Epocdigest V1 # 511

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Epoc Digest Thu, 29 Apr 2004 Volume 01 : Number 511

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Sent to: 778 subscribers

In today's Epoc Digest 18 messages:

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- Meeting / Web Grabber

- xtep disk image # 510

- S7 troubles - mBook prospect; Psion vs others

- Re: Palm machines (OT)

- Freezing 5mx

- Rudeness and lack of humour

- OPXs (and Empower)

- Re: vendor, Hard reset solves what?

- SpellX, Palm machines,

- Java development and Voice notes

- Psion repairs in Ireland

- 5mx Purchase

- Formatting text in agenda

- Empower/Screen Switch-Off

- TomTom / CityMaps

- TomTom / CityMaps # 2

- Re: ABs Pedantry and Rudeness

- TR quick-find malfunction

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

Date: 27 Apr 2004 23:25:45 +0000

From: Andy Hayes

Subject: Meeting / Web Grabber

I would strongly advise against a meeting in London. The pollution is horrendous. Can I put it to the list that the meeting should be in Lerwick, Shetland? It may take longer to get here than to get to New Zealand, according to my son who took 31 hours from West Sussex, but at least the air will be fresh and clean. Tennents is the preferred drink of the beard wearing locals, although the men prefer something stronger! Seriously though, the vast majority of the people up here are really nice.

I tried out Web Grabber and it is better than Snaffle. I need to have a further play to understand it fully, but it shouldn't take long as it seems to be written for simple folk like me.

Itamar, have you ever had to re-install the OS on your MBook? If so did it accept the image on the CF without problems? I read on http://hasbrouck.org/malyabook (not sure of the URL - may be wrong) that there can be difficulties with certain CFs. I certainly found it to be the case and was on my 3rd CF before I got the OS to install. You just need to be aware in case you have a problem.

I would agree with taking care not to slate innocent vendors who have provided a good service, but as one who is quick to praise a good vendor, I would also let the list know if I am having problems. The true test of a vendor is when something goes wrong. I consider myself to have been very lucky with the people and companies that I have bought from up to now, the netPad had very much been the exception to the rule.

A good few years ago I spent a not inconsiderable sum on a Dainese motorcycle jacket. If memory serves it was about £300. It was guaranteed for a year, but being motorcycle clothing you would bet that it would go on for much longer. If I was going to throw a Honda Pan-European up the road I wanted good protection, and this jacket looked like it would offer it. After 14 months the collar and a cuff was coming apart from the body of the jacket and it generally looked very shabby. I happened to be in a motorcycle shop one day when I saw someone trying the exact same model that I had bought. I went over and told him of my experience, but was wearing a much cheaper (although better jacket) that day). He didn't want to know, the lure of the brand being too much for him. I felt that I had done the right thing though. He could make his own mind up. It was a shame that I never met him again to see if his experience had been the same as mine.

The interesting thing about the trip to the Web Grabber site (www.kabestin.com) is that you come across other titles that you either haven't seen or perhaps discounted in the past. Quite often a little gem crops up and is why I like to hear what other Psioneers are using.

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 00:01:20 +0000

From: vlad a

Subject: xtep disk image # 510

Not sure I understand how this works. Are those executables working on the epoc-platform? Did I fail to find detailed instructions on the site?

best,

vlad

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 00:43:06 +0000

From: Bruce A.Knox

Subject: S7 troubles - mBook prospect; Psion vs others

Ever since I had the power supply socket on my S7 re-soldered, the machine has behaved erratically. (Whether there is a connection between the two I don't know.) A kind Digesteer gave some advice and I've not only created a succession of new System folders on Disk C but have performed a number of hard resets. I still get, for instance, at unpredictable intervals, a "Not supported" message on various items, even for Add/Remove on the Control Panel; and RMRzip works but spasmodically, reinstallings notwithstanding. The latest oddity is that the S7 refuses to talk to my new Gold Card WAN Global PC Card modem. Until yesterday it would at least send a successful ATZ to the modem, though followed by inability to hear a dial tone; the consequence for email access doesn't bear mentioning (eMac to the rescue). Now it simply doesn't communicate.

Does any of this ring any bells with anyone? I'd be very grateful for advice, reassurance, or confirmation of disaster.

I'm now trembling on the verge of ordering an mBook from Sitashop.

There have been any number of glowing reports of this machine on the Digest, but one thing is a nag: people have had trouble with reinstalling the OS from a CF card after a hard reset. As far as I can see from various messages and web sites, this is truly a problem : but would anyone say that it is insurmountable?

Nothing I've heard, read or seen tempts me to give up my EPOC machines.

Palm is interesting, but not yet. The newest Apple iBooks are delicious, but nowhere near as convenient as the S7/Netbook which I can tote to libraries, archives, etc with no trouble at all, and which integrate with the eMac very well thanks to nConvert, MS Word and John Montgomery's JPL. I'll try to be a dinosaur for a while yet.

Cheers --------- Bruce Knox

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 07:27:33 +0000

From: Wong Koi Hin

Subject: Re: Palm machines (OT)

Reply to Peter Burke

Dear Peter

PB> I am currently an MC218 user but alas this cannot last forever. I am looking to 'upgrade' to Palm, and have thought of the tungsten T3. However it is rumoured that there is a new Palm coming out soon with a new operating system. Anyone know, is it true and is it likely to be worth waiting for? <

I urge you to seriously look at Symbian smartphones/communicators as well. The integrated package of communication device cum PDA is addictive, once tried you might not want to go back. :)

More powerful symbian communicators are on the horizon, and you might find it a worthy upgrade for your Psion. In particular the Nokia 9500, of course your mileage may vary. Upgrade however, probably is not a good choice of words here. You will not find a lot of data directly transferrable between devices. I would like to add however OPL has been/is being ported to the newer Symbian OSes, thus some applications we are familiar with have a good chance of having a new home in these new machines.

Warm regards,

Koi Hin

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 08:27:06 +0000

From: Gordon Thompson

Subject: Freezing 5mx

I have a 5mx pro and use UK Online as my ISP. I used to have no problems.

Now I am only able to send e-mails. When I try to open the mail box, the program connects and then the whole machine freezes requiring a reset.

Any suggestions?

Many Thanks,

Gordon Thompson

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 08:46:50 +0000

From: Antony

Subject: Rudeness and lack of humour

To: Philip S. Adkins Potter

Let me start by saying I have not posted privately because this conversation was never private.

I have not intended to abuse or insult you. I simply did what you did, replied. I did not intend to make my post inflammatory, but light humoured. If you feel I have insulted you, I apologise even though you have clearly attempted to reciprocate. I have not and will never ask the digest management team to censor anything, ever. When I mentioned complaining, I was using sarcasm because in the past, complaining about something on the digest seemed to be the only thing that was censored and the point of the complaint was brushed under the carpet.

If you feel my posts lacked any humour or light hearted efforts, I suggest you read them again from a different perspective.

>Your manners are bad and your 'Nettiquette appalling.<

For someone who applauds the digression of the English language by means of the internet, it surprises me that you think my 'Nettiquette' is appauling as most dialogue on the net is far more low brow and insulting than anything this digest has ever seen. Maybe your standards are more old fashioned than mine?

>I'm truly glad you think that you are always on the right side. ...<

I find this particular sentence in your message rather astounding. If a person did not think they were right, why would they hold their opinion? Surely everybody thinks their opinion is correct until they believe it to be incorrect, at which point their opinion changes and they believe their new opinion to be correct?

> ... I expect most would disagree.<

I expect you are right, but facts, truth and personal opinion should not be based on concensus, surely? That would make us a species of sheep that only learn from witch doctors (or is that the definition of religeon?) (note the brackets and the question mark, followed by a full stop ;-) ).

As you asked me to post privately on this subject, I will refrain from further responses unless compelled to.

I hope your days remain happy,

Antony Booth

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 09:36:58 +0000

From: Philip S. Adkins Potter

Subject: OPXs (and Empower)

Hi Folks,

(Andy Hayes)

Andy, while Astrid's probably right as she knows *much* more about EPOC than I. there is another possibility, a problem I have come across.

Some programs will not work other than with a specific version of an OPX they call. But most installation routines will not overwrite a later OPX. Consequently the program will not work and (wrongly) demand that you update the OPX.

Another, related problem, is that some installation routines *do* overwrite newer OPXs with older ones so that, though they work, other programs now won't! I've got a load of OPXs write-protected and I often use nSISUtil, free from Neuon, to do the installation properly.

Where the former applies I junk the program as it's obviously badly written. Where the latter applies I tend to be very sceptical even if it does work. If it's commercial or shareware I junk it.

I won't pay for a badly-written program.

Happy days,

Phil.

"This Bouillabaisse a noble dish is -

A sort of soup, or broth, or brew

Or hotchpotch of all sorts of fishes

That Greenwich never could outdo:

Green herbs, red peppers, mussels, saffron,

Soles, onions, garlic, roach and dace;

All these you eat at Terre's tavern,

In that one dish of Bouillabaisse."

Try http://www.aypee2.net if you dare.

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 10:13:14 +0000

From: Chris S Handley

Subject: Re: vendor, Hard reset solves what?

Subject: vendor

Itamar Engelsman wrote?

> In general I would be careful in mentioning names and writing

> that in such a case you would or would not buy from the

> vendor. Someone else might well read mistakenly think it is a

> fact and thereby avoiding the vendor for no reason if it is

> untrue. I am sure you did not mean any harm at all, but one

> should be careful with these matters.

Hmmmm, I thought I *was* careful.

If however you mean we shouldn't say bad things about vendors, because you are worried what the vendor might (wrongly) say to you (rather than to me), then perhaps this should be added to the (increasingly large) list of things we aren't allowed to talk about on the Digest?

Regards,

Chris Handley

==============

Subject: Hard reset solves what?

Richard wrote:

> If a Psion has a long-running problem, how does it help to

> take a copy of the C drive, format it and copy everything

> back onto it? Surely the problem is in the data storage, and

> if you copy identical files back onto the C drive, nothing

> has *actually* changed?

I don't know what your "long-running problem" is, but a hard reset + restore is a perfectly reasonable solution in many cases. There are two separate issues:

1. The filingsystem used to store files in memory (the so-called "C" disk).

2. The actual operating system itself (EPOC).

In the first case, what you have to remember is that files & folders are not "real", but merely abstractions that are implemented (and presented to the user) using a complex arrangement of numbers stored in the computer's memory. Should even a single one of these numbers be corrupted (either from cosmic rays or due to a mistake on the programmers part), then the filingsystem *may* no-longer behave as you think it should (according to the simple abstraction of files & folders you are used to).

The easiest solution is to backup all the files (as best you can given the corruption), wipe the computer's memory by a hard reset (from which it will create a new & good-but-empty filingsystem), and then restore the files back again.

In the second case, we have a similar situation. The OS (EPOC) presents a simplified abstraction, but is actually implemented by a complex arrangement of numbers in memory. If any of these numbers gets corrupted, it is possible that the OS no-longer behaves how you expect.

EPOC is great in that it will automatically restart a faulty sub-system in most cases, so that the user won't even know the problem happened. But in some cases the corruption may be not be in a sub-system, but in the core ("kernel") itself.

One solution is a soft-reset, which wipes the OS's memory but (should) leave the C disk intact. However, it cannot truely wipe *all* the OS's memory, so in a few cases a complete wipe (hard reset) may be required. In such a case, you need to backup & restore the C disk files, but that is only a side-effect and not the actual cure.

However, it is far more common for one of the System's files to simply have gotten messed-up (either deleted, renamed, or replaced by the wrong file). Without knowing exactly what has gone wrong, the easiest solution is to simply wipe all the System files and start again from scratch.

You are correct that in such cases, doing a hard reset & restoring the C disk will NOT help, since the problematic file(s) will be restored too. Instead, simply deleting (or renaming) the System folder, and then doing a soft-reset to recreate (an good-but-empty) System folder should cure the problem - but will necessitate reinstalling & reconfigurng all your applications (and data loss where user data is stored inside System instead of Documents).

The more you know how EPOC works, the less information needs to be lost when you delete or rename the System folder, since you can safely restore (more) System files - although that does come with the risk you will also restore the problematic System file!

Regards,

Chris Handley

P.S. Thanks Andy for your private reply - pity it had to be private... :(

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 13:46:28 +0000

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: SpellX, Palm machines,

Answer to: Bob

Re.: SpellX - For sake of good order, just the program is not enough, you will also need the dictionary and thesaurus for the USA spelling. I am not sure where you can find these.

Answer to: Franco COZZANI

Re.: Palm machines - Quite right, I took the same decision last year when buying the Sony Clie as a pocket device for data of friends etc., diary, storage of photos, games, etc. My work on WORD and SHEET files as well as emailing I do on my mBook. A good combination of two machines instead of compromising on both sides with one machine only.

Best regards,

Itamar Engelsman

London, UK

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 16:37:41 +0000

From: Fergus Flanagan

Subject: Java development and Voice notes

Hi Fellow Epoc Users,

Voice Notes

Just wondering if anyone knows how I can set up voice notes to record to the compact flash drive rather than to the internal drive (when using the external record button). Opening the 5mx and the record prog and having to keep the unit open to record long sessions is a bit cumbersome.

Java Development

Anyone know of any CURRENT sites which provide guidance as to how to develop java on the psion 5mx. Am aware of ..

http://www.hasiland.com/javaonepoc/javac.html

http://www.davies.lu/Java/

...and have followed their instructions but am having some problems. Understandably these chaps have probably moved on to other machines and are therefore not available to answer questions. I know I got a reply from one of them saying that they couldn't provide answers as it had been so long since they had done java on the psion. If anyone out there is doing similar and can help pls let me know. I am sort of hoping to do an application for the psion or at least learn java on the go!

Many Thanks

Fergus

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 17:04:52 +0000

From: Kevin Collins

Subject: Psion repairs in Ireland

Hi folks...

I have had an agreeable repair experience with a company called S.I.S. Ltd. in Dublin, so I thought I would share it (we are all quick to report a bad experience):

The keyboard on my S7 ceased to function, so off went the machine to S.I.S.

Water or liquid damage was diagnosed (not mine IMO, I had bought the machine secondhand on Ebay a year before, but what matter), and I was told that a new keyboard, cost EUR 250 plus VAT would be required, and would I pay in advance.

After some thought I agreed. A couple of days later, I was telephoned to the effect that Psion were now disposing of remaining keyboards for EUR 70 plus

VAT and, accordingly, this is all I would be charged. I received my S7 plus new keyboard a day later together with a refund cheque for EUR 212. I have to say I thought they were very honest: I am not sure that every company would have done the same, especially where they had the money up front... I'll deal with them again :-)

Regards,

Kevin [Cork, Ireland]

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 17:20:06 +0000

From: Kevin Collins

Subject: 5mx Purchase

Hi again folks...

Somebody recently queried where might one buy a new 5mx (US). I cannot help with that but, if anyone wants a brand new unused UK model, I bought one as a backup a year ago, never used it, and it remains in its box! At this stage I would be prepared to sell it, and would post it. If anyone is interested please contact me off-Digest.

Regards,

Kevin [Cork, Ireland]

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 18:04:22 +0000

From: Richard

Subject: Formatting text in agenda

Dear Lurkers and Posters,

As we may all remember, someone posted a message saying you could format text in the Owner Information screen by pressing Ctrl+Shift+F. You can also quickly format the text in Agenda entries.

I had always got into the habit of typing Ctrl+A (or pressing the "Alarm / More" button), moving to the "Text" tab, press "Font" and making the the appropriate changes. I just found out that with the relevant text highlighted in an agenda entry, you can directly emBolden, Italicise and Underline text pressing Ctrl+B, Ctrl+I and Ctrl+U respectively.

Again when typing in the Agenda item text, it's also possible to press Ctrl+Shift+F to format text. Oddly,though, you can 't access the 2nd tab in the formatting box. This means you CANNOT change the colour of text, the print position or enable strikethrough, unless going through the longer method described at the start of the paragraph above.

On a theme of "Ctrl+Shift+F" in Agenda, did you know it's a useful shortcut to jump to the previous entry, and that Ctrl+Shift+G is a useful shortcut to jump to the next entry? I often use this if I don't trust PsiWin telling me that the Agenda has synchronised normally - it quickly allows me to check that an entry is there (without me having to do complicated things like look at the date....)

Richy

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 18:36:22 +0000

From: Andy Hayes

Subject: Empower/Screen Switch-Off

Astrid, thanks for the advice on Empower. I knew that there was more than one genius out there! I removed the application and re-installed it using the other option (Yes to non-email) and it now works. It comes up with an error when it closes, but I am happy to have a fiddle about with it again. From the dim and distant memory I seem to remember that I may have first installed this on a 5, so there is probably no wonder that it is struggling to work on the latest cutting edge (!) netBook.

Thanks also for your input Jim. I believe that the author gave me a free reg code for DCP when I reviewed it some years ago. I just never got on with it but I might have a look again.

A quick fanfare!! The netPad can switch off the screen whilst the netPad itself keeps going. Or at least the 5110 can. I am still awaiting contact from Teklogix regarding a quote to fix my netPad and the battery is about nil, so I can't test it and tell you how wonderful it is!

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 18:45:31 +0000

From: Arne Christensen

Subject: TomTom / CityMaps

Hi Vlad,

You ask:

>> Which version do you know works for the Psion? "New Edition"? Does it have 2 CDs or only one? <<

The newest and greatest version I have (and I hope the latest, I tried not to overlook an upgrade while they were made):

TomTom CityMaps Europe "New edition". On the front cover I read "For Pocket PC, PalmOS and EPOC PDAs & the Nokia 9210 Communicator". Furthermore "Larger maps, more data". I can confirm both; there are now 2 CDs in contrast to the single CD of the previous version. The first CD contains the application for all these platforms plus most maps (and a lot of trial versions of other stuff). The second CD contains the remaining maps, even for Great Britain, which I think was a separate product initially.

The maps are in some common format for all the platforms but cannot be installed "as is" on a Psion. The (Windows-based) installation programs repackages the map data into a .sis file which it then goes about to install. As I've written previously, there are (tedious) ways to snatch the .sis file before it is deleted automatically after installation. I have not bothered to reverse-engineer the package format, and I doubt it would be legal anyway.

Finally, maybe you got my last comment wrong: This is only city maps. The country maps are a different application and a different product: Routeplanner. The combined version I mentioned is just my understanding of the "Navigator" product that is now being sold fairly cheaply in ordinary stores together with a GPS and an iPaq. My neighbour got such a package for 3000 DKK recently. I've paid 2500 DKK altogether just for the GPS and maps, but of course that was yesteryear :-/ This kind of stuff will never become an investment object :-)

-- Arne Christensen

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 19:19:30 +0000

From: Arne Christensen

Subject: TomTom / CityMaps # 2

Vlad,

Forgot to add just before: The described version of CityMaps is from 2002. I checked for a new release last year before the summer vacation, and there was none. I suppose it's the last EPOC release.

-- Arne Christensen

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 22:22:59 +0000

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: ABs Pedantry and Rudeness

I held back on commenting on Antony Booth's attack on Philip S. Adkins Potter, but I'll now join with Roy Maidment in condemning Antony Booth, who wrote:-

> It was an apt response to someone posting

> on an EPOC digest about how little he misses

> having an EPOC device.

If he has nothing to say about EPOC devices, which he no longer has, then perhaps he could take his comments elsewhere and have his fun.

> p.s. Hey Phil; This is fun.

Many wont consider that fun. Antony Booth wanted to have his "go", perhaps better that he does go.

Roy Maidment wrote:-

> On migrating to the Palm platform, I retained

> my subscription, due to my erstwhile devotion

> to the product, and a genuine interest in

> discussions regarding the continued use of Psions'

> products. I have elected not to post a message

> regarding 'how good my new Palm is

Perhaps Roy you could post your comments as I'm sure they'll be welcome. I'll find them useful.

My main interest is managing and displaying pictures taken on a digital CF card camera and displaying maps - including the OSGB maps that can be transferred from a Windows package and connecting a GPS.

Alan R Morris, G4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion netBook & Nokia 6210e.

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

Date: 28 Apr 2004 00:01:20 +0000

From: vlad a

Subject: TR quick-find malfunction

> Astrid wrote on 28.4.2004:

> Do you know what changes they have made?

No, Mat Ripley (who signs "Director and E-Book Pioneer" ;-) just told me the new TR would a) be able to "sort" the Tr entries, whatever that means and b) it won't be issued for Psion, however much he regrets it himslef.

My problem was indeed with quickfind and I checked on 3 machines with the default settings, so I would say it's the file not TR. BiographyEncyclopedia.tr is ca 10 MB - so if you want it anyway I can mail it.