- SonyEricsson W800i - Psion ER5 Infrared compatibility & 9300 Commu nicator query

- UK source of PQI 100x CF cards?

- netBook connectivity

- RE: The Digest V1 # 849 (8)

- 9500 as 5mx replacement; ROAD pda

- 5mx reloading contacts+

- Re: Be careful on eBay/Jasjar

- Be careful on eBay, Hotspots,

- Missing Machine ID and S7

- Re: Times gone by

- netPad questions

Date: 1 Dec 2005 21:31:26 +0100
From: Lewis Barton <address truncated>
Subject: SonyEricsson W800i - Psion ER5 Infrared compatibility & 9300 Commu nicator query

•  SonyEricsson W800i - Psion ER5 Infrared compatibility

Given recent reports of problems using a K700i with our (Epoc) machines, I'm pleased to be able to report that the SE W800i - SonyEricsson's latest 'flagship' model - appears to maintain compatibility with Psion ER5 over Infrared.

Having been considering a handset upgrade, for a while, I had a chance to briefly try out a W800i, in store.  First of all, PhoneManPro read texts without problem from both the phone's memory (which an indicated capacity of c.200 vs 80 for my SE Z600 clamshell & T610 models) and the SIM card.  I then successfully sent a test SMS from Psion Mail (and would, therefore, expect SMS uploading from the phone into Mail to work) - this was more encouraging still (especially for my needs), given Psion Mail seems to be less tolerant of newer handsets than PhoneManPro.

I then tried uploading the phone's contacts into PhoneManPro which seemed to work OK (90+ contacts read, before I interrupted it).  This was done with the standard Ericsson DI28 modem setting selected - I didn't have time to test the 'Ericsson R520 Beta2' driver which should support Ericsson's extended Contacts-style phonebook (T39, R520 and subsequent handsets), but would expect this to work... interestingly, I did notice that (with the DI28 driver) PhoneManPro identified the handset's phonebook capacity as 2,500 whereas, with all my existing SE handsets, it just shows 90, regardless of the higher capacity of models like the T39 (with a 500 number phonebook); thus, indicating a spurious capacity, currently, of 207/90 in the folder view (although the 'top-heavy' numerator relates to number of contacts, not actual phone numbers, which is usually greater).

Finally, I successfully made a HSCSD internet connection through my normal dial-up ISP from Psion Mail and downloaded a few mails.  I wasn't able to establish a GPRS internet connection, but assume this was because the O˛ branded handset I was using with my UK Orange SIM didn't have Orange's GPRS settings installed.

I didn't have a chance to check Fax send/receive, but I imagine this may not be available since Fax support was lost (IIRC) with models after the ultra-slim T28.

I doubt I have much real need for the W800's new features (mp3 player, FM radio, higher resolution camera) over those of the T610/Z600 - which still serve me very well - but, it's encouraging to see die-hard ER5 users are still not being forced into relying on old handsets to keep their Psions connected (while they continue to patiently wait for a 'modern' PDA that can actually do everything their 'legacy' device does in an equally elegant & efficient way, wrt OS, form factor & input methods!)... just a great pity to note that SE's P-series smartphones, although fine as internet (fax?) modems, cannot be used with ER5 to *send* SMS (unless anyone knows different!) and rather ironic given they're running 'ER7'!  To be fair, it's not surprising that one can't read SMS received on a P9xx with PhoneManPro or upload them into Psion Mail, since this is akin to asking either app to read/upload(!) texts from the Epoc Mail message store of *another* Psion, rather than from a conventional handset's SMS memory!... but, it's a shame that, the latter problem aside, there isn't greater Ir compatibility between the devices/OS versions (is this just an ASCII-Unicode issue?).

It seems curious that (disregarding P-series handsets, with their completely different (Symbian) OS) not all current, Ir-equipped SonyEricsson handsets are ER5-friendly, given that some clearly are - the K700i is reported (Digests nos.656, 808, 810, 811, 814-7, 825-7) as incompatible, whereas the K750i seems OK (Digest 838).  I would've thought the OS and Infrared protocols would be common between such closely related, concurrent models.

note: My testing was rather hurried, but I think the W800i may be the first Ericsson handset I've found (P-series smartphones excepted) which doesn't have the irritating and, to me, inexplicable 'feature' of erasing all the SMS messages stored in the handset when a *different* SIM card is inserted.


•  9300 Communicator query

I guess a P9xx wouldn't be considered a natural companion phone/modem for a Psion, on account of its size/duplication of functionality - instead, I mostly use a SonyEricsson Z600 with my netBook and just take my P910i when I want to go out with a single, smaller device, mainly for making calls & picking up mails.  However, I avoid *sending* e-mails & SMS from the P910i, since they can't be directly synchronised with my nB, as my principal messaging device (Oh, for a Symbian7 netBook as a seamless smartphone companion!).  Similarly, as described above, any SMS received while using the P910 cannot be read/uploaded onto the nB, later.  However, a usable, if inconvenient, workaround is to transfer those SMS from the P910's default message store onto the SIM card (a menu option when reading an SMS) and then read the SIM in a conventional handset.

In this context, since I am also considering a Nokia 9300 Communicator as a handset upgrade, perhaps a Digest 9300 owner could confirm whether or not Epoc Mail, as implemented on Symbian7-Series 80, has the same message store to/from SIM SMS transfer facility - my suspicion is that it probably won't, since the 9210 I briefly owned didn't have this function.  Equally, similar feedback from any 9500 users would also be appreciated, as I imagine they would be the same in this respect.  Many thanks.


Regards, Lewis

Date: 1 Dec 2005 21:31:47 +0100
From: Lewis Barton <address truncated>
Subject: UK source of PQI 100x CF cards?

Can anyone advise of a UK retail source for PQI's (www.pqi.com.tw) latest 100x speed Compact Flash cards?  These have been in production for some time, but I can't find any UK suppliers (my favourite web-retailer, eBuyer, don't look as though they are going to stock them - their 60x PQI cards have been unavailable for quite a while and their 40x stocks are erratic).

Failing that, any recommendations for competitive UK/EU sources of other good quality brands of similar, ultra-high speed cards, of 500 to 1024MB capacity, woud be welcome.

Thanks,

Regards, Lewis

Date: 1 Dec 2005 22:22:03 +0100
From: Studio 70 <address truncated>
Subject: netBook connectivity

> ON  1 Dec 2005 13:22:13 +0100
> From: McCorquodale David <address truncated> > Subject: netBook connectivity
>
> Please would someone be good enough and spend a little time in telling me
> how to get my netBook (software v 1.05 (450)) to wirelessly connect to an
> airport hotspot .............>8..snip........want to connect in Starbucks
> or an Airport etc whilst on the road!
> Any help anybody can be bothered to provide would be really appreciated.

David, Last year I started on a similar project but got side tracked and carted a Dell Laptop around EU and UK as a "hot spot link" (it seemed to get heavier day by day) I have decided to try again with the 7 but first I suppose I should check that I've actually got a suitable machine...I have, according to the "About Series 7" page and I quote...
Psion series 7
EPOC Release 5
Copyright Symbian Ltd 1997-1999
Version 1.05(254)- English(UK)- ASCII(Build756)
World Patents Pending

QUESTIONS:
1   Will the above machine even link with a PCMCIA Wireless Card ?
2   Is there a particular PCMCIA adapter that I should use with the Psion? I have tried just inserting a PCMCIA Flash Card adapter that have used successfully with my laptop but receive the message that "No disk is present" 
3    Like wise when the Wireless Card that I used with my laptop is inserted into the 7 nothing happens this time either ...Could this be a faulty drive "E" and if so where is the best place to have it repaired?

I really would like to fully use the convenience of the 7 while the bulk and battery life (as against the 5) makes it slightly less desirable the colour screen out weighs those two minor disadvantages and if I could get it operate in place of the laptop where it wins on all accounts except connectivity! I think that will be my goal for 2006 IMO

Any advice and assistance gratefully received
And thankfully applied...
Thanks in Advance

Bob & Loris Hancock
Beside sunny Currumbin Beach
On the Gold Coast of Queensland  AUS
You are welcome to visit www.lorishancock.com 

Date: 1 Dec 2005 23:47:52 +0100
From: Alan Morris <address truncated>
Subject: RE: The Digest V1 # 849 (8)

Itamar Engelsman <address truncated> wrote:-

||> Re.: Owan - Send Owan regards from the Digest members, he ||> has not (yet <G>) been forgotten.

Itamar, if you what to know where Owen is then use the following URL.

http://www.aprs.net/cgi-bin/winlink.cgi?LA7QZ

The first map will probably have no data, as there is not much to see on a map of the sea.  But the second map will show where he is.

To see a picture of Owen and his boat then use this URL.

http://www.qrz.com/LA7QZ


You can use any ham callsign.  Since changing my vehicle, the first URL will not show my location until I reinstall my GPS and radio.  The second URL has had a picture of my new vehicle uploaded, but may take a few days to be shown.

Alan Morris, G4ENS

Date: 2 Dec 2005 02:34:55 +0100
From: Moshe Nahir <address truncated>
Subject: 9500 as 5mx replacement; ROAD pda

Hi All,

I have been toying with the idea of replacing my (very) good-old 5mx with a Nokia 9500. I have tried to investigate whether I could use it as a phone here in Canada. Nobody I talked to knew much about it, most have not even heard about a Nokia 9500. Does anyone on the Digest know whether it can be or has been used in Canada or US?

A related question: Some time ago someone posted info on an upcoming ROAD pda/smart-phone, which looks similar to the 9500 and seems to be a very promising potential 5mx replacement. Does anyone know and have an opinion on this device? The info is available at
http://www.road-gmbh.de/en/handypc/index.html  

I will be grateful for any info/advice on the above.

Moshe Nahir
Winnipeg, Canada

Date: 2 Dec 2005 10:07:32 +0100
From: Charles Davies <address truncated>
Subject: 5mx reloading contacts+

Thanks Itamar
Charles

Date: 2 Dec 2005 11:58:22 +0100
From: Greg Crayford <address truncated>
Subject: Re: Be careful on eBay/Jasjar

on 2/12/05 9:36 AM, The Digest at<address truncated> wrote:

> Be careful on eBay
>
> Please be careful on eBay. I have bought several things with no problem. I
> usually use Papal. I have wanted a 9300 so I saw one on eBay and I started
> bidding for it. It was a guy with an email address of Sooner16......
> It was auctioning for Euros and my bid was for the equivalent of $277 US and I
> won. I thought wow what a great price----------well yes it was a great price
> alright. He also requested I pay it with a bank draft or Western Union---I
> really wanted it so I sent a Western Union money order and he even sent me
> back some information even supposedly the shipping company a list of shipping
> numbers to sort through to find mine. That was three weeks ago and I haven't
> received anything yet and have since had an email from eBay telling me that
> that auctioneer's info was compromised and they have been banned from eBay. I
> had already sent the money and he had already received it. Not sure what else
> to do so I guess he has my money. I am usually pretty savvy about this stuff
> but it looks like I wanted the 9300 more then I really should have and am just
> out the money.

Hi Bob,

For what itąs worth I had a near-identical situation with a Mac mini earlier
this year. The whole thing reeked of scam when viewing it retrospectively.
As it turned out the item arrived though it took nine weeks. Iąd already
made my complaints to eBay and Paypal.

It didnąt help that the seller was not a good communicator.

It may work out for you yet. I hope so. It was pretty unpleasant when I
thought Iąd been ripped off so you have my sympathy.

On an unrelated note, has anyone bought an iMate Jasjar? I have a friend
interested in one and she needs to know if it will sync with her iBook. Does
anyone know if this is possible? An extensive web search doesnąt hold much
hope. Ideally sheąd be able to use iSync.

Cheers

Greg Crayford
Wellington, New Zealand

Date: 2 Dec 2005 13:17:43 +0100
From: Itamar Engelsman <address truncated>
Subject: Be careful on eBay, Hotspots,

Answer to: Bob

Re.: Be careful on eBay - There is a Dutch saying that one cannot sit for a penny on the first row. I am sorry to hear about your experience. For that exact reason i will not buy anything from eBay for more than about 20 to 30 pounds, unless it is an eBay shop. I once sold my old Sony PDA via eBay and than the guy regretted his purchase and refused to pay and take delivery. The world is a jungle out there, including (or especially) eBay.

Answer to: McCorquodale David

Re.: Hotspots - The problem with these hotspots in my experience is that most of them are not free. You first have to buy airspace and connect with your web program (or Opera) before you can use it. Quite often this ends up being more expensive than downloading a few emails with GPRS so I don't use it. At home it worked great until I had to change the rooter as it burnt through. Now I can't connect anymore and have not yet found out why.

Best regards,
Itamar Engelsman
London, UK

Date: 2 Dec 2005 13:53:18 +0100
From: Daniel Waxel <address truncated>
Subject: Missing Machine ID and S7

To Digest Administrator:

I have a Series 7 currently synched with a Windows 98 laptop  with Office Outlook XP which works just fine.

I've tried to install the PsiWin software onto a Windows 2000 SP4 with Office Outlook XP desktop and all went well until it came to connecting which it would not do.

Checking with epoc machine manager, I found that there was no ID number nor machine owner listed.

How can I enter the requisite information or get the Win 2K desktop to read it properly.

On a similar note, is there a way to sync 2 different Psion's to one desktop, say a Revo and a Series 7.

Thank you in advance for your reply,

Happy holiday season to all,

Daniel W.

Date: 3 Dec 2005 15:38:44 +0100
From: Rolf Brunsting <address truncated>
Subject: Re: Times gone by

Dear Itamar,

<< As to Darwin, also your opinion is just an opinion, but I think we 
will not go into this subject again as I am afraid of the reactions 
in the digest .... >>

Your "just an opinion" doesn't do any justice to the subject and 
what's at stake. Adding a disclaimer to the teaching of Darwin's 
Theory of Evolution by Natural Selection in the classroom may appear 
to be a rather innocent concession to those with strong religious 
feelings. Trouble is that it's far from innocent.

First, because what's to be mentioned in the disclaimer isn't an 
honest appraisal of Darwin's theory. The disclaimer mentions, for 
example, that the theory is unproven while that's certainly not the 
case. The enormous body of evidence from molecular biology, 
paleontology, genetics, cosmology, geology, etc. has established 
Darwin's theory well beyond reasonable doubt. While Intelligent 
Design, mentioned as an alternative theory in the disclaimer, doesn't 
qualify because it doesn't meet the requirements of a scientific 
theory. Such a highly misleading disclaimer should not be used in the 
classroom.

We're, secondly, living in a scientific age. Many new scientific 
discoveries are coming our way and we have to decide on what we're 
going to do with this new body of knowledge. Think of the rapid 
advances in medical science and technology, for example. This makes 
it almost mandatory for people to have a clear understanding of what 
science is and the way science and scientists work. As they have to 
judge what scientists present to them. It's a very bad idea to mix 
the teaching of science with religiously inspired ideas, even in the 
form of a disclaimer. The philosophical basis of religion is 
fundamentally different from that of science. Teach both in the 
biology classroom and what science is becomes so muddled that the 
teaching of science is damaged. Which makes the disclaimer, in 
effect, anti-science.

Thirdly, because the schools that are targeted are state schools. 
Attempts to get religious ideas becoming part of the science 
curriculum therefore touches on an important principle : Separation 
between Church and State. Well ... the groups who want have a 
disclaimer added to the teaching of Darwin's theory of evolution in 
the classroom make no bones about their final aims. The next step is 
that the so-called 'Intelligent Design Theory' is taught side by 
side. And the final step is that two books are used in biology 
classes : the Bible and a biology textbook which makes no mention of 
Darwin's theory. Indeed ... the Bible ... not the Torah nor the Koran 
nor the Bhagavit Ghita because these pressure groups are dominated by 
(ultra)orthodox Protestants. The disclaimer is therefore the thin end 
of the wedge to turn neutral state schools into one particular type 
of religious school. The introduction of disclaimers therefore needs 
to be resisted in order to preserve the status of state schools 
within education.

Finally, the disclaimers in class, the promotion of 'Intelligent 
Design' etc. is part of a wider battle against what these religious 
pressure groups call a secular humanist society. What the pressure 
groups say they want is a society based on morality and ethics. 
Scratch the surface away and it's clear that what they actually want 
is a society that's based on a strict interpretation of the Bible. A 
society in which non-believers and those of other religions are made 
subject to what these pressure groups see as 'God's Law'. Such a 
society will, inevitably, become a religious dictatorship.

All the more reason to resist the addition of disclaimers to Darwin's 
theory in the classroom and to get the decision by the Kansas Board 
of Education overturned. Let the teaching of science in secondary 
schools remain the teaching of what science is, how scientists work 
and what science has found out about the natural world. People are 
still free to reject scientific theory, preferring what the 
scriptures and traditions of their faith teach them.

---
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Beilen - Netherlands

Date: 4 Dec 2005 15:16:42 +0100
From: Marcus von Cube <address truncated>
Subject: netPad questions

Hi,

I've a new toy! It's a netPad 3700 complete with scanner but without wireless connectivity. I have some questions:

1) Can the system be upgraded with WLAN?

2) plBeam (registered) won't install in control panel. I know I can use the plBeam application, but I'd like to use the system screen instead.

3) The battary gauge is totally out of sync. I once let the battery run flat on purpose. Since the cold start thereafter and an overnight recharge, battery information shows the following parameters:

Summary:
- Main battery status: Uncalibrated
- Backup battery status: Good
- External Power: Not Present
- Main Voltage (8,2V): full length bar
- Backup level (2,6): 75% bar

Avanced:
- Battery capacity: UNKNOWN
- Degradation: 4%
- Battery temperature: 25%
- Battery volts: 8,4%
- Discharge current: 170mA

General:
- Battery manufacturer: MPS
- Battery type Lithium Ion
- Battery UID 88000...
- Date battery made: 03/01/02
- Rated capacity: 1400mAh

The battery gauge is red, indicating an almost flat battery. The discharge current seems to be more or less random, a least it doesn't change with backlight on/off. When I dock the netPad, the following changes occur:

Summary:
- External Power: Present

All other information stays the same. The battery gauge is still red and not moving. The docking station center LED is red (indicating a charge?).

After a soft reset while docked, the status has changed again:

Advanced:
- Charge current: 126 mA (Battery gauge is now animated)

The operating system has been upgraded to Release 1.76(252) which seems to be the newest. I plan
to leave the device docked for another 24 hours and see what happens.

Marcus

http://www.mvcsys.de