbers. I

think it was in response to a question about accessing Spell. Since

Spell is not a silkscreen button, there's no number for it.<<

Since the problem about accessing spell was caused by the failure of the touchscreen I thought it best to give a hint how to get round it. Spell is on the app list of the Extrasbar which can be launched through a key combination. As for the file in which these numbers are given (including for revo and netbook): It is called Button-Tipps and can be found on

http://www.psionwelt.de/datenbk/

Bye,

Astrid

*++++++++++&

Date: 7 Oct 2002 20:44:01 +0100

From: "Tony Cabot"

Subject: Bugbear virus

I too received the #81 digest with attachment. My antivirus software told me it was infected with virus and cleaned it up. If you want to know more about this virus seeIt is a really nasty one!

Tony Cabot

*++++++++++&

Date: 7 Oct 2002 20:48:02 +0100

From: "Stephane Sage"

Subject: Psion emulator on PC

Hello to all

Referring to John Morris's question in Digest #084 on above subject, as well as

to Simon Jefree's request should like, very much myself and possibly other digesters,

to be able to use the Symbian emulator on a desktop PC for my 5mx, mainly for one

reason: what happens if my Psion breaks or refuses to work, shouldn't I have a spare

one (which, I confess, is the case today) ?

To me, the Epoc emulator is an absolute must, which should have been supplied standard by Psion, with the required instructions of how to install and run it. As you know, you can download it from Symbian's site but do not expect any kind of help afterwards (their customers are supposed to be software developers...). You can also get it through other means, such as Christophe Cordonnier's site www.impassepsion.com , complete with Psiwin 2.33

+ many other software for all Psion PDAs (10 ? the CD-ROM, can be delivered anywhere) (usual disclaimer..., merely an advice from a satisfied user).

Could some of the more experienced digesters give a hand to the lesser abled

who can actually install the emulator but do not succed in using it (only one,

maybe two disks readable but only partially, with some apps not willing to open (such

as Text or Agenda....!) and explain to the others step by step "how to" ?

Many thanks in anticipation.

Stephane (Grenoble)

*++++++++++&

Date: 7 Oct 2002 21:23:32 +0100

From: guillaume.favre

Subject: OS and 5Mx Pro; CF Corruption; CoCoPa; Translauncher

Hi everyone!

1. OS and 5Mx Pro

Thanks to all for your comments. It seems that it is not easy to find an uploadable OS in french or english for the 5mx Pro. I would greatly appreciate if someone has an URL for them.

2. CF Corruption after Mac

Thanks although for your comments, excpecially Astrid and the numerous others. I think it is a very very bad idea to attempt to use the Mac and the CF of the Psion. That's rather strange how the Mac easily corrupt the CF. But you know that...

My question would be: Do other 5mx Pro owners have trouble with CF slot? My old french 5mx was very robust and I could change CF without the slightest problem. Strangely in the 5mxPRO I can use a CF without having to close the slot. Maybe I could use one of these Bluthooth CF card?... Just dreaming :-)

3. CoCoPaPa and Translauncher

Dear Digestives,

Please let me present you two sharewares (3€ each) that I use many times a day. Their father is Stefan Denk, who is a very very good programmer.

http://www.Stefan-Denk.de

CoCoPaPa is an utility that you should use as macro with the hotkeys Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+X. You may copy as many times as you want (let's say you want to fill a data with many labels). Select a field, press Ctrl+C, select the next field, press Ctrl+C, etc as many times you want and the go to the data to be filled-in and press Ctrl+V, go to the next field, press ctrl+v, etc... In

other word, since that glorious day you don't have any more needs to switch constantly of screens to do your clipboards business. A must, really!!!

Then, of the same author and from the same URL is Translauncher, which enables you many things. My hotkey for it is the Sheet button. It is a little bit

like the h utility of the great Assistant utility but even better. Place the cursor before, in or at the end of 'something', press the Sheet Buttons.

If 'something' is a

§ path, Translauncher will open the file. This is REALLY usefull!!! I have a big Data file on my psion about medical informations. I try to make it as little as possible and avoid to put in graphics or copy into it big texts. I simply then write the path of, say, the picture of a skull. I have all my picture files and reference text on my D Drive and they are all linked in one data file (that provides a very powerful utility) and my data file is always small.

§ the letter 'p' then will translauncher paste a path, that you will select from a tree

§an email adress, then will translauncher copy it and paste it in a new mail. Then you can press escape and it goes automaticly in the Subjet field or you can select another email address and press the Sheet buttons and it will makes you a Mailing email. Isn't that well written?

§ url, it will open either Web or Opera (you can choose)

§ an expression, it will evaluate it

§ something like alpha or delta, it will delete the word and paste the original greek letter

§ something else, it will thinks it is a word and it will search for it in any of your installed dictionnary.

Honestely, these applications have changed the way I use my lovely Psion and expanded it beyond my thoughts. Many thanks to you, Stefan if you read the digest, which I hope.

For the ones that are interested: http://www.Stefan-Denk.de

I will be original: no apologize for the long posting but for my funny english...

All the best

Guillaume

*++++++++++&

************************************************************************

Website : http://www.psioneering.co.uk/digest.html

************************************************************************

***** Tips for Posting to the Digest *****

1 - Never send the previous Digest with your reply !!!

2 - Remember to write a meaningful Subject Line [and do

not repeat the subject text of the digest].

3 - Avoid sending HTML ("rich email") or MIME encoded,

it's not ASCII text. The HTML attachment will blow up

your email and increase the download time 3 times or

more.

4. Send your messages to the above email address with the

following in the subject field:

- a meaningfull subject description for your messages

- (UN)SUBSCRIBE to join or leave the digest

- ADMIN for all other matters for the digest team

5. How to Unsubscribe/Subscribe from the Epoc Digest:

Send a message with in

the subject line the word SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE

and no text in the message. Only messages (un)subscribing

the email message in the "From" line will be accepted

(you cannot unsubscribe someone else).

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

You've Been Reading the Epoc Digest

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To reply or to send your own messages,

subscribe by sending an email to

subscribe address

with SUBSCRIBE in the subject.