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Epoc Digest Sat, 01 Feb 2003 Volume 01 : Number 161

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Sent to: 733 subscribers

In today's Epoc Digest 20 messages:

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

- DIMM, Data transfer and PC card for NetBook

- US mobile phone in Europe

- CF Formatting

- vCards

- World readership results

- CAD on a Psion

- How I use my favourite Psion apps

- Psion Gold Card Settings

- Re: USB to PCMCIA interface

- Re: CF reader and Macintosh

- Re: EPOCSynch

- The nine lives of Mako

- MS "Word"; T-Mobile GPRS;

- Symlink: how to register?

- Ebook Now Freeware

- Re: Power adaptor

- CalcIt - available anywhere?

- Formatting a CF Card for Psion. Revo batteries solution ? Maintenance on electronic devices compared to same on cars. Netbook 2

- AGENDA SETUP

- Re: Dead Revo/Mako - Freezer

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 04:24:10 +0000

From: howkins

Subject: DIMM, Data transfer and PC card for NetBook

DIMM upgrade: I found the photos (and written instructions) by Eirik Newth very useful when I did this. Go to http://www.newth.net/psion7/install-dimm.html If you're not sure about doing this yourself, last summer POS quoted me GBP25 for fitting it.

Can anyone help with a couple of problems?

1. I have a DATA file of cookery recipes on my netBook which I want to convert and save on my Windows 98 PC so I can send it to friends. Whenever I try, using PsiWin, I end up with a spreadsheet on the PC which is very difficult to read. Can I convert my Data file to something similar on my PC?

2. I want to connect my netBook to my university's wired LAN. The network cable is in the room where I live, but the PC card I bought (here in Taiwan) doesn't seem to be able to do the job. It's a "FNW-3600-TX 10/100M PC Card LAN Adapter with DirecDock" from Planex communications Inc., and it works okay on a friends laptop so there's nothing intrinsically wrong with the card. When I tried to use it (following the 'Ethernet Support User Guide' from Psion, and having installed the upgraded OS for the netBook) I sometimes got the message "network problem" and sometimes nothing at all happened. Either the card can't work with the netBook or I've set up something incorrectly, but I don't know which. Does anyone know if this particularly card is okay for the netBook? If it isn't, which card do people recommend I use for wired LAN access? If it is, could someone kindly give me step-by-step details of exactly how I need to configure the various Ethernet, Modem and Internet settings?

Robert Howkins in Taiwan

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 04:39:30 +0000

From: Maria Jette

Subject: US mobile phone in Europe

Hey American travelers-- this info came to me today from someone at Rick Steve's travel site. I'd heard Rick S. on the radio, saying that US phones couldn't be used in Europe! I wrote to say it wasn't so (although MOST can't), and the interesting response I received is below.

Maria in Minneapolis

>99 cents a minute is too pricey for me, so I got my phone "unlocked" >for free by T-mobile. I can use local prepaid European simcards

>(about EUR20 with EUR10 in phone credit) in my triband T-mobile >phone. Calls within Europe are about a dime, and back to the states >is about $.50 a minute ($.20 if I use a local long-distance card >with my cell but less convenient). When I get home, I pop in my >T-mobile sim, and I have my US number again!

>Just emwith your IEMI (phone ID, get it >by pressing *#06#), phone number, last 4 of your SSN or account >password, and type of phone. Explain that you want to use your phone >with a European Number and Sim Card. They responded to me in less >than 24 hours with my unlock code, and now I can get a European >number with a mere change of my sim card.

>T-mobile is the only GSM provider I know of that regualrly unlocks >their phones for their customers, so Cingular and AT&T users are out >of luck!

>Check out this forum for more info:

>http://www.howardforums.com/showthread.php?s=165df8982ef4182b3f78bfb3a >dcd1ff4&threadid=10406

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 07:01:15 +0000

From: "Marcus von Cube"

Subject: CF Formatting

Jan,

>Is there any general recommendation how to proceed if you have purchased a new CF to use with your Psion 5mx, when it comes to formatting the card? Is the best choice to let the Psion format the CF card or to use the card pre-formatted out of the box?

I'm following a simple principle:

Format each card in the device which will *write* data to it. Most devices have no problem, reading CFs from other devices but writing to them often causes havoc :-(

If you need to write to a CF that was formatted in a Psion from the PC, only write to the root directory and don't forget to unmount the card properly with the PC card or card reader tools.

>Are the two formats the same or...?

There seem to be subtle differences in how long filenames are managed. For an empty card, this is no problem and as long as the cluster sizes are the same, formatting is identical. As soon as you begin writing to the card and creating (long) file & directory names on it, differences are there.

Marcus

http://www.mvcsys.de

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 07:17:34 +0000

From: "Marcus von Cube"

Subject: vCards

Kevin,

>I was wondering about the latest feature in PhoneMan, which is the ability to export the contents one's SIM as a vCard. If one exports to a file in the Psion, one obtains a .vcf file which the Psion cannot read. So, what is the purpose of this feature, or indeed what is a vCard, can someone tell me, please?

A vCard is a piece of text with adress information. The format is standarized so you can

exchange business cards electronically. This is what is exchanged by the Irda beaming of

contact information between devices (Palm, EPOC, ...) or being attached to an email by some people.

On the Psion you can import a vCard (or even multiple vCards) in a file from the contacts application. You'll find it somwhere under the File menu. If you want to see the contents of the card, you can open it in a simple text editor (like Symbian Editor) or import the file into Word or Program or you can point Web or Opera to the file.

If you have plBeam or CBeam, you can beam the file directly to any other device and it will be treated as contact information. If someone beams a contacvt to your Psion and you receive it

from the system screen (plBeam or CBeam needed!) instead of the Contacts application, the information is stored as a file on your machine.

Marcus

http://www.mvcsys.de

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 10:35:33 +0000

From: Will Green

Subject: World readership results

Dear all,

Many thanks to those who got in contact with me with their country details.

Sitting in a cottage in Ironbridge in the rain when emails such as 'just returned from skiing in the Alps' or 'just been shopping in Los Angeles' or 'writing from the Gold Coast of Queensland Australia' makes me think I'm doing something wrong!!

I'm afraid I only received about 50 responses, not as much as I would of liked but enough I think to get some idea of the readership.

I will however, be keeping my database open so if you haven't responded (about 650 of you haven't!) or your country isn't represented please emand if I get enough responses I'll update the results.

So here we go;

UK 36%

USA 20%

Germany 5%

South Africa 4%

The Netherlands 4%

Sweden 4%

Australia 4%

France 3%

Indonesia 2%

Italy 2%

Zimbabwean 2%

Rep of Ireland 2%

Mexico 2%

Poland 2%

Canada 2%

Denmark 2%

Singapore 2%

Rumania 1%

Kind regards to all around the world,

Will.

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 10:35:35 +0000

From: Will Green

Subject: CAD on a Psion

I'm afraid I've lost the name of the user who asked about CAD on a Psion, but I use CADmx by Nicklas Larsson.

I'm not a 'power' user (I use it mainly for site plans) but it does everything I need it to and works fantastically well on all my Psion family, netBook, 5mx, & Revo (which I tend to keep out of the fridge).

It isn't 3D, but you can't have everything!

Cheers,

Will.

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 10:35:36 +0000

From: Will Green

Subject: How I use my favourite Psion apps

I'm afraid again I've mislaid the Digestive who asked about how we use our most used in built apps.

Email must be my most used one for of course email, but also SMS.

In the UK when you call Orange Directory Enquiries they text you the number your after as well as tell you it (just a quick note, if they ask you if you want to be connected did you know your charged at 30p a minute for the call or something, I always say no and call the number fresh).

Then when I synchronise my phone with my Psion I then can cut and paste these text messages into my contacts program!

I also find texting from my phone a right pain in the arse, so I tend to use the Email program to text as well.

Cheers,

Will.

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 10:46:18 +0000

From: Will Green

Subject: Psion Gold Card Settings

I think for digest entries I would like to respond to I'm going to start copying and pasting the entry into a Jotter file because I can't go on like this!

So this is last time I will not know the name of the digestive who asked for a response.

So for the chap who asked about Psion Goldcard fax settings...

I use the following in my netBook;

Init; AT&FM

Data; ATMS=11

Fax; AT&FM

Cheers,

Will.

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 12:42:20 +0000

From: Owen H. Morgan

Subject: Re: USB to PCMCIA interface

Howdy!

Rolf Brunsting wrote (> ):

> There are external PC-Card drives with USB

> interface, similar to the external drives for

> Compact Flash, MultiMedia Card, etc.

Anyone know model or brand names?

> It will be

> difficult to find one in high street shops as

> there aren't a lot of them and PC-Card (formerly

> known as PCMCIA) looks to go the way of the Dodo.

I believe new laptops still have PCMCIA ports?

> An alternative is an external PC-Card drive like

> the Sony MSAC-PR1 we use at the office. The Sony

> has a parallel port interface and comes with

> drivers for Windows 95, 98 and NT.

Copying several Gigs of data from my 13 Gig external harddisk via a parallel port interface would probably be rather tedious (if it will work at all).

Owen

Thought for the day:

The Einstein theory is relatively simple.

Owen H. Morgan, Yacht "Naomi J.", LD-53°20.87'N 6°14.83'W

Dublin City Moorings

http://home.no.net/naomij

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 12:42:50 +0000

From: Owen H. Morgan

Subject: Re: CF reader and Macintosh

Howdy!

Rolf Brunsting wrote (> ):

> The answer is in the original message.

Oops!

> [Quote]

> I have a CF card reader attached to my home PC

> (Windows 95) as well as my office PC (Windows NT4)

> and have no problems with copying files back and

> forth.

> [Unquote]

I wonder what the difference is then. I assume you do use long filenames on your Psions, as it's only the long names that cause probems. Will WindoZe create a trashcan on your CF if you delete something?

Owen

Thought for the day:

The human mind ordinarily operates at only ten percent of its capacity, the rest is overhead for the operating system.

Owen H. Morgan, Yacht "Naomi J.", LD-53°20.87'N 6°14.83'W

Dublin City Moorings

http://home.no.net/naomij

Phone and SMS:

In Ireland: +353 (0)87 7474173

In Norway: +47 92053097

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 12:42:58 +0000

From: Owen H. Morgan

Subject: Re: EPOCSynch

Howdy!

Jim Watson~Goive wrote (> ):

> Because of the way my creative process works, I am

> constantly renaming and moving files.

EpocSync can synch folders as well as individual files, so as long as you don't alter the folder structure, you should still be able to use EpocSync for this. The only gotcha with EpocSync is that you must not alter the same file on both devices between synching. I.e. If you write two pages of text in a document on one device and then correct a spelling error in the same document on the other device before synching, EpocSync will keep the one that was saved last even though all the important work was done to the other one.

It is important to understand that the same applies to things like Agenda files. Whichever file was worked on last is copied to both devices, so you can't edit the agenda on both devices between synching. The way I do it is simply to use the Mako (which is almost always with me) for some tasks and the MC218 for others, but keep each machine as a backup of the important stuff on the other.

> I found

> early on that a conventional backup with PsiWin

> backed up the files fine but the deleted files

> were not deleted in the backup and the moved files

> now existed in two places when I would do a

> restore.

<SNIP>

> I have the same problem with EPOCSynch,

The only thing I can think of is that there might be a discrepancy in the time zone or daylight savings settings between the different devices. As you are probably aware, PsiWin does a full backup each spring and autumn when the daylight savings has been changed. Maybe this is something similar?

> I kill the backup file on PsiWin (actually, I move

> it out of the folder) forcing a full backup each

> time. This costs me 30 minutes each time but I

> don't load up my machine with deleted files.

Lucky SOD! My 256 Mb CF is around 2/3 full, and a full backup of my MC218 takes several hours.

Owen

Thought for the day:

Patience is something that you admire greatly in the driver behind you but not in the one ahead of you.

Owen H. Morgan, Yacht "Naomi J.", LD-53°20.87'N 6°14.83'W

Dublin City Moorings

http://home.no.net/naomij

Phone and SMS:

In Ireland: +353 (0)87 7474173

In Norway: +47 92053097

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 14:53:28 +0000

From: "Hoffman, Susan"

Subject: The nine lives of Mako

Thanks to all who gave me various solutions. So far the third reset seems to have brought it back to life (once I put it back in the charging cradle). I left it there for 24 hours, and so far so good. We'll see how long the charge lasts. Question about the freezer solution. It's intriguing, but how do you keep it plugged in while in the freezer? My freezer has no internal outlet - it's just a very cold box. I have checked POS -- the cost would be about $120 after factoring in shipping, which is slightly lower than the US repair. Another digester (Jim Watson-Gove) gave me another repair source in the UK which also would end up about the same cost but might be a more complete rehab job:

D&G Upgrades Ltd

35 Hillingdon Road

Garston

Watford

Hertfordshire

England

WD25 0JQ

The bottom line for me is that since this is my husband's unit right now and he uses it only for agenda (and not that well), I may just get him a Palm when the Mako dies again, and if I need it as a sub for my 5mx I may spring for a repair or try to buy a used 5mx on the open market.

Susan Katz Hoffman

Pepper Hamilton LLP--------------

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 14:55:32 +0000

From: Mike McConnell

Subject: MS "Word"; T-Mobile GPRS;

To: Tom Robertson

<<Thanks for the info on reading MSWord files on the psion. Does anyone know what the extension .WPS means?>>

These are Word Processor files created by "Microsoft Works", not Word.

<<Does nConvert read .WPS files?>>

No and, as far as I know, it doesn't recognise Word's .doc files either - the files must be saved in RTF format. PsiWin used to convert MS Works files (but I don't have PsiWin on this laptop to check).

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

To: Andrew Longdon

> The T-Mobile network in the UK doesn't unfortunately support GPRS

> technology.

<<This is news to me, Mike - A friend of mine tells me he regularly uses it!>>

I've just been into a mobile phone shop in Dundee where they phoned up T-Mobile's technical people who confirmed that they do *not* support GPRS.

If your friend is actually using GPRS on T-Mobile, don't tell them because they don't actually know that it is possible and there are no GPRS payment packages in place :-)

Regards,

Mike [Dundee, Scotland]

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 15:05:33 +0000

From: David Lir

Subject: Symlink: how to register?

I had decided to register Symlink; but the registration service suggested in the help file (Shareit) now lists the app as 'unavailable'. Anybody know of any other way to buy this app? I find it quite handy to be able to link my Agenda tasks to relevant folders and files. I hope this isn't yet another unregisterable program!

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

David Lir - \\:>{o>

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 16:11:09 +0000

From: David Lir

Subject: Ebook Now Freeware

Martin wrote:

"2) Simon Quinn's excellent ebook reader - sensibly called Ebook - has been made freeware since November."

That figures -- I bought my registration in October. ;)

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

David Lir - \\:>{o>

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 16:11:12 +0000

From: David Lir

Subject: Re: Power adaptor

Ulrich wrote:

"MHO: a regulated supply is a must. I would not dare to use an unregulated one. But the regulated ones are not expensive any more."

Forgive my ignorance; how does one know that a particular AC adapter is regulated? Must it say 'regulated' or similar somewhere on it? I'm using Palmtec's travel-sized adapter with my 5mx (though I rarely need it), and it works well, even has an extra long tip to better fit Palmtec's hardcase. However, it doesn't say that it is regulated -- does this indicate that it is *not* regulated?

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

David Lir - \\:>{o>

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 17:47:34 +0000

From: David Lir

Subject: CalcIt - available anywhere?

I'm trying to locate a 'live' download for CalcIt by Colin Shearing. So far all the links I've found are dead. Does anyone know an URL where this macro can still be downloaded from? Alternatively can someone email the file to me? I'm also looking for Colin's other macros: DateIt, DateOn5 and JotPad. I'm also looking for CreatLink and FollowLink mentioned on the Digest recently.

Any help is appreciated :)

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

David Lir - \\:>{o>

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 18:58:57 +0000

From: "Stephane Sage"

Subject: Formatting a CF Card for Psion. Revo batteries solution ? Maintenance on electronic devices compared to same on cars. Netbook 2

To: Jan Gustafsson

Jan, perhaps you should try Palmtop magazine issue 24 (may/june 99) which

you can order from their website: www.palmtopco.uk From page 49 to page 58,

Nigel Wright will tell you all on the best way to format CF Cards.

To: all of you who have autonomy problems with their Revo

I recently spotted on a German site an accessory based on standard batteries

especially designed for the Revo; see www.batteriepack.de/e_index.htm (12 ?

incl postage within Europe). Presentation is in English. Usual remark: no

personal interest or commercial connection with mentioned supplier...

To: Rolf B and Moshe

As the son of an ex-car dealer, may I mention that the car manufacturers are

compelled by law (in France at least) to be able to supply spare parts for

their various models 10 years after these have been launched on the

market...I wonder whether that will hold true for the electronic parts which

invade the more recent models (and provoke most breakdowns). In any case,

the automotive world stays far from the PC and PDA world, where quite often

every new item is thrown away (by the manufacturer, not necessarily the

user...) after 6 months at best nowadays (see Sony Clié Line or HP

Jornadas).

To: Martin Guthrie

Martin, with ref. to the diff between ver 1 and ver 1.2, I only know that

the hardware has been slightly modified by Psion so as to accept PC Cards

treue to official specs (but some people already mean that this an outdated

format...) on the Netbook ver 1.2. Also, I am not very familiar with this

machine. I shall know more in a few weeks time, but again it seems that teh

Netbook II is a mere fantasy...

A bientôt

Stéphane (Grenoble, France)

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 21:39:25 +0000

From: Peter Keene

Subject: AGENDA SETUP

Hi Guys,

For Woody B re Agenda setup:

The following is an extract of a posting I made to the UPS5 Digest on this subject Woody. Hope it helps to clarify the setup and how I use it.

Quote

As a long time user of Time/system ®, when I bought an S3a in 1995 I wanted to use Agenda in a similar way to the paper-based system, albeit electronically. In essence, the method described below gives you a blank left page for tasks or notes and a time-slotted right page for appointments. Dated To Dos appear at the bottom of the note page.

I found a suggestion for laying out Agenda in the excellent S3a user manual and adapted it as follows (ER 5 version):

Setting up the pages:

a). In the day view select the Preferences menu.

b). Set Title Position to Left Page.

c). Set Standard Entry Type to Day Entry.

d). Tick the next 3 boxes.

e). Set Show Duration or End Time to Duration.

f). Press Ctrl+S to define slots.

g). Set Left Page slots to From 0300 to 0600 Duration 5 minutes.

h). Show Neither Slot Time Nor Line.

i). Set Right Page slots to From 0700 to 2200 Duration 30 minutes.

j). Show Slot Time and Slot Line.

k). Press OK.

l). Press Ctrl+T and tick all boxes.

m). Press OK.

n). Press OK.

o). In Day Entry Preferences menu uncheck the Day Entries Timed box.

p). Press OK.

q). In To Do List Preferences menu set 0500 for Position In Other Views

r). Press OK.

Using the set up:

I use the blank page to list simple tasks such as "Pay accounts". These are crossed out as they are completed.

More complex tasks or activities which may last days or even weeks, such as "Write project report", are entered as dated To Dos. As mentioned, these appear at the bottom of the blank page and are obviously automatically carried over every day until crossed out as being completed. Appointments are entered on the right hand page as per normal. My default for day entries is Untimed because I have few appointments but many tasks.

Unquote

By way of further clarification, the notes I referred to in this digest are written in the same place as the simple tasks ie top of the left hand page and are something like "Saw X today, he needs a quote on yyy". The notes can be quite long because, as you probably know, the page scrolls when it gets full.

Regards,

Peter

Cape Town RSA

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

Date: 31 Jan 2003 23:02:12 +0000

From: "Jason Garbutt"

Subject: Re: Dead Revo/Mako - Freezer

On 29 Jan 2003 14:31:55, "J." wrote:

> You could give a try to the "freezer solution", found somewhere else I can't remember.

> Gently put your Mako in a freezer (-18C° )

I'm not certain I'd recommend this - when you get it out of the freezer you're going to get a lot of condensation on the Revo. And Revo's and water don't mix (I should know, I had an S5 that took a swim in the bath once).

Regards,

Jason

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

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