Epocdigest V1 # 485

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Epoc Digest Sat, 27 Mar 2004 Volume 01 : Number 485

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Sent to: 783 subscribers

In today's Epoc Digest 12 messages:

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- SRS repairs & prices

- RMR Task

- Screen cable / WiFi SSID / finding WiFI

- RE: Using Psiiwin with USB to Serial Converter and WinXP Prof

- Bluetooth adaptor for 5mx

- 5mx and Revo go belly up

- Re. Deleting rogue fax accounts

- Re: MBook & 5mx

- Spreadsheet compatible to Excel

- Re: Which GPS - plus apps.

- Re: Re: Modems

- RE: Broadband advice

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Date: 26 Mar 2004 18:02:17 -0500

From: Astrid Stappenbeck

Subject: SRS repairs & prices

Hi,

Roman Frotz wrote:

> SRS in Germany does a screencable repair plus RAM upgrade to 24MB for 49 Euros. They state on their website: "All prices include labour and VAT. We send all machines back by C.O.D. We do not send spare parts. All prices are exclusive of postage and packing which is an additional 12.50 Euros incl. VAT." <

Before you all rush to send your Psions to SRS tempted by this great offer I have to add:

They indeed charge 49 Euros for any memory upgrade (not just to 24 MB) but that does not include a cable repair. The cable repair (including cable) will be 70 Euros (60 for some models). However if you order a memory upgrade as well you can get that for the reduced price of 25 Euros. And while they don't sell parts in general they do sell the cable for 29 Euros.

COD only for 12.50 goes for Germany. The German postal service will charge 16.50 alone for shipping abroad + COD fee. However, there aren't COD agreements with every foreign postal service. Where there is none you will have to pay in advance. Check out before you order!

It's still a good offer but ~110 Euros all in all will be a more realistic figure - still better than POS, I guess.

Astrid

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Date: 26 Mar 2004 18:15:20 -0500

From: m.garrett

Subject: RMR Task

> Date: 24 Mar 2004 07:24:13 -0500

> From: Manuel Campos Galvan > Subject: RMR Task

> Fellow Psionstas:

> Anybody had any experiences with RMR Task? I have been looking for a >task/to do manager and been unable so far to locate a review.

> Thanks and regards,

> Manuel Campos

Hi Manuel,

I make extensive use of RMR Task (v 2.2d) at both work and home and have found it to be perfect for my needs. It's very configurable and I'm sure that you

can set it up via the options file to work in the way you want it to.

My RMR file manages my tasks running the CAD design team on a project worth over £150 million and via the same file, my humble DIY efforts at renovating

my house, my correspondence list, my University thesis design notes and so on.

Tasks can easily be moved between these areas and I've found it to be absolutely perfect for juggling my constantly travelling lifestyle.

There are reviews of it published on FoxPop

Trouble is, it's so good that if I miss something my partner (hello love!) delights in pointing out that "......if you are so organised with your netBook and 5MX, mobile and laptop, how come you forgot our anniversary/birthday/appointment............?"

Any good excuses from organised people on how to explain forgetting something will be much appreciated. ;o)

Regards,

Malcolm (In sunny, no rainy, no - sun's out again, no it's raining again, Darlington UK)

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

Date: 26 Mar 2004 21:08:57 -0500

From: Thomas F. VAN DER ZIJDEN

Subject: Screen cable / WiFi SSID / finding WiFI

Hell group,

Ref: screen cable and SRS

Well, the longer it was when Psion seized production of our beloved 5mx's, the more companies can earn their money reparing them. We should make a database of Psion companies !

I was thinking to buy a cable from www.ka-flex.de, but if SRS delivers the new cable *and* a memory upgrade for the same all-in price, I'd better choose SRS.

Ref: WiFi SSID and finding WiFi

I found the site http://www.miwifi.nl that has a database of kind people who share their WiFi connection with you. You need to download a Windows program that contains this database - probably to prevent spambots ?

Anyway, I do not see the SSID's (at least not in the list of hot spots in Antwerpen). How can I use these hot spots if I do not know their SSID ? I have a Malaybook with the Cisco WiFi card (the one from Pulster).

A question that comes with this one : I hear from Pocke PC users that their equipment finds hot spots by making a "scan". I have never succeeded in "picking up" a publically available hot spot automatically with my Malaybook. Is this possible ?

Yours truly,

Thomas van der Zijden

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

Date: 27 Mar 2004 01:34:41 -0500

From: Christopher Marwood

Subject: RE: Using Psiiwin with USB to Serial Converter and WinXP Prof

Hi Dave,

I can't say what is causing your problem but can tell you that I am using the Expansys (=Prolific) USB-Serial cable with Win XP Home without problems so whatever it is is not insurmountable. Are you sure there are no conflicts on the com port Psiwin is using? Psiwin 2.3.3 under XP and Win2k seems very stable except I would recommend disabling CopyAnywhere.

Good luck,

Chris

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

Date: 27 Mar 2004 02:11:41 -0500

From: Christopher Marwood

Subject: Bluetooth adaptor for 5mx

Hi,

This might be of interest...

http://www.symbianpages.com/proddetails.asp?nP=895

Pricey and a bit clumsy to have to plug it in but it might be an interesting possibility.

All the best, Chris

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

Date: 27 Mar 2004 14:21:51 -0500

From: Timothy H.D. Williams

Subject: 5mx and Revo go belly up

Is it just my bad karma?

My 5mx serie bought a year ago has gone dead. The machine turns on and off, as does the backlight, but the screen is blank. POS kindly renewed the cable in September.

My Revo, upgraded with 24mb by SRS last May is now systematically switching off, whatever the charge. Repeated pressing of the on button gets it to work - but often for only a fraction of a second. What should I do? I have installed Chadis but I don't see how it's information is useful.

Only the Netpad soldiers on - fabulously sturdy and a colour screen but it is a bit heavy for practical day to day use.

Note to Mac users: although for big files, the external disks of the 5mx and the Netpad are very useful, I find that the Revo and JavaPsionLink are more than sufficient for fast backup.

8 out of 5 people have problems with arithmetic.

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

Date: 27 Mar 2004 15:09:01 -0500

From: Ian Chapple

Subject: Re. Deleting rogue fax accounts

Grant,

>>For Ian Chapple:

A superb trick, picked up from PDA Street, that removes rogue fax accounts:

1. Exit the 'Email' app.

2. Within the 'Mail' folder, rename the 'Index' file to a different name.

3. Create a new 'Agenda' file titled 'Index' within the 'Mail' folder.

4. Launch the 'Email' app.

This will trick the Email app into rebuilding the Index file. In doing so, any duplicate accounts will be removed.<<

It's a great trick, which I've already had to do a couple of times, after the index file has got corrupted when sending large emails. However, every time I do this, both Fax account reappear.

Cheers, Ian.

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

Date: 27 Mar 2004 16:09:46 -0500

From: Jim Watson-Gove

Subject: Re: MBook & 5mx

To Itamar:

<<Re.: MBook and 5mx - Your solution works as long as you don't have programs on the CF card that are bound to the identification number of your Psion like Money, Route- and Streetplanner. I would have to re-install these programs (or at least the APP file) each time I change the CF card from machine to machine.>>

I have much much more data files than anything else on my Psions. The only add on software stuff I have is simple stuff, like Navigator, VReader5, Clock, etc. On VReader I have it loaded in C on both the MBook and the 5mx but only really use it on the 5mx, my "travel" machine. When I use my MBook, there usually is little time for casual reading. The extra capacity of CF memory serves me well and my apps run fast in an almost empty C drive.

jim - port townsend, wa, usa

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

Date: 27 Mar 2004 17:09:54 -0500

From: Paula1323

Subject: Spreadsheet compatible to Excel

I am interested in a good spreadsheet program that is easy to learn and use. I need it to be compatible with Excel for file sharing with others.

Thank in advance

Paula

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

Date: 27 Mar 2004 21:00:43 -0500

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: Which GPS - plus apps.

Itamar Engelsman wrote:-

> As to software you wrote "There's a lot more.". can you

> elaborate what software you use with your Psion/GPS

> combination besides Route- and Streetplanner ?

Itamar, I thought that putting too much in a single reply would be a bit overwhelming for a new GPS fan.

I first used PsiGar on a 3a and now PsiGar5. It can make a 'backup' of all GPS held data, for later restore. Waypoints can be added to the GPS using the Psion's k'brd, so much faster, especially now that Garmin have reduced the number of keys. (GPS-75). Data can also be edited and if needed returned to the GPS. A Psion's time can be set to GPS time. More important with EPOC machines as their clocks are not as good at time keeping as on a 3a.

I've found the ability to download a whole track when the memory in the GPS is filled. When on holiday, I always keep a full record of my travels in Europe. Once when I had my films developed (now history) we could not remember which German town we were in for a number of prints. After a few days, I realised that the answer was on my 5.

So I started RealMaps, and displayed the tracks of our holiday. The APS prints had the date/time printed on their backs, so it was easy to find where we were at that time. (OK you can now buy cameras with built-in GPS, but expensive.) I intend to use this feature when travelling Europe in retirement with digital cameras.

Locations can convert to/from OSGB/Lat.Long, OSGB BNG, WGS84, UTM & Maidenhead. Again useful in Germany. We needed a Land Rover dealer and got it's name from the campsite reception. They had a map on the wall and showed us where it was. The map was in UTM, so Locations converted the point which I keyed into the GPS - easier than changing the GPS settings.

Makeover. This converts RP & SP overlays to/from text without needing a Windows box - similar to the .EXE of the same name.

OSGB V2. This converts Eastings,Northings to/from WGS84 Lat,long. Also shows Convergence. (little used)

GaRoute. I never found the time to use this which works with RP & SP. Duplicates parts of PsiGar5. Locked to the Psion's ID, so a problem when changing Psion if they disappear, like many authors now.

GarmEdit: Again similar to PsiGar5.

ShebaUtils & PsiUI. Both my own apps, mainly for Ham Radio stuff, but also to convert between the data file formats of the above apps, especially the never used line types in RP & SP overlays - but never released as no time to finish, maybe in about a year's time, I'll be able to find the time. Enables much data to be held in an overlay file without the need to keep a text file containing comment lines.

PsiDat can also be used as it can display a Lat,Long field in 5 different formats. Integrates with RealMaps or the GPS. (Press Enter to get GPS current position into PsiDat.)

Co-driver. This works with route planning files - RP & SP or AutoRoute (Windows versions, not the Psion SSD version). It gives voice and screen prompts to enable one to follow a route. Snag: Psion speakers too quite in a moving vehicle. Never used for this reason.

There are (were) others, but I've removed them for my Psions. (got backups.)

I can provide URLs - given time!

For walkers a small GPS plus PsiGar & RealMaps is ideal.

Alan R Morris, G4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion netBook & Nokia 6210e.

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

Date: 27 Mar 2004 21:10:56 -0500

From: Astrid Stappenbeck

Subject: Re: Re: Modems

Hi Rolf,

Arent wrote:

>> Speed : 19200 baud ( for s7/nB/MB/nPClassic 38400 ) , higher speeds will NOT improve performance ... <<

You answered:

> This is certainly not the case as all the EPOC based Psions are perfectly capable of handling a 115,200 bps data speed. And when they're busy with something else, like writing to disk, they can regulate the data flow by means of RTS/CTS or XON/XOFF flow control. It's therefore a bad idea to set the DTE speed (between Psion and modem) much lower than both can handle. You're throttling down the data flow for all situations. Including the ones in which the Psion can handle bigger data flows and doesn't need to be throttled back.

Setting the DTE speed low is only required:

a) When you have a situation in which you can't use flow control, or,

b) When have a situation in which you need to have a fixed end-to-end data speed. Situations you won't encounter when using a Psion for e-mail and fax exchange or browsing the web. <

When I first wanted to setup my 5mxPro with the Psion Dacom Gold card modem (56kb) I had thought in the same lines and set the speed to maximum. I didn't manage to connect to the web though and just got an error message, something about the COM port. Not knowing anything about settings I asked in a user forum and it turned out that I wasn't the only one with that problem. The recommended solution was to set the speed to 56000 and everything worked.

What should I have set instead in RTS/CTS or XON/XOFF flow control to connect with a higher speed selected?

Astrid

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

Date: 27 Mar 2004 23:08:21 -0500

From: David Steer \(Plus\)

Subject: RE: Broadband advice

Alan wrote:

>> Agreed, but one can only place the blame where this problem started - Government planning. They were warned before they allocated a frequency band that was already in use for many years.

I have to say that this comment makes it appear that the British Government is responsible for wireless connectivity. In fact the 2.4 GHz range used by the 802.11 standard and fully ratified by the WiFi organisation that publish that standard and a number of related ones is a world wide 'free' band - i.e. it does not require any licensing to operate. It is also high frequency so offers better signal integrity at lower power levels (it also doesn't interfere with mobile phones). It also happens to be the same frequency used by Bluetooth. At home I run WiFi - sometimes two connections to the router, Bluetooth (mouse) and a Trust device for transmitting my PC image to my TV! My signal remains very usable i.e. it remains above 1mb - twice the speed of my broadband connection.

My real feeling here is possibly that the router could be better, or the aerial for that matter.