-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tips for Posting to the Digest and how to unsubscribe
at the end of the Digest
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Epoc Digest Thu, 06 Mar 2003 Volume 01 : Number 192
************************************************************************
Sent to: 754 subscribers
In today's Epoc Digest 17 messages:
==============================
- Receiving HF weatherfax on a Psion
- Palmcase netBook hardcase?
- DigHandler (was: Answering the digest)
- Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 188
- Psion on the road
- Re: Compact Flash Reader, USB connector, iMac and Series 5mx
- Roaming / Cable connection to mobile
- netBook-laptop connectivity failure
- Re: NetBook keyboard redifined
- Conversion of WordPerfect Files
- OS/2 - Psion, Siemens PocketReader...
- syncing Outlook Express email with 5mx
- Psion, back again?
- Re: different OS/ zip-files
- S7 in car, Reminder, macro 5,
- Re: False Representation?
- PocketReader
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 06:38:50 -0500
From: "RJCT"
Subject: Receiving HF weatherfax on a Psion
Has anybody succeeded in getting a Psion to receive marine weatherfax via SSB radio? Any tips appreciated!
Richard
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 06:49:32 -0500
From: David Lir
Subject: Palmcase netBook hardcase?
I would like to buy a 'Palmcase-net' netBook hardcase (www.palmcase.de). However, I am having trouble finding a seller or dealer who will ship one of these to Canada. All the pages I've seen are in German (a language I don't speak), and as far as I can tell, none of these dealers (including Palmcase themselves) ships to Canada? Any help in locating a source for these netBook hardcases that will ship to Canada will be greatly appreciated!
------------------------
David Lir - \\:>{
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 07:53:37 -0500
From: Rolf Vonau
Subject: DigHandler (was: Answering the digest)
Hi Digesties,
thanks to the fans of DigHandler.
But I think it's time to stop this thread now.
I'm busy with redesigning the DigHandler from scratch on base of EIKON Application Style Guide. Indeed, there are many things to be improve. When ready, I will inform the community.
--
Best Regards
Rolf
Munich
http://home.arcor.de/rhvonau/index.htm
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 08:58:18 -0500
From: renee ford
Subject: Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 188
Well, Renee (one of the few women reading reading the Digest) doesn't use rechargeables with her 5mx, it's all becoming a bit of a major headache what with the power cord failing as it is. As soon as the S7 comes back, perhaps I'll have this looked over, maybe they can repair the connecter plug or cord, check the screen cable etc, you know, a little preventive maintenance. BTW, to my horror I discovered just in the nick of time that too heavy a hand with the strapping tape to secure the power plug will result in weakening the case, and eventually the cable. I've already noticed a hairline fracture in the cover and some new hesitations...
Take care of yourselves, (ms) renee ford :^)
Davis, Ca
while wading through a stream of digests this message flowed through across my screen:
From: Owen Morgan
Subject: Re: Emails on D
Howdy!
Michael Degn wrote (> ):
> Renee
> will have to choose between the risk of loosing
> his emails if he keep them on drive C or an
> increasing slowdown in performance if he keep them
> on drive D, but the latter solution will at least
> keep the emails safe.
The e-mails are NOT necessarily safe on the CF. As I've said before (but people keep forgetting when they give advice on this topic), you should NOT keep your e-mails on D if you use rechargable batteries.
The reason is that rechargeables can drop very quickly below the voltage needed to write to the CF when the Psion is using a lot of power for the RS-232 or IR-port. If this happens while you're online receiving e-mail, you WILL get a corrupted index file and loose access to ALL your e-mails. It's happened to me twice. After that I put my e-mails on C:, and have not had any more battery level related e-mail failures.
If you use rechargeables, I suggest keeping your e-mails on C: and making a regular (daily if necessary) backup of the entire Mail folder (or even the entire C drive) to the CF disk. I have Navigator installed on D: and regularly copy the entire contents of C to a zip file called "C.zip" on the CF. (remember to store the files with the absolute path) When I changed from the old dying MC218 to my recently aquired replacement 5mx, I simply unzipped the file back to C and soft reset the machine.
One little gotcha was that the MC218 and 5mx have a different layout on the silkscreen buttons, Since the restore included the file
C:\System\Shell\Shell.ini, the mx inherited the silkscreen layout from the MC218 which was rather confusing. I had to delete the file and soft reset the mx to restore the defaults. This won't be a problem if you restore to the same machine or an identical one.
> Thing is that the
> male pin connector to the PSU is partially broken
> inside the machine and need to be resoldered. This
> leads to times where the Psion doesn't get powered
> although the PSU is connected. Even tape can't
> improve or fix that. Only a repair either by a
> specialist or yourself.
Or use the RS cable that is available to power the Psion through the RS232 port. The contact for the external power supply has failed eventally on most of my S5 type machines, but not on the Mako (yet). In my experience, the three main weaknesses in the S5 design are the screen cable, power supply plug and screen activated on/off switch in that order. (I'm not counting cracked screens, because they are usually caused by accidents rather than normal
use.)
Owen
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 09:15:03 -0500
From: "Keith Clarke"
Subject: Psion on the road
All you guys driving around staring at your Psions, untroubled by speed cameras - I hope I don't find myself on a road near you.
Keith Clarke
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 09:19:15 -0500
From: Aleck Cartwright
Subject: Re: Compact Flash Reader, USB connector, iMac and Series 5mx
Hi there,
I am seeking advice of how to connect my series 5mx and my iMac at work. I could buy a compact flash reader, or a USB connector to use my serial cable and transfer files.
I am wondering how other mac users have done it and what they would advise others to do.
Which is faster, compact flash reader (USB) or adaptor from serial cable to USB?
Which is cheaper to buy?
Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Aleck
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 10:53:02 -0500
From: Darryl Kempster
Subject: Roaming / Cable connection to mobile
Yet another query re emailing I'm afraid.
I'm on a tour of Europe at the moment - 17 countries in total. Been using an Ericsson R520m mobile and netBook to email using a UK dial up account with no problem till country no 13 (!) greece where failed to send emails. Could connect to the net and download emails but not send. Strangely same result from landline in hotel in Athens BUT could send from another landline in the venue. Confused. Obviously not just a problem with the mobile.
Now in Italy (Bari) (now Rome) and same problem - can connect to the net and download emails but not send! Settings worked fine in other countries.
Tried another account and the uk2 service and same result.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On another note finally got out my cable connection with null modem adaptor I bought for faxing but never used and tried that to see if made a difference. But couldn't even connect with that combination. "Comms line failed" The Dialer reports "Starting hangup procedure" and ETEL in Logs says "Bad password". Remember someone else using cable instead of IR to connect to their mobile so wondered if they could tell me what I'm doing wrong. (Enabled Link to desktop - connect using cable. Control panel / modems changed modem type to fixed line and connection to cable. ) Dials ok but no connection.
Cheers
Darryl - In Rome
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 11:52:28 -0500
From: "Saj Jumaani"
Subject: netBook-laptop connectivity failure
HELP EVERYONE!
I AM P****D OFF! (sorry). I bought a laptop so I can enhance the netB's potential. My problem is the NETBOOK ISN'T ESTABLISHING CONNECTION TO THE LAPTOP (grrrr...).
My laptop is a Sony Vaio ports are 3USB (located at the R, L & back of the laptop), 1 parallel (female), 1 for a monitor (female - not sure if this is serial as it has more than 9 holes. Tried using the infra-red connection but failed. PsiWin cable can only be connected to the printer's parallel port using a male(serial)-male(parallel) adapter but this didn't work either. Any suggestions? "Link To Desktop" was set correctly when using either infrared or cable. This isn't my first time to connect a psion computer to a PC. Used to do it frequently with S5 and a desktop.
By the way I mention in the previous digest that I will be including a Proporta semi-rigid case for nB, be advised that I cancelled the order. I will be including instead a Palmtop Route Planner (European) and a Psion Parallel printer link cable (infra-red). The nB and the printer cable comes with the original packaging. And the screen protector is still in the box.
Regards,
Saj
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 13:06:43 -0500
From: Owen Morgan
Subject: Re: NetBook keyboard redifined
Howdy!
Philip Crookes wrote (> ):
> The problem is that if you have the German version
> of the OS, which I do and which matches the
> keyboard configuration of my netBook, this utility
> isn't included at all. And that's annoying.
> Solutions, anyone?
That's easy enough. Install whatever language version of the OS you prefer, then use Alexander Zavorine's excellent Key Mapper to configure your keyboard. Have a look at www.zavorine.com.
Owen
Thought for the day:
Two Eskimos sitting in a kayak were chilly, but when they lit a fire in the craft, it sank, proving once again that you can't have your kayak and heat it.
--
Owen H. Morgan, Yacht "Naomi J.", LD-53°20.87'N 6°14.83'W
Dublin City Moorings
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 13:51:12 -0500
From: "Hoffman, Susan"
Subject: Conversion of WordPerfect Files
Manuel Campos asked about a problem converting batches of WP files in PsiWin. I had a similar problem, and eventually dealt with it by converting one at a time. I had to reload PsiWin on my PC and then NOT click the box saying to use the same program on similar files. Even then, PsiWin would fail to convert about 1/3 of my WP documents, and I could never figure out the reason why. I asked tech support at Psion USA and eventually got the answer that they were no longer supporting WordPerfect. The final solution was to save my non-convertible WP documents in ASCII format and then convert -- never a problem that way. Now, we've pretty much migrated to Word so I don't worry about it any more. But I do miss my WordPerfect.
Susan Katz Hoffman
e-mail: hoffmans
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 15:42:20 -0500
From: Trygve Henriksen
Subject: OS/2 - Psion, Siemens PocketReader...
Greetings!
Vlad Kuzba wrote:
> Have you got any experience with connecting a Psion with OS/2 through IR?
> Also have you ever succeeded in synchronizing Psion with Lotus Organizer for OS/2? I have tried many times, but to no avail.
Have you seen this page?
http://os2.mensys.nl/psion/psion6.html
There's guides for how to do both there...
---
The Siemens Pocket Reader...
My PocketReader arrived a while ago...
The software on the www.pocketreader.com site did not work with my netBook.
Neither did the 1.42 software downloaded elsewhere.
Using the same cables(Psiwin, null-modem, Siemens cable) it worked on my old S5. (I just moved the CF from the netBook, so it's the same app install, too)
On the other hand, it didn't work with my Geofox One, even though it adapted to the larger screen correctly.
Maybe it's time to bug the author...
:-)
Trygve
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 15:43:06 -0500
From: "Christopher Holly"
Subject: syncing Outlook Express email with 5mx
Does anyone have a recommendation (or is there even a way) to easily sync the 5mx and PC emails? I am sure attachments won't work, but at least I could get some more of my reading done away from the desk. I have Outlook Express but I will switch if something would sync better.
Chris Holly
Bloomington, IN, USA
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 16:55:36 -0500
From: "Sergio"
Subject: Psion, back again?
From www.geek.com
<<
According to Baz, a snippet from UK's 'The Business', p.7, 02-Feb-2003, Psion is going to release a new super-portable handheld geered towards the personal computing market.
"Psion, which was once on a par in the PC market with Microsoft and Palm, is to return to the personal computing market with a new, super-portable handheld cross between a laptop and a personal organiser. It hopes to apply expertise gained since its merger with industrial computer manufacturer Teklogix"
>>
Ciao!
Sergio Alisi
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 18:00:49 -0500
From: Astrid Stappenbeck
Subject: Re: different OS/ zip-files
re: different OS
To Tim Williams:
>I am very pleased with my 5mx pro.<
Glad to hear.
>Question: are there alternatives to the Sys$rom.bin for the 5mx pro. Can it run under other available OS?<
You can run Linux on your 5mx. But you will have to keep the two os on two seperate cf-cards and do a hard reset when changing. Haven't tried it myself yet but the necessary software is available on the net. However, installing Linux will require a bit more than just getting a single installation file and letting it do all the work.
---------------------
re: Zip files
To Saj Jumaani:
>i think to appreciate a netBook one still has to have a pc. as in my case i cannot unzip an epoc program from my netBook. i have to have a pc to unzip a file and transfer it to nB.<
There are quite a number of zip-programs under epoc available (even before the netbook was on sale). Commercial, Shareware and I think even some smaller freeware ones. So how come you quote that as a reason for abandoning epoc?
Try RMR Zip (or whatever) before you sell your netbook!
Astrid
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 19:13:47 -0500
From: Itamar Engelsman
Subject: S7 in car, Reminder, macro 5,
Answer to: Martin
Re.: S7 in car - Thanks for the info. The price of this unit is abt. 200 pounds ... a bit too expensive for me. The owner told me these are used for ambulances and other services.
Answer to : Russell
Re. S7 in car - Thanks for the idea. Unfortunately the dashboard in my Mercedes is not flat so in my car it is not an option.
Answer to: Rolf Brunsting
Re. Reminder - Sure, no problem. Anyhow, it was not the subject of the message but the way some people expanded it into a personal attack on others.
Answer to: Jaan Sass
Re. macro 5 - This _is_ not an ugly program, you might _find_ it an ugly program. It happens to be one of the most widely used third party programs on EPOC machines.
Best regards,
Itamar Engelsman
London, UK
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 22:11:21 -0500
From: Stephen.Murgan
Subject: Re: False Representation?
Dear Rolf,
<<Don't complain to me as I addressed an analogy previously introduced by others.>>
Good point. Sorry.
<<Well, a hard disk starts to get bad data blocks and the first indicator of a dying screen cable are stripes on the display. Both are a nuisance, but you can continue to use the hard disk and Psion for some time before it's over-and-out.>>
True, but the HD is a wear-and-tear part. The Psion is a solid-state device - at least in theory. So far, my HDs have been a lot more reliable than my 5mx...
<<This isn't a discussion on how upset, angered or furious people are entitled to be when something breaks.>>
I wasn't addressing the issue of ire, I was addressing the issue of reasonable expectation. The law generally agrees.
<<<< Though I have no statistics to prove it, I believe that a vast majority of 5mx repairs are for the screen cable >>>>
<<There we have the crucial point - you don't know whether what you say is true but are still saying it.>
See below.
<< Based on my _personal_ experience the 5mx screen cable is a weak point at best, a design flaw at worst. Psion will not admit that, of course, as that would leave them liable >>
<<The problem here is that Psion is bound by rules and regulations on what it can say about its products. When challenged, it's Psion that has to support what it says by supplying the evidence.>>
Tell that to Firestone. Cover-ups don't work if the evidence is obvious and overwhelming.
<<I think everybody has to support what (s)he says, including the consumer. An "I believe that..." is not sufficient.>>
It is ironic that you start that sentence with "I think" then tell me that "I believe" is not sufficient :)
My sentiment _is_ sufficient if it is backed up by personal experience PLUS This mailing list PLUS Too many "I'm-getting-stripes-on-the-screen-of-my-5mx" newsgroup posts to mention. Without statistics from Psion _nobody_ can make an authoritative judgment. I doubt that they will reveal those stats; it is not in their interest to do so. Without that, how much evidence is needed? True, this is only anecdotal evidence... but there is an awful lot of it. How much is needed?
It would not be so irritating if the cable was an easily-replaceable item (like it is on the Series 5), but making it necessary to replace the entire screen to fix a failed cable is as ridiculous as making a mechanic remove the dashboard to change the oil. In hindsight this was a big mistake, and one which Psion will never admit, as that will compel them to FIX IT.
If the 5mx was a car there would have been a class action lawsuit by now. As things stand, I am now actively looking to change machines before this one conks out and its value drops to zero.
*++++++++++&
Date: 6 Mar 2003 23:35:49 -0500
From: Trygve Henriksen
Subject: PocketReader
Greetings!
I received a helpful mail from Mark, the author of the PocketReader APP...
Included was the 1.41 version of the program, which worked OK on my netBook. (But not on my Geofox One)
As for cables, I'm using the Psiwin cable + Null-modem + Siemens cable.
Of course, the text recognicion capabilities of the reader can only be called 'poor' (or 'po0f' as it would most likely interpret it :-)
:-)
Trygve
BTW: Mark is a bit unhappy abut having sent out V1.41 to several people but not having gotten any feedback...
(Hopefully, none of those were on the digest...)
*++++++++++&
************************************************************************
Website : http://www.psioneering.co.uk
************************************************************************
***** 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
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6
To reply or to send your own messages,
subscribe by sending an email to
with SUBSCRIBE in the subject.