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Epoc Digest Thu, 14 Nov 2002 Volume 01 : Number 111
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Sent to: 705 subscribers
In today's Epoc Digest 21 messages:
==============================
- Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 109 (Psiwin via USB)
- Re: America
- RE: Laptop connectivity
- Sketch-glitch: magnetic aura? ;-)
- RE:Psion Marketing in North America
- Re: Unusual characters
- Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 110
- Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 109 (Psiwin via USB)
- Question about Revo
- CharMap/Liminar/Archive
- Siemens, Series 5, Virgin/Tiscali
- Using S7 in the car
- BJC-80, Sync jotter, MBMView, HSCSD, Breaking in,
- re: Nokia 6210e signal loss
- Re: Playing with toys
- Re: laptop connectivity, cheap psions
- re Compuserve
- another Email problem
- WEB IN 158
- Re: Re: Jotter
- Re: netBook repair
*++++++++++&
Date: 12 Nov 2002 15:21:59 +0000
From: "Harold Fuchs"
Subject: Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 109 (Psiwin via USB)
In #109, Christopher Marwasked about running Psiwin over a USB port. The following links may help:
http://store.europe.yahoo.com/psion-uk-shop/usb-serial-converter.html
http://www.clove.co.uk/products.asp?product=PS5-USBC
Harold Fuchs
Time flies lik an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 02:22:25 +0000
From: "Caspar Lam"
Subject: Re: America
Darryl:
From my knowledge, I can tell you that the US lags far behind the world in terms of cell phones and celluar protocols. The US, as far as I know, does not even have SIM cards in the phones. Thus, I'm not sure you will even be able to buy a SIM card. (Perhaps the SIM cards do exist outside the US for use with international phones, but I have not heard or seen them within the US.)
Yes, Americans really get the shaft when it comes to wireless mobile services. Bluetooth is only beginning to be recognized here, and I have met no one who knows what PSION is, much less Symbian, EPOC, and other cool gadgets that arrive in America 2 years after their international release.
I hope this was of help to you!
Cheers, Caspar
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 03:33:24 +0000
From: "Nigel Colvert"
Subject: RE: Laptop connectivity
>
> Date: 11 Nov 2002 11:39:44 +0000
> From: Christopher Marwood
> Subject: Laptop connectivity
>
> [snip]
> Is purchase of
> the external CD-ROM and floppy drives compulsory (a mere £350
> or so on top of the +/-£1800 basic price tag)? I can't quite
> see how one could recover from a system wipeout without. Nor
> how one would install new software.
>
I can't speak for all laptops but the Sony SRX41 comes with the CD-ROM as standard. I bought one for a customer a few months ago and nearly got caught out. The CD-ROM shown as a Sony option is actually included in the main package also.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Nigel.
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 06:57:07 +0000
From: vlad arghir
Subject: Sketch-glitch: magnetic aura? ;-)
> Epoc Digest wrote:
> But Vlad, you are not the only one experiencing this. That IS consolation ;-)
Thanks, David and Thomas van der Zijden.
best,
vlad
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 07:20:24 +0000
From: "Jim Cooke"
Subject: RE:Psion Marketing in North America
Date: 13 Nov 2002 21:23:45 +0000
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Psion Marketing
Dear Rolf,
<<The European Community is, after all, a larger market than North
America.>>
The present population of the EU is about 380 million. The population of
the US is about 288 million, Canada is about 31 million, and Mexico is
about 100 million. This makes the population of North America about 418
million. Therefore, I don't think your statement is correct. You can
certainly argue that the purchasing power of Mexico does not match the
rest of North America but I think I can make a convincing argument that
the new Eastern Europe members of the EU fall into the same class.
Suffice to say that the market for the EU and North America are very
close in size.
<<Psion's presence on the North American market wasn't very strong
during the days of the Series 3a. Still, this didn't prevent Psion
belonging to the top three PDA manufacturers, together with Hewlett
Packard and Sharp. I therefore question the link quite a number of North
American Psioneers make between presence on the North American market
and the success of the company.>>
You weren't here during the period that Psion, HP, and Sharp were the
dominant PDA makers so I suspect you're making an assumption. In fact,
almost every electronics store that stocked PDA's carried all three
brands and displayed the Psion quite prominently. I bought my first 3a
by being able to make a direct comparison in a Good Guys store between
all three platforms and decided the 3a was the best deal for the money.
Psion had a very attractive POS display as well. I was also able to buy
a flash ROM card and there was a fairly complete supply of Psion
accessories for immediate purchase. This was in 1995. By 1997, Psion had
essentially disappeared from the retail market here.
<<There was a gap between the simple 'databank' type of PDAs and the
Series 3a, HP200LX and Zaurus 5600/5800. Psion had the Siena and HP the
OmniGo 100 but these weren't really what people were looking for. Palm
filled this gap with the Pilot and its though out mixture of power and
simplicity. Pilots brought a new group of people into PDAs. What's more,
quite a number of people who were using an 'overspecified' Series 3 or
Zaurus switched to a Pilot. >>
No argument there. Psion failed to recognize the threat that the Palm
presented and the Siena was a belated (and failed) attempt to meet that
threat.
<<1997 wasn't only the year in which the Series 5 was launched but also
the launch of Windows CE 1.0. A flurry of CE 1.0 devices came on the
market which, inevitably, resulted in a battle for retail shelf space
which Psion lost. The company's models were pushed off North American
retailers' shelves to make space for Compaq, Casio, NEC, LG and Philips
H/PC models. Trouble is that Microsoft had started to attack Palm by the
time it became clear the H/PCs weren't doing that well. Meaning
retailers started to replace them by P/PC models from Casio, HP, Compaq
and Philips. These did sell (much) better so that Psion didn't get the
opportunity to get their shelf space back. What's more, it had to fight
against the bad impression the H/PC models had left behind.>>
Ah, but this is where Psion could have had an impact. It had already
lost the "simplicity" battle to the Palm but the horrible initial Win CE
H/PC's presented a golden opportunity to show an H/PC form factor that
really worked. A good POS program like that for the 3a might have worked
wonders. Yes, it meant marketing money would have to be spent but we've
now seen the results of not spending the money when it may have had a
real impact.
<<Which is easier said than done when retailers aren't that interested
in stocking your product. Windows CE was supposed to wipe all non-CE
PDAs off the face of the earth. Which was quickly followed by the idea
that the Palm-P/PC format would quickly become *the* PDA format and that
keyboards were passé.>>
Again, it took marketing skill and good POS design. Not being a
European, perhaps Psion did a much better job of that in Europe. It may
be that there was simply a marketing decision that the North American
market was simply too expensive to continue to penetrate. I don't fault
Psion for that if they just didn't have the capital available but I do
mourn the loss of a great machine for those of us on this side of the
pond.
Regards, Jim
Petaluma CA USA
*++++++++++&
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 08:32:19 +0000
From: "Huub Linthorst"
Subject: Re: Unusual characters
Subject: Quickly inserting "unusual" characters, such as the degree symbol
Of course you could also use ExAb to place these characters with a hotkey combination. E.g. the degree symbol would be placed after <Menu+0> and then <o> (the zero resembles the degree symbol), Alternatively, using this <Menu+0> hotkey combination on a selected "o" converts it to a degree character.
Similar mnemonic-hotkey combinations are available to many other "unusual" characters.
Huub
________________________
Huub Linthorshttp://website.leidenuniv.nl/~linthorsthjm/exabetal/
ExAb, CodeSafe, S5mboles, SpellX and more
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 10:36:11 +0000
From: dd.white
Subject: Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 110
Date: 12 Nov 2002 20:45:35 +0000
From: Alan Morris
Subject: Re: S7 - screen-cable problem
to:
"Simon Wolf" wrote:-
and others with calibration problems with the Psion 7 and Netbook.
Get a docking station. This uses the alternative base connection to the power supply and prevents the cable drag which causes internal motherboard movement.
Then a decorous sideways tap will generally cure gross calibration errors.- until next time!!.
D.D.White
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 10:49:51 +0000
From: "Harold Fuchs"
Subject: Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 109 (Psiwin via USB)
Somehow the original of this got mangled - I think I must have sent it in a non-text format, for which apologies.
In #109, Christopher Marwasked about running Psiwin over a USB port. The following links may help:
http://store.europe.yahoo.com/psion-uk-shop/usb-serial-converter.html
http://www.clove.co.uk/products.asp?product=PS5-USBC
Harold Fuchs
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 12:09:38 +0000
From: Antonio Luís
Subject: Question about Revo
Hi people
1-I own a Revo plus, and have some questions about it:
2-Is it true that they are out of production??
3-In the range, in your opinion, the 5 mx means a great improvement?? They
will go on production??
4-Do you think that the internal memory of Revo can be increased ?'
5-Please, a good site to dowload freeware a financial program, a simple one,
just to keep the banking account in control (I can also use the sheet), but?
6-I adquire the Revo plus by half of the price, brand new, but in fact I was
looking for the 5 mx, the problem is that I did not find any in Portugal, I
probably have to go to London, do you Know if its the same story there??
Regards
António Luís
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 12:17:30 +0000
From: Philip Adkins Potter
Subject: CharMap/Liminar/Archive
Hi,
Antony Steele wrote:
'You can quickly create these (unusual) characters by using their ASCII or "IBM" code for them'.
There's a free ER5 program called "CharMap" from www.pelicansoft.com which takes the strain out of that! It's probably on www.psionplace.com and TUCOWS too. I used it to paste the "•" in ": • )" : • ).
Vlad Arghir wrote:
'Try JB5Utils from JBsoft. It is liminar but very efficient'.
I had a discussion with Alberto about the translation of a word common in Spanish but very rare in English (aleatory as in "Alea Jacta Est", more Asterix : • )). 'Liminar', I expect, is similar. According to my Shorter Oxford English Dictionary 'liminal' means 'in the initial stage'. I assume 'liminar' is just a variation common in Vlad's native tongue.
And I agree, JB5Utils is very efficient.
As a comment, there are a lot of free ER3/5 programs out there and some are *very* good, but they will soon disappear (and some already have). I still have a Psion 3a and the University College site has a huge archive of useful software, though some commercial/shareware cannot be used as it can't be registered/bought.
I can't yet provide hard disk space for a software archive though I will but we're talking about a Gigabyte (maybe more). But I think there should be at least two such archives. I know the Digest can't provide such an archive, even off-line as mine will have to be at first, but maybe someone else can spare the space?
Cheers,
Phil.
aypee/tiscali.co.uk
"Minimise your therbligs until it becomes automatic;
this doubles your effective lifetime -
and thereby gives time to enjoy
butterflies and kittens and rainbows."
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 12:21:42 +0000
From: "TonyL"
Subject: Siemens, Series 5, Virgin/Tiscali
Hi
Sorry for treading what is probably old ground but I have been trying to get this working on and off for some time now.
Is anyone using the above setup succesfully? I have tried the help from Mike Mconnell and others that I have found on the web but so far all I can manage is to connect succesfully but from there I cannot use the web or email.
With exactly the same setup I can connect to compuserve and do both. Virgin don't support epoc as we know so they were not much help.
TonyL
Swindon, UK
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 14:05:35 +0000
From: Itamar Engelsman
Subject: Using S7 in the car
Does anyone use his (her) S7 in the car in combination with a GPS ? If so, how did you solve the problem of attaching it securely ?
Best regards,
Itamar Engelsman
London, UK
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 14:05:53 +0000
From: Itamar Engelsman
Subject: BJC-80, Sync jotter, MBMView, HSCSD, Breaking in,
Answer to: fernando moros
Re. BJC-80 - Thanks for your answer. No need for checking anything, it would be used for basic printing of incoming faxes, nothing particularly difficult.
Thanks everybody else for their answers as well.
Answer to: All
Re. Sync jotter - Of course, when using DATA as a jotter you could sync it easily enough .... (but I don't).
Answer to: Harold Fuchs
Re. Your message - Sorry for the error with your message, something went wrong. It will be included in this digest again.
Answer to: Alan R Morris
Re. MBMView - I don't think the program is being developed any further, like almost any EPOC program. Just look for example at the website of Neuon, latest entry 13/6/02. Many people undoubtly burnt their fingers and wasted their time developing for a system discontinued and did not have the energy anymore to continue support basically for free. Sad, incorrect, but probably understandable.
Answer to: Mike McConnell
Re. HSCSD - Thanks for the answer. My only problem with GPRS is ... the cost <smile>. While basically it is not that expensive, the total per month can quickly add up to a larger amount.
Answer to: Rolf Brunsting
Re. Breaking in - You said it yourself. To start up as a "me too" product is easier, but to introduce a totally new system not compatible with other machines is a lot harder. For that you need to have a specific advantage over the competition or people will stick with the "me too" products that are as you indeed wrote interchangeable.
Best regards,
Itamar Engelsman
London, UK
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 18:27:07 +0000
From: Steve Hodgson
Subject: re: Nokia 6210e signal loss
I was wondering about this problem today as I was having problems with this for the first time today. I am currently working away from base installing some test equipment and was using the netBook to email some debug information (~12K) back the office.
I did seem to get a lot of problems with the Nokia cutting out on me mid-transfer, although the signal strength in this area is low that didn't seem to be the cause. A colleague's Nokia of a different type seemed to be rock solid by comparison and was able to send the file with no problems.
Regards,
Steve Hodgson
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 18:27:17 +0000
From: Steve Hodgson
Subject: Re: Playing with toys
> Steve Hodgson mentioned that you can't play with
> toys in the shops these days like you used to....
> Best bet is to ask around to see if anyone can lend
> you something that you are considering buying to play
> with.
I *really* want to play with a Zaurus to see what Linux is like on a PDA. No real interest in buying yet though as my netBook does what I need.
Regards,
Steve Hodgson
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 18:35:36 +0000
From: us
Subject: Re: laptop connectivity, cheap psions
I use a Keyspan USB PDA adapter. One end of it plugs into the USB of my iBook (it has win and linux drivers too), the other into the serial plug of the psion rs232 cable. No problems at all.
My wife paid £100 for her 2nd hand (nearly new) netbook, I felt cheated when my 5mx cost me the same. www.adtrader.co.uk
Simon http://www.simon-s.net
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 18:41:15 +0000
From: MartinYirrell
Subject: re Compuserve
Itamar
What I really want to do is download my post on the PC (if you were on the UK forum you'd know why <g>) and copy them a few at a time to the PC so I can answer away from the PC. I need to have the main list on the PC.
Martin Yirrell
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 18:48:49 +0000
From: "Kit Byatt"
Subject: another Email problem
Hello, and help, again
I have encountered an entirely new problem with using email on the Psion (just having solved the last problem!).
When I try to log on (either by land line or mobile) I receive the folllowing error message:
"Display may be temporarily incomplete
Overflow"
I have tried deleting the MsgApp.ini file but this hasn't helped. I can also access the digest using my PC, so the problem's definitely with the Psion...
Kit
Hereford, UK; home of the SAS (I don't think that's classified...)
I am beginning to get a bit fed up with the Psion, the keyboard's great, but I have now had 4 5mx's and each one has had a problem - if the screen doesn't buzz, the keys stick, and if that doesn't happen, the cable goes. Anyway, I always drop it and break the casing (hence 4...). I'm beginning to start looking at other technologies - it's always a compromise [end of rant...]
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 18:55:58 +0000
From: Peter Keene
Subject: WEB IN 158
Hi Guys,
Re installing Web in Build 158 of the netBook ROM:
Many thanks to Darryl, Trygve and Andrew (Morphett) for their comments. As Trygve suggested, the TCP/IP components are installed in the ROM in 158 so I am at a loss to explain why they are not recognised by the installer. I even tried copying the relevant files from the Z drive to the System folder on the C drive (despite the risk of conflicts :-) but still no joy.
The next thing to try is to find a TCP/IP .sis file and do a full install on the C drive. Anybody have one? (The one on the Z drive is just the uninstall part)
Failing that I shall have to wait for Trygve to work a miracle ;-)
Regards,
Peter
Cape Town RSA
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 19:51:52 +0000
From: Jan R Gustafsson
Subject: Re: Re: Jotter
Rolf Brunsting wrote at 13 Nov 2002 21:24:12 +0000 in EPOC DIGEST V1 # 110
> My position
> that Jotter is a superfluous application is just
> as valid as the position of those who say Jotter
> is far from superfluous. It's but one example of
> the 30% of features people won't agree on.
The position of the Ericsson people when designing the MC218 (the Ericsson version of the 5mx) was obviously close to that of Rolf B; There is no silkscreen button for Jotter on the MC218. However, the application is there in the ROM.
I myself find it useful at times (and has it within a keypress on Ctrl+Word).
Regards,
Jan G
Stockholm, Sweden
*++++++++++&
Date: 14 Nov 2002 22:30:20 +0000
From: Alan Morris
Subject: Re: netBook repair
Darryl Kempster wrote:-
<< netBook repairs can only be done by Psion themselves at this time .... the price of repair .... is a flat fee of £170 - reason why I bought a second Series 7 for £150 rather than repair my original machine. >>
Thanks Darryl. That's 40% of the price I paid for my new S7!
PS. << Apparently it's £115 >> arrrr, only 27%, that's a bit better then.
Perhaps I should start looking for another S7 or netBook - suggestions ???
--
Alan R Morris, G4ENS.
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.
Using a Psion & Nokia 6210e.
*++++++++++&
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