- Web on 9500

- RE: The Digest V1 # 858

- Grid update again

- 9500 repostes for Martin!

- RE: 25 reasons why I will continue to rely on the 5mx

- Steves grid

- RE: MC218

- Re: 25 reasons why I will continue to rely on the Psion Series 5mx for at least

- Psion Epoc Web Site revision

- Re: Reinstalling Mbook OS

Date: 19 Dec 2005 08:47:59 +0100
From: Steve Litchfield <address truncated>
Subject: Web on 9500

>>BTW: I notice on the 9500 that when you close Web, Idesk's task list reports it as still open, often using large amounts of memory (often more than 1.5mb depending on the last page opened in it). Using Close in the task list gets rid of it completely and frees up the memory.

The main system apps on the 9500/9300, including Web, don't actually close when you hit 'Close', they simply move to the background. This is because they'd otherwise take too long to open when the user next chose the icon. There's oodles of Ram available on both devices though, so this is never a problem.


..........................
Steve Litchfield, 3-Lib, http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/, software and features for Psion/Symbian handhelds and smartphones. Journalism: sub-editor and/or senior contributor to: Palmtop User - http://www.palmtop.co.uk/ and PDA Essentials magazine in the UK. Also reviews editor for AllAboutSymbian - http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/

Date: 19 Dec 2005 08:49:14 +0100
From: SA <address truncated>
Subject: RE: The Digest V1 # 858

Well done Martin, what an excellent write up on the venerable Psion 5mx.
I recently had a problem with the infamous screen cable and thanks to Paul<address truncated> is now back working like new.

I travel extensively and need to work on aircraft, using the 5mx keeps the crew happy and allows me to work in low light conditions (when on night flights). Santa is bringing me a Nokia 9300, so I look forward to the new technology, but rest assured the trusty 5mx will still be travelling with me for a few more years.
Wishing you all seasons greeting and a prosperous New Year
Brendan (from warm and sunny Dubai) 

Date: 19 Dec 2005 08:49:56 +0100
From: Steve Litchfield <address truncated>
Subject: Grid update again

Another plug/titbit about my 'Grid'

http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/grid.htm

If you plug in things like w/p and spreadsheeting, plus stability, battery life etc. as most important and say things like photography are unimportant, you can still get the grid to declare the 7 year old 5mx the winner 8-))

..........................
Steve Litchfield, 3-Lib, http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/, software and features for Psion/Symbian handhelds and smartphones. Journalism: sub-editor and/or senior contributor to: Palmtop User - http://www.palmtop.co.uk/ and PDA Essentials magazine in the UK. Also reviews editor for AllAboutSymbian - http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/

Date: 19 Dec 2005 09:34:05 +0100
From: Steve Litchfield <address truncated>
Subject: 9500 repostes for Martin!

Hi Martin,

Interesting read and many of your points are very valid. But I thought I'd respond to a few things...

>>and opening it for typing is just as fast as pulling the stylo out from the P900 and much faster than setting up and pair the external keyboard. If you want to capture the moment before your short term memory decides to abort the handover of a nugget of information to your long

I'll bet I can get 10 words into my 9500 from a standing start faster than you and your Psion. The keyboard's not *that* much worse 8-)

>>Marking a piece of text for copying is cumbersome on a 9500 or 9300, but very fast on the 5mx.

I always hated selecting text by dragging the stylus on the Psion - I always feared scratching the screen....

>>6. Battery. For long periods I will not have access to powerpoints, or I might have forgotten the charger at home. But I can purchase AA batteries in just about any little stall or kiosk.

Eh? You can charge the 9500 from mains, 12V car socket or PP9 battery. How much of your life is going to be spent in Antartica? 8-)

>>9. Macro & OPL. Having multiple documents opened (Word, Editor, Data, Contacts etc) and switching between them is easy and fast. Macro & OPL also enables you to quickly automate

Task switching is just as convenient and quick on the 9500 as on the Psion. And multiple documents are just as easy to do.

>>CopyAnywhere. The Symbian Word processor in the 9500 or 9300 is actually a later version of Psion Word. But it has been dumbed down!

Eh? Apart from the spell checker/thesaurus, what is missing?

>>11. Embedded objects. I use this feature a lot. I often put word documents and pictures inside Agenda and Data. The 9500 and 9300 implementations have only limited support if any.

This was done specifically so that the apps could be better synced to Outlook. So blame Bill Gates for this one 8-)

>>16. Sunlight. Absence of colour is not of any importance whatsoever for what I'm using the 5mx for. The 5mx screen performs very well in any light condition, from the most intense sunlit beach to the darkness of an airplane cabin at night.

'Very well'? My 5mx's screen was brilliant in sunlight but appallingly murky indoors. The 9500's is brilliant indoors and only slightly murky in bright sunglight.

>>tense meetings, seminars etc. Since the 5mx has full keyboard feel, there is no need to use clicks and beeps. And it doesn't rattle like the portable foldable add-on keyboards I've

I never use key clicks on the 9500 keyboard and it works perfectly 8-)

>>20. File manager. I want to access the files directly. The 'Windows-style' shortcut desktop which was introduced in Series 80 v2 (9500, 9300) is not for me. When I copy a file symbol from one place to another, I want to be sure it's the physical file I'm copying, not the shortcut.

Eh? Why would you want to copy a 'file symbol'? If you want to manage your files on the 9500, you use 'File manager'. It's effectively the same as the old Psion System screen. Only better. The 9500 Desk is more like the Psion Extras bar and functions mainly as an app launcher.

>>If I don't have a PC backup, I can easily put all the information on a CF in one go, either using individual file copy or using a tool like Chris' FastBackup. Try to do that with a 9500 or 9300 or P900? Not possible. The 5mx still reigns supreme.

Eh? (again) The 9500 includes a superb 'backup to card' facility (on the Desk menu). I use it all the time.

>>24. Travel light. Whereas I respect that many people do not have any other choice than to carry notebooks around, I don't. My P900 is sufficient for the need to read emails and

A 9500 is a LOT lighter than a Psion 5mx and a P900. A LOT.

Interesting discussion, but I thought I ought to put forward points in the 9500's defense. And you haven't mentioned any of the 20 or so ways in which the 9500 kicks the Psion 5mx's butt... 8-))

..........................
Steve Litchfield, 3-Lib, http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/, software and features for Psion/Symbian handhelds and smartphones. Journalism: sub-editor and/or senior contributor to: Palmtop User - http://www.palmtop.co.uk/ and PDA Essentials magazine in the UK. Also reviews editor for AllAboutSymbian - http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/

Date: 19 Dec 2005 17:02:14 +0100
From: Alan Morris <address truncated>
Subject: RE: 25 reasons why I will continue to rely on the 5mx

Martin Maxwell <address truncated> wrote:-

||> EPOC has come a long way since we first saw it on the very
||> first Psion Series 5.

Well, what an excellent article on the 5mx.  It almost says it all.

Nothing to disagree with apart from the fact that I would also include my other "hopelessly obsolete ER5" Psions.

||> 2. CopyAnywhere. .... Copying something on one machine and
||> pasting it on the other is what I want. The 5mx still reigns supreme.

I always have a Psion, generally a 7 at home, permanently connected when using Windows.  I even prefer to type on the Psion and spell check if needed before copying to Windows, especially when a 'Send e-mail' link is not an e-mail but a form.  A copy kept on a Psion can be very useful at times.

||> 17. .... for instance in .... Meetings

One can beam notes to someone across the table by silent IR to another Psion.

Thanks Martin M

Date: 19 Dec 2005 19:54:48 +0100
From: Rolf Vonau <address truncated>
Subject: Steves grid

Hi Steve,
thank you for the site
http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/grid.htm
I entered my weigtings and got the confirmation, that I bought the best machine for me, in fact the 9500.

--
BR
Rolf

Date: 19 Dec 2005 21:13:56 +0100
From: Bob <address truncated>
Subject: RE: MC218

Thanks for all the info on the MC218 screen cable.  Having owned Psion's since the Original Series 3 and on up I most of the problem areas---Really there aren't that many on these great machines.  I knew about the screen cables, and kind of figured that might be what it is, one still tries to think maybe there is a small problem to look at first.  I love my Psion's and my MC218, but not sure its worth all the effort to try to fix it. Thanks to everyone for the great advice, its always appreciated.

Thanks,
Bobby

Date: 19 Dec 2005 23:32:49 +0100
From: U Hornstein <address truncated>
Subject: Re: 25 reasons why I will continue to rely on the Psion Series 5mx for at least

Reference is made to the mail in the The Digest V1 # 858 :  Martin Maxwell <address truncated> wrote on 19 Dec 2005 04:15:47 (> ):
> Subject: 25 reasons why I will continue to use the Psion
> Series 5mx for at least another two decades.

Very well said, Martin. Although not all of your 25 reasons apply to me, the remaining say 23 do. Welcome in the 5mx/MC218 club. I am there too. Not sure about the literally next TWO decades, but probably for a long time.

One more reason for me: over the years I have gathered some knowledge on how to work with the machine and with macros and OPL I can produce most of the special behaviour I want it to have. It'll take me years again to gain a similar expertise on its successor. This new machine then needs to offer lots of bonuses over the MC218 to make the change worthwhile.

So, happily, I'll stay with you and others a 5mx/MC218 user for the next time to come. Good to know that people like you are there. That is why I will keep writing and publishing software for it on http://psion.uh-lab.de.
--
With greetings from Germany
Ulrich Hornstein
For spam protection: Please NEVER type my mail address into a www page ('send to a friend' or similar)!
Sent by MC218 (EPOC palmtop)

Date: 20 Dec 2005 01:57:09 +0100
From: Eric Lindsay <address truncated>
Subject: Psion Epoc Web Site revision

Since The Digest has been fairly sparse for a while, I thought I 
would request some comments about the future of my Psion site http:// www.ericlindsay.com/epoc

I am preparing to revise my entire site (next year).  I hope to move 
to a content management system, have the generation of site and local 
navigation added automatically to my pages, and generally make it 
easier for me to keep my site updated (I basically haven't made any 
updates in about a year or two).

For the Psion part, I hope to remove most of the (many) dead links.  
As some of the links may still be of interest, I was planning to 
retain the URL but not make it a link.  This would allow people to 
try the Wayback Machine or any other historical cache of the web if 
they seek the lost content of the page pointed to.  What do Psion 
users think of that suggestion?

I was also thinking that perhaps the obsolete material should be 
separated out on the web page and appear after any still current 
material.  For search engine reasons, I'm not keen on changing the 
file names, but if enough people think I should pull obsolete 
material out I'll do it..

If anyone has any suggestions for making the site easier to use from 
a Psion or Symbian device, I'd be pleased to consider suggestions.  
At present styling is all by CSS, so it should work with any HTML 
only browser, and look better in modern CSS browsers.  If there is 
anything anyone thinks I should change, this is a good time to 
suggest it.  Thanks.

Date: 21 Dec 2005 01:19:16 +0100
From: Melvin Woody <address truncated>
Subject: Re: Reinstalling Mbook OS

Ian - and anyone else.
    I checked my CF card and found that the OS file I had placed on there did not have the .img suffix.  So I added that using my CF reader for my desktop and replaced the CF card in the Mbook.  I still only get that screen with "MY SCHOOL BOOK: My Way to Knowledge  One-Ed com against a cosmic background.  No tapping on anything had any effecf, including the  on-off switch.  Nor did the machine turn off after 3 minutes, as the manual says it should.  So I closed it up, turned it over and did a soft reset.  When I reopened it, I got a beep beep - and the same old screen.  Only now it will turn off in all the normal ways - and back on to that same old screen.  Perhaps my OS file wasn't the correct one? When I check its length using my desktop, it reads 14,627,072 - and is now  listed in one file management program as OSIMG.IMG.  So perhaps I'll try all over again, after erasing the .img that I added first time around, now that I've done a reset.
    I think I goofed. My DOS file manager had OSIMG~1.IMG and I have renamed it to OSIMG without the ~1, which means there were more imvisible components to the filename originally.
    What now? I still can't get beyong "MY SCHOOLBOOK.. etc. "  I'll go seaerching of where to download a new OS, I guess.  But can anyone give me any further clues?

Melvin Woody

> Melvin,
>
>>>>> 2. My MBook languished unused while I was abroad and for
>>>>> several weeks thereafter. Now when plugged in, it only
>>>>> displays the "My Schoolbook, My Way to Knowledge screen. I
>>>>> take it that this means that the battery ran down and I have
>>>>> to reinstall  the OS, which is on the CF card. But I can't
>>>>> recall how to go about that. I looked at the OS txt file on
>>>>> the CF card, but I can't follow  those instructions for
>>>>> reinstallation because no matter what I top on  the screen,
>>>>> nothing happens. Can someone please advise? <<
>
>
> Just put a CF card containing the OS file (OS.img I think it is, and
> it should be in the root) in the CF tray and switch on; the OS will
> install in about 10 seconds and you should be ready to go...
>
> Hope this helps, Ian.