- RE: Usage of Psions

- RE: Usage of Psions

- Re: Usage of Psions

- Re: The Digest V1 # 1292 (9)

- Psion Use

- Re: Usage of Psions

- Re: Usage of Psions

- Usage of Psions 1292 (2)

- Re: The Digest V1 # 1292 (12)

- Usage of Psions

- Usage of Psions

- TheDigest is still alive

- Use of Psion

- netbook user

- Usage of Psions

- iPhone as Psion Agenda replacement

- Re: Usage of Psions

- Mako Usage Still Strong

Date: 21 Nov 2008 00:19:55 +0000
From: Alan R Morris <address truncated>
Subject: RE: Usage of Psions

Itamar wrote:-

# Well, no messages for 5 days. It interests me to hear from # users of Psions what you still use your Psion for after so # many years since the demise of Psion have passed.

I've been using personal computers since I bought an 8k PET in 1987, within a year of their appearance.  I used it for many tasks, including word-processing and ham radio.

Next PET was a 32K and the last was a 96k.  On these I used the Wordcraft word processor and much more.

When the Sirius 16 bit arrived, Wordcraft was transferred to it, then Apricot and eventually Canon (IBM clone).  Other clones followed and I still used Wordcraft.

It was always superior to Word on Windows 1, 2, 3, 3.11.  Then I went to a M$ meeting to announce W95.

Wow, M$ were introducing background printing.  I could not believe what I was hearing, so whispered to my trade friend I was sitting next to.
He started PCs with Windows and Word.  Yes, I had heard correctly.

Wordcraft on the PET already had background printing.  I stayed with Wordcraft until 2000, when DOS lost it's ability to interface with Wordcraft for automatic date entry.

Later, I decided to put all my word-processing onto EPOC Psions, where it remains today.

I have no need for M$ Word, apart from opening files from others.

My 7 or netBook is permanently by my computers used for e-mail (stopped using 5mx/7 when went to broadband), digital photography and digital mapping with GPS.

All _important_ stuff is still on Psions including ABP5.  I use most of the standard apps, Phoneman pro, PsiDat, Macro5 etc.

I have my 7/netBook on desk and 5mx/5mx PRO/5mx as a mobile copy using EpocSync.  The others are rotated spares.

A programmer on PET - 6502 ASSY & BASIC, the 8086....again with ASSY & BASIC.  Never had a need for C.

Now EPOC OPL is my prime language.

Psion connected to Windows with Copyany, to use the linked clipboards. But Windows is going bad and have to keep Psion on mains with Copyany in use.  If Psion powers off, then immediate black screen closedown and warm re-boot on XP.

I hope my Psions will outlive me, if not then the SDK emulation on Windows.

Alan Morris.

Date: 21 Nov 2008 00:52:12 +0000
From: David Steer \(Plus\) <address truncated>
Subject: RE: Usage of Psions

My NetBook still travels with me, I use it mainly for banking (ABP5) but
still play games on it, do e-mails, surf the web (only limited sites
though), write notes from work and use the diary.  I don't use it as much as
I used to and since my new phone lacks an IR port I don't use my NetBook for
mobile email, only from home on the wireless.  I still use CityMapps and
Route for navigation.  It does all the odd little jobs that can be done
quicker than booting up my PC!

Regards
David S

Date: 21 Nov 2008 00:59:40 +0000
From: Keith Giles <address truncated>
Subject: Re: Usage of Psions

I'm primarily a PC user. However, when I go travelling, usually a bicycle tour, I use my 5mx because:
1. It doesn't require any cables for recharging batteries.
2. It, along with my SLR camera with zoom lens, fits into my handlebar bag.
3. While touring I use the following apps:
a. abp - I can export a qif file into my PC's Quicken program.
b. Agenda.
c. BikLog5.
d. DreamConnect for contacts.
e. Crypto to access important personal/bank/etc. info.
f. Word for a daily journal.
g. Data where I enter every photo (photo number, when, where, what).
h. Macro5 for a variety of things.
i. nSwitcher.
j. Backup (set to run each night).
k. CronTab to run Backup.
l. Sheet for a variety of bicycle info.
m. Route for European countries.
n. CityMaps for a variety of European cities - big and small.
o. Collins English-German and English-French dictionaries.
p. JB5StopGo when I'm home to start the backup of C to my PC.

I also take my 5mx to the local library. I use Data to keep a list of books I'm looking for.

Now to the netBook which usually stays home. While I have a lot of apps loaded on it, I use busyView; Agenda; BikeLog5; FastBackup; Ferret; PsiWallpaper; Merlin; nSwitcher; Macro5; WinEpoc; Crypto; DreamConnect; JB%StopGo. I have a variety of info stored using Word, Data, and Sheet.

So far I've never found a replacement for the 5mx for cycletouring because nothing on the market with a keyboard will fit in my handlebar bag along with my camera, and I do need a keyboard because of extensive journal writing in Word.

Happy Cycling,
Keith
Sunnyvale, CA

Thought For The Day: Children are born with a hearing problem. They can hear everyone's mother but their own.

Date: 21 Nov 2008 01:12:40 +0000
From: Jim Watson-Gove <address truncated>
Subject: Re: The Digest V1 # 1292 (9)

Itamar,

I'm using my Psions today pretty much like I used them in the beginning.  The only difference is that I had to give up on email - compuserve kept changing their software.

I have 20 to 30 years of my poetry in what I consider my primary files (well backed up on my desktop and my eee machine).

I have two of the four novels I have written (none published), all my business records for the two magazines (one an anthology in its 4th year) I publish, one dating back to 1970 - this consists of data files, spreadsheets for bank account, and word files.

I use the 5mx for my primary agenda and contacts information.  I also use it for reading ebooks (I downloaded the entire compuserve library when I realized the forum was going away).

I've tried numerous times to migrate to a Palm platform but have been plagued with mechanical faults that have driven me back to my Psions. Have not tried the windows machines as they are too expensive and I hate the instability of windows on my desktops.  I have one desktop and my eee machine running linux and would move my main desktop to Linux in a New York minute if I could find a substitute for WS Publisher - I crank out my magazines and a chapbook series using Publisher.

I love my 5mx despite its faulty screen cable design and keep shuttling them to Canada for repairs - I now have three 5mx to keep me up and running while a faulty machine is in for repairs.  Just traded an MBook for my third 5mx.  I keep the three machines synchronized using a flash memory card.

It's too bad that Psion shot themselves in the foot - they had the best machine in the market and with
proper promotion it could still be the leader despite b/w screen and no wifi.

And oh, I still use my Palm Tungston T/X for email (a headsup read in
the morning with answers from my eee machine or desktop sometime later
in the day) and solitaire.  The machine sits next to my bed and I
hardly ever carry it around during the day - email in the am and
solitaire in the pm.

jim - port townsend, wa, usa

Date: 21 Nov 2008 01:29:09 +0000
From: Eric Lindsay <address truncated>
Subject: Psion Use

>  The Digest    Fri, 21 Nov 2008    Volume 01  :  Number 1292 > Subject: Usage of Psions

Now that I have retired, I no longer need as many Agenda style 
functions. I use Apple's iCal and AddressBook on a Macintosh instead 
of Agenda. For Todo lists, I use Things. In each case, these sync with 
my iPhone, thus giving me a portable copy to take with me.

I still keep all my accounts on a MalayBook using ABP5. So far I have 
not found any alternative money style program that I like as much on 
my Macintosh. I rather fear I will have to write a spreadsheet that 
works the way I want. However that would doubtless not be near as good 
as ABP.

I also still track car fuel economy and so on using Sheet. I fully 
intend to move that to Apple Numbers , but have not had time to do so. 
I do not think there will be any major dramas, as none of the formula 
are all that complex.

I have not found any portable alternative with anything like the 
simplicity and functionality of the Psion Word, Sheet and Data 
combination.

Date: 21 Nov 2008 07:10:43 +0000
From: Wong Koi Hin <address truncated>
Subject: Re: Usage of Psions

Greetings everyone.

Sad to say I no longer use my Psions. My Revo died years ago due to my own meddling. My NetBook was killed by me sometime early last year when i tried to swap out the memory module. I believe the machine is fine except the memory is fried. At some point I will try to give it to someone who can still put it to good use.

Between my Sharp Zaurus C1000, my Sony Ericsson C902 and my eee PC 901 (the latter two I bought recently), I find that they cover all my mobile computing needs.

Still the Netbook was a great device ahead of its time if targeted and priced at a niche market. The designers and engineers of this little machine can take pride that they are calling the new wave of consumer ultra-portables, 'netbooks'.

Warm regards,

Koi Hin

Date: 21 Nov 2008 08:09:16 +0000
From: Gianluca Gallino <address truncated>
Subject: Re: Usage of Psions

Ciao All,

My usage of computers is still Psion-centric.

Being on the move, I still use my Psion netBook for everyday working activities as I did in the previous years: E-mail, Invoices, balance sheets as well as Agenda, Contacts and on.

As far as I am concerned, my netBook still has the qualities I need in terms of instant-on capabilities and long-life batteries.

At the moment I am also experimenting with PSIDAT, the superb OPL-driven relational database developed by Kevin Millican. The fact of creating my personal relational databases literally fascinates me.

I have also a E71 which was included in the Three contract I subscribed, which I basically use for voice calls, sms and sneaking into incoming emails.

FYI, I am following with interest also the development of the EEE PCs and all the similar products which have been launched on the market, but I am not planning to buy one at the moment.

Please, let me say also that the emergence of these new "netbooks" turned all the Psion supporters after the Psion demise from the status of visionaries to the one of precursors.

Gianluca

Date: 21 Nov 2008 08:17:39 +0000
From: Vlad A <address truncated>
Subject: Usage of Psions 1292 (2)

Hi Itamar,

good to know this thingy lives on. We're just now, in the last year or so, seeing machines which are unsure about being willing to do what the Psion naturally did 8 years ago. And are by far less well thought out, although ten times as powerful and as expensive. I still use mine as an adress-book and notes repository, take notes when I write something and don't take the iBook along (cleansing the text afterward). I never used it regularly for mail, but I used it to write sms-es - I think PhoneMan still works with my SE 550i. I still use it with my Garmin GPS unit - less comfortable than a state-of-the-art GPS but good enough with a bit of attention and patience. I And finally, I still use it as a conversation-piece: it never fails, it's like a handsme pipe, like an exotic jewel or a fine lighter (demonstration tools are Calligrapher and Doodler, not only the agenda and office progs).

Good to know this communitey lives on and I hope you are still doing it with pleasure! And many thanks!

Best to all,

vlad a

Date: 21 Nov 2008 09:38:27 +0000
From: mischa gerloff <address truncated>
Subject: Re: The Digest V1 # 1292 (12)

Hello, Itamar,

as it is a common phenomena, I wouldn't see a bad omen in "No message 
for 5 days " ;-)  There are some very active groups out there. And 
sometimes I am just happy to use my 5mx or my netBook, having no 
problems and no reason to write a mailing. No news is good news.

Well, I have the 5mx always with me. For very good reasons:

- Though the Nokia E65 is my standard Agenda (next to the good old 
paper version) the Psion Agenda with a lot of entries for radio shows; 
and a date with alarm is set much easier than with the Nokia:

- The contact Data, though I use my Nokia for this, too;

- Notes is full with notes, of course; I have the serial no. for many 
programs there, write down ideas, book tips, short memos and so on; 
and I really like the opt. to have many different lists for different 
topics.

- Sketches: I need it!!! :-) Though I like working with paper & pen, 
Sktech allows me to make little mindmaps or sketches to ban an idea;

- The calculator! Don't tell me you do it with your mobile phone :-)

- The Reader, combined with a scan pen - great tool for research;

- var. dictionaries;

- Street99 and Route; not only when I am on the road, but also to 
check out distances;

- MPocket, PDF and PDF+ - I have a lot of literature files and on my 
(train) travels I put files for the job on the 5mx so I can use the 
time for working;

- Hafas: A prog for train schedules - easy to handle and useful when 
your train has a delay (quite common here in Germany);

- Not that often, but great: The recorder tool; sometimes I use it 
even for "field recordings", when interesting sounds are to be heard;

- Excel: Yes! Great help; I used to note my daily hours in the office; 
and it is a real great help doing the shot lists I have to do for my 
job (no, no professionell killer - I work for TV ;-) ). Combined with 
my iPod, I can do this job even on a very small place in the train.

- TimeLog: A great controlling tool to see how much time I need for 
several projects;

Seems, I have many good reasons for the 5mx :-)  And not to forget: It 
works with normal batteries. No power plug around? No problem!

My netBook is mainly my at-home-mail&surf-tool. Though I use a MacBook 
for my job, I really like the small netBook. I can take it around, use 
it for reading / writing in bed - not that heavy as a MacBook. And the 
offline wikipedia is a real great help.

And last month it saved my daily work: The MacBook storage broge down 
and I had to bring the MacBook to the repair shop for almost a week. 
The netBook enabled me to keep on doing my daily job!

So: I think there are many good reasons to stick on Psion :-)

Best,
mischa

Date: 21 Nov 2008 11:30:02 +0000
From: "PrimeSolutions" <address truncated>
Subject: Usage of Psions

 
Hi Itamar,
 
I use a revo16 as a mobile database and txting keybrd. I keep a full copy of my outlook client records in there and sync it (one way) about once a week. The security inherent in password protected volatile memory, pocket size, plus free text search is still unbeatable out in the real world. The battery problem has been mainly solved by replacement with 2x1400mah rechargeables (£1.60 each) plus some rewiring. When the active Revo16 finally succumbs to the "80% disease", I restore to a second identical one that I've let discharge fully for 3+months. I've found one-off battery replacement and alternation is a practical and effective solution for the revo's main limitation/(design)fault.
 
I've also got a netbook64. This spends a lot of time on my desk with the same mobile database  open. The searching is way faster than outlook and more comprehensive (it instantly shows the actual text match rather than the record header - useful when a call comes in and I want details there and then.). I actually do the weekly sync with outlook on the nb and then Ir the db across to the active revo16. I've upgraded the lion cells in the battery pack from 800ish to 2600mah which gives a bit of a boost to electronic life. It's also handy in bed ... for reading the papers and blogs! As most people have probably found, the available browsers (2 operas, web and grandrapid) are very limiting these days. However with a little bit of work IE6 and Firefox are both perfectly reasonable for the purpose.  They both display nicely @640x480 and work with the stylus on "touch'n'go". Nope, haven't lost me marbles, this is achievable and I have screenshots etc.. The clues for anyone who has an interest are TightVNC, VMware and a willingness to leave your pc on.
 
Keep up the good work - I read every one you send!
 
Shineyshoes.

Date: 21 Nov 2008 20:28:05 +0000
From: David T Powell <address truncated>
Subject: Usage of Psions

>>>> Let's hear what you still use it for.

Hi

Still use my 5mx at work as a repository of contacts, at home use 
"abp" to monitor all finances and savings, use "CodeSafe" for all user 
ids, passwords, pins and account numbers (thanks to The Digest) and 
that includes all interweb access codes. And I am addicted to Smuggers 
whenever I have a break! Plus a wealth of reference information and 
conversions is available on the 128mB flash card. An ebay acquired 
Series 7 is used as backup (using infra red) to the 5mx (I'm an Apple 
iMac user) and good for recreational "Mr Mac" . I am still 
experimenting with an even more recent ebay Revo 8mB trying to "train" 
the battery (again as per Digest suggestions) with some success. So 
still in daily use.

Regards

Dave Powell

Date: 21 Nov 2008 20:37:26 +0000
From: Rolf Vonau <address truncated>
Subject: TheDigest is still alive

Hi hard-core users of Psions and other machines,

I'm glad, that there are still people using the good old Psions.

When I compared our digest with others, I stated, that the German mailing list "Psion-de" sent it's last mail 100 days ago!

Now the reply to Itamars question:
I'm using the Psion netBook for reading, creating and sending this digest, only. As I can't connect the Psion via my Vista-PC without RS232 port, I use for the Internet connection a 7 year old laptop with MochaPPP and an Ethernet LAN.

As this digest covers not only Psion machines, but all handhelds with keyboards, I would describe, how I use my Nokia 9500:
The main programs are Arjen Broezes great "iDesk" for quick launching of all programs and Edo Vucurovics great "FileNote", a file commander like the Norton Commander or like ViewPlus for the netBook/S7, and of course the WiFi connection to the Internet.
I use my 9500 (with 1 MB storage card) foremost for emailing, for bookkeeping of my share holdings, for storing and analysing the car and life costs, for abp5 banking program.
The well known CronTab, adapted by Edo for the 9500, switches the sounds off (in the night) and on (in the day time).
Paragons PowerData works to run German-English, German-French and German-Italian dictionaries (each of them contains abt 90,000 entries).
All my passwords I stored in Ian Chapples program "Passwords".
From time to time I use the Internet browser. But it is so slowly, that this doesn't make fun.
Last but not least the 9500 works as mobile phone, to which I'm forwarding all calls from my stationary phone number.

Best Regards

Rolf
Email sent from Nokia 9500

Date: 21 Nov 2008 22:51:01 +0000
From: Stéphane Sage <address truncated>
Subject: Use of Psion

Hello all (and Itamar...)

I still use my 5mx every day and always carry it around in my shoulder bag (with a spare one in a drawer)

Uses : 2 _agendas_ (work + home/garden,  with very thorough tasks section, which I should look at more often...), x _datas_ (business contacts primarily, but many other home made databases such as hotels/restaurants round the world, medicine list with indications,...), _contacts_, x _notebooks_ (such as car maintenance, shopping list by themes, travel check-list,...), various_ utilities_ such as Codesafe, 
Backup and FastBackup, Menus5, CapsView, StickIt...

Now strongly considering eeePC or equivalent (such as new Hercules eCafé - French assembled from Ubisoft...) so as to be able to work anywhere comfortably (Smartphone such as Nokia E61 too cramped) while sending e-mails with enclosed Word or pdf documents, and web surfing (in train
or in bed). But should keep 5mx at least for agenda

Looking forward to the other answers.

Greetings from Grenoble.

Stéphane SAGE

Date: 22 Nov 2008 00:18:12 +0000
From: Donald <address truncated>
Subject: netbook user

Digest administrator;
Just responding to your call - I am a owner of a remodeling business here in the US New York and I use my netbook everyday from the time I've purchased it (that was when it 1st came out)
This device is priceless and irreplacable, Tons of different databases of all my clients, Money as my record keeper that is also in sync with quicken, Agenda (priceless application because it sync's flawlessly with Outlook)just now as I am writing this memo Agenda is ringing to remind me of a call that has to be made
Now one can say u can do all that with the newer PDA/Phones but I beg to differ, my invalueable sheets program that is professionally set up for sales in all areas of the remodeling field are attractive looking as well.
Word that has innumbural amounts of Order Forms that FAX flawlessly with my also ancient t68i (which I just purchase another on eBay)
and
I'm still on my 1st netbook - everyone that has all these other state-of-thee-art devices just seems to be only bragging about listening to music, texting, emailing, (and my netbook still does this as well as web surfing with my GPRS IR connection)web surfing - they r more like toys than portable working monsters. Even the newest Blackberries can't turn heads the way I use my netbook.

Well u ask!(I could say much more but I'm sure u get the point - the world can't convince me yet that this is a dead device)

Don't get me wrong I will be getting a Iphone :)

Peace n Goodwill to all
Donald US New York

Date: 22 Nov 2008 02:45:53 +0000
From: mail lists <address truncated>
Subject: Usage of Psions

On 21 Nov, TheDigest<address truncated> wrote: > It interests me to hear from users of Psions what you still use > your Psion for

I have a Netbook which I like better than my previous 5s for
its size and bright colour screen. In order of importance I use:

Agenda, with multiple To Do lists and Busy view for work and private reminders and notes. Important notes I save as text files and keep outside the Agenda app.

Symbian Text Editor v1.41

Contacts, and dial the phone with it.

Collins Italian/English dictionary.

Data, with about 300 Italian verbs conjugated.

Macro5

ChaDis7

FastBackup

Monnaie

Piano, occasionally

Being online via dialup is possible but rather disappointing, the Email app being too slow to be useful even with plain text emails, and it's habit of closing mailboxes itself due to <n> minutes inactivity (is this configurable?).

Brian

Auckland NEW ZEALAND

Date: 22 Nov 2008 12:54:29 +0000
From: Steve Hodgson <address truncated>
Subject: iPhone as Psion Agenda replacement

It has been a while since I saw a post here on Psion replacement
so I thought I'd write up something about using an iphone as a
Psion replacement, particularly as a replacement for the Psion
agenda application.

Since I stopped using Psions a few years ago, the hardest
replacement application to find has always been something to
replace Psion's excellent Agenda application. On the Palm
platform DateBk6 is a very good agenda application but is not
quite as flexible but did unite the datebook application and the
todo manager into a single coherent application. On Symbian S60
I found the built in diary application surprisingly weak
considering its heritage but Papyrus at least provided a more
capable front end in some places. Lately I have switched to an
iPhone and am delighted with its capabilities.

Like the Palm OS and the Psion in its heyday the iPhone is
supported by a large ecosystem of third-party developers and
these make up for the shortcomings of the built-in Calendar
application. The calendar application obviously syncs to iCal on
a Mac but does not sync To Do items so there is no built in
capability to manage to do items on an iPhone. This is some ways
a blessing as to do management in iCal is depressingly weak -
there is no capability for repeated to do items, nor is it
possible to assign start dates etc. The Psion Agenda has this
one beat but there are a whole host of third-party applications
to provide this capability.

Applications that provide task management tools include Zenbe,
OmniFocus, Things and Remember The Milk. Many of these are
implementations of a GTD philosophy espoused by David Allen but
will also serve as general task management applications. The
trend is that these applications will sync to a desktop
equivalent or a web-based equivalent. My preference is Remember
The Milk (RTM) which uses a web (cloud?) based front end but has
a native iPhone application. Tasks may be assigned priorities,
lists, dates and time and can be repeated and can also have
alerts via SMS, Twitter, email etc. What sets the iPhone apart
is that it is location-aware so tasks can also be assigned a
location (context) so that in addition to looking at tasks due
today one can look at 'what tasks can be completed here' which
is unsurprisingly quite useful.

While I as initially disappointed that, once again, having moved
platforms mobile agenda capability is weak I am now very
satisfied with the solution I am now using. Hope this is useful.

Regards,

Steve Hodgson

Date: 22 Nov 2008 17:01:50 +0000
From: Thomas F. van der Zijden <address truncated>
Subject: Re: Usage of Psions

Dear all,

Even while I bought an Asus EEE in April this year I am still frequently using a Psion. I am actually typing this e-mail on the netBook. It is a bit like Itamar uses it: the device is not always travelling with me, but some thins are irreplacable and so I use a Psion for these.

These are:
- dictionaries in diferent languages in Trueterm, including verbs. I am currently studying Italian
- Many, many notes in Jotter. I use Jotter to make grammar notes on Italian and I have a big Jotter database which includes minutes of meeting of meetings from 2000 to now.
- Trainer, a program with which I can make lists of words to train my memory.

One of the fellow members of this list recommended Treepad as a replacement of Jotter under Linux (for the EEE), but unfortunately I did not manage to properly install it. Linux is definitely less user-friendly than EPOC.

A Psion netBook is great as a note-taking device:

1. A superb keyboard.
2. Great features such as Jotter and things like ExAb to help you typing.
3. Long battery life.

The standard battery on my EEE only lasts about 2 hours and that is not enough for long meetings. Yes, you can start looking for a power socket, but this means you have to place yourself at a strategic seat on the meeting table in order to be able to charge your laptop. Everyone wants such a seat.

All this is getting a bit awkward. I carry with me a Nokia 9300i (for my agenda), the EEE and on days I have Italian evening school a Psion. Because this is a bit heavy I actually switched back from the netBook to the 5mx.

Anyway, the Psions are still going strong.

Yours truly,

Thomas van der Zijden

Date: 22 Nov 2008 17:15:02 +0000
From: Jakfish <address truncated>
Subject: Mako Usage Still Strong

Although I own a variety of handhelds from the Sharp Zaurus Classic  (Synergy OS) to Windows CE devices to my Mako, it's the Mako I use the  most. 
Aggravating battery issues aside, its software and form factor still  hold my life in good stead.

I even went through the hassle of setting up infrared on my ASUS EEE 900 in 
both XP and Puppy Linux 4.1.1 so I can ir-communicate with the Mako.  I run 
Psiwin 2.3.3 on XP, but in Puppy, I can swap RTF files and one-way sync by 
ir-sending Agenda and Contacts database into Psion Emulator.  I've often 
considered whether it's worth it to run Psiwin and an Outlook flavor on Wine  simply because the Mako remains so integral to me.

Jake