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Epoc Digest Sun, 08 Sep 2002 Volume 01 : Number 070
Sent to: 589 subscribers
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In today's Epoc Digest 17 messages:
==============================
- OPERA AND MEMORY PROBLEM
- Re: 5mx, IrDA and WindowsXP ?
- Last 2 Digests
- Fluff: RE: Textmaker and J720
- Battery lifespan, Superglue, OPL Database programming.
- Re: Init and Data Strings in One
- Re: Broken penholder
- 1Gb CF for 5mx
- Print to file on Nokia 9210
- IR printer adapter
- Tip for reading the digest :)
- Finger printing with super-glue! (OT)
- Jornada, Palm etc.
- OPXs - Pelican - Your EPOC - Slide Rules
- Re:Tides
- RE: TasMan, Extrabars and ebc
- SFX, Orange data on my house brick
*++++++++++&
Date: 7 Sep 2002 14:00:43 +0100
From: " "
Subject: OPERA AND MEMORY PROBLEM
Hello all,
Since I started using the Opera Web browser 5.14 on my trusted Psion 7 (32MB, build 254) memory problems are increasing. It seems to be impossible to keep Opera running without it crashing at some stage -I have tried all possible Cache settings.
And also it can barely operate alongside other memory hungry programmes such as Merlin.
For this reason I close all other programmes before connecting to the Internet.
The real problem starts after closing down Opera and then to find that other programmes simply will not start until I perform a soft reset. It seems Opera messes up the Internal memory and afterwards does not release it properly? I use the Freemem Macro often but in this instance to no avail.
Do readers have similar experiences and does anyone have a suggestion for the optimum settings.
Regards,
Hanno de Kogel
*++++++++++&
Date: 7 Sep 2002 20:39:15 +0100
From: "Marcus von Cube"
Subject: Re: 5mx, IrDA and WindowsXP ?
Christian, Eric,
I just typed "IrCOMM XP" into Google and found a couple of entries which seem to solve the problem:
http://www.gsm.org.uk/gnu_ircomm.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/infrared/WinXP-IrDA.htm
This one with "Extended Systems IrDA":
http://www.extendedsystems.com/ESI/Products/Wireless+Connectivity+Products/IrDA+Adapter s/default.htm
On my Thinkpad 600 running NT 4, I'm running the Extended Systems' drivers which provide IrCOMM and IrOBEX file exchange which works fine with my EPOC devices, Palm m130 and
Nokia 6310i.
Synching a 5mx with PsiWin over IrCOMM should be possible, may be with reduced speed.
Marcus
http://www.mvcsys.de
*++++++++++&
Date: 7 Sep 2002 22:53:46 +0100
From: "DL"
Subject: Last 2 Digests
I have accidently lost (bounced by a spam program by mistake) the last 2 digests. Numbers 69 and 70 I think. Is there anyway I can get a copy of these please ? Thanks
Dave Limbr
*++++++++++&
Date: 7 Sep 2002 23:10:00 +0100
From: <timschweikert
Subject: Fluff: RE: Textmaker and J720
For David regarding TextMaker on the HPC OS:
>Not much of a problem for a 64mb unit though - and I think about 3
megs of that is storage - and can be installed on a CF card.
>
> "I'll purchase as soon as the download version is ready. Thanks for
the tip!!"
Purchased & installed! I installed it to a CF card on my Jornada 720
- no problems. I'm waiting for the desktop version, but the HPC
version works fine. A PPC version is close to completion also.
Once again this list proves to be worth the time to follow the
conversations!
For Jim & Steve regarding the HP Jornada 720/728 line:
>> Besides the machines you mentioned there is the Jornada HPC line. >> This would seem to be the closest direct replacement for > a 5mx. >
>My suspicion is that the Jornada line will not be around much longer.
>The whole Windows CE scene seems to be moving away from clamshell >designs which is a real shame. The OS for such machines has been >superseded by PocketPC 2002 and does not contain the sort of >functionality that we are used to.
>
>I think these days, I would be tempted to go for a Palm format
machine
>with an add-on Stowaway keyboard for those keyboard occasions. It's
a
>real shame (for me) that PDAs have dropped the use of keyboards but >probably not a feature required by the bulk of users.
Well, don't tell HP that... I had a nice conversation with a service
rep for HP when I had to return my J720 under warranty - drifting
screen calibration only on the far right side of the screen. The
Jornada 720, and now the Jornada 728, are selling well. She didn't
say that any OS upgrade was coming, but the Jornada 728 is a good
example of upgrading the HW on a unit that sells well even if HP
can't control the OS.
Who is it being sold to? Corporations! ...and probably slightly lost
Psion owners like me looking for a portable computing home with a
keyboard. Yes, the J720/728 is pricey, but the keyboard is a dream
and it can still fit in my hip pocket. If the 3x life extended
battery is added, it will run a real 20+ hours - more than enough
time for any flight I'm likely to board. Given the addition of
TextMaker, I'd say that sales will increase for both of them.
For that matter, keyboards of some size are making a comeback. Look
at the overall makeup of the new PDAs or handheld computing devices
coming on the market - many now have thumbboards at least, if not
small keyboards. I also use a Palm with the portable keyboard and
it's a nice combination. ...and I still use my Psion too!
Something for every occasion! ;-/ My J720 replaced my Psion 5MX
for typing in meeting notes at work.
BTW, a common configuration for a J720/728 at my company is running a
Citrix client with a Cisco wireless card connecting via 802.11b
wireless to the corporate LAN and logging in to WinNT/Novell. I have
all of the normal functionality of a WinXXXX desktop in my hip
pocket. Yes, scrolling the J720 1/2 VGA screen around a full VGA
portal is somewhat "pokey", but it does work nicely. If I
double-click, the VGA screen compresses to the J720 1/2 VGA screen -
good for quick navigation and then a double-click to get back to
something more readable. I can catch up with my email, and the
common stuff for which I would normally have to use my desktop. The
bright backlight on the J720 keeps me going in the usual meetings
when everyone is stuck looking at whatever is projected on the wall
with the room lights cut down or mostly off. I can keep up with
meeting notes (HWR is hopeless for this) and provide quick answers by
roaming around the LAN and pulling up files to answer questions -
same as the other laptop users. Try all that on a combo PDA/Cell
phone! We have users that are turning in their combo PDA/Cell phones
to get back functionality that they lost by comparison with separate
units.
Many laptop users look at my Jornada 720 setup with envy. To get
enough laptop battery life to run the whole day, they have to resort
to a battery pack sled that locks on the the whole bottom of the unit
- heavy! Battery life with the standard laptop battery is only an
hour or so when operating a wireless card. I get more than that with
a standard battery on the 720. Actual life varies widely depending
on the power output I enable. Most of the time I can 1mw out
on the Cisco wireless card, someti5mw. The PCMCIA slot on the
J720 can't support a 20mw output for the Cisco card. The Cisco card
could power up to a 100mw RF output.
Tim
*++++++++++&
Date: 7 Sep 2002 23:46:11 +0100
From: Trygve Henriksen
Subject: Battery lifespan, Superglue, OPL Database programming.
Greetings!
David Lir also wrote:
>> "The Psion S3 series gave 60 - 80 Hours on 2 x AA cells,
>> The MC400(laptop size) gave 60 - 80 Hours on 8 x AA or up
>> to 20hours on a 7.2V/1000mA rechargeable paclk.
>> On the Org II, a 9V PP3 battery lasts for months...
>> If you can get hold of an old Palm that uses AAA cells, you'll
>> find that they can last for weeks."
> It's always best to compare apples to apples. A Palm 3x can
> run around 20 hours on 2 AAA's - it cannot run for weeks! Of
> course if you meant by weeks that it can go weeks between
> battery replacements - you're right - but the same can be said
> about most any handheld if you only use it a few minutes a day.
So THAT's how long the run time is on the Palm...
I have 4 Palms(Palm Professional, III, V, M100), but have never ever tried to actually run them for long enough to find out how long the batteries last.
(I bought them used, so don't have all manuals )
Unfortunately, though, Weeks is the correct unit with Palms since they're used the way they are.
---
About Owen's dissertation on superglue...
I also always have a bottle of ZAP at home since I periodically dabble in RC Gliders... (Mostly building new, or repairing crashed ones, and very little actual flying. Can't be an expert in everything :-)
The stuff comes, as Owen says, in two version 'fast' and 'slow'...
Fast is typically 1-3 seconds, and slow is 5 - 15 seconds....
EXCEPT when glueing skin...
You see, skin tends to keep a nice 37°C, and chemical reactions works faster at higher temperatures. (IE: Fast changes to instantaneous, and slow ends up very fast)
---
Phil wrote:
>I'm trying to write a program in OPL ... but I can't seem to find
> the instructions for the various database OPXs. ...
There's only one OPX relating to databases that are included from Psion, and that's Database.opx
You probably don't need it unless you plan to mess about with indices or adding or deleteing fields on already existing files.
I have a EPOC Data file containing the commands if you want it...
(Mail me off list, and I'll send it to you)
But everything should be on the CD that came with your machine.
(Or it can be found in the OPL SDK if you can find it on the Psion Teclogix site)
:-)
Trygve
BTW: If anyone in Norway is looking for a spare, the Binders store in Molde still has a few Revo+ machines for sale at about 1500NKr...
(I'd buy one myself, except that I'm broke)
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Sep 2002 08:58:28 +0100
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Init and Data Strings in One
Dear Gary,
First thing to note is that a Psion's data and fax strings are also initialisation strings. They initialise (posh nerdspeak for prepare) the modem or mobile phone for fax and data use.
<< What I need is actually an Init and a Data String (combined) to connect over HSCSD only >>
How would you like to have your HSCSD served, Sir? Autobauding or non-autobauding - V.34, V.110 or V.120 - any channel coding preferences?
Assuming you want to dial into your ISP's modem rack the easiest command to include in the initialisation string is +CBST=0,0,1. It instructs the phone to connect to a remote V.34 modem at the highest possible speed. Trouble is, when an HSCSD connection can't be established it drops back to 9600 bps GSM. In case you'd like to have a 'highest speed or nothing' string I need to know your mobile network operator. To ensure that everything else will be working at optimum speed I need to know the brand and model of your mobile phone and whether your Internet account allows you to use your ISP's ISDN nodes.
As I mentioned previously, there's no such thing as *the* initialisation string.
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - On holidays in the UK
Message written in the Chiltern Lodge - Houghton-le-Spring - County Durham
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Sep 2002 08:58:33 +0100
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Broken penholder
Dear Sinisa,
<< By "broken" I mean it is genuinely broken, i.e. the black plastic part that locks the pen is in two pieces now and I have to glue them together (or find a replacement) >
The part you're probably referring to is called the "squirrel" because it looks like the small animal. Gluing it won't work well, it will be back in two pieces in no time. You'll need a replacement and the company that might be able to supply one is POS.
Pinnock Organiser Services Ltd
143 Streatham High Road
London SW16 6EG
United Kingdom
Tel. +44-(0)20-86779246
Fax. +44-(0)20-86779293
Web. www.posltd.com
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - On holidays in the UK
Message written at the Chiltern Lodge - Houghton-le-Spring - County Durham
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Sep 2002 09:32:05 +0100
From: Simon Jeffree
Subject: 1Gb CF for 5mx
Hi,
I'm rapidly running out of space on my 128Mb Sandisk CF card. I read on this digest that someone had a Sandisk 1Gb CF Type I card. Does anyone know where I can get hold of one & how much for & what their impression of it is. My main concern is how much slower it would be than my current 128Mb one.
Regards,
Simon
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Sep 2002 09:32:51 +0100
From: Simon Jeffree
Subject: Print to file on Nokia 9210
Answer to Kevin Thorne:
<< PRINT TO FILE ON NOKIA 9210
I'm really hoping that someone will sooner or later write an additional program to allow the 9210 to "print to file". Sure, I know it is now possible to print to a PDF file but I want a plain text file (as on my old 5mx) to allow further editing after printing. How difficult would it be to do this? I really miss this option on the print menu! >>
Sorry Kevin. I haven't got a solution for you, but it may be a good idea to post your request on the websites & discussion forums which are oriented more towards Symbian ER6. I'm sure there would be developers there who are willing to take up the challenge.
Mind you. I've just this minute had an idea. Is it possible to connect the 9210 to a PC (or some other type of computer) & run a terminal emulator with a logging facility (I dunno, maybe hyperterm or something) That way you could capture what would have gone to the printer into a file. Or maybe you could go "COPY COM1 {file}" in a DOS window, or something like that.
Regards,
Simon
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Sep 2002 09:33:23 +0100
From: Simon Jeffree
Subject: IR printer adapter
Hi there,
I'm thinking of buying an ACT-IR100m infrared printer adapter with built in passthru connector from Expansys. This should enable me to print from either my Psion or my PC at will, without having to fiddle around unplugging cables. Does anyone have any experience of this unit? Does it work with a Psion 5mx? Is there an alternative anyone knows of.
Thanks
Simon Jeffree
Maidstone, Kent, UK
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Sep 2002 11:08:02 +0100
From: David Lir
Subject: Tip for reading the digest :)
For those who aren't aware, there is a little macro applet which makes reading long emails or Word documents less of a chore. It's called "DrB5Read" (Dr. B's 5-Read) and once called up with a hotkey via Macro5 or ExtraBars it allows the screen to be advanced with one push of the enter key or the arrow key (it can page up too). It does a few other handy things too, such as calling up the time with a push of 'k', etc. It's also easy to get out of via the Esc key. Anyway, it's free and I'm glad I discovered it - I hated having to use two hands just to scroll through long emails/docs. Get it if you want it here:
http://pnicolas.epocboulevard.com/MacroList.html
Also - I can email it to anyone who wants it :)
------------------------
David Lir - \\:>{o>
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Sep 2002 11:08:05 +0100
From: David Lir
Subject: Finger printing with super-glue! (OT)
Keith wrote:
"The only things I've ever found super glue to effectively glue together were my thumb and index finger."
Another thing super-glue is good for: thumbprinting a Palmtec hardcase :) Now I can always prove that *I* was the moron who glued himself to a little plastic box!
------------------------
David Lir - \\:>{o>
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Sep 2002 12:37:36 +0100
From: "Steve Hodgson"
Subject: Jornada, Palm etc.
> As far as functionality goes - I'm really not sure what you're
> referring to.
If I understand correctly although there are some areas of great
strength in PocketPC (I would LOVE to be able to use multi-sheet
spreadsheets) there are some areas where Psion was and is still ahead
of the game. I'm thinking particularly of the object embodying
capabilities of the EPOC applications. I believe that you can't for
instance add a spreadsheet or sound file onto a Pocket Word application
in the same way that you can under EPOC. Perhaps things have moved on
though and I am out of date.
I would certainly be interested in the HP keyboard machines with a
revisited OS, the one currently installed doesn't seem quite ideal for
use on really small machines, it always looks cluttered. PocketPC
seems to be much more optimised for small screens and MS seem to have
realised the lesson that Palm learned very early on - every pixel
counts.
===================================
Re: Latest netBook OS158
A couple of things impressed me very much about this latest release.
The first that Psion actually announced it in a newsgroup and seemed to
have been much more involved in the whole 'community' of opinion with
regard to bugs in release 158. The second thing was the example files
included as part of the image file released on this occasion. Either
these are new files or I completely missed them with all the other OS
releases. There were a selection of files from databases, jotters,
spreadsheets and Word files. Some of them were not of much use to me,
but others were good examples of the capabilities of the built-in
applications.
===================================
Re: "Your Epoc" data format
David.
Your EPOC was essentially just a wrapper around an EPOC data file. I
always used to strip out the data file then remove all the other stuff
from the applications area just so I could access the data file
directly.
Regards,
Steve Hodgson
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Sep 2002 13:32:11 +0100
From: Philip S. Adkins Potter
Subject: OPXs - Pelican - Your EPOC - Slide Rules
Hi,
Marcus, you wrote:
"Database handling is built into OPL without any need for an OPX (a module written in C++ to access functionality not available in OPL). "
Alas Marcus, standard OPL will not do the things that I need. Apart from anything else I need this program to write a fully relational database with an unrestricted memo field and hypertext links possible but not mandatory in other (mostly text) fields. These are *required* as using them makes this program possible. All workarounds will do is make the program fail in it's purpose. That's why I need the documentation for those OPXs. I don't know C (any variety) and this program shouldn't be written in anything more sophisticated than OPL anyway (for portability). It's not only for geeks either so the interface needs be simple.
You also wrote:
"Graphics can be handled in OPL directly as well (see the manual)."
I've got the (printed) programming manual, also "PPC", 3 books on OPL16, Steve Litchfield's files and Mark Esposito's file. I know there are graphics OPXs and that they might make my life a little easier if I had the documentation, that's all.
By the way, does anyone here know Mark Esposito (Pelican Software)? I want to reach him personally but all the addresses I've dug up on the 'Net are unresponsive. There's no hassle involved; it's just a simple question of registering an old (Psion 3a) program he wrote - unfortunately it can't be registered any other way.
Ewan Spence's "Your Epoc" was in EPOC Data format with a dedicated front end. Pity it had to finish.
Anyone remember "Slipstick Libby" (Robert Heinlein)?
Happy days,
Phil.
"Cheop's Law:
Nothing *ever* gets built on schedule *or* within budget."
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Sep 2002 15:13:52 +0100
From: John Wetton
Subject: Re:Tides
Hi,
Ocean 5 is as good as Owen says :}
Other's include :-
Navigate - this also handles NMEA data to act as an instrument repeater, it also displays coastline data, computes courses to steer using tidal diamonds.I think Psion based developement has stopped, but Wizworld are looking at developing a Java version possibly over the winter.Shareware/commercial
GrafTide - commercial software, quite old now developed by Felix Rozner.Felix has passed away now, but Les from Neptune Navigation is looking at taking over developement of some of Felix's software.
If you are looking for other software worth try for use onboard, have a look at RealMaps - this allows for user scanned maps to be referenced to GPS, Owen uses this as a chart plotter running fairly constantly using screen dumps of his CMap charts to generate the charts on the Psion.
Psigar by Jonathon Duff is a good waypoint manager for use with Garmin GPS's in particular - these are really about the most popular sets you can get, with Magellan a close second.
ProcyonX is good if you want to look at the night sky
There was a programme written to analyse radar vector to work out closest point and time of approach to other ships, but Owen, Trygve and I haven't beed able to get it going.
If anyone knows of good windows equivalents, please drop me a line off Digest as I am always on the lookout for things to use at work ( I run a sailing school).
All the best,
John Wetton
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Sep 2002 15:37:20 +0100
From: "Neil Thompson"
Subject: RE: TasMan, Extrabars and ebc
David, I have to take issue with your comment about TasMan being "greatly inferior to the high quality outliners available on the Palm". TasMan was never designed to be an outliner, simply an alternative view on the task information held within Agenda - I should know I wrote it that way!
To those running Jason Kneen/PocketIQ's excellent ExtraBars application you can now have it running in colour using a little application that I have written, ebc.
For those who want to try out ebc or TasMan both are available for free from my website www.psionfile.co.uk.
Thanks
Neil
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Sep 2002 21:07:14 +0100
From: Kevin Thorne
Subject: SFX, Orange data on my house brick
To Itamar Englesman:
Subject: SFX
Many thanks for suggesting SFX as a solution for managing and displaying my large collection of digital photos on my S7. It does the job admirably and I'm definitely going to register it after the 30 day evaluation period has expired.
To all:
Subject: Orange data on my house brick
I recently obtained my Nokia Communicator by way of a new 12 month Orange contract and I currently use it extensively for data access, both directly on the machine itself or using it as a wireless modem for my S7. Much as I like the Communicator, my general feeling is it isn't as versatile as a Psion so what I may possibly do when the contract expires (next June) is cancel it and port my existing number onto Pay As You Go. No doubt a new SIM card will be issued for this (which I may yet use in my extremely portable 8210) and my question is simply this - does Pay As You Go allow data access as it does on a contract?
Now that I've been able to extensively "road test" the Communicator over the last 3 months, anyone who regularly reads the Digest will already know from my input what I think of it as a palmtop computer (generally good with a few shortcomings). So, concentrating on it solely as a phone for a change, I really have found it a bit too large to comfortably carry around all day. Sure, it's much more than just a phone but if one only occasionally needs to access database or agenda information, my personal preference is to carry my delightfully diminutive 79 gram 8210 sitting almost un-noticably in my top shirt pocket and just wait until I get home, then fire up the S7 to obtain whatever info I need then call the person back! My ultimate Communicator therefore would not be the 9210, but definitely a colour 5mx with Bluetooth linking it to a petite Bluetooth handset, allowing the user to choose how weighted down he/she wishes to be when leaving home in the morning. I watched with envious eyes the other day as I saw someone using Bluetooth to link up his Ipaq 3870 with an Ericsson T68 - now if only my old 5mx could have done that :-)
Regards
Kevin Thorne
*++++++++++&
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