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Epoc Digest Fri, 21 Mar 2003 Volume 01 : Number 207
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Sent to: 759 subscribers
In today's Epoc Digest 17 messages:
==============================
- Reply to Rolf re MP3
- Virus
- 5MX-screen backlight
- Re: The Screencable Problem
- Re: Screen cable
- Re: Spammers
- Re: Netbook/Malaybook wireless
- Storage capacities on CF cards.
- Search within Data
- Re: mbm view yet again
- Back from the depths
- Re: Mako Sale
- Re: No email addresses
- The visual differences between an S7 and a Netbook
- intelligent life forms, Sooner or later, Second hand Series 7, Email app BCC,
- Re: Malaybook
- Malaybook
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Mar 2003 20:08:46 +0100
From: Will Green
Subject: Reply to Rolf re MP3
Dear Rolf,
You wrote;
"I doubt it. Palmtop Magazine was correct to mention that you couldn't play MP3 files when issue 34 was released because there was no application capable of handling them at that time."
Palmtop were implying the reason you couldn't play MP3's on a Psion is because of the hardware limitations, nothing to do with the availability of an application, thus writing software to play MP3's was impossible.
Then this jolly fine fellow did just that, thats why they had egg on their face, and thats was my point.
Cheers,
Will.
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Mar 2003 20:08:53 +0100
From: Will Green
Subject: Virus
Dear All,
I've never knowingly had a virus before, but recently a virus seems to have destroyed both my hard discs and all my data (no sermons about anti-virus software and backups please, I know I've been foolish).
The virus first attacked my disc with the OS on, making the disc unbootable even after formatting and fdisk/mbr ing.
I thought it must be a hard disc failure, so I got a new one.
I fitted the new one and could still see my second 'backup disc' ( I keep all my data on this one), however file names and folders started to change and get scrambled, file creation dates changed to 1st Jan 1601, until nothing was accessible anymore.
In the end (although the bios could detect its presence) the disc would not register, by this I mean the new disc would boot but the bios reported the slave disc was faulty.
I realise this is off topic, but the purpose of this email is I suspect this virus was from the mysterious Thomas Zildbegh (I can't remember his exact name, but if I ever meet him I will take great pleasure in raming his teeth down his throat) that has been emailing Psion digestives and I would like to warn fellow Psion users to take protective steps.
I also ask your help in any ideas for recovering my data from this drive, as I say, the PC will not allow the system to boot at the moment with the disc in place, how do I get it to?
Once I've booted up with Windows and can see the second disc I can get my newly acquired anti virus to sort it out, hopefully.
Now I better shut this stable door. I wonder where the horse has gone?
Cheers,
Will.
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Mar 2003 20:56:05 +0100
From: MartinYirrell
Subject: 5MX-screen backlight
I wonder if anyone has had the experience of the backlight _sometimes_ coming on when the Psion is switched on. Any pointers to why?
Martin Yirrell
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Mar 2003 21:27:59 +0100
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: The Screencable Problem
Dear Korbinian,
<< My biggest nightmare is of course not getting any more screencables >>
One of the side effects of a discussion like this is that it's anxiety inducing. We read about failing screen cables, how long (or short) they last and start to think about the possible fate of the screen cable of our own Psion. But we don't think about the possible fate of components inside the other equipment we own - washing machine, camera, stereo amplifier, etc. These can also fail and fail at a time when the device in question has already been taken out of production (quite some time ago). And we can find that the component we need to get the device repaired may not be available anymore. However, we don't have nightmares about them as our mind isn't focussed on them.
<< But thats not all, you have to pay every time about 85€ to have this problem repaired >>
Well ... how much does it cost you to get somebody to repair (say) your dishwasher? Look at the repair bill and you'll find that you pay about €85.= for call-out and labour.
<< I don't believe it's because of the production procedure. >>
I'm much more inclined to say that the holes have something to do with an automated or semi-automated step in the production process requiring fixation and/or positioning of the cable.
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Mar 2003 21:28:01 +0100
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Screen cable
Dear Vlad,
<< Although I would say that it has occasionally taken on the style of a legal dispute rather than technical controversy... >>
There's a legal aspect to it as the law defines the obligations a manufacturer has. I therefore needed to know what the law said in the countries where we're represented as I had to give the final judgement, for example, whether a particular case would be covered by warranty or not.
<< I also wondered ... and whether it is a mere accident that all fractures I have seen or heard of occured there >>
It's a pity that the digest isn't a Psion repair shop as we'd be able to see what breaks where. We'd also be able to see the state of the Psions that are turned in for repair. I think this will be sobering experience for some as the inside of a Psion can reveal how badly Psions are treated sometimes.
<< What sort of data can be used to research whether the screen cable is flawed in design and/or material? >>
You can take a number of Psions and put them on a test rig that opens and closes them in a continuous cycle until the screen cable fails. The number of times the Psions are opened/closed is then compared with the expected number of daily open/close cycles of the average or typical user.
Another method is to take a random sample of 1,000 Psion users, asking them for such information as the serial number of their Series 5(mx), date of purchase, whether the 5(mx) had to be repaired, what the repair(s) was/were, when the repair had to be performed, whether the repair was due to accident damage, how they judge themselves to treat their 5(mx)s, where they're from, etc, etc. This allows you to build a statistical picture of how the 5(mx) fares in the hands of the user. It also allows you to come with a fairly accurate estimate of the MTBF of certain parts. You can also determine what we call the MTBCF = Mean Time Between Customer Foolishness.
<< What would be a workable approximation (you gave a partial answer a while ago) >>
Reason why I didn't give a full answer is because there are a few things I simply don't know or am not sure about. I've got MTBF figures for the flex-cables we use, for example, but they're for a different type application than the one in a 5(mx).
<< In case it can be demonstrated it very probably or even certainly is, whether the producer could have reasonably foreseen and avoided it? >>
We can't answer this one as we'd have to talk with the people who designed the Series 5(mx). You always have to make a few assumptions when you design a device. These assumption can be well judged and perfectly reasonable to make but don't always correspond with the way people use your device.
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Mar 2003 21:28:04 +0100
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Spammers
Dear Antony,
<< The benefit of using the utility I wrote is that the hex conversion can be run on the already converted hex over and over again. This scrambles it completely ... >>
You're using a simple substitution code that doesn't become more difficult to decode when you repeat the coding routine. An "m" becomes %6D which becomes %25%36%44. You only have to collect a number of encoded e-mail addresses, play with the length of the code fragment plus a character frequency table to determine that the %25%36%44 fragment represents an "m".
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Mar 2003 21:50:47 +0100
From: gordont
(Terry Gordon)
Subject: Re: Netbook/Malaybook wireless
Gents/ladies, I just got a Malaybook (superb) and was wondering how to use the Cisco wireless airnet 340 card form my Macintosh Powerbook in the netbook. Looked all over for drivers with no success. Any hints on where I can get drivers and settings? TIA. TG
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Mar 2003 21:59:55 +0100
From: "Stephane Sage"
Subject: Storage capacities on CF cards.
Hello to all
To Rolf B: are they not any access time limits to the fact of filling yr CF card up to the brim ? (like on a PC hard disk, where you have to keep at least 10% or more free space for the operating system to execute itself, plus the fact that the OS will spend more time looking for data ?
Best regards.
Stephane (Grenoble, France).
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Mar 2003 22:12:27 +0100
From: "Stephane Sage"
Subject: Search within Data
Thanks, Ashley, for yr suggestion !
I do know that it is possible to exhibit and view one's various records after sorting them by up to 3 criteria, but my wish is to extract from the base only the records which meet with what I am looking for "inside" the label (criterium)...
Thanks all the same.
Stephane Sage (Grenoble, France).
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Mar 2003 22:21:07 +0100
From: "John Goss"
Subject: Re: mbm view yet again
> like it or not, mbm view reg codes (not mine) can be googled > (i did check) & probably kazaa'd & gnutella'd too. nae man
> can tether time nor tide, i wrote, with a heavy heart.
Well damn, I didn't believe you and so I checked.
Found a site that has loads of Psion app serials, and somewhat more of a surprise, a serial code for my very own "BlackJack 5"!
Hmm..
*++++++++++&
Date: 21 Mar 2003 07:46:38 +0100
From: AndyH
Subject: Back from the depths
Hi All
My company uses M$ Exchange server for email. There are a string of them up and down the country in our organisation. The system went wrong and I haven't seen the digest for ages, so I may have a reasonable amount to say!
I sold the 3mx to one of the list and he seemed happy with the deal. I now have the next item to sell. It is a Diamond Mako. It has lived most of its life in a safe, coming out for an occasional game of Cascade and to be charged up. Needless to say it is pristine condition and includes the following: original packaging, UK power supply, the US version being disposed of, CD, instruction manual and the original leaflets that came with it. It has never shown any sign of battery failure. The price is £70 delivered to a UK address by Special Delivery.
I also have the following software for the Psion 3 Series computers only. Data Deluxe SSD & box and manual (used). Personal Accounts & Expenses, and all packaging and manual (sealed unused SSD). PsiMail Internet floppy disk and original packaging and manual (unused). Symantec Act SSD/Floppy, all packaging and manual (sealed unused SSD). All £6.50 each to include Recorded Delivery to any UK address.
Whether the following will be of any use to anyone on the list I am not sure. Sometimes phone shops offer up to £50 trade in on old phones complete with charger and packaging. This is especially true on more expensive phones (P800 for instance). I have a Motorola M3588 phone which I bought to get a cheap sim. The phone itself is fairly awful, no irda, modem etc. It runs for a few hours and then cuts out, but it might be worth having as somethiing to trade in instead of the decent phone that you already own. £15 to include postage to any UK address.
Thanks for all of the suggestions on the use of the LOOKUP function. I will look at what has been suggested by the brains of the list and see if it will work for what i want to achieve. I will report back.
Andy Hayes
*++++++++++&
Date: 21 Mar 2003 09:04:30 +0100
From: "Andy Hayes"
Subject: Re: Mako Sale
Hi All In a moment of alzheimers I may have forgotten to put that the docking station is included with the Mako that I am selling. It is the standard one. Can't look on the netBook to check what I said as it is at home!
Thanks Andy Hayes
*++++++++++&
Date: 21 Mar 2003 10:43:41 +0100
From: Owen Morgan
Subject: Re: No email addresses
Howdy!
Itamar Engelsman wrote (> ):
> Re. Email addresses in general - I just wonder.
> The digest is sent by email to the subscribers
> only, and upon sending it enters the email address
> of the subscribers only. How would a potential
> spammer get hold of the digest this way ?
The way I understood it from the message last week, the digest was being placed on the web with intact e-mail addresses. As long as ALL e-mail addresses (those in the body of an e-mail too) are removed from the web archive (or altered), there should be no danger as long as the members don't post messages from the digest on the web or in Usenet newsgroups with intact e-mail addresses.
> Is it
> possible to scan other peoples mailboxes or to
> intercept emails on the way?
There have been some security problems with web based e-mail services like Hotmail etc., but generally, e-mail is relatively secure. It's not impossible to hack into e-mail servers, but I doubt if anyone would go to the trouble just to harvest e-mail addresses.
BTW, someone said that they're not worried about using their e-mail address on the web because the spammers normally use those CD archives of e-mail addresses that can be bought. Well, where do you think the e-mail addresses on the CD's came from?
Owen
Thought for the day:
A hospital is no place to be sick.
--
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: 21 Mar 2003 12:20:11 +0100
From: Antony
Subject: The visual differences between an S7 and a Netbook
I am considering replacing my S5 with a Netbook (not that my trusty S5 is going anywhere, EVER) by purchasing a second hand model from e-bay, as I want one that has EPOC (Symbian OS) on and am not going to wait for them to become a prized and rare gem when the new ones are Microshafted..err..have a MicroSoft OS installed and patched and reinstalled and service packed and reinstalled... I digress.
I understand there are Series 7's badged as Netbooks, but a Netbook has more internal memory, a more powerful processor at a faster clock speed and possibly other features. As a purchase on e-bay is remote, the only way I can best determine the true specification of the machine is by looking at the pictures (Assuming the picture is that of the machine for sale).
My question is: Is there something specific to look for that will be a tell-tale sign that it is actually a Netbook and not an S7?
Please note: I am not being defamatory towards Series 7's; I simply want to get what I pay for.
Many thanks in advance,
Antony Booth
Political Note: Psion made their biggest mistake ever by abandoning the PDA market, when they could dominate it by simply making colour screen versions of their existing models (Revo, 5mx). I know. I use an HP Jordana at work and I hate the blue screening piece of crap with a passion. As you might guess. I'll buy EPOC 'til the bitter end.
*++++++++++&
Date: 21 Mar 2003 13:13:31 +0100
From: Itamar Engelsman
Subject: intelligent life forms, Sooner or later, Second hand Series 7, Email app BCC,
Answer to: Saj Jumaani
Re.: intelligent life forms - God could have created robots to walk around in the world and follow His commands, but what would it have established but for a kind of Sim City ? Together with intelligent life comes the free will to choose between good and bad and sofar we have made quite a mess of that choice. Just think of how many people died in the last 100 years through 2 world wars, femine and tirans like Idi Amin and the likes. If only all this intelligence would have been channeled into positive energy, it could have been so much better. But with intelligence also comes the will to rule over other people, to be better and more powerful, resulting in wars, terrorism, cruelty, etc. Only when the free world will stand up for it's rights and others to live free lives without oppression, terrorism and pitty wars will there be a chance for improvement of the world. That is why this war was unavoidable.
[PS. Although the current situation is not an EPOC matter, I thought that we can be lenient and allow subscribers to voice their opinions to their EPOC friends. Let us know if you don't agree]
Answer to: John Wetton
Re. Sooner or later - Persoanlly I agree with your assessment (and voiced it already several times in here). For me one of the decisive factors would be that it has to work with a GPS and Route/Streetplanner or comparible program in the car. It is a great help when on the road in different countries and cities, and the internal car systems are tremendously more expensive and less versatile. A good email program is second, word and sheet third, o yes .... and a keyboard <BG>.
Answer to: Julie Wills
Re. Second hand Series 7 - Do I remember the flaky S5 ? Sure i do, I even remember my S3a, which in the end was a great machine in it's time. I used ReadCIS with Compuserve connection, who had heard of a free ISP ? Sure, I understand your reasoning, the S7 is big. I decided anyhow I did not want to walk around with a computer everywhere, just like I can easily leave my mobile phone at home as well when I go to the movies or theatre. Release the pressures of life and leave it at home from time to time, they'll reach me later or tomorrow as well !
Answer to: Mark DEPPE
Re. Email app BCC - Well, you have just hit yet another bug in the EPOC software. It is indeed a problem of the email program. The BCC function does work but with very few ISP's. We found this when testing for the sending of this digest. Rolf Vonau and I use Compuserve which works and the others use other ISP's. You'll have to find the ISP that will work with the email program in your country, difficult to know which one. In which country are you ?
Best regards,
Itamar Engelsman
London, UK
*++++++++++&
Date: 21 Mar 2003 14:33:59 +0100
From: Daniele Squarci
Subject: Re: Malaybook
>> I have just received my Malaybook..... I tried an actiontec wireless card but it won't work. Anyone know of any scources? I haven't been able to get a list of compatable cards - the psion site is a nightmare. <<
Dear Jon,
If you follow the links on the www.hasbrouck.org/netbook page, one of them has a complete listing of the compatible WLAN cards. But I haven't been able to find any of them in the shops yet - I think we'll have to get thrm via eBay.
Ciao
Daniele Squarci
*++++++++++&
Date: 21 Mar 2003 20:46:04 +0100
From: "Jon Welford"
Subject: Malaybook
Hi,
Can anyone tell me if I can use the 16Mb Dimm from my S7 in the Netbook?
Is there a trick to Streetplanner? I reinstalled it and the upgrade maps
and found areas not covered so I added counties from street 99 and it
updated the database and crashed reason no 3. Why is it so convoluted or
Is it me?
By the way I got 'done' by the customs so not such a bargain get the
foxpop ones if any left! Only £30 more.
Cheers Jon Welford
*++++++++++&
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