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Epoc Digest Mon, 22 Jul 2002 Volume 01 : Number 035
Sent to: 457 subscribers
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In today's Epoc Digest 8 messages:
==============================
- Epoc Digest Team
- Bargains
- netBook/ROM 158, assorted palmtops, HSCSD
- Petition, Headset, Future Psion's, Promms file, Connecting with 9210,
- Log files, Touch screen, IR modem, 9210 specs,
- Kevin's 9210 / WINCE / Win File Viewers / IRDA Modem
- Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 033 : Osaris - first impressions
- How do I connect my S5 to a Nokia 3310 for Phoneman, etc.?
*++++++++++&
Date: 20 Jul 2002 12:35:54 +0000
From: Jan R Gustafsson
Subject: Epoc Digest Team
Firstly I want to express my gratitude to the EPT:
Nicole Carbonara
Michael Degn
Itamar Engelsman
Jason Garbutt
Rolf Vonau
and One more person
for keeping the Digest going. Thanks!
Then, maybe slightly off topic but...
Is someone else using GPRS for the comm from a Psion experiencing the same trouble with low net capacity and the following difficulties to establish "true" high speed connections, for instance when communicating with a mailbox server? Besides low capacity in many areas (Sweden is as you know a long, sparsely populated country), Vodafone here in Sweden applies a a rule that prioritises GSM voice calls over GPRS comm, so at times with a lot of voice (or SMS nonsense) traffic, GPRS does not get through. I find this most disturbing, but of course nothing is said about this in the ads for subscribing to the service.
Sometimes the GPRS comm comes to such a standstill that the mail server times out and I have to start all over again. On peak GSM traffic hours (as Saturday afternoons) it happens that I choose to up-/down my mail via a GSM connection instead.
Is this a typical Swedish phenomenon or have any of you the had the same experiences?
Greetings,
Jan G
Stockholm, Sweden
*++++++++++&
Date: 21 Jul 2002 09:43:28 +0000
From: us
Subject: Bargains
Well folks 3 people wanted the spare modem - vindicating my supposition that I would not be wasting my money getting a spare to offer here. Perhaps it's something worth bearing in mind next time you see a Psion bargain - someone on this amazing list will be sure to want it if you don't!
Simon
http://www.simon-s.net
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Date: 21 Jul 2002 13:02:24 +0000
From: Trygve Henriksen
Subject: netBook/ROM 158, assorted palmtops, HSCSD
Greetings!
Andy Hayes wrote:
> Trygve's news of a rumour of a wireless netBook would certainly ring true.
> I can't understand any other reason for supplying and FTP client in build
> 158. I believe that it was rumoured, but never happened.
Neuons nFTP v1.31 was in the ROM image that was downloadable from Italy(I think)
This program was not in the 158 ROM later available from Psion...
Also, on Neuon's site, the latest nFTP version available is v1.30....
> At least then I could go back to Linux7K and even try out RON if it ever
> should appear on the spare!
RON?
-----
Itamar Engelsman wrote:
> Answer to: Trygve Henriksen
> Re. netBook - Thanks for the warning, will wait a while for developments
> on this matter. By the way, what do you do with all these palmtops ??????
Do?
Let's see...
the netBook is my main computer,
the Psion MC400 is used for writing(sci-fi)
the Psion Org II LZ64 is used to organise my magazine collection.
the Org II XP(Really a POS350) sometimes works as a bicycle computer...
a Casio PocketViewer PV-S250 is used for short notes when I don't want to bring a valuable computer...
The HP Omnigo 700LX (DOS based clamshell) is used when programming a Parallax basic Stamp.
The rest?
Some collects stamps, others...
Feel free to browse the collection on:
http://home.c2i.net/trygveh/english/gadgetman/
Just about the only thing you won't find in my collection is WinCE machines...
---
> Trygve, I thought the idea of the OS in RAM was just that it would be
> upgradable, even to different systems like Linux ... or Symbian v. 6.0 ?
Yes, you CAN replace the OS, but Symbian V6.0 is designed to run on specific hardware, and the netBook doesn't match that platform.
--
> Isn't HSCSD expensive to use ?
That depends on the rates of the specific network.
I don't use HSCSD but I know the rates for my network, Telenor, and to put it simply, for the privilege to use up to 4 slots, it is double the price of a single GSM slot. (Half price in other words )
---
Rolf Brunsting wrote:
> You're mistaken, I'm afraid. The netBook and netPad can be configured in
> such a number of ways that the two form a "series of products" answering
> a very diverse range of applications. Psion-Teklogix will keep them in their
> range for as long as they're able to meet the requirements of its enterprise
> customers. Note that the precursor of Psion Enterprise Computing still used
> the Organiser II for its projects when the II was already withdrawn from the
> consumer market.
Interestingly, Psion even made Y2K statements about the Org II range.
(Only the LZ is directly Y2K OK, but not bad since that machine came in 1987)
The reason the Org II machines still are so popular in business is that they're relatively cheap, almost bulletproof, a 9V PP3 battery lasts for months, it fits in the pocket(a large one :-), and can store programs and data on EPROM chips.
Lets just say that they're more common than the HC100 series that was meant to replace them...
Companies such as Farnell and RS-components still sells DataPaks and other accessories for the Org II.
---
> As 'variation on a theme by Morgan' - A Dutch property tycoon, the late
> Maup Caransa, once said in an interview "I'd rather cry in the back seat of
> a Rolls Royce than in the back seat of a Citroen Deux Chevaux".
Anyway, he'd be sitting comfortably because Rolls Royce uses Citroën's hydropneumatic suspension on the rear axle... (They're too cheap to licence the full set :-)
Yes, I drive a Citroën, and no, there's no reason to cry when driving one...
:-)
Trygve
*++++++++++&
Date: 21 Jul 2002 13:04:42 +0000
From: Itamar Engelsman
Subject: Petition, Headset, Future Psion's, Promms file, Connecting with 9210,
Answer to: Vlad
Re. Petition - Well, if that's your opinion, go ahead and make it happen and organise it. From my experience with this digest you will surely find help from likeminded people.
Answer to: Andy Hayes & Rolf
Re. Headset - I never understood people using these headsets, you look like a person working at a telephone exchange or a traffic controller or so. I also find these large sets very uncomfortable. In the car I use a handsfree set with a microphone behind the sunflap and a loudspeaker in the cigarette lighter connected to the phone. Otherwise I just use the phone by itself (but don't use it much).
Answer to: Rolf Brunsting
Re. Future Psion's - I basically agree with your answer, but for the needed software update from v.5 to v.6. We had the same problem from the S3 to the S5 withthe software being incompatible, we all complained but most took the jump and most software was rewritten. And looking at the speed that v.6 software comes out these days for a big variety of different programs - from missing DATA software, basic macro software to RMR's software and games - the same I am sure would happen if a 5MX like machine would be introduced by anyone. I think our "hope" lies more with other producers than Nokia taking on this platform, who already have the technology and knowledge of colour screens etc.
Answer to: Nicole Carbonara
Re. Promms file - Thanks, would be nice. But why not creating an Agenda file that people can merge into their own Agenda file ?
To All 9210 users
Re. Connecting with 9210 - Is it possible to connect an external modem to the Nokia 9210(i) and/or to connect the 9210 to a PC with a serial cable and besides backing-up for example use MochaPPP ?
Bye,
Itamar Engelsman
London, United Kingdom
*++++++++++&
Date: 21 Jul 2002 13:04:48 +0000
From: Itamar Engelsman
Subject: Log files, Touch screen, IR modem, 9210 specs,
Answer to: Christopher Marwood
Re. Log files - You can create the following log files to check what is happening on a 5mx:
C:\Logs\Email\
C:\Logs\Etel
C:\Logs\Fax
C:\Logs\Mailtext
Sorry I can't help you any further.
Answer to: Kevin Thorne
Re. Touch screen - or missing it. I use my shortcuts extensively and don't use the touch screen much. Maybe it helps to improve the lifeline of a screen ? (no proof)
Re. IR modem - I am not sure it is the beam, as I only use a flat peace of paper resting between the top of my 5MX and the modem, and it works too. I think most probably it is the reflection of stray light onto the IR eye of the modem. As to the tunnel, I suppose part of a toilet role would do a great job ?
Answer to: Rolf Brunsting
Re. netBook - Yes, I understand it is not a consumer product. But how long will Companies decide to purchase the netBook when the future (development) is unsure ? Back in 1993 we purchased a unix based system as it gave us multiple screens and networking unheard of in the Windows world. In 1998 we switched to Windows as it is the standard and it was not interesting for us to keep a unix based system with our own developers. Now we run a standard system supported by almost any computer Company we decide to work with. How long will Psion-Teklogix be able to stay in the market ? do we have any knowledge about the sales of the netBook ? Is it sufficient to continue the development ?
Re. 9210 specs - Yes, but is is rather heavy for a phone when going out at night when you don't need all the other functions with you ... . You disagree, but I suppose the typing on the 9210 is a lot more difficult than on the 5MX and for example I use my 5MX extensively for emailing, writing reports and letters. Could one do that easily on the 9210 without making many mistakes ? Any 9210 owners maybe ?
And my penny worth of thoughts, I would rather smile in the back of a Deux Chevaux than cry in the back of a Rolls Royce, and I think Maup Caransa had his fair share of crying ...
Bye,
Itamar Engelsman
London, United Kingdom
*++++++++++&
Date: 21 Jul 2002 15:49:01 +0000
From: "AndyHayes"
Subject: Kevin's 9210 / WINCE / Win File Viewers / IRDA Modem
Hi All
Kevin, you mentioned no way to achieve Bluetooth on a 9210. Now I don't want to send you on a wild goose chase, but there is a bluetooth battery available for the 6210 (a non-bluetooth phone). Don't ask me where I saw it, may have been Expansys, but I am not sure. It was hellishly expensive as I remember (130ukp leaps to mind). Is there nothing similar for the 9210?
I was surfing the net last night looking for cheap Psion's through a newspaper chain. There were many going at realistic prices, but none locally. I happened to put Jornada in the search field and there was a very cheap HP720 in a nearby town. I rang them up and they still had it. So I nipped over and bought it. Nice that I will be able to plug in my Cisco Aironet 350 and it will work. Nice that the spreadsheets are multi-page affairs. Shame that because of the screen size i.e. not very deep, you can only see a few lines of the spreadsheet, but overall as far as spreadsheets are concerned, it is better than what I have now!
This is my second relationship with a Jornada. The last was a brief fling with a 690. Immediately after I sold it I realised that there were things about it that I liked, the internal modem for one, the colour screen for two. Anyway, I will give this one a whirl for a while.
Julie told us about the M$ file viewers. I already have these on a CD downloaded from the net and can attest to their usefulness, especially when my users want the company to buy the full Office suite for them straight away because they receive one Excel file each month! Well worth the download. What will almost be absolutely guaranteed though is that as soon as you install these some fool will send you a WordPerfect file!
The more I hear about the Psion IR modems, the more I like my Pegasus 3. No cardboard tunnels here!
Andy Hayes
*++++++++++&
Date: 28 Jul 2002 22:09:31 +0000
From: "Arent Kits van Heijningen[106016.3614]"
Subject: Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 033 : Osaris - first impressions
Last saturday, july the 20th I purchased an Oregon Scientific Osaris , kijkshop had a great deal on the 8MOct model ( EUR 99 ) while the local Dixons only had the 16 meg in stock at EUR 139 So the difference went into a 32 MOct SanDisk , freeing up RAM for system and swap
When it originally became available in the Netherlands it was priced at NLG 1399 ,only german was available and it had to be ordered through the very few specialist mail-order sellers then available (the 5mx/mc218 did 1499 at that time ,available both in uk-english ,the s5mx even in dutch too )
How does this stack up?
Well , much has been writtten about being it cheap and cheerful
Well folks , cheap it is but certainly not cheerful
My first impression when I put it in its box after purchase to bring it home was its light weight combined with a surprisingly sturdy build (however this appears to be a far more recent batch than the one on wich the revieuws were based )The finish is nice ( again recent batch ) the colour scheme attractive with its hunter green body as well as the sides and inide of the lid , the top of wich is an off-white ,but here they blew it ,said top is painted in the cheapest , tackiest silver paint this side of eternity A slightly darker shade of grey ( or alternatively a lighter shade of hunter green )without the hideous silver paint job could have done wonders for the cosmetics of this machine
And now for the works !
Screen : This is what the s5/s5mx/mc218 should have been ,it isn't great but the contrast is okay for a full grayscale passive-matrix STN
The touchscreen is matte , less reflective than that of my zauri but a bit more than that of my Jornada 680
The keyboard is an issue of taste ,it is farly robust as well as stiff ( I prefer it to that of my zaurus as well as my Jornada wich are both very soft i.e unsuitable for thumb-typing
The applications are what comes standard on an organiser , so no Internet stuff , but word,sheet,agenda , data,jotter , sketch and comms are all there
Unfortunately there's no way to add applications as there's no installer , making it a closed system
It is here that the Osaris differentiates itself from a standard organiser such as the sharp wizard or zaurus , the multitasking Epoc operating system , when typing this I have a standing link using Comms to my Jornada 680 into the \.\..\ups5digest directory on a 128MOct SanDisk so I can upload directly when I am done The ergonomics :
All in all I found this a pleasant surprise ,it is light ,surprisingly sturdy, the screen is acceptable ( dare I say better than the s5mx/mc218 ? ) its light weight makes for great in-bed reading/typing ( if you have power and data plugged in you can rest your thumb against the connectors on the left side letting your other fingers rest against the bottom of the unit )Power was not a problem , I had already a power supply with the correct voltage and connector
Data was a different story , using a Socket serial interface card+associated cable ( same connector , but different keying !) I could hook up to my Jornada or to a Zaurus , getting it to talk with my USR Courier/Sportster ( and through these to the remote UNIX box ) was a different story wich required a visit by the catalytic micro-blowtorch to swap the wires in the DB-25 in reverse After that the hookup went without a hitch and fike exchanges between either my $BE(B0$B'P(Br the remote UNIX box went wihout a hitch (I simply leave the modems connected to both units and for local transfers I use the line current generator of a isdn adapter to fool the modems that they are connected to a live phone line )
This eliminates wear and tear on the card sockets of my Zaurus and $B'(B0$BG(Bnow it is merely a matter of swapping a phone lead
Storage cards : a card formatted in this thing is not readable on a windowsce device or on PocketPC -regardless of the operating environment on the latter
Cards formatted for PocketPC (fat* or ext*fs formatting ) will become corrupt if written to and require a reformat
Cards formatted for WinCE/Pocketpc (not ext*fs! ) are perfectly readable on this unit , just do not write to them ....
Conclusion :
Great buy - good companionn for larger Epoc device (e.g netBook or s7) as well as HPC/Pocketpc , the latter two require additional software/different OS to communicate directly( I use EmuraTerm on my Jornada together with Comms on the Osaris , with x-modem for filexfers between the two )
Thanks to its light weight I can carry it unnoticed , it weighs less than a paper day-planner
The Paperwork
Surprisingly the Osaris comes with a complete instruction booklet in Dutch describing in detail all the build-in applications including scripting in Comms
( just discovered : The **complete** English-language manual is available as online help in ROM ! )
k
*++++++++++&
Date: 21 Jul 2002 22:33:03 +0000
From: Andy Hardy
Subject: How do I connect my S5 to a Nokia 3310 for Phoneman, etc.?
Hi,
I'm interested in using Phoneman with my 3310. I already have the data
cable and this works fine with my PC applications.
How can I use this cable with my S5 - do I need a null-modem or even a
de-null-modem or something else?
Andy
--
Andy Hardy. PGP ID: 0xA62A4849
*++++++++++&
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