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Epoc Digest Thu, 12 Feb 2004 Volume 01 : Number 445
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Sent to: 793 subscribers
In today's Epoc Digest 13 messages:
==============================
- Re: Scandinavian characters
- Re: internet control panel (again)
- Psion sells to Nokia
- Re: Scandinavian characters
- Stylus
- I've nothing later than a 5mx.
- Psion sells to Nokia
- Netbook PRO news
- CronTab fix
- Merlin keypress
- SD Disks
- PSION Leaving Symbian
- Re: the third pin / current v's voltage
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Date: 10 Feb 2004 23:17:37 +0000
From: Alan Morris
Subject: Re: Scandinavian characters
Woops it nearly went to Itamar Engelsman !!!
-----------------------------------------------
Axel Moberg wrote:-
>> Axel why not use the built-in Ctrl + ???
> Because it is boring and time-consuming
> Thanks for the tiip anyway. Axel
I agree that it's time consuming, as at one time I used that method with the box symbols in DOS.
Another possible time consuming method is to copy and past. I've deleted most of your paragraph and left the following:-
å ä ö (keep a space between each)
There were only three in that case, but you must use others. Hold down the Ctrl key and tap the wanted character. Then, still holding down the Ctrl key, press C. Then tap your place in the text and press Ctrl + V. Just put a row of these characters at the bottom of any text you are typing. Hold them in a file.
Probably no good, but just another thought to try and help.
--
Alan R Morris, G4ENS.
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.
Using a Psion netBook & Nokia 6210e.
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Date: 11 Feb 2004 00:33:48 +0000
From: Owen H. Morgan
Subject: Re: internet control panel (again)
Howdy!
Another thought. If there are a couple of applications installed on the mx which add icons to the Control Panel, the Internet icon might simply have disappeared off the right hand edge of the panel. If this is the case, there will be a scroll bar at the bottom of the Control Panel, so you can scroll over or simply hit the right arrow a few times to get at it...
Owen
Thought for the day:
A bird in the hand makes it awfully hard to blow your nose.
--
Owen H. Morgan, Yacht "Naomi J.", LD-928°14.86'N 16°50.54'W
Santa Cruz de La Palma, Canary Islands
http://home.no.net/naomij
Phone and SMS:
In Spain: +34 620520079
In Norway: +47 92053097
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Date: 11 Feb 2004 01:08:31 +0000
From: Alan Morris
Subject: Psion sells to Nokia
I've just seen in c.s.p.m. that Psion has sold it's 31.1% in Symbian, causing it's share value to fall more than 31%.
This is to allow Psion to focus on it's Teklogix business.
My first thoughts: what business!
Or is Psion going back into portable computers now that PDA sales are falling. Probably wishful thinking.
--
Alan R Morris, G4ENS.
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.
Using a Psion netBook & Nokia 6210e.
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Date: 11 Feb 2004 02:11:19 +0000
From: Klaus Gottlieb
Subject: Re: Scandinavian characters
Hi Axel !
Sorry for the late answer ...
Last August I got a netBook from David Lowe.
Before he sended it, I asked for extra ram and stickers. He offered me to insert the ram and a Danish/Norwedian keyboard. Maybe he also have the Swedish one ?! Or at lest, he must have the stickers.
It took me long time to find the right program for me to remap the keyboard. I choosed: keybLayout (www.pagerealm.com/bodo) because I never used macro and don´t think I ever will find out how to use it. And because it is fast
working. Faster than Remapper, written in OPL.
With keybLayout I could remap all keys except the last 2 or 4 keys. They are now under the Num Lock keys, as I never use Num Lock (/*-+ is not ok). The program is written in C++, and is very fast. I can´t confuse the program in
use on purpose.
I can send you the program and my layout-file, so you just have to remap the æøÆØ to äö ÄÖ, if it fits your layout.
Without the program, I get:
!"£$%^&*()_ w Shift
1234567890-
€`´{}[]# w Fn
789/ w Shift/Num Lock
QWERTYUIOP+ w Shift
qwertyuiop=
é w Fn
456* w Shift/Num Lock w Shift
\asdfghjkl;'
| w Fn
123-' w Shift/Num Lock
ZXCVBNM<> w Shift
zxcvbnm,.
0.+ w Shift/Num Lock
? w Shift
/
My keyboard looks like this:
!"#¤%&/()=? w Shift
1234567890+
w Fn789* w Shift/Num Lock
QWERTYUIOPÅ w Shift
qwertyuiopå
€ ¨^~´* w Fn
456÷ w Shift/Num Lock
>ASDFGHJKLØÆ w Shift
<asdfghjkløæ
| w Fn
123+ w Shift/Num Lock
ZXCVBNM;: w Shift
zxcvbnm,.
0,- w Shift/Num Lock
_ w Shift
-
All the best from
Klaus GottlÅrhus, Østjylland DK ;-)
*++++++++++&
Date: 11 Feb 2004 03:44:32 +0000
From: A. Bernard Olij
Subject: Stylus
Hi,
Can somebody please (once again) tell me where and how to tickle my Psion, to repair the mechanism that keeps the stylus in place? Thanks, Bernard Olij,
Dau, Indonesia
*++++++++++&
Date: 11 Feb 2004 10:53:42 +0000
From: Philip S. Adkins Potter
Subject: I've nothing later than a 5mx.
Hi Martin (Maxwell),
I didn't mention later versions of EPOC than ER5 as I know little about them.
But I doubt there'll be any flowback from ER6/7 simply because virus writers are usually unable to make their viruses work, or work properly, on even the designed platforms. A well-written virus (not quite a contradiction in terms this time) is very rare. The main reason very poorly-written viruses never appear is that they *are* so poorly written - they can't propagate.
There have even been stupid attempts to write viruses that cause no damage other than using a couple of clusters of hard disk space, the idea being to prove that the programmer could write a virus. Most of these viruses (the ones that could propagate) failed - they overwrote files, directories and whole disks. They corrupted operating systems and boot sectors. About the only way they worked right is that they only infected the designed platforms - they couldn't migrate across "species" so to speak.
If a good programmer wrote a cross-platform virus anti-virus programs would be quickly altered to cope. But most are written by poor programmers (though better than me : • )) who don't know how to design/write a program properly and so those viruses are more difficult to protect against and disinfect. There are far more bad ways to make a working program than good.
Apparently "organised crime" is trying to use the tactic of writing and spreading computer viruses. The principal beneficiaries will, of course, be the writers/sellers of anti-virus software and police (and security services) will scrutinise that connection *very* diligently. So I doubt such a tactic will be at all profitable - and small users like me probably wouldn't be targeted anyway (no profit at all!).
For the foreseeable future I think most viruses will target Micro$oft Windows (all then current flavours) for many reasons including that platform's vulnerability, recently emphasised by Micros**t themselves, and the widespread perception of Bill Gates as a megalomaniac. And I think no other OS has had courts consider complaints against it under US antitrust law.
But my reserve computer is Psion 3c and I'm going to get at least one 3mx. I bet no-one will write a virus for them!
Happy days,
Phil.
"Writing is not necessarily something to be ashamed of -
but do it in private and wash your hands afterwards."
*++++++++++&
Date: 11 Feb 2004 13:05:41 +0000
From: Chris Cooper
Subject: Psion sells to Nokia
From 'The Register'
http://www.theregister.co.uk/content/64/35444.html
Nokia - dooming Psion's legacy to obscurity?
By Andrew Orlowski in San Francisco
Posted: 10/02/2004 at 06:57 GMT
[The first couple of paras:]
Analysis
It may well yet be Psion's legacy will be to provide the world with the most popular piece of technology ever, while others reap the reward, and the founders join the long list of forgotten British pioneers. It's too early to call that one.
But either way, the phase of Psion's adventure that began with the launch of its Organiser in 1985 ended yesterday, as the company cashed in on its former software division by selling its 31 per cent stake for a knock-down £135.7 million to Nokia. This is somewhat less than £1.6 billion valuation placed on Symbian several months ago and of course, a fraction of the £7-8 billion valuation placed on the company by analysts in August 2000, before the dot.com bubble burst. ...
*++++++++++&
Date: 11 Feb 2004 18:04:00 +0000
From: Chris Pulster
Subject: Netbook PRO news
Hello,
first, I have written kind of FAQ for the new netbook PRO (CE.net): http://home.t-online.de/home/cpulster/psion/netbookpro/netbookpro- faq.htm
Sorry, German only at the moment, please use babelfish or google online
translation services (besides, anybody here who helps me to translate
some Psion related infos from German to English, so the whole
international Psion-community can participate of it ? Please email me.)
Secondly, the Netbook PRO battrie is a Lithium-Ionen with 2200mAh.
It fits perfectly in the Netbook Classic (EPOC) and PsiBatt charging- test has shown 15,5h ! - I did my best to make this accessory available
for all users, the price is 199 EUR for a new PRO-power accu batterie: http://www.pulster.de/index.htm?d__netbPROakku__PRO_Akku_netbook443.htm
Please feel free to email me if you feel uncomfortable with my infos. It's not to avoid mixing information and a bit self-promotion.
Being the last remaining Psion shop on earth, it's ok, isnt it ? :-)
Christoph
*++++++++++&
Date: 11 Feb 2004 18:29:11 +0000
From: Chris S Handley
Subject: CronTab fix
This is just a quick update until I can release the fix for CronTab:
To avoid controversy with some Digest members and avoid potentially upsetting Pascal, I have decided to not describe the small changes needed with CronTab's source code to fix it's timer bug.
Instead, I have spent considerable effort writing a program which will automatically find the (small) differences between my fixed CronTab executable & Pascal's original version, and store these differences in a "patch file". Secondly I have written a program which will take this "patch file", and automatically make the needed changes to Pascal's original version of CronTab.
So I should be able to provide an SIS file which contains NOTHING from Pascal's original CronTab, but which will instead just modify a user's existing version of CronTab to fix the bug. I don't think anybody could possibly complain about this method...
What I have described is all written, working & easy to use, but I have hit a snag which will delay it's release: I wish to allow the user to remove my fix, and it is proving difficult to make this occur automatically when my SIS file is Removed as usual (via the Control Panel).
---
Chris Handley
*++++++++++&
Date: 12 Feb 2004 01:21:51 +0000
From: Timothy H.D. Williams
Subject: Merlin keypress
I think I have largely rumbled how to get round the lack of keyboard on the Netpad. Once you're in typing mode, the virtual keyboard presents no real problem, other than it is slower than the real thing.
The problem is with keyboard combination. You are in Sheet and you want to do a keyboard shortcut - control-s for save - and you find that the running keyboard doesn't have letters and doesn't have function keys.
It is very frustrating and time consuming to have to call up the keyboard, go into the options dialogue box and then chose the right keyboard.
This is where Merlin is proving sterling stuff. It allows you to have readily available keypresses on the screen. Thus I create my own control-s which requires just one keypress as opposed to the menu click plus other.. click plus save click.
Very cool. I now have the buttons that are so desperately missing from the Netpad - delete and tab - and Merlin gives them to me in all applications.
What I can't call up, though, is Psiboard. It doesn't function like other apps but can only be used as an interface.
Is there then any kind soul on this list who could point me in the right direction? I want to programme Merlin to call up individual keyboards - which are hidden away in the .rsc files of the Z disk.
That said, Netpad is slowly winning me over. It is nicely ergonomic in the hands and although I am left-handed, I have no difficulty with the buttons.
The other day, I took it to the beach and didn't have to panic about sand getting at the cable.
Best
Tim
*++++++++++&
Date: 12 Feb 2004 01:32:44 +0000
From: Timothy H.D. Williams
Subject: SD Disks
Yesterday i bought a TwinMos 256 mb SD disk for the Netpad.
It slipped happily into the Netpad slot. No problem with the USB card-reader for the Mac. But as I copied stuff from the Mac onto the card, the card triggered spinning beachball mode on the Mac, thus causing Finder to freeze.
Ah, I thought, and rebooted the Mac. Perhaps it's a problem of energy requirement. So I reformatted the card on the Netpad and then plugged the card reader into my iBook and this time there was no difficulty in dowloading from a Mac computer to the SD card.
I ejected the card properly - and it took a very long time - and then put it in the Netpad, only to get the message Disk corrupt from the Netpad.
What is going wrong? Should I have spent more money and bought a card from a well established company or will I always find transferring from computer to a 256 SD card via USB a slow business?
I have a 128 mb Sandisk CF card on the 5 MX serie and I have no complaints - fast and reliable both with the Mac and in the Psion's slot.
Best
Tim
*++++++++++&
Date: 12 Feb 2004 11:09:46 +0000
From: Antony
Subject: PSION Leaving Symbian
To: Caspar Lam
>PSION has decided to (**sell**) its shares of Symbian to Nokia.<
Isn't Psion Leaving Psion? Psion just sold its software division to Visto Corporation and as a result of selling its share in Symbian, Psion PLC shares have nose dived. They have a short term cash injection from the Symbian & Psion Software sales, but they will have some medium to long term problems if the technology like the Netbook Pro doesn't sell well.
If you ask me, they have made themselves very weak; having a plummeting share price, a large cash balance (unless the sell offs are for paying existing debts) and an asset stripping management (possibly indicating cash flow problems) makes them ripe for a takeover. If there's anything left to buy that is?
I've always liked Psion, but it seems like the company is steadily pulling out of the markets that it was expert in. A company that slowly downsizes itself and gradually sells off its assets only has one future; a short one.
It's not a company I'd invest in for the long term. At best I would consider making a short term profit if there's takeover speculation (like finding out palmOne is buying Psion stock). Maybe a takeover would revamp the company to realise the potential of some of the markets it is retracting from. There's more chance of an upgraded 5MX from new management, that's for sure.
Antony Booth
*++++++++++&
Date: 12 Feb 2004 11:14:01 +0000
From: Martin Guthrie
Subject: Re: the third pin / current v's voltage
Reply to: Trygve Henriksen
> A quick note, 20mA can be deadly...
> (It WILL kill a horse, though, particularly if it has metal horse-shoes) > No, the voltage doesn't matter...
> My uncle used to run a farm, and the electric fences he used were rated at 5000V, and I'm still alive...
I'm sure you'll get a few replies on this but I cannot not say anything
in case someone takes you at your word.
The voltage certainly DOES matter! So does the current. Or rather, the
'Power' matters. The technical definition of Power (in terms of current
and voltage) is simply: Power (in watts)=Voltage x Current. It's the
combination of the two that determines how high you jump (or drop dead)
when you electrocute yourself. Hence a cattle fence at 5000V might be
fine if the current in 1mA (effectively 5W). And a current of 5A might
be okay if it's at a voltage of 1V (also 5W). But with a 5A current at
5000V, I wouldn't give much for your chances of survival (25kW)... Of
course, it also matters whether it's AC or DC, where you electrocute
yourself, etc. but I digress...
Esentially the rule with Electrical Engineers is don't touch unless
you're (doubly) sure that it's switched off - irrespective of what the
power rating is. Having said that, most 'EE's don't consider themselves
real 'EE's until they've had a few jolts... Those that survive that
is...!! ;-)
Best regards,
Martin Guthrie
—————————
www.pscience5.net
www.freepoc.org
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