Epocdigest V1 # 409

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Epoc Digest Thu, 25 Dec 2003 Volume 01 : Number 409

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Sent to: 797 subscribers

In today's Epoc Digest 16 messages:

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- Update & Re:Maylay Book Web

- Re : Epocsync ; nConvert & Html; MnB Web

- Epoc Digest V1 # 408 (28)

- Ref: The MBook's notorious screen cable problem ?

- Psion Emulator

- Weeknumber in Agenda, MNetBook, Psion Computer Journal, two copiesof each image

- Re: Sony CliéUX50

- Re: netpad infos

- Re: Update re a hardened Psion users migration to the world of PocketPC

- Re: Antony Pocket Pc

- Re: PDF files

- Re: Backwards compatibility

- Re: Progress

- Re: Data to Contacts, REM and quoting

- Re: Psion IR Travel Modem

- Re: Yet another card format :o(

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

Date: 24 Dec 2003 22:57:56 -0500

From: Jim Watson-Gove

Subject: Update & Re:Maylay Book Web

Jack,

<<(M)nB Web differs from mx one

I can mail it on on request

Jack>>

Please do - I will play around a bit with Opera, but expect to settle on Web (this was my experience with my 5mx - web took less space was faster and seemed more stable than Opera on eitehr the 5mx or the Mako).

Update: I went to buy the US to European adapter at Radio Shack. I took along a UK power unit to make sure the plug would match with the socket. Good thing I did, the socket on the RS unit accepts round pins. The pins on the UK power supply are square. No match. I could solder them together for a Mickey Mouse modification but returned home instead and ordered a US unit from Psion.

It has to come from England so set aside the MBook as the battery indicator is down to 50%.

I am coming up with three UK power supplies that are surplus (I will keep one for a projected trip to Scotland and England). Anyone on the list need one?

Will let them go (still in wrapper) for 1/3 list plus postage. Contact me off list if interested.

I guess I could get some 1:2 ratio transformers and do a soap on a rope number, but it would be ugly.

jim - port townsend

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

Date: 25 Dec 2003 02:33:56 -0500

From: Jack

Subject: Re : Epocsync ; nConvert & Html; MnB Web

To Owen :

>>>don't like is the fact that when the sync process has been successfully completed, EpocSync simply exits on both machines. A dialog box, maybe with some statistics would have been useful.<<<

Activate the C:/ logfile.txt option via Preference/MORE/Upper slot

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To all who, like me, can't have n(on)Convert converting to and from .html files.

This might be caused by (M)nBock not having the required Web installed.

---

A good reason for installing the nB specific Web Jim asked for.

A psionic Y2K+4 to all

Jack

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

Date: 25 Dec 2003 10:40:27 -0500

From: Tony Lough

Subject: Epoc Digest V1 # 408 (28)

Message text written by Epoc Digest

>It's also possible to run EpocSync over cable instead of using IR. I don't

know whether this solves the problem, but I believe it is an IR issue so it

probably does. What you need is either a special "nullmodem" cable with

connectors for your Psions at the ends or your original PsiWin cables with

a nullmodem adapter between them. I'm sure someone will but in with an

explanation or a link for how to knit your own. This also has the advantage

of being able to place the machines side by side so you can see the screens

on both machines.<

I had such a cable made up by Chris Archer -

www.psionleads.freeserve.co.uk - but have not been able to get the

arrangement to work so far, anybody any thoughts?

< If you want to have them side by side when using IR, you can place a

mirror or a sheet of white paper vertically behind the machines. (If using

a 5mx and a Revo/Mako, place the Revo to the left an 5ive to the right to

get the Ir ports as close as possible.)<

In my case this works between Revo & 5MX but not with my malayBook, again,

does anyone have a different experience?

Tony Lough

Southport

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

Date: 25 Dec 2003 10:43:21 -0500

From: Thomas F. VAN DER ZIJDEN

Subject: Ref: The MBook's notorious screen cable problem ?

Answer to : Chris Handley,

Ehmmm... glup... did I miss something ? I did not know that the screen cable on the Netbook was also a notorious problem-giver. Could you give more info on this ?

On the subject of guarantee : this was one of the reasons why I bought my Mbook at Pulster, because he provides the machine with 2 years of guarantee. The second advantage was that his shop is in the European Union.

By the way : I just sent of my 5mx to Psion to have it repaired under the Dutch Dixons prolongued guarantee. It arrived in perfect condition, but Dixons Rotterdam has asked me to pay the euros in advance, because the shop does not have a credit card. I have not received back this money.

Now, I did not object to this solution as it seems that the shops of the Vendex Group all do this with Psion products ("thanks to" Psions new repair policy that needs a credit card). I *am* getting a little nervous, however.

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

Date: 25 Dec 2003 16:38:32 -0500

From: "Nicole Carbonara"

Subject: Psion Emulator

To: Euan Mee

>> The emulator is part of the Software Developer Kit (or SDK) for Epoc.

Go to the OplSDK page on the Symbian/Epoc Wiki

http://html.dnsalias.net:1122/OplSDK

It gives the latest known download URL, as well as hints and tips on setting up the emulator on your PC. <<

Thank you very much.

Nicole

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

Date: 25 Dec 2003 21:02:41 -0500

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: Weeknumber in Agenda, MNetBook, Psion Computer Journal, two copiesof each image

Answer to: Andrew Gregory

Re.: Weeknumber in Agenda - Thanks for that one, it works <G> !

Answer to: Chris S Handley

Re. MNetBook - Psion have guaranteed repair facilities until the end of 2004. What is this Personality Module about ?

Answer to: Mike Dyer

Re. Psion Computer Journal - Glad it is out now and at least he is an honest guy. As to the Palmtop Magazine, maybe Steve Lichfield could inform us what the future plans are for this magazine now that several people in this digest said that they are dissatisfied with the contents (and not only the lack of EPOC contents) ?

Answer to: Owen H. Morgan

Re. two copies of each image - The Nikon D2h for the price of abt. 2,600.- pound sterling (abt. 3,700.- Euro's) <BG>

Best regards,

Itamar Engelsman

London, UK

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

Date: 25 Dec 2003 21:34:16 -0500

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: Sony CliéUX50

Dear Jim,

<< The thing that finally killed it for me and drove me back to EPOC is the slowness of the processor. I had about 400 of my 1200 files moved over, and when I would access WordSmith (on the Dana or the Treo) it would take as much as a minute sorting files before my Word file queue would come up >>

Note that the AlphaSmart Dana as well as the Handspring Treo 90 are PalmOS 3.x or 4.x devices and are therefore using the old Motorola Dragonball processor. Later PalmOS 5.x models all use faster ARM based processors, the Palm Tungsten T3 even a 400 MHz Intel XScale. The Sony Clié UX50 has a processor of Sony's own design. Please find below what US magazine Pen Computing writes about it.

[Quote from Pen Computing Volume 10 Issue 50]

The new product features a breakthrough processor design, made by Sony in the same fab that makes the PlayStation 2 processors. They're calling it the Handheld Engine (CXD2230GA). At its core is an ARM926 optimised to step its power usage depending on system demand, stepping way down to display an organiser screen, while ramping up for MP3 and Video, via what Sony calls Dynamic Voltage and Frequency management. Its five hour expected video performance - at 30 frames per second - enables one to watch two full length movies on the device with the snap-on extended battery. The new chip also integrates a 2D graphics engine, digital camera, and nearly all of the I/O controls into a single chip, making the UX50's small size and impressive power possible

[Unquote]

Pen Computing also mentions that Sony will release a Clié UX40 which won't have WiFi wireless ethernet but is otherwise identical to the UX50.

<< When the price paid for the UX-50 is compared to the price tag on the Treo ($150.00) I would expect a lot of the problems to be gone >>

Dream on - the UX40 costs US$ 600.= and the UX50 US$ 700.= according Pen Computing.

Sony has at least taken care of low battery conditions.

[Quote from Pen Computing Volume 10 Issue 50]

Also built in the new device is Automatic Data Protection. When the battery drains to a certain level, all data is copied from the volatile 16 MByte RAM to a non-volatile 16 MByte set aside for the purpose.

[Unquote]

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

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

Date: 25 Dec 2003 21:34:29 -0500

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: netpad infos

Dear Christoph,

<< next time you favourite soccer team loses, you can take your netpad and through it against the wall, no problem at all, IP67 >>

Ingress protection (IP) ratings are developed by the European Committee for Electrotechnical Standardisation (CENELEC) to specify the environmental protection an enclosure provides.

First IP Number - Protection against solid objects:

0 - No protection

1 - Protection against solid objects up to 50 mm e.g accidental touch by hands

2 - Protection against solid objects up to 12 mm e.g fingers

3 - Protection against solid objects over 2.5 mm (tools and wires)

4 - Protection against solid objects over 1 mm (tools, wires and small wires)

5 - Protection against dust limited ingress (no harmful deposits)

6 - Totally protected against dust

Second IP Number - Protection against liquids:

0 - No protection

1 - Protected against vertical falling drops of water e.g. condensation

2 - Protected against direct sprays of water up to 15 deg. from the vertical

3 - Protected against direct sprays of water up to 60 deg. from the vertical

4 - Protected against water sprayed from all directions - limited ingress permitted

5 - Protected against low pressure jets of water sprayed from all directions - limited ingress permitted

6 - Protected against low pressure jets of water, e.g for use on ship decs - limited ingress permitted

7 - Protected against the effects of immersion between 15 cm and 1 m

8 - Protected against long periods of immersion under pressure

Third IP Number - Protection against mechanical impacts (commonly omitted)

0 - No protection

1 - Protects against impact of 0.225 joule e.g. a 150 g weight falling from a 15 cm height

2 - Protects against impact of 0.375 joule e.g. a 250 g weight falling from a 15 cm height

3 - Protects against impact of 0.5 joule e.g. a 250 g weight falling from a 20 cm height

4 - Protects against impact of 2.0 joule e.g. a 500 g weight falling from a 40 cm height

5 - Protects against impact of 6.0 joule e.g. a 1.5 kg weight falling from a 40 cm height

6 - Protects against impact of 20.0 joule e.g. a 5 kg weight falling from a 40 cm height

For more detailed information, see European standard IEC/EN60529

In other words, IP67 says that the netBook is dust proof and can withstand being submerged in the bath or in shallow waters. It doesn't say anything about the sturdiness of a netBook, nor whether it will survive intact after having been thrown against a wall. Sell a netBook as such on the basis of its IP67 rating and you can run into difficulties. When the netBook doesn't survive intact the purchaser has a valid claim against you.

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

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

Date: 25 Dec 2003 21:34:40 -0500

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: Update re a hardened Psion users migration to the world of PocketPC

Dear Antony,

<< ... To those that are not interested... you *do* know that one day you will be using a PocketPC don't you? Like it or not, it will happen ... >>

When I'm going to replace my Psions it will be by another device that has an integral keyboard of a decent size as well as a screen of a decent size. Not by a keyboardless small screened iPAQ, nor by an iPAQ in combination with one of those folding keyboards. I've used these keyboards, and some are of good quality, but I came to the conclusion that I very much prefer a single unit.

I understand that the only Windows CE (or Windows whatever it's called today) device that fits is the NEC MobilePro 900. However, I've tried out a number of Windows CE devices right up to the HP Jornada 720 and found them wanting in a number of respects. I've tried a number of PalmOS devices as well and found PalmOS even less suitable as the vehicle for my activities. Also in its latest 5.x form, though I'm open minded and will see what PalmOS 6 will bring.

The one device that comes closest to my requirements is the Symbian OS 6 based Nokia 9210i Communicator. It, unfortunately, has its Achilles' Heel - a rather restrictive amount of execution memory. As I know that this will drive me mad, I'll wait and see what Nokia comes up with in another version of the Communicator. I own more than one Psion and therefore have the time to see whether and when Nokia fixes this deficiency.

When that's not the case, it means that I'm going to leave the handheld computer market when, for whatever reason, I can no longer use my Psions. Their replacements will then be the combination of a smartphone and a small notebook. If I had to choose now, it would be a SonyEricsson P900 plus a 12" Apple Powerbook.

Doesn't mean that I'm not interested to read how other people are doing when they change from a Psion to a Windows CE or PalmOS device. And it's nice to see that the iPAQ 4150 suits you. Much to your own surprise as it seems. Still, I'm going to take your "one day you will be using a PocketPC" with a bit more than a pinch of salt - how about a kilo of salt. It reminds me of people who suddenly quit smoking or who suddenly embraced religion - they're the most evangelical.

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

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

Date: 25 Dec 2003 21:34:50 -0500

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: Antony Pocket Pc

Dear Scott,

<< ... But I am a man of faith, If Psion cannot get off their backside, maybe they could use a little jolt in the backside? I wish like hell I was in the UK...this would be a No Brainer, Psion are you reading this , or are you scanning your resumes for future work? >>

That you're a man of faith is clear, given that you sign off with the words "God Bless". You don't have to do that, as far as I'm concerned, as I'm an agnostic. Still, it's an indication of your approach towards Psion and Psion equipment - it has a religious element to it. One that explains why you'd like to give some Psion employees "a little jolt in the backside".

Well ... you don't have to live in the UK in order to do that. Transatlantic air fares are quite low at this moment and flying from Texas to London won't cost the earth. I can give you a list of good and inexpensive London hotels as I've travelled to London for business that many times that I've lost count. One address I can give you right now. The address where you can find the Psion employees whose backside apparently need a little jolt.

Psion Plc.

1 Red Place

London W1Y 3RE

I trust you'd like to visit some of London's landmarks as well as do some shopping while you're there. You can, actually, do some 'jolting' during your shopping as you'll find Red Place off one of London's main shopping arteries - Oxford Street. Take the tube (London's underground railway system) to Marble Arch station - walk into Oxford Street - take the first right (Park Street) - the first left (North Row) - and the first right and you're in Red Place.

You won't find many people who's backsides can be jolted. The division that made the Series 5mx, Revo and Series 7 has been closed down. Those who worked for it won't be scanning their CVs as they were handed their redundancy notices two years ago. Given their skills I trust all them have found a new employer already. The chances that your Series 5mx will be improved are therefore nil. The people you will meet at 1 Red Place are Psion's management. They will be able to explain to you why Psion's handheld computer division was closed down. Illustrating that it takes more than faith to sell a Series 5mx, or a successor, in a market that's no longer that much interested in it. When it takes (say) 500,000 units to break even, while there are only 250,000 buyers, it's a "No Brainer" to stop developing, manufacturing and selling them.

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

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

Date: 25 Dec 2003 21:35:00 -0500

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: PDF files

Dear David,

<< Besides PDF+ (or 'PDF' in unregistered mode) what *other* programs are there to read PDF files on an EPOC machine? I'm not aware of any others!? >>

You can also use the Java version of Adobe's own PDF Reader. You'll need to have Psion's EPOC Runtime for Java installed on your device, though.

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

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

Date: 25 Dec 2003 21:35:08 -0500

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: Backwards compatibility

Dear Itamar,

<< However, as a "user" I don't really care about how Microsoft succeeded implementing a (partial) backward compatibillity >>

I don't find it strange that the general consumer says "I don't want to know how you do it, I only want to see that you do it". Trouble is, it implies that the general consumer prefers not to know what (s)he's actually asking the manufacturer to do. The consumer can therefore ask for the impossible. He or she can ask for something that's in direct conflict with other things (s)he wants to have as well. What (s)he wants can have a number of unwanted side effects. The "I don't want to know..." remark is also what I'd call a 'blank cheque' question. The manufacturer is free to implement the feature as it sees fit without having to pay too much attention to costs. And when the feature is there, it will inevitably lead to such comments as "But that's not the way I wanted it!!" or "No way am I going to pay that much for it!!".

Every feature costs, including backwards compatibility. As the proverb says "There aint no such thing as a free lunch.". You're therefore paying for Microsoft's backwards compatibility. Not only in pounds and pence - the whole test regime is bloody expensive - but also in other respects. Backwards compatibility is a major contributor to what Microsoft's desktop operating systems have long been accused of. That of being bloated, inefficient, unreliable and unstable. By asking for backwards compatibility you're also tying developer's hands. Much better solutions offering real gains have to be dropped because they break backwards compatibility. Backwards compatibility can therefore be a short-term gain only. I'm sure that we could have had a much better PC had Microsoft and Intel been allowed to put the hardware and software of the PC on a new footing after the 486 PC.

<< The disadvantage is that backward compatibility can create loyalty of existing users being able to move their softward from one to the other. Without it the choice of a new machine becomes an open matter and Psion might have lost out on that one >>

Itamar, it's a given that you're going to loose customers when a product is replaced by a new one because it's always going to be the wrong product for a section of your customer base. The product does too little, does too much, is too large or too small, has the wrong features, etc, etc.

You're also writing about backwards compatibility in the sense that it's something added to the Series 5, everything else staying the same. As I said before, allowing a Series 5 to run Series 3 applications means recreating a Series 3c in software. That's not a simple nor an inexpensive job. Question therefore is, what are you willing to give up in order to run Series 3 applications on a Series 5? Like giving up the sticker price of the Series 5 and accepting that you have to pay significantly more for it. Or giving up that PsiWin and Message Suite are included so that they become optional extras you have to pay for (as they were before). Now, you may have been willing to accept either of them. Trouble is, the market (including the customer base) wants to have a Series 5 with a minimum feature set of 'X' at a maximum price of 'Y'. Go against either 'X' or 'Y' and there's a high chance that the Series 5 will be a commercial failure.

That's the basic problem with "I don't want to know how you do it, I only want to see that you do it". By not being interested in the "how" the general consumer doesn't give the manufacturer any guidance. Nor does it prepare the consumer for the possible consequences if his/her request.

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

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

Date: 25 Dec 2003 21:35:20 -0500

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: Progress

Dear Owen,

<< Or somebody like me who's never seen the point in having an MP3 player that only had room for a very small amount of music >>

Or somebody like me who doesn't see any point in having an MP3 player. Whether it's in the form of a dedicated MP3 player or a PDA with MP3 functionality. MP3 is only fit for the spoken word as far as I'm concerned as It can only get its small file sizes by throwing data away. Use MP3 to squeeze a CD recording into a smaller format and you're going to loose valuable musical information. Compress lightly and you lose the musical differences that distinguish a Bösendorfer from a Yamaha grand piano. Compress more and you can no longer hear that you're listening to a grand piano - it becomes 'a' piano. Compress even more and the piano turns into one of those inexpensive Casio keyboards. You also loose the sharp attack and the mellow roll. It simply becomes the ping ping ping of a vintage mobile phone's ringtone. And then I'm not even talking about the sound stage. The overall majority of MP3 music sounds as flat as a pancake. In other words, MP3 is for the generation that grew up treating music as if it were wall paper - they're hearing music - they're not listening to music.

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

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

Date: 25 Dec 2003 21:35:29 -0500

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: Data to Contacts, REM and quoting

Dear Owen,

<< As far as I remember, you could decide at the time of the conversion which fields from the Data file should be mapped to which fields in Contacts without having to rearrange the Data file >>

The same applies to Pascal Nicolas' DataContacts tool - the fields don't have to be in sequence. But you can't avoid such things as having two separate fields in Contacts for which you're using one field in Data. Or that you're using fields in Data that have no equivalent in Contacts.

<< Your comments on REM when we discussed it several months ago weren't exactly generous though and I felt at the time that you were being rather unkind to Rolf Vonau >>

Irrespective of the intentions and good works of the developer, an application still has to stand on its own feet and be its own ambassador. And what counts isn't only what the application does function wise but also how the application does it operation wise. The main problems I have with REM are with its operational aspects. The functions are ok but they're implemented in a poor way - it's a bit of a monster to me. I know Rolf Vonau will be disappointed when he reads this, but I can't make anything else out of it.

<< As for quoting style. I have no problem with your quoting style. However it only works when used by someone like you who knows to keep quoted text to a minimum. It could get very confusing if the quoted section ran over several paragraphs ... >>

Well, quoting isn't mandatory. You may not be able to avoid it when you have to refer to the exact wording, but you can make references to what the other person wrote in your own text. All the rest is down to the writer as (s)he has the obligation to make the reader understand what (s)he writes. What's advisable to do in this respect and what's better avoided doesn't have that much to do with the style of quoting. That whole messages, large sections or complete paragraphs are quoted is mainly due to the laziness of the writer. He or she simply writes a reply, leaving the reader to find out what the writer is actually responding to.

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

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

Date: 25 Dec 2003 21:35:39 -0500

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: Psion IR Travel Modem

Dear Manuel,

<< Are they fax enabled? >>

They are. Simply use the following modem definition.

Modem Tab:

- Name : Psion 56K IR Travel Modem

- Speed : 115200

- Connect via : Infrared

- Fax class : Auto

Initialisation Tab:

- Init. (reset) string : AT&F

- Data init. string : Leave blank

- Fax init. string : Leave blank

Handshaking Tab:

- Flow control : None

- Terminal detect (DSR/DTR) : Unchecked

- Carrier detect : Unchecked

- Modem type : Fixed Line

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

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

Date: 25 Dec 2003 21:35:46 -0500

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: Yet another card format :o(

Dear Owen,

<< My moan and question to the list is does anyone know why there are so damned many different flash card formats? >>

First because of the advances in memory chip technology. The increase in storage density allows manufacturers to create memory cards that are smaller but can hold the same volume of data. These cards can then be used in devices for which the older and larger cards are unsuitable. A smartphone would be a bit of a brick when the only card format available would be PCMCIA.

Secondly, because of commercial interests. Using your own card format makes it more likely that people buy other products from you. Now that you have a 256 MByte xD card, and may buy an extra one, creates the incentive to replace your Fuji S5000 by another Fuji camera when the time comes. When you have a Sony camera that uses Sony's own MemoryStick makes it more likely that you'll buy a Sony MP3 player so that you can use the MemorySticks you already have. It's also an incentive to buy one of those Sony LCD TVs with a MemoryStick port as you can view your pictures directly on them without any special provisions. The same goes for a Sony laptop with MemoryStick port. And as these cards are the manufacturer's own they have more freedom to set their price.