- Looking for my next PDA

- Re: 9500 question: 9500 as USB pen?

- Re: Those few annoying niggles (9500)

- Re. new PDA

- How does vCal work?

- Re: Looking for my next PDA

- IR transfers with XP

- Psionflexi 5mx repair report

- POS and a 5mx "successor"

- IR Transfer - Kevin Thorne[Scanned]

- RE IR transfer

- Looking for my next PDA

- Moving Big-bang/Evolution, Recent test of Nokia 7710,

- CoBuild Englisg dictionary on 5mx

- Where to get an N-Gage classic

Date: 22 May 2005 04:09:42 +0000
From: Cyril Catt <address truncated>
Subject: Looking for my next PDA

Ian, so far as I can see, only the Palm OS currently has reasonable synching with Macs. Psions even lost easy file exchange with Macs after the Series 3. But Apple has patented a (non keyboard) tablet, so if you wait a year or three, and don't need a keyboard, and Steve Jobs changes his mind, and Apple doesn't decide to give away computers and go with music and video only. . . there may be a handheld computer compatible with a Mac.

Cyril Catt

Date: 22 May 2005 08:28:25 +0000
From: Rolf Vonau <address truncated>
Subject: Re: 9500 question: 9500 as USB pen?

At 20 May 2005 12:37:26 +0000, Simon Jeffree wrote:

>Is there any way the 9500 can be connected to a PC & seen as just a mass >storage device (like a USB pen), without having to run the Nokia PC Suite >software?  Then I could just drag 'n' drop files to/from it thein Windows >Explorer.  I have no need of syncing or any other clever stuff.


Hi Simon,
I installed Nokia PC Suite, but not run it. After I connect the 9500 via USB, I can see in the Windows-explorer  the path "Nokia 9500" under the path "Nokia Phone Browser". So I can drag 'n' drop any files between PC and the Commi in the Windows explorer without PC Suite.

--
BR

Rolf

Date: 22 May 2005 09:10:59 +0000
From: Simon Jeffree <address truncated>
Subject: Re: Those few annoying niggles (9500)

Answer to: Kevin Thorne

I agree with you there are quite a few annoying niggles on the 9500.  However, the one you mention about emails going back to the draft folder when switching back to the 'Messaging' app, turns out to be a benefit, not to be a problem.

When you start writing a new email or (open an existing email), a new task is started, called 'E-mail editor' (or 'E-mail viewer'), while the 'Messaging' app itself is still running, showing the folder list.  This means you can switch to another app & then you can either switch back to the 'Messaging' app itself to write (or read) another email by pressing the 'Messaging' key or you can find the original email editor (or viewer) task in the task list & continue writing (or reading) that.  This is something I really wanted on the 5mx.

Hope this helps,
Simon Jeffree

Date: 22 May 2005 09:16:31 +0000
From: Ian Chapple <address truncated>
Subject: Re. new PDA

Ian,

>>The spec would be as follows: sync with Mac and Windows XP, minimum Bluetooth, software that allows multi-160 character SMS (I send about 10 a day), a very good word processor that's Word compatible, multi account email client that can sync with Outlook 2003 and Entourage, able to view in landscape on largest screen I can get, talk to a folding keyboard (or have an integrated one).<<

I think both the the 9300/9500 and P910 actually meet most of your requirements; the biggest sticking point might be synchronisation with both Mac and PC.

My P910 syncs with my PC (although I've only tried it via the cable and have only synced the address book), has Bluetooth, allows large SMSs (I haven't actually tried this myself, but I believe that it does), includes QuickWord which works perfectly well and can read native Word documents, has a multi-account email client (I haven't tried synching this with Outlook or Entourage), can display photos in landscape format (not sure that any other apps support this feature) and talks to my Freedom Bluetooth keyboard.

As my wife has just pointed out, Palm has always (!?) provided support for both PC and Mac, so maybe you should check out the new Treo 650; mind you, I have heard of stability issues with this model, so nothing's perfect.

Hope this helps, Ian.

Date: 22 May 2005 09:38:14 +0000
From: Joop Gerritse <address truncated>
Subject: How does vCal work?

Hello,

I am trying to convert my Agenda on a Revo using vCal. However, when I start
it, it tells me "closing c:\Documents\vCalendar", and it never gets beyond
that. It will not even close, and I have to reboot the Revo to make it
terminate.

This behavior occurs, whether the Calendar is running or not (I tried both).

What should I do?

advthanksance,

--
Joop Gerritse
Mühlenstraße 11
D-47546 Kalkar-Wissel
Germany
+49 2824 971487
http://www.jjge.nl

Date: 22 May 2005 09:54:49 +0000
From: Steve Hodgson <address truncated>
Subject: Re: Looking for my next PDA

>I'm looking for advice concerning my next PDA, as I'm in a bit of a
>quandary.
>
>I've been a PDA user for about seven years, currently using a Nokia
>9210i. However, at home and work this has become a problem. Work
>computer infrared won't talk to it, since I was upgraded to XP, and at
>home we have just bought a 20-inch iMac G5.
>
>My assumption was, go buy a 9500 or a 9300, and enjoy the joys of Wi-Fi
>and Bluetooth. However, according to the Apple website, I won't be able
>to fully sync. with Panther.
>
>Now in a perfect world Dr Potter would bring out the 9mx replacement for
>my beloved 5mx, to me the perfect PDA format (I'liked it enough to write
>about it: http://www.archive.foxpop.com/10_03/pages/22.htm). It would
>have the lovely keyboard, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, colour screen, USB and or
>Firewire... Sigh.
>
>But as it ain't going to happen I'm looking at other handheld solutions.
>
>The spec would be as follows: sync with Mac and Windows XP, minimum
>Bluetooth, software that allows multi-160 character SMS (I send about 10
>a day), a very good word processor that's Word compatible, multi account
>email client that can sync with Outlook 2003 and Entourage, able to view
>in landscape on largest screen I can get, talk to a folding keyboard (or
>have an integrated one).

Ian,

I reckon your series 9mx would actually have been a 11mx. My theory was that they only used prime numbers from the first organiser then 2, 3, 5 and 7.

You are going to have problems finding a perfect PDA I reckon. The main reasons are due to your requirements for a keyboard and for Mac use. I know; I've been there.

From what you say above it would appear that the 9X00 series from Nokia is out for now but Apple will ultimately have to sync to these devices I would think. The other machine that springs to mind are the Sharp Zaurus series with a 'proper' keyboard and a similar philosophy to the Psion, i.e a handheld computer rather than a PDA. I believe synchronisation between a Mac and Zaurus is not at all straightforward and it only really works well between Windows + Outlook (ironic for a Linux device).

The only devices I know from personal experience that will all of your requirements are the palmOne Tungsten series. I am currently using a Tungsten T5 and although it frequently feels flaky compared to the more simple Palm machines of old, it basically works. SMS is easy to use and Hot Sync via Bluetooth to a Mac is a treat (but a real battery drainer for large files).

I reckon that a Windows machine would offer similar capabilities but I can't speak for this platform.

--
Regards,

Steve Hodgson                          mailto<address truncated>BR>

Date: 22 May 2005 14:16:24 +0000
From: Kevin Thorne <address truncated>
Subject: IR transfers with XP

Ian Brogan wrote;
Subject: Looking for my next PDA

<I've been a PDA user for about seven years, currently using a Nokia 9210i. However, at home and work this has become a problem. Work computer infrared won't talk to it, since I was upgraded to XP, and at home we have just bought a 20-inch iMac G5.>

Ian, I don't know if the 9210i infrared is different to the 9500 but I use my 9500 frequently with a IR connection to my XP Home Edition laptop with no problems at all.  Oh, and I loved the sound of that "9mx" you longed after....I suppose we can all dream!

Regards
Kevin Thorne

Date: 22 May 2005 21:30:27 +0000
From: Chris Cooper
Subject: Psionflexi 5mx repair report

A brief note about a recent repair of my 5mx carried out by Paul Wright, aka Psionflexi, http://www.psionflexi.fsbusiness.co.uk

I needed:

* a screen cable replacement (including fitting)    £45
* a stylus catch replacement    £ 8
* additional insurance for return (increases cover to £250)    £4

making £57 in all (in addition to the few pounds it costs to send the machine by special delivery). This is much less than is charged by POS or Psion (if Psion are still repairing 5mxes).

But more important than this is the fact that Paul claims his screen cables are free of the fatal weakness that gives rise to the notorious screen cable failures. If this proves too optimistic in my case, the Digest will be the first to know.

Many other services are offered on Paul's site; for example, you can buy just the replacement cable, if you fell up to installing  it yourself.

Paul says on his site that the normal turn-round time is a week, but can be two weeks at busy times. Business must be good right now, because in fact it was three weeks between sending and receiving back.

Everything seems fine and I'm a happy Psioneer again; thanks, Paul.

But it's hard getting used to the murky aquarium green of the 5mx screen after using the brightly coloured emulator for many weeks.


Chris

Date: 22 May 2005 23:21:56 +0000
From: Bruce A.Knox <address truncated>
Subject: POS and a 5mx "successor"

I went to the POS website yesterday (looking for a backup battery for my 3a). They have an interesting announcement about an EPOC handheld computer. Does anyone know more about it? I'm not at all sure that it is quite what we might hope for. (!)

Bruce Knox

Date: 23 May 2005 10:18:31 +0000
From: Mike Woodward <address truncated>
Subject: IR Transfer - Kevin Thorne[Scanned]

Kevin

Suggest that you try PlBeam to transfer files to other devices. Quote
from the Help file:-

plBeam is an application enabling exchange of data through infrared port
with other palmtops, PCs and a wide range of machines using the IrOBEX
standard. EPOC system in ER5 version (Psion Series 5mx and later models)
enables transmission using the IrOBEX standard. However, it is limited
to exchange of single contacts and entries in Agenda only. plBeam breaks
this barrier and allows for sending and receiving the whole data files
and not only single records.

Thanks to plBeam you do not have to install PsiWin software on your PC
nor do you need a serial link cable anymore to be able to exchange data.

It works with Windows 95 & 98 not tried it with Windows 2000 or XP,
suspect you will need to configure XP if you have installed SP2.

Mike Woodward

Date: 23 May 2005 11:21:39 +0000
From: Jack <address truncated>
Subject: RE IR transfer

Hi Kevin,
>>>...IR transfers to my XP laptop ... my Psion S7 does not.  I think if I remember this is because the ER5 Psions don't implement the full Irda requirements?
RE
Yes ER5 is quite Ir"downgraded"
You could try some Ir"upgrader" such as:
Cbeam (Free) http://www.cpen.com/Download/extra_applications/m6/psion
or PlBeam (Share) at www.psiloc.com/
.... Robert might still not be your avuncular relation. as AFAIK, basic XP is quite Ir"limited" too.
Best...
Jack
PS To all and especially administrators, PLEASE,
*Keep our Digest FREE from out topics* (= not symbian & comparison) gangrening gossips.

Date: 23 May 2005 13:34:31 +0000
From: Franco Cozzani <address truncated>
Subject: Looking for my next PDA

Reply to Ian Brogan
Subject: Looking for my next PDA

Dear Ian,

you wrote: My assumption was, go buy a 9500 or a 9300, and enjoy the joys of
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. However, according to the Apple website, I won't be
able to fully sync. with Panther."

Actually, I had a similar question when thinking about a 9300/9500 myself (I
decided not to get one for the time being). I may have missed the answer, so
I raise this again.

Can one actually synchro OS X Panther/Tiger with 9300/9500 at all, albeit
not "fully"?

Now for the advice. I am dreaming as you for a Psion (or Sony-Psion) 9MX,
but have you considered a modern Palm as a temporary solution?
With a folding keyboard, perhaps?

The new Lifedrive seems a bit slow in addressing the HD as to be expected,
but it does not look that bad. It has a file system, too, and of course an
unprecedented amount of memory for office applications.
And besides, I have seen a 9500 in action (in the hands of an old Psioneer,
who should know about leaving more appl. open in Symbian, I know about
this!) and it hardly could be slower than the Nokia - sorry.
Also, again in Palm land, my new TE2 is of course no match to a true
successor to the 5MX, but for its price (249 € on the P1 website) it is
quite useful for the moment.

I have not much time to write more on this, but I would say - as of today of
course - Symbian machines are less convincing than most of us Psioneers say
they are (UIQ 3.0, which seemingly will revert to an active application,
anyone?) and the newest Palm are less dumb - and P1 less dead - than most of
us may think.

Cheers to everybody,


Franco COZZANI
Brussels

Date: 23 May 2005 17:35:09 +0000
From: Itamar Engelsman <address truncated>
Subject: Moving Big-bang/Evolution, Recent test of Nokia 7710,

Answer to: Chris S Handley & Wong Koi Hin

Re.: Moving Big-bang/Evolution - Thanks for taking the initiative. Unfortunately I really don't have time to start reading yet another list/forum/digest, but give us an update how many reactions you will receive.  I suppose the variety of subjects from time to time are due to the origin of this digest from the Compuserve Psion forum many years ago when the forum was more a small community with different sections for different subjects. Some of us are "together" since that time and view the digest as a kind of community as opposed to a more narrowly defined digest. I would stil prefer, censorship or not, not to lay down rules about the subjects and let the digest regulate itself which has worked fine for the first 745 issues.

Answer to: Stephane Sage

Re.: Recent test of Nokia 7710 - Is that still a phone ....? <G>. It looks to me more like a PDA without keyboard where the phone is just an "extra on the side". The report says the applications run slowly which is a huge minus, and the screen always touches the skin of your face when making calls. I suppose I am oldfashioned, I would like my phone to have a keyboard to dial. How would you use such a phone in a carstand while driving ?

Best regards,
Itamar Engelsman
London, UK

Date: 24 May 2005 22:15:25 +0000
From: Moshe Nahir <address truncated>
Subject: CoBuild Englisg dictionary on 5mx

Hi All,

I will greatly appreciate help with the following:

While waiting (with many others, I am sure) for an acceptable 5mx replacement, I am still using my good-old 5mx as my major handheld. The other day, the screen passed away (had those dreaded lines across) and I had to bring out the 5mx I had been keeping as a spare. Fortunately I had a recent backup (thanks to Chris Handley's excellent Fast Backup!!!), but when I try to open the (highly useful) CoBuild English dictionary, I get a small window saying, on top, Program closed, and below: Program: CoBuild;  Reason Code:  WSERV; Reason number:  7. Pressing  'Continue'  at the bottom causes the window to disappear, and no dictionary in sight.

I will be very grateful for advice on this. This dictionary is a great tool and I really miss it.

A related question: Is it worthwhile having the original 5mx repaired? And if so, any recommendations re where?

Thanks for any suggestions.

Moshe Nahir
Winnipeg, Canada

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Date: 24 May 2005 16:38:26 +0000
From: Simon Jeffree <address truncated>
Subject: Where to get an N-Gage classic

Hi digesters

I'm not sure if this is the best place to ask this question, but here goes.  My son wants to get one of the old N-Gages - yes, the sidetalking taco!  The classic, not the N-Gage QD.  With a built in FM radio, plenty of memory & an MP3 player, it looks to be quite a good smartphone cum mobile games platform.  Does anybody know where I could get one?  preferably not SIM locked.

Regards,
Simon Jeffree