Epocdigest V1 # 344

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Epoc Digest Sun, 21 Sep 2003 Volume 01 : Number 344

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Sent to: 792 subscribers

In today's Epoc Digest 15 messages:

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- Re: synchro without a serial or Irda port

- Re: 5mx - thanks

- Email app on start up.

- Re: synchro without a serial or Irda port

- Michael Kennedy is not available.

- Conecting Sony/Ericcson T38i to 5MX

- broadband

- Re: Competition !!

- Re: Mystery crash

- Re: #341 Hercule Poirot + old UK money...

- Re: Revo battery problems

- symbian walkie-talkie

- Synchro problems

- Re: TubeRoute

- Re: 5mx - Thanks (EPOC DIGEST V1 # 343)

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

Date: 19 Sep 2003 12:24:15 +0000

From: Martin Guthrie

Subject: Re: synchro without a serial or Irda port

Reply to: Franco Cozzani

> how can I synchronize my MC 218 (= 5 mx) with a Toshiba laptop - running MS XP - which has no serial port and no IR port ? >

> Can I at least switch Word and Excel docs via a CF card reader plugged on the laptop ? Does the laptop make the conversion if I load PsiWin on it without the Psion connected ?

Hi Franco,

The easiest way is to get yourself a USB-serial converter. It provides

you with a serial port on the end of a USB connector/cable. I've used

one for months off and on without a hitch. Cost approx. UKP30/Euro45.

Best regards,

Martin Guthrie

—————————

www.pscience5.net

www.freepoc.org

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Date: 19 Sep 2003 12:53:28 +0000

From: Martin Guthrie

Subject: Re: 5mx - thanks

Reply to: Anne Parry

> However, having suffered with the battery recharging problems on the > Revo, constant soft/hard resets, being given the 5mx was the answer to my > prayers....but now? Your recent competition on repair bills....I'm

> beginning to wonder? Should I have held out instead for the IPAC on my

> colleagues desk, not the 5mx?!!!

Hi Anne,

Having used an iPAQ for 18 months before moving back to EPOC, I would

say the answer is 'no'. The grass isn't necessarily greener on the

other side. My iPAQ suffered from dust collecting under the screen,

stylus not being held properly in the silo, and various other problems. It's easy to get depressed reading this Digest since (naturally) people

will only comment/complain about the things they have experience of...

And of course, the operating system on our EPOC machines *IS* much nicer

to use than PocketPC, WinCE, or whatever it is that Micro$oft have

decided to call it this year... (my personal opinion of course!). I

wrote a small piece about my experiences for FoxPop here if it's of interest: http://www.foxpop.co.uk/roadtesting2/back_01.htm

Best regards,

Martin Guthrie

—————————

www.pscience5.net

www.freepoc.org

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

Date: 19 Sep 2003 13:00:04 +0000

From: Peter McCafferty

Subject: Email app on start up.

Hello All,

Just a quick query.

I have noticed of late that when opening my 5mx, the Email application claims the screen and runs through a save routine. Unusual, as I never use the Email app. So can't figure out how it opened itself in the first place.

Any ideas?

TIA

Peter

Peter McCafferty, Peter Julian & Associates, Architects

6-8 Tiverton Street, London, SE1 6NZ, UK.

Tel: +44 (0) 20 72 34 01 12

Fax: +44 (0) 87 00 55 78 12

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

Date: 19 Sep 2003 14:21:39 +0000

From: Wong Koi Hin

Subject: Re: synchro without a serial or Irda port

Reply to Franco Cozzani

Dear Franco,

FC>how can I synchronize my MC 218 (= 5 mx) with a Toshiba laptop - running MS XP - which has no serial port and no IR port ?

You can try getting a USB to Serial Adaptor for your laptop. They typically come with software and will setup a serial port through the adaptor. You can then use it as you normally would for serial connections with your Psion. There have been some posts on this topic with advise on the type of adaptor to get and other issues to look out for previously in this digest. You might want to do a search on the digest archives, you might find the posts of interest to you.

FC>Can I at least switch Word and Excel docs via a CF card reader plugged on the laptop ? Does the laptop make the conversion if I load PsiWin on it without the Psion connected ?

Psiwin is able to do the conversion on the desktop, so if you can get the file to your desktop it can be converted easily. You may also be interested in knowing the free and open-sourced AbiWord word processor can open and edit Epoc word files and subsequently save them in popular formats.

Warm regards,

Koi Hin

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

Date: 19 Sep 2003 15:36:27 +0000

From: Michael Kennedy

Subject: Michael Kennedy is not available.

I will be out of the office from 19/09/2003 until 07/10/2003.

I am out from the office. I'm my absence please contact Neil Harvey for further assistance - Neil Harvey/IT/BBW/GB

Kind Regards

Michael

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

Date: 19 Sep 2003 15:36:28 +0000

From: Nigel Bonnett

Subject: Conecting Sony/Ericcson T38i to 5MX

Hi, I'm trying to get my 5MX to talk to my T38i for the sending and receiving of faxes and emails. No joy so far though and also I've not tracked down any useful gen on how I might achieve it. Any help appreciated.

Regards Nigel Bonnett

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

Date: 19 Sep 2003 22:20:26 +0000

From: Anthony Napier

Subject: broadband

I am about to sign up to bt broadband (at last) but I am concerned about whether I will still be able to use my Psions for picking up e mail. I use the S7 or netbook exclusively for e mail. (Instant on, quick pick up and a convenient portable file system). I do this either with the travel modem or gold card.

I hope I still can, can anyone help?

Tony Napier

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

Date: 19 Sep 2003 22:22:25 +0000

From: Rolf Vonau

Subject: Re: Competition !!

Reference is made to the mail in the EPOC DIGEST V1 # 341 :

m.garrett wrote at 16.09 2003 (> ):

Hi Malcolm,

it's a interesting poll you started.

But unfortunately it will not have results, because the Psion Company isn't interested in improving theirs service and the quality of hardware.

Nevertheless, here my answers:

> Cat-1) Which one of us has spent the most money on

> Psion repairs?

100 $ for a new S5 screen (it broke because I sat on it) and without fee a green case

10 $ for the battery shelf

> Cat-2) Which one of us has had his Psion in for

> the most screen cable fixes?

no problems (touch wood)

> Cat-3) Which one us has had the most Psion repairs

> in the shortest time?

the a.m. repairing took 15 minutes ! I went by car to the repair centre near by Frankfurt/Main (for the Germans: Fa. Nikolaidis in Rodgau) and watched in the workshop, how the repair mechanic changed the screen and the case.

Best Regards

Rolf

Munich

http://home.arcor.de/rhvonau/index.htm

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

Date: 19 Sep 2003 22:45:37 +0000

From: Anthony Napier

Subject: Re: Mystery crash

I wonder how many people have experienced these. I had one recently which I blamed on a massive attachment, but I have had two since for no obvious reason. This after years of trouble free use. I am currently using an S7 with travel modem.

Tony Napier

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

Date: 19 Sep 2003 23:43:45 +0000

From: Kate Head

Subject: Re: #341 Hercule Poirot + old UK money...

Date: 16 Sep 2003 18:16:00 +0000

From: Jim Watson-Gove

Subject: Palm OS and Multitasking

>>Watching an old Hercule Poirot last night I found myself wondering what >>the difference is between a pound and a quid, between a pence and a >>farthing.

Hi there Jim,

a pound (£1) = "a quid" (and the expression is still in use today, although the value was more in Hercule Poirot's day!)

4 farthings = one old penny (1d), which would now be worth half a "new penny" (1p) ("a quid" was 240d)

Hope that helps!

All the best,

Kate!!

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

Date: 20 Sep 2003 01:38:56 +0000

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: Revo battery problems

Ian Chapple wrote:-

<< The combinination of a device with poor battery management, no backup battery, no built-in card slot and flaky desktop software, is a poor one at best. >>

I don't recognise my Revo+ here Ian.

No battery problems (I use ChaDis). No backup battery is not a problem as I manage the charge level without any problems (again I use ChaDis).

No card slot, not ideal but a good IR port is almost as good.

What software is flaky? I use mine everyday without any software problems. I use all apps except Agenda, as Agenda is superior on my 3mx which is also used everyday.

Alan R Morris, G4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion 7 & Nokia 6210e.

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

Date: 20 Sep 2003 10:34:39 +0000

From: vlad a

Subject: symbian walkie-talkie

look at:

http://apnews.myway.com//article/20030919/D7TLHFMO0.html for the description of a new phone service based on Symbian.

best,

vlad a

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

Date: 20 Sep 2003 13:08:44 +0000

From: Dimitri Corpakis

Subject: Synchro problems

For : : Franco Cozzani >Subject: synchro without a serial or Irda port

>Date: 18 Sep 2003 14:22:52 +0000

>From: Franco Cozzani >Subject: synchro without a serial or IrDA port

>Hello fellow Epochians,

>how can I synchronize my MC 218 (= 5 mx) with a Toshiba laptop - running MS XP - which has no serial port and no IR port ?

>Can I at least switch Word and Excel docs via a CF card reader plugged on the laptop ? Does the laptop make the conversion if I load >PsiWin on it without the Psion connected ?

>Thanks for advices and regards to everybody.

>Franco COZZANI

>Brussels

Dear Franco,

As I have been there here's a few suggestions:

- Buy a USB to serial cable: this will solve your problem, because then you can use the PsiWin cable. Only problem: the correct configuration of the cable under Win XP. In most cases Win XP will start telling you that although it found the new hardware, it suggests to forget it because it is not digitally signed! Ignore this and go on, but note the COM port

carefully that it creates (a new COM port will be set up). When you link the MC218 reconfigure the software (PsiWin) to look at THIS COM port.

- Buy a USB to IRDA device (available in FNAC Brussels) and enjoy the rest (again note the new COM port).

- Conversions: YES, you can convert any Psion file with PsiWin WITHOUT the PsiWin connected

Hope this helps. (Congratulations for the laptop; we should organise a mutual exchange show once things are calmer at the job front).

Gheers

Dimitri Corpakis

Brussels

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

Date: 20 Sep 2003 18:24:20 +0000

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: TubeRoute

Dear Chris,

<< While not idiot proof, the process should have a reasonably shallow learning curve, so that IMHO anyone with some interest & Psion experience could do it. The main stumbling block is converting a JPG map to MBM format ... >>

I'm afraid creating an MBM file of the network map isn't the real stumbling block. That's the translation of the lines and stations of an (underground) railway network into information TubeRoute can handle and leads to fault-free directions. The reason why I think it has a steeper learning curve is because:

A) What's missing is a description of how TubeRoute will be using the information in order to plan a route. Add this description as an introduction to the procedures for creating a new information database and the instructions you supply will automatically fall into place. People will not only know *what* they have to do but also *why* they have to it in this particular fashion.

B) There are sections in the procedures (sentences and examples) in which you're telling/showing two or three things at the same time. People are bound to stumble over such descriptions. Tell them three things in one sentence and they'll pick up two but miss the third. It can be painful when you have to correct a 150 record database because you've missed something you should have watched out for. When you have to tell people three things about (say) how to enter line information it's best to give each item a separate description and example. It has the additional advantage of it being easier to look up what you need to do in one of the three cases.

C) You also mention a number of things you you're not allowed to do. Please add a "Don't do this..." example, followed by a "But do this..." example. This will have the added effect or removing some of the apparent inconsistencies in your procedures. You mention for example:

[Quote]

The Lines: field contains a list of the lines serviced by that station; the line names must be separate by only one comma and no spaces, e.g. "Circle,Hammersmith & City,Piccadilly,Victoria,Metropolitan,Northern,British Rail Thameslink" (without the quotes).

[Unquote]

Now, by "no spaces" you mean that there should be no space character before the comma nor behind the comma as in "...Victoria , Metropolitan...". Trouble is that people are apt to interpret "no spaces" as "There should be no spaces in the Lines field". What they see, however, is that there are spaces used in the example. In other words : Confusion.

Allow me to rewrite the description you give.

[Start of Rewrite]

The Lines field of the record contains a list of the lines you can take from the station in question. In case the station is serviced by a single line the Lines field will mention only this line rather than a list of lines. An example is the Swiss Cottage station on London's Underground which is only served by the Jubilee line. What you enter is:

Station : Swiss Cottage

Lines : Jubilee

Note that the Lines field already makes it clear to TubeRoute that "Jubilee" is a line rather than a station or other. You therefore don't add the word "Line" to it.

Do enter : Jubilee

Don't enter : Jubilee Line

Also note that TubeRoute uses a literal interpretation of the line names you enter. It will consider "Jubilee" to be a different line than "jubilee" or "juBilee". Also that "Waterloo & City" is a different line than "Waterloo&City" or "Waterloo and City. In other words:

Do enter the line names consistently throughout the database.

Do watch out for typing and/or spelling mistakes.

Don't use a different capitalisation or punctuation for the same line name.

The Line field for stations that are served by more than one line need to contain the name of each line, separated by a comma. The Finchley Road station on London's Underground is, for example, served by the Jubilee line as well as the Metropolitan line. It's entry in the database will therefore be:

Station : Finchley Road

Lines : Jubilee,Metropolitan

Which makes a clear why the name of a line should not contain a comma as it would be interpreted as two separate lines. Nor that a list of names should end with a comma as it tells TubeRoute there's one more line in the list - a line with a name of zero characters.

Do enter : Metropolitan,Waterloo & City

Don't enter : Metropolitan,Waterloo,City

Don't enter : Metropolitan,Waterloo & City,

It's also mandatory that there's no space character on either side of the comma that separates the line names. As mentioned above, TubeRoute uses a literal interpretation. meaning that "Metropolitan" is a different line than " Metropolitan" (with a leading space) or "Metropolitan " (with a trailing space).

Do enter : Jubilee,Metropolitan

Don't enter : Jubilee ,Metropolitan

Don't enter : Jubilee, Metropolitan

Below an example of a station on London's Underground that's served by several lines and is thus one of the key stations on the network.

Station : Kings Cross St Pancras

Lines : Circle,Hammersmith & City,Piccadilly,Victoria,Metropolitan,Northern,British Rail Thameslink

[End of Rewrite]

Now, I'm the first one to admit that the rewrite is rather 'verbose'. I'll also admit that a clever guy or gall won't need it - (s)he'll have a peek at your London Underground database and will understand what's needed. What it does, however, is to guide the user along.

- It starts with the basic principle (list of lines)

- It gives the most basic example of such a list (one line)

- it introduces the most basic source of errors (inconsistent spelling and/or typos)

- It adds the minimum of complexity (two lines)

- It introduces the sources of error associated with multiple lines (the use of commas and spaces)

- It, finally, gives an example of a very complex line entry (seven lines).

- The final example underlines the previously mentioned Do... and Don't... examples

What I haven't done is to test my rewrite against the TubeRoute application. If there's one thing that damages your self-esteem as a technical writer it's doing yourself what you write yourself and finding yourself in the wrong.

<< ... if someone could explain how to do this [JPEG to MBM : RB] using PsiWin, etc, that would greatly help. (I do not use PsiWin) >>

You don't need to supply such a description as you're not the one who's developed PsiWin nor do you supply PsiWin as an integral part of TubeRoute. Besides, PsiWin is but one of the possible applications you can use for the conversion of graphical file formats. You may need 'Tool X' to covert a digital network map from 'Format Y' into something PsiWin can handle. And than we're only talking Windows applications an Apple Macintosh user may not be able to use. You can therefore simply mention a few software tools people can use to convert a digital network map from graphics 'Format Y' into MBM format. What you add to the list of tools is "See the manual and/or help file of these applications for more details". That these manuals or help files have been written so badly that they're the equivalent of an ancient Sanskrit or Oggam text is not your problem.

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Evanton - Scotland

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

Date: 20 Sep 2003 22:42:46 +0000

From: David Steer $Plus$

Subject: Re: 5mx - Thanks (EPOC DIGEST V1 # 343)

Anne,

Your welcome!

I have had first a series 3c, a 5, a 5mx and a Series 7. I have only required two repairs with all these machines since I started with Psion in 1996. First was a screen replacement on my 5mx - I dropped it! The second was on the Series 7 - Screen calibration problem and a keyboard problem (repaired under warranty).

I bought my 5mx the day it became available and have not had a single problem with it! I have dropped it a further two times with only the micro switch for open and close breaking. I consider my self as a heavy user of the machine as it came with me everywhere and I spent lot of time writing OPL programs on it. I guess it was opened and shut many times a day without a hint of a screen cable problem or actual screen failure. We always hear about the bad stories, mine is a good one. There are many good stories out there. I think the Series 5mx is better than any Pocket PC machine. I hope you have many years of good use from the machine.