Epocdigest V1 # 313

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Epoc Digest Fri, 08 Aug 2003 Volume 01 : Number 313

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Sent to: 799 subscribers

In today's Epoc Digest 19 messages:

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- Re: Does anyone sell ready made Revo/Mako battery packs?

- Printing problem

- Answer to Rolf

- Remapping/A Word Problem

- RE holidays in France

- FastBackup, REAL alternatives to the Netbook?,

- TR: Does anyone sell ready made Revo/Mako battery packs?

- Re: Does anyone know a symple way to exchange files

- Re: PEG-UX50..., Dying OS

- Revo Battery Success

- What's Your Revo Battery Solution

- Street Planner US

- Re: Does anyone know a symple way to exchange files

- Serial connector/Exchange files

- Printing

- Differences MBook/Netbook, why I chose the MBook

- Thanks to Rolf B

- Re: Remapping

- 5mx replacement: Sony Clie PEG-UX50

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

Date: 6 Aug 2003 07:37:31 +0100

From: Michael Przondzion

Subject: Re: Does anyone sell ready made Revo/Mako battery packs?

Hi Chris!

> Does anyone sell ready made Revo/Mako battery packs?

Yes, here are two URLs therefore (in Germany):

* Maz-Psion Seite

http://www.top-geschenk.de/Psion/main.htm#Batterie-Pack

* Batteriepack Psion Revo

http://www.batteriepack.de/ (but it's currently not available)

Hope that helps!

Michael<

PS: It's maybe a little late for the Digestreader, but on eBay I sell:

PSION revo PLUS 28 MB Memory (D&G Upgrades)

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3038519644

Auction Ends on Aug-06-03 10:03:19 PDT

So hurry up! ; )

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

Date: 6 Aug 2003 08:21:31 +0100

From: "Bronwen Manby"

Subject: Printing problem

Dear EPOC people,

After upgrading computers at the office, I am having problems printing from my Psion 5mx via the PC. After the Psion goes through all the preparatory phases, printing page 1...2...3...4... the PC offers me this error message:

Microsoft Visual C++ Runtime Library

Runtime error!

C:\ProgramFiles\Psion\PsiWin\WPRNTSP.EXE

abnormal program termination

I've done a search of the digests, but couldn't find an answer to this. Can anyone help? The computer is running Windows 2000 Professional.

Bronwen

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

Date: 6 Aug 2003 10:03:20 +0100

From: martin

Subject: Answer to Rolf

Dear Rolf

>>There are too many acronyms already in the computer world to create new acronyms where none are needed. Symbian has decided to drop the EPOC name in favour of Symbian OS. EPOC Release 5 has thus been succeeded by Symbian OS 6 and Symbian OS 7. (People inside Symbian sometimes apply the name change retrospectively and talk about Symbian OS 5 rather than EPOC Release 5). Let's therefore use the Symbian OS 7 name rather than the non-existent EPOC Release 7 or ER7. After all, it's Symbian OS 7 that's mentioned in device specifications, that's mentioned in magazine reviews of these devices, etc.<<

I am perfectly aware of Symbian's naming policies. But in a forum where most people prefer to refer to EPOC, I found it more consistent to refer ER5, ER6, ER7 etc if that is the lingo. Even people inside Symbian colloquially use these. I do not have any problem at all referring them as Symbian OS v5, v6, v7 etc.

>>This doesn't say that much. There are embedded operating systems hidden in electronic goods that outsell desktop and laptop PCs. Look at the number of units shipped and you may find that Windows has never been the no.1 best selling operating system. The actual no. 1 may be an operating system you've never heard of, from a company you've never heard of either, because the devices that use it don't advertise their operating system.<<

Certainly you are right. I do not live in any illusion that my statements are proving anyting in either direction. But as a historical perspective at least it illustrates that EPOC is far from dead. That was the intention.

>>It's not the first - there have been earlier petitions. <<

Honestly I have never heard of one that came off the idea stage. Was there a colour Series 5 one? Don't think so, but on the other hand, having joined this community as late as 1998 when my company developed some software for the Workabouts, I might have missed one.

>>Besides, I wouldn't talk about *the* EPOC Community if I were you. It's questionable whether the people who signed the petition form a representative cross section of the people who use an EPOC based handheld computer.<<

Disagreed. On the contrary I think it is very helpful to talk about the EPOC or Symbian community in its various shapes and forms regardless of whether or not there is a statistical representation between petition signees and the community at large. To stop talking about something just because you cannot exactly define it, or because it is a heterogenous lot, is not helpful. The community is there regardless. And just as in any community, people have different backgrounds, jobs, views and requirements.

My simple message to the community - whatever constitutes it - stop arguing about definitions and terms and exact wordings of the petition etc etc.

The overarchinge question here is whether or not you wish Psion, any subsidiary or associate company of Psion, or any third party in partnership with Psion, to develop a Symbian OS version of the netBook Pro. Extrapolated, it is also whether or not there should be a continued existence Symbian OS devices where its more PDA type features are available.

If your answer to this question is 'No', then do not sign the petition. Otherwise sign it.

>> Some people know about the petition but haven't signed it, for one reason or other, and you're thus not talking on their behalf.<<

I am only talking on behalf of myself.

kind regards

Martin

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

Date: 6 Aug 2003 11:04:47 +0100

From: Philip S. Adkins Potter

Subject: Remapping/A Word Problem

Hi.

REMAPPING

Astrid's remapping problem can be remedied with Macro5 or Remapper (both freeware).

I have used Remapper (by Richard Reeve) which has it's own macro format but I now use Macro5 (Tools/Hotkeys/User defined) as it does much more and is easier. Macro5 actually replaces the 3 applications I used previously. But Remapper does differentiate between different *types* of pointer stroke. It's not Keyboard Mapper.

Remapper seems to have vanished but I've got a copy if anyone wants one. Macro5 is at TUCOWS (http://easynet.pda.tucows.com/epoc/preview/11606.html). It can define more than the stated 8 hotkeys. I think a lot of us use it.

There are other utilities, Neuon's shareware HotKeys leaps to mind, and all do more or less the same job. I prefer Macro5 but you might not.

A WORD PROBLEM

I used to use Word rarely. Now it sometimes saves a file but refuses to open it again saying it is "corrupt". I've deleted the .ini file on the C drive, I've defragged the CF card (where most of my files are) and I've run Check Disk but the problem remains.

Sometimes, after copying the contents onto the clipboard, I have to paste the content into 3 separate files before one is saved with no apparent corruption. I then delete the others. If I modify a Word file I have to remember to copy the content onto the clipboard as Word may save it "corrupt"ed.

Word also sometimes prints only part of a file. Obviously certain embedded objects will cause problems but this is not the problem. The files can be pure Word files with no *apparent * corruption.

Both seem only to happen in Word. For text files I use Psion's Editor which works fine. If I use it to open one of the "corrupt" files everything is apparently there. I have vastly bigger Data, Agenda, ShopCL, nOPLPlus, PDF, PRC, TR and Contacts files and none of these are apparently corrupted. Data files of over 2 MB are fine. One TR file is nearly 10 MB. But Word files of 2 KB somehow get effectively corrupted.

Can anyone help? Please!

Thanks,

Phil.

"As I interpret the President, we're now at the

end of the beginning of the upturn of the downturn."

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

Date: 6 Aug 2003 11:57:40 +0100

From: Jack

Subject: RE holidays in France

-Gianluca Gallino was asking if

<"any pay-as-you-go card which enable you to browse on the internet on a forfait basis">

-Stephan Block rightly noticed that I was inaccurate and letting believe that PAYG sim (with no contract) allows GPRS connection.

For GPRS access, one positively needs a monthly based contract AND the noted GPRS Option (6euros for 10Mo at SFR or 6 euros for 5Mo at Orange) .

With a french PAYGsim (=without any other contract) you can connect to the operator mail system; The 3 french operators (sfr, orange, Bot) offer their own mail and/or net system with access by a specific mobile phone number or WAP.

- If one want a good and PDA-friendly mobile net-connection (POP SMTP, Wap, Web, News, nICQ ...) I still recommend to subscribe to free.fr and use their mobile access # : 0155701060

As far as I know one will pay a "minimum" fare = same as any WAP or data direct operator connection.

Some third party phone "card" payment may also be usable and ... much cheaper specially when roaming; ie for Gianluca, have a look at the "iminuti Mobile" offer at :

http://www.iminuti.com/Cob/iminuti/EMinutes/Help/Avantages_Win.asp?partner=op090402 HTH

Jack

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

Date: 6 Aug 2003 16:45:10 +0100

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: FastBackup, REAL alternatives to the Netbook?,

Answer to: Alan Morris

Re.: FastBackup - Backing up with a CF card reader worked fine, but next time I tried it via Psiwin again it still did not recognise that the CF card was backed up and again started a back-up procedure of several hours. I decided to let it run it's course as I can't fiddle around with the CF card all the time either. It took about 3 hours (128 Mb card, abt. 100 Mb filled).

Answer to: Simon Wolf

Re. REAL alternatives to the Netbook? - Thanks for your message. The battery life would be a problem for me as I travel from time to time needing a few hours in the plane, on the road and at customers. I am not aware of any bugs in the EPOC OS that trouble me so that is not a factor for me. I am not sure I would like to separate the agenda from my S7, but it is an interesting thought to consider, having my agenda with me even without the S7. Now if I could easily synchronise the smaller palmtop with my S7 agenda, that would be something to consider to start it off. A few questions :

- Can you sync your palm (which one do you use ?) with your iBook ?

- Do you leave your iBook always on standbye or do you need to switch it off when for example moving around or traveling ?

Best regards,

Itamar Engelsman

London, UK

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

Date: 6 Aug 2003 17:55:41 +0100

From: koihin

Subject: TR: Does anyone sell ready made Revo/Mako battery packs?

Reply to: Christopher Gharibo

Dear Christopher, You can check out the following website and email Ruey Loon for more details.

http://www.portal-pda.com/shop.html

warm regards,

Koi Hin

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

Date: 6 Aug 2003 17:55:44 +0100

From: koihin

Subject: Re: Does anyone know a symple way to exchange files

Reply to: Alberto

Dear Alberto,

I can only list the methods I use in order of frequency:

1) IRDA - very straight forward, Psion device must have PlBeam install 2) Compact Flash memory exchange- obviously only works if your psion device has CF clot

3) FTP - It works very well, but thus far I have only done one-way transfers, that is from Psion to PC.

warm regards,

Koi Hin

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

Date: 6 Aug 2003 18:01:33 +0100

From: koihin

Subject: Re: PEG-UX50..., Dying OS

Reply to: Itamar Engelsman

Dear Itamar,

IE> I understand your remarks that the EPOC OS is not dying, but for us, the users of EPOC machines, the end will one day come of using EPOC machines...

All the more why I appreciate the efforts of the people working on this digest and its contributors who are helping to ease the transition for us, some sooner, some later. Thank you again to all.

warm regards,

Koi Hin

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

Date: 6 Aug 2003 22:08:04 +0100

From: Daniel M Siegel

Subject: Revo Battery Success

Using the diagrams online and low temp solver solder form Radio shack, i managed to replace my Revo batteries with a pair of 800mAH AAAs from Thomas Distributing. It works. I will now see if it will work for more than the few hours of the original set of batteries. If not, I may need to find a new platform. I became spoiled with the small form factor of the Mako. My 5mx and 5 are simply emergency machines and my Netbook is still my favored daily travel "notebook"

Dan

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

www.skincancer.dermdex.net

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

Date: 7 Aug 2003 06:04:52 +0100

From: Gary Y Reyes

Subject: What's Your Revo Battery Solution

>Date: 5 Aug 2003 01:57:05 +0100

>From: Edward J. Curtis, Jr. >Subject: Re: Revo Form-Factor Successor

>Ever since I got over the battery problem three = >or so years ago, I've been using the Revo daily for day-to-day tasks, =

Could you describe to us what exactly you did to solve the Revo battery problem that has now kept you a happy camper for over 3 years on the Revo?

Thanks,

Gary

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

Date: 7 Aug 2003 08:01:15 +0100

From: Rick Gillyon

Subject: Street Planner US

Hi,

Anyone know of a good street-map program for the 5mx for the Florida area? I'm stunned to discover there are no add-on maps for Street Planner of the US!

If anyone has any ideas or gifts of good software, I'd appreciate it...

Rgds,

Rick

http://www.gillyon.com/

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

Date: 7 Aug 2003 11:13:02 +0100

From: Andrew Gregory

Subject: Re: Does anyone know a symple way to exchange files

> Does anyone know a symple way to exchange files inter Psion and Windows > or Linux without using PsiWin.

I know there are other (older) software packages, but one I found recently was written in Java and works on a whole lot of different platforms:

<URL:http://website.lineone.net/~john.montgomery/psionlink/>

Linux and Windows among others!

I use it on Windows because it can connect wrunning in the background, unlike PsiWin.

Cheers,

Andrew Gregory,

<URL:http://www.scsoftware.com.au/family/andrew/>

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

Date: 7 Aug 2003 12:16:17 +0100

From: Philip Carlisle

Subject: Serial connector/Exchange files

To Alan

(Who discussed the disappearance of serial ports in laptops).

I have purchased a Belkin serial to USB converter (c. GDP 58). It works well as a Psion to PC link for PsiWin purposes. It is powered from the USB port. I do not know whether this solution would work with your laptop, but I cannot see why it shouldn't.

To Alberto

(Who asked about file transfer to Windows or Linux without PsiWin).

No doubt others may give more detail, but you will have seen one answer in Issue 312 where Alan Morris referred to having a CF card reader - copy your files to a CF card in your Psion and then take it out, place it in a CF card reader on your PC and copy. However, you will need some form of file conversion (from Psion Word to Winword and from Sheet to Excel, for example). One solution for this, not tried by me yet, but featured in postings to this site, is nConvert on your Psion. You can use this to make the conversion before sending to the CF card and onwards to your PC.

Quoting (I think) Mark Twain; I am sorry for the length of this letter, but I didn't have time to write a shorter one.

Regards

Philip Carlisle

London

PS Also sorry that I confused a 1gb CF card with a 1gb microdrive - thanks to all who, ever so gently, put me right.

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

Date: 7 Aug 2003 19:55:08 +0100

From: Andy Hayes

Subject: Printing

Hi All

I need your advice on a printing problem. I have just bought an HP1300 laser printer. I have plugged in the Psion IR adaptor and sent a print job to it from my netBook. The document from Word has a progress meter which goes from 0 - 100% and the light flashes on the IR device. Nothing comes out of the printer though. There is a Go button which you would normally press if there was a job in memory. Nothing comes out though other than a test page. I have sent the job using the HP4 driver. I have used the same driver for a previous HP4L printer, as well as an HP6L, HP1100 etc with this IR eye in the past without problem.

Is anyone on the Ir'ing to an HP1300 via a Psion IR adaptor? Any problems.

Andy Hayes

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

Date: 7 Aug 2003 21:59:02 +0100

From: Thomas F. Van der Zijden

Subject: Differences MBook/Netbook, why I chose the MBook

Hello group,

As for the question of the differences between an MBook and a Netbook, I know the following:

- the price (I bought my MBook for 514 euros, special action from Pulster.de that unfortunately for you expired)

- the MBook *cannot* load any other OS than the one it came with

- guarantee *might* be a problem. Some Mbooks lack the Netbooksticker above the 6 and 7 keys. However, mine has it and Pulster says he delivers it with 2 years of guarantee.

As for the software part: the MBook OS comes with Opera 3.62, nFTP and support for (wireless) Ethernet cards, so it seems to be the latest OS.

I invested in a new MBook. Why did I invest in a "dead" OS and PDA?

- The keyboard is still The Best There Is, even when you compare it with a laptop.

- Battery life is excellent

- It has instant-on. If I take a mini-laptop as my agenda, I need instant-on. I read the message that says that an I-book can have instant-on (if left on stand-by), but I have seen an I-book in action: it can crash when you do not switch it completely off for a long time. If this crash happens when you need to check your agenda in front of a colleague, you are embarrased.

- I liked the fact that all my 5mx stuff works. I have invested much time and money in the creation of a very good working system, I'd rather not loose that.

- The price. Who on earth thought that you can say that from a Netbook (in my opinion very clearly priced for industry, not for the consumer)? Now with the Malaybook it is even cheaper than many Win CE machines and some Palms!

The recent availability of well-priced MBooks, together with the advantages it always had, make it suddenly again a very desirable machine. It is worth it to reconsider EPOC, even while release 5 comes from the ancient year 1999!

Yours truly,

Thomas van der Zijden

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

Date: 7 Aug 2003 22:16:14 +0100

From: Chris S Handley

Subject: Thanks to Rolf B

I just wanted to thank Rolf Brunsting for his comprehensive (if not concise) refutations of the opinions (posted as facts) about Symbian OS being doomed by WinCE.

While I might have been able to refute some of the claims, I certainly didn't have the knowledge (or time:) to refuse them all. Since I haven't posted anything (else), I just wanted it to be clear I appreciate Rolf's efforts. I'm sure many other digest members feel the same. :-)

P.S. If I was of a paranoid disposition, I would wonder if the timing of these "Symbian OS is a dead end" posts were not coincidental, but an active attempt to kill the Netbook Pro petition (who's main commercial motivating force is that Symbian OS will be on many mobile phones).

Regards,

Chris Handley

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

Date: 8 Aug 2003 02:41:00 +0100

From: Astrid Stappenbeck

Subject: Re: Remapping

Hi,

just to clarify

Phil writes in this digest (so he told me):

> Astrid's remapping problem can be remedied with Macro5 or Remapper (both freeware). <

It can't!

Macro5 and Remapper can only launch an application and bring it to the foreground. You cannot switch between open files of the app.

Phil mentions other utilities e.g. HotKeys. Can any user report wether this app allows a FULL remap to left-side silks?

Cheers.

Astrid

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

Date: 8 Aug 2003 04:45:01 +0100

From: Larry De Coste

Subject: 5mx replacement: Sony Clie PEG-UX50

For Itamar & Mike,

I just bit the bullet and ordered the UX50 (as a birthday... and Christmas present, US$749 from Sonystyle.com) as a replacement for the 5mx I bought in June 2001 and handled with kid gloves since then... successfully but how much more time will I have before the dreaded screen wreak. The 3C I gave to my brother-in-law after buying the 5mx has finally sucumbed.

The clincher for me was the fact that InfoSelect 2.0 for Palm will run on it. I use my 5mx to track the 3,650 student data records in the school district I work for. Now I'll be able to run the file natively not having to export as a .csv file.

Delivery is not expected until Sept. 20, 2003. I report back then. Just how useful the keyboard at 4 1/8 inches wide is is a question.