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Epoc Digest Sun, 18 Aug 2002 Volume 01 : Number 053

Sent to: 517 subscribers

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Website : http://www.psioneering.co.uk/digest.html

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In today's Epoc Digest 19 messages:

==============================

- Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 052

- netBook networking / Palmtop User Mag / Wireless Working / Route Planner / PhoneMan Pro / nFTP

- Palmtop User magazine

- Travel Modem

- Palmtop User magazine

- Re: Lineone

- wireless working;

- Re: Mako, MC218 and Voicestream GSM

- Re: Fax with Psion

- Re: Subject S7 Screen

- Re: wireless working, Webmail, Saving web pages, Route Planner & Street Planner

- Ericsson and Faxing

- Predictive Text-Generation on the S5(mx)

- Setting up US Robotics Sportster........

- A Psioneer's successful resistance

- SPAM from

- Netbook Networking, S7 screen callibration, wireless working

- Re: Mako Battery Report

- Palmtop User, Solution, Netpad, Webmail, Route- & Streetplanner, Color Magic,

*++++++++++&

Date: 16 Aug 2002 17:24:28 +0000

From: peter.heseltine

Subject: Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 052

> date: Fri, 16 Aug 2002 16:49:52

> to: &nb> subject: Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 052

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > I have also had trouble with the S7 screen calibration and had to press the reset button once a week. Then I spilt orange juice on the screen and it got behind it so it is now back at psion for repair. If that solves the calibration problem as well, it is a method you might like to try! peter heseltine

*++++++++++&

Date: 16 Aug 2002 18:13:49 +0000

From: "AndyHayes"

Subject: netBook networking / Palmtop User Mag / Wireless Working / Route Planner / PhoneMan Pro / nFTP

Hi All

Dan Siegel asked about networking his netBook. I for one would be interested to hear about your experiences trying to connect to your network, for instance what OS are running on the servers, how you manage to access the file system etc. Unfortunately little is mentioned in regard to networking on this list.

I was one of the dozen that complained about the new Palmtop User mag. My full years subscription was refunded quicker than my whinge to this list was posted! Palmtop User is a good mag if you are interested in multi-platform PDA usage, but if you are a Psion user "it's only to be expected that the flow of ER5 Psion software will eventually dry up completely". You can take the term "refund of outstanding monies" to mean a whole years subscription. This is your legal entitlement in the UK under section 13 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979. The content and title has substantially changed and bears little relation to what you thought you had purchased. You are then entitled a full refund. If you want to invest that refund in Palmtop User magazine or any other magazine then that is up to you. If you are happy with what you are getting, great. If not, take the money!

Toby, have you thought about a DECT modem? Should be good for up to 300 metres. Networking is almost certainly out as 150 metres is too long for a UTP link. You could go for a length of BNC cable with a repeater, but the generator to run the repeater along the length might keep the neighbours awake! You would need fibre at this distamce. Bluetooth, if I am not mistaken is only good for 10 metres! Keep it simple - use the PC on the boat.

Keith bemoaned his Mako battery. These devices were not designed to be left at home. Either use it every day, or charge it before it dies. Always plug the charger in first if it has been left for some time and leave it charging for an hour or so before attempting to switch it on. If anyone is really disappointed with their Revo/Revo Plus/Mako just put it in the post to me and I will send you a crisp ten pound note by return if I can get it working ;-)

David McCorquodale mentioned problems SMS'ing on a 6210. Which application are you using to send the SMS' David? Is it a message centre number issue?

Kevin asked about Route Planner. I believe that the millennium edition introduced sirf (not the square deal variety!) and better maps. Sirf is a different protocol I believe for connection to a GPS. I believe that this must be the protocol that that Palmtop GPS thing uses. Colour implementation is not as exciting as it sounds that it might be. Basically in the version that I am using, Tom Tom RoutePlanner3 Europe (the successor to Millennium), A roads are yellow, motorways are yellow with a black line down either side and unclassified roads are black. My route is blue. The screen sizes itself to the size of the screen. The initial splash screen is a little window, presumably so it still fits the 5x. I think that unless you are going to buy a secondhand millenium, this is the version to invest in. It can be installed on Pocket PCs, Palm OS and EPOC PDA's. I tried it on my Handspring visor (which has a springboard GPS unit) just to see what it was like. After the netBook screen, it was not unreasonably disappointing to look at the Visor's screen. I took it off though as the Visor has very limited memory. I invested in the Street Planner (CityMaps) version at the same time. Although I think that they have made the installation of towns in a county much more difficult in CityMaps, you now have to pick them individually, whereas before you could install the whole county, they now have a sort of sprawling urban conurbation feature that installs neighbouring towns and villages. Also you have a switch in RP to swap over to the Citymaps app which is useful towards the end of the journey at the point where you know you will get lost. Interestingly, when you choose switch to CityMaps a dialog box comes up which works out which map you are likely to go to by what is already displayed on the screen, and presumably what you have installed! I am not sure if this option was in millennium. As far as SIS files are concerned. My versions definitely have sis files available. In fact every attempt to install from the CD failed so I had to transfer the files to the netBook and install that way.

I still think that there is still plenty more mileage in the EPOC platform, so with the demise the only decent EPOC mag I am thinking of starting a magazine in PDF format. I am thinking about a no-frills publication, produced monthly, with honest reviews of hardware and software as well as lessons in how to use software, whether it be built in or extra. Hints and tips on networking and comms issues as well as reviews of non-psion items that can be connected. It will be a lot like Palmtop magazine was, without the ransom note style of font usage! Of course I can't write it all myself so I need submissions in areas of your expertise. Cost - nothing. Pehaps we should call it Plamtop or PlantPot? Comments please.

Gary Reyes praised Phoneman Pro. It is not perfect though. The ability to sync properly with a 6310i is missing. Syncing a full phonebook to a blank phone wipes the entries in the phonebook. Remember to back up the file. Best way to attack the problem is to only update the entries in the Psion and then copy them to the phone. Not always convenient I know, but little other choice with these extended phonebook phones.

Thanks to Darryl for the guidance to nFTP. It now adorns my netBook!

Andy Hayes

*++++++++++&

Date: 16 Aug 2002 18:21:00 +0000

From: slitchfield

(Steve Litchfield)

Subject: Palmtop User magazine

>>I agree with Steve that we all should look at other platforms with an open mind. However, as a devout Psion user, I was utterly dismayed by the lack of EPOC material. If I wasn't looking for Psion in the magazine, I wouldn't have found it. Yes, I do admit, reading about Sony's new Clie was interesting, but I do also admit that reading countless pages about Palm and PocketPC programs was not interesting. In fact, it was quite boring- reading something that had no revelance to me. I even skipped over the programs for the Nokia communicator and S5, since I own a Revo.

I'm afraid that anyone with no interest even in Symbian/Nokia really does fall into the category of 'Psion die-hard'! Nothing wrong with that, but Palmtop User isn't the right magazine for you. Perhaps there's a gap in the market for a little EPOC fanzine, perhaps in PDF form?

We want to reflect the new computers, software and technologies coming to market, analsying and explaining things in plain language for our readers. And much as I loved my Psions, they're dying now in much the same way as Psion the company has been for the last few years. 8-(

Steve Litchfield

*++++++++++&

Date: 16 Aug 2002 19:06:24 +0000

From: Kevin Thorne

Subject: Travel Modem

I've received an email from an ex-employee from Psion who has expressed an interest in my Travel Modem woes. Whether he can help or enlighten us in any way I don't know but I've asked for his permission for me to post any of our correspondence on this Digest as I feel it may help others. If he agrees then I'll do so. It may be helpful in the meantime if anyone owning this model (Psion 56k IR Travel Modem) who has experienced problems in using it could just mention it here on the Digest to gauge just how many of us there are. Thanks.

Kevin Thorne

*++++++++++&

Date: 16 Aug 2002 19:06:47 +0000

From: Kevin Thorne

Subject: Palmtop User magazine

Reply to Rolf Brunsting:

Subject: Re: Palmtop User magazine

<< In defense of the magazine I help produce(!), can I say that .... >>

<I'm sorry Steve, what you overlook is that a magazine subscription is no different from any other long-term product supply contract. The supplier can't make unilateral changes to the product halfway the contract period without:

a) Informing the purchaser well in advance of the product change coming into effect,

b) Giving the purchaser the opportunity to cancel the contract because of the product change with no questions asked,

and,

c) Settling any outstanding or advance payments with those customers who decide to cancel their contract prematurely.

Shipping the new product without items a) to c) above is nothing else than a breach of contract as the customer doesn't receive the product that was agreed on.>

I have to agree wholeheartedly to what Rolf is saying in the three statements above. As he correctly points out, the issue raised here is effectively changing a fixed term agreed contract without prior consent and this is what I found so annoying. Whether the change to extended coverage of other platforms is desirable or not must surely be the opinion of the customer, who was not offered, but should have been offered, the choice of a refund or to continue the subscription. This surely constitutes a breach of contract under the Sale of Goods Act 1979. There, my point (and annoyance) has been aired! To be fair to Steve Clack though, I've heard he is honouring anyone who asks for a refund and in his position, to ensure the continued survival of Palmtop Magazine/User (call it whatever you like) I think most of us would agree he has to move forward in this way or eventually disappear. This would be a shame as I think Palmtop has developed over the last eight years into a very good publication and I wouldn't like to see it fail now.

Regards

Kevin Thorne

*++++++++++&

Date: 16 Aug 2002 19:30:29 +0000

From: PRAR

Subject: Re: Lineone

>I have a Psion.net (LineOne) Internet account which I signed up for years >ago, and as the e-mail address and POP server works, I assume it is still >active. When I get to the UK, I'll need to connect to the Internet via an >UK dialup number which works via GSM (with a cash card). Does anyone here >have the dialup number for Psion.net / LineOne, and can you confirm is >this works via GSM?

08456 614681

Lineone are now Tiscali, but all your old settings should work...

Could the digest be set to drop everything after a dozen *s, -s or _s? This would trim off all those annoying disclaimers. (It wouls also intercept those people who post the whole digest back with their replies...

PRAR

(Insert witty comment here.)

*++++++++++&

Date: 16 Aug 2002 20:31:43 +0000

From: Mike McConnell

Subject: wireless working;

To: Toby Butler

<<I can use my land line digital DECT cordless phone in the shed OK - is there any way of using a normal modem with it?>>

There are such things as DECT modems which I assume you could "register" to your base station and connect that way. Somewhere like Dabs might be able

to help.

Regards,

Mike [Dundee, Scotland] __________________________________________

Mobile Phone & SMS: +44 (0)7947 655778

Mobile Fax: +44 (0)7941 679797

Web: http://www.mikemcc.net

__________________________________________

*++++++++++&

Date: 16 Aug 2002 22:32:08 +0000

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: Mako, MC218 and Voicestream GSM

Daniel,

<< Has anyone any information as to the proper way to configure the MC218 / Diamond Mako to send and receive Email and/or Fax using the above equipment, with the correct settings, etc. >>

You don't need to set up the MC218 as it already contains a modem definition called "Ericsson Infrared Modem". Copy the settings of this definition to the Mako and the Mako's set up as well. Do make sure that your Voicestream account has been activated for fax and data as well as voice calls.

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

*++++++++++&

Date: 16 Aug 2002 22:32:11 +0000

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: Fax with Psion

Dear Darryl,

<< Trawling through the old digests seems to be a long running problem with Psions and mobile phones >>

Everything that has to do with data communication can be a 'problem' because it isn't one of the easiest of subjects and riddled with technospeak terminology. It's therefore not surprising that getting a mobile phone to work with a Psion is a regular subject on forums like this. The (limited) experience people have with modems doesn't always translate 1:1 to the use of mobile phones. The mobile phone may behave towards the (Psion) computer as if it were a modem but the GSM network it's talking to is quite different from a landline network. What works well on a landline network doesn't necessarily work as well on a GSM network. Fax transmission is one of the cases in which these differences play a role.

<< I ran these as commands with my R520 and just got ERROR, probably because they're not actual commands (!) but did elicit the following info from my phone :

AT+FCLASS=?

0,1,2

OK >>

AT+FCLASS is one of the commands of an international ITU-T standard. When your Ericsson R520 responds with 0,1,2 to the AT+FCLASS=? enquiry it says that it supports Fax Class 1 and 2. Swithing the R520 to Fax Class 2 using AT+FCLASS=2 should work. When that's not the case, it's the R520 that's at fault. Similarly, when the T68 I had responds with an OK to AT+FCLASS=2, while not supporting Class 2, it's the T68 that's at fault.

<< I get the following command on my phone screen when receiving a fax : "You can only answer this call from external equipment eg a PC" >>

This tends to indicate that a fax is sent to your GSM voice number rather than the separate fax number.

<< Rolf did say "...that the fax transfer protocol wasn't written with GSM in mind." But the problem doesn't seem to be limited to GSM .... >>

The fax exchange protocol predates GSM and was well established when the first GSM networks were rolled out. I'm sure those who defined the protocol would have made a number of different decisions had they known about the immense success of GSM and it's data services. Changing the protocol to suit GSM is no longer an option as you'd create incompatibilities with the millions of fax machines that are in daily use. True foresight is a rare commodity, hindsight dirt cheap.

As for the 14k4 Travel Modem, it's one of the examples of how the introduction of something new can reveal a long hidden flaw.

<< With all this talk about 3G networks and such doesn't bode very well when can't even send a fax! Hardly cutting edge technology is it ? And disappointed that Psion have failed to implement it successfully, especially when ER5 was around for so long ... Basically would just like to know WHY all this hassle with Fax over GSM and is there anything that can be done to 'fix' the fax function on the Psion >>

I don't see why fellow EPOC Digest sunscribers should go into the technical details of the fax exchange protocol, the fax classes and the way a GSM network operates when you've already found the guilty party.

I've already supplied a summary - A Psion, Fax Class 1 and the GSM network isn't the optimum of combinations. That it's more error prone than the Psion - Fax Class 2 - GSM combo is in the mixture of technologies. Want to know more? Make a study of the technologies in question.

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

*++++++++++&

Date: 16 Aug 2002 23:03:16 +0000

From: "a.v.d.moosdijk (Moos)"

Subject: Re: Subject S7 Screen

Been enjoying the new look digest - thanks for continuing it.

Hi Andy,

I have the same problem with my S7. When i use the pen inout, it seems that the problem get worse. I finally made contact with Psion and they told me to send the psion in for a repair. They replaced the screen. From other users I have heard that this was a hardware problem. My psion was just 1 month out of garantee. Psion did this repair for free........

Just to let you know.

Moos (The Netherlands

*++++++++++&

Date: 16 Aug 2002 23:06:05 +0000

From: Jason Garbutt

Subject: Re: wireless working, Webmail, Saving web pages, Route Planner & Street Planner

Hi digestives,

In EPOC DIGEST V1 # 052, Toby Butler wrote:

>Subject: wireless working

>Dear all

>I wonder if you can help me with this little quandry. I live on a

>houseboat where I have a PC, very old laptop and a Psion or

>two. There isn't much space, so I have started to rent a shed

>on the nearby island. This has electricity but no phone line.

>The shed is about 150 metres from my boat, and I would like

>to put my PC in there, out of the way, but I am trying to figure

>out a way of getting internet connection from there to keep

>software up to date etc. I could run a telephone cable through

>the trees to the shed, but this seems a bit dramatic...

Hi Toby,

I think BT recently launched a DECT modem for people who want to use their laptops in the garden etc. I'm sure a shed on an island will be just as good!

I don't know details or prices, but check-out www.bt.com or try one of their shops for more info.

====================

Also, David McCorquodale wrote:

>Subject: netBook connection to POP3 and Webmail

>Greetings All

>I'm a 'new' psioneerer (armed with a netBook (build 158)) and I

>would like to retrieve my mail from Hotmail (MSN) and also the

>new Mac Mail (pronounced dot Mac) which as a web mail

>facility I thoroughly recommend.

>I've managed to sort myself out with my BTinternet POP3

>account and can send and retrieve from that but so far, I can't

>manage to retrieve from either my hotmail or .mac IMAP

>accounts.

>Can anyone explain what settings I need for those to work?

Hi David,

Welcome to the weird & wonderful world of Psion !

I can't comment on Hotmail or .mac specifically, but lots of web-mail accounts can't be accessed from my Psion S5. However their is an email service at www.web2mail.co.uk which allows you to collect mail from different e-mail accounts. This definately works on my S5, th4 should be no trouble on the netBook.

Hope this helps.

=================

Also, Thomas F.VAN DER ZIJDEN wrote:

>Subject: Saving web pages in Web

>Hello group,

>Not only is Web not very good in saving web pages a long

>with their accompanying pictures, it also has another problem,

>at least on my Psion. When I want to save a page, it needs to

>reload the page from the Internet! i would imagine it has the

>page in its cache! This provokes two problems:

>1. If it is a big page it costs me a lot of download time, not

>only with the mobile phone, but also with the Travel Modem.

>2. It needs to load the directory structure of my CF card to

>present the 'Save as' dialogue. This costs time. As you know

>from my previous posts, this provokes the TM to disconnect.

>If I want to save the page, I have to reconnect, which costs a

>lot (first minute costs EUR 0,11 , the others cost EUR 0,02).

>Do I miss something here? Why can't it save the page from its

>cache?

Hi Thomas,

You're quite right, this is the only way to save a page.

However, if you only want to read the text cut&paste it to a word file - Ctrl+A Ctrl+C Fn+Word Ctrl+V only takes a few seconds and doesn't necessitate reloading the page.

Hope this helps.

=====================

Also, Kevin Thorne wrote:

>Subject: Route Planner and Street Planner

>I've just sold my 5mx which had both Route Planner and

>Street Planner 99 installed. I've never bothered re-installing

>them on my S7 but now, with no access to using these

>programs anymore due to no longer owning the 5mx, I'm

>thinking of doing so. I know these old programs were later

>updated a bit with a "Millenium" tag attached to the name but

>I'm curious to know the following:

>1 Do either the old original versions or the "Millenium"

>equivelants run in colour and full screen mode on the S7? If

>so, what is the use of colour like?

>2 What are the differences between the old and newer

>versions of the program?

>3 Presumably even the newer "Millenium" version has to be

>installed directly from the CD-ROM or does it actually exist as

>a SIS file for easy on-board installation directly on the Psion?

Hi Kevin,

Street Planner 99 can definately be installed on the Psion from a SIS file (you do of course need to get it off the CD first !)

I've done this recently without a hitch, it even gives instructions on the CD how to do this.

Regards,

Jason

_________________________________________

&nb_________________________________________

*++++++++++&

Date: 17 Aug 2002 03:14:35 +0000

From: Darryl Kempster

Subject: Ericsson and Faxing

Gary Y Reyes wrote:

"I checked the SonyEricsson website (try Asia Pacific site) and the Technical Data section of the User's Manual does state that the R520 is IrDa capable and is fax capable - both Class 1 and 2, Group III (9600 kbps)."

Could it be a software issue with your program on the Psion?

The very old Ericsson phones - even those that used the DI-27 IrDa module - could talk to the Psion so it seems quite odd if the newer phones do not."

Exactly my complaint! My old SH888 always worked flawlessly with my Psion yet my new R520 doesn't. I have made numerous calls to Ericsson and have had it stated categorically that the R520 does not support fax to/from a Psion. And like wise all succeeding handsets. I am unable to discover the exact nature of the incompatibility but as far as I can make out handset does support the required Fax Class 2 for Psion. But it definitely doesn't work. It is definitely IR capable with data - email works a treat. Yet it is interesting that the manual makes absolutely no reference to fax at all apart from saying it is fax capable. That's it period. Definitely something they're not telling!

Darryl

In a field in Chelmsford at V2002 Festival.

*++++++++++&

Date: 17 Aug 2002 11:29:56 +0000

From: Philip S. Adkins Potter

Subject: Predictive Text-Generation on the S5(mx)

Hi,

Years ago (many years ago . . . . . yawn) there was a small DOS word processor that did exactly that. I'm not sure what it was called but it worked well. It was free on a magazine disc.

Such a thing for EPOC might be fairly easy. The actual Word Processor part might be the most difficult bit. If the predictor (switchable) doesn't come in until three letters have been typed and uses the built-in dictionary the load on the memory and the processor shouldn't be too high. I ran that DOS program on a 486/50 with 16MB RAM and never noticed a lag but an ARM device might show a little.

Does the built-in Word Processor accept such messing with it? If it does that would make it a whole lot easier. The DOS version shaded it's predictions and <Enter> accepted them. A new paragraph was <Enter> after a full stop.

Since it wasn't a graphically-based WP (same as the old WordPerfect) it ran in very little memory (less than 1MB and only base memory) but this was using 10 year-old+ technology. Predictive technology must have progressed since then.

Huub's ExAb (which I don't use) is a fine and useful program but, as he says, it doesn't pretend to do this. I haven't seen anything for years that does.

Happy days,

Phil.

"A touchstone to determine the actual worth of an intellectual -

find out how he feels about astrology."

*++++++++++&

Date: 17 Aug 2002 12:58:52 +0000

From: "Arent Kits Van Heijningen [106016.3614]"

Subject: Setting up US Robotics Sportster........

Setting up US Robotics Sportster and Courier modems for use on Epoc 32 ER3/4/5

1 General

These modems require separate profiles for Data and Fax when used with MessageSuite

For Data I use AT&F1 as reset and AT&G1&K3&M5M2S11=100X3 as init

For Fax use only AT&F1 in the reset field ,leave init field blank

Flow control is hardware DTR ticked ON ,DCD ticked OFF (modem will hang up after completed handshake if DCD is ticked ON for TCP/IP and fax connections ! )

Checking Fax transfers :

Messagesuite -at least on ER4 does not evaluate the responses from the modem to check if a fax transfer is completed

Therefore leave the speaker always on during a fax transfer and check the fax log in the root of the c:\system directory

2 Diagnostics :

There are two "AT" commands that are helpful in twaking your connection :

ATI6 gives you the amount of data transmitted and received ,line speed (both incoming and outgoing ) , protocol and transmission errors as well as the time spent online

ATI11 gives additional parameters (including line signal to noise ratio )

ATI16 (Courier only ) gives you an ASCII histogram of the line characteristic of your last call

3 How To Use :

First open a Comms session ,close the serial port (without closing Comms ! ),then start MessageSuite for accessing your mail and the web ,when you're ready drop the line with Ctrl-U -Ctrl-U leave MessageSuite open , go back to Comms open the serial port again and type in abovementioned commands

Power for your USRobotics modem

USRobotics modems are not the smallest ones around but you can use a common power supply for both your Psion and the modem , you will need a 12-15 Volt 800mA minimum one (a lightweight universal model comes standard with the COURIER ,this is rated 15Volts 800mA wich is OK for s7/netbook/netpad but for for the smaller guys you need a car power adapter and a junction box (2 * 5.5/2.4 mm barrel jacks + one car cigarette jack )

If you want to use the modem at the same time as charging the battery you will need a 1200-1500 mA job (to be purchased separately )

(I run my OsariS that way , one power brick supplying juice to the modem ,the OsariS and the external charger

------------------------

*++++++++++&

Date: 17 Aug 2002 13:28:35 +0000

From: "Arent Kits Van Heijningen [106016.3614]"

Subject: A Psioneer's successful resistance

A Psioneer's successful resistance to the assimilation attempts of the Borg

Below is a Mexican Psioneer's description of the failed attempts of the Borg to assimilate him

X-Originating-IP: [148.221.124.204]

Reply-To: "Dr, Stephen Andrew Wilson"

From: "Dr, Stephen Andrew Wilson"

To: <Zaurus-general

Subject: [despammed] [Zaurus-general] Re: My Z is also for sale here in Mexico

List-Help: <mailto:zaurus-general-request

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Date: Mon, 22 Jul 2002 16:05:09 -0500

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X-UIDL: 1027372683.maildrop4.18647

X-QMAIL-SubAccountIdentity: Arent Kits van Heijningen[106016.3614]

Dear list:

Several on the list are wondering whether or not to buy a Z. Others who

have the Z, love it. Still others are selling theirs. Here's my very humble

opinion, from a typical non-geek but semi-technical guy.

1. I originally bought it because I am having problem reading the screen

on my Psion 5MX and thought it would be much better for contrast. It

certainly is. Big plus here. HOWEVER, the very nice screen eats

batteries. Typical for me was about 5 hours. The Psion 5MX gives me

28-plus hours on AA rechargeable! I left the Z TURNED OFF and

fully-charged last Thursday. Today (Monday) I had lost everything and

had to restore the Backup from the CF card. I once left my Psion in

the same condition for 6 weeks and lost nothing. (By the way, Psion

made the stupid mistake of no longer producing PDA's, in case you

are wondering why I didn't stay with their brand. They were

extremely popular in Europe and Asia.)

2. I also thought that the built-in keyboard was neat, but then it is nothing

compared to the keyboard on the Psion. I am primarily a writer, so the

keyboard is a must. No external keyboards are yet available for the Z.

And also I have not been able to make handwriting recognition work yet.

3. My greatest complaint, however, is with the very lousy software for the PC.

The first two weeks, I had no way to transfer anything to the Z, since the

software was useless. Even the Infrared on my Acer laptop refused to

send to the Z, though a friend with an Ipaq 3760 COULD send to both

the Z and my laptop. Then I downloaded the Z internal ROM and PC

desktop Qtopia upgrades and I could now connect. However, there was

still no readily-apparent way to drag-and-drop files to the Z. Come on,

Sharp! You have a whole history of very successful hand-held devices

(the old Zaurus 5800, etc) I had to install my CF card in a card holder,

transfer files and then re-install the CCF card to the Z. 50% of the time

when I did this, (though I had turned OFF the Z!!) I had to do a complete

shut down and restart.

There: I got it off my chest. I believe the Z is still great for the type of person

that supervises computer networks, etc.

I am now panting for an HP Jornada 720.

Dr. Stephen Andrew Wilson

XE1UFO

------

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Date: 17 Aug 2002 16:44:48 +0000

From: Owen H.Morgan

Subject: SPAM from

Hi everyone.

I have just received two SPAM messages from "john" advertising CF cards. As I do not use this e-mail address on any other public forum, the spam was palmtop related and this address has been spam free up till now, I can only assume he has found my address in one of my recent posts on the digest. Have any of the other recent participants received this message?

I would like to take the opportunity to state for the record that I consider spamming the members to be a very serious abuse of this forum and I will NEVER EVER do business with a company that sends me spam, however good their prices or products may be!

If "john" is indeed a member of the digest, I trust the list panel will take the necessary steps to get rid of him ASAP.

Thanks.

Thought for the day:

Life is not one thing after another...

it's the same damn thing over and over!

Owen H. Morgan, Yacht "Naomi J.", LD-9311

<62°28.31'N 6°09.1'E

Brosundet, Ålesund

North-west Norway

http://home.no.net/naomij

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Date: 17 Aug 2002 16:51:10 +0000

From: Kevin Thorne

Subject: Netbook Networking, S7 screen callibration, wireless working

From: Dan Siegel

Subject: Netbook Networking

<Dear all -

Love my recently purchased Netbook but cannot get the 56k/10mb Dacom card to communicate with any part of my network. Have alpha network drivers and OS 156. Any help appreciated. Private responsesto avoid list clutter if desired.>

Dan, sorry I can't help you but I'm sure someone else will. I was simply going to say please don't think you are "cluttering" the Digest with any replies to this query - it's very on-topic and an interesting one for me at least. That's what we're here for :-)

Reply to Andy Beale

Subject: S7 screen callibration

<Anyone know why I need to keep recallibrating my S7 screen for pen input? I started having to do this a few months ago, and now it seems I'm having to do it every day. The pen can be wildly off screen location (by as much as 1 - 1.5cm).

The backup battery is reported as 'good', and the main battery is charged. I hope it's not a sign of impending screen cable failure ON THE 7!!>

I've never yet heard of a screen cable going on a S7 (it's a different design anyway compared to the S5 and I suspect very much beefed up, like for instance the screen hinges). The calibration fault is fairly well documented (mine does it from time to time) but I don't know if there is a permanent fix for it. However, if you back up all your C drive data then perform a hard reset this usually cures it - for much longer than a day anyway.

Reply to Toby Butler

Subject: wireless working

Toby, I don't think Bluetooth would be the answer as it's only designed for short range transmission of about 10m. As DECT obviously works for you there (you said the shed is about 150m from the boat) I think the solution for you could possibly be a BT DECT "On Air" phone and wireless modem. What you get is the usual type of landline handset but with the addition of a wireless modem which you connect to your PC. The only thing is, I think the modem connection is via USB which your old laptop may not have.

Regards

Kevin Thorne

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Date: 17 Aug 2002 21:24:41 +0000

From: Kevin Collins

Subject: Re: Mako Battery Report

Hi folks,

First of all, congrats to all concerned for over 50 digests and over 500 subscribers!

In EPOC DIGEST V1 # 052 , Keith Giles wrote (> ):

> Before leaving on my Canadian bicycle trip I backed up

> my Mako, let it run down, charged it all night, removed

> the charger in the morning just before departing.

> Sixteen days later I returned to find the Mako dead.

> Plugged in the charger, hit the Esc key and got a hard

> reset. After a full charge I did a restore.

Hi Keith, I did exactly the same [with my Mako, not a bicycle trip :-)] and was away for 19 days. I left the Mako at home and brought my 5mx, because I needed to use Route Planner etc on a CF disk. When I returned and plugged in the charger, the Mako came alive, but it charged far too fast: the red light stayed on for only a few minutes. I let it run down again, and then carried out a soft reset, and charged again. This time it *seems* to have charged OK.... But, most definitely, the Revo/Mako battery system is a major drawback, compared to the 5ive: one feels one has to carry the Mako around along with the charger, just to keep it active!!

Regards,

Kevin [Cork, Ireland]

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Date: 18 Aug 2002 01:25:09 +0000

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: Palmtop User, Solution, Netpad, Webmail, Route- & Streetplanner, Color Magic,

Answer to: Steve Litchfield

Re. Palmtop User - The remarks in this digest were not about the actual change which I think we all agree was unavoidable, but only in the way it was done. As Rolf described, if you change the contract you give advance warning and publish the right to a refund as opposed to giving it only when people actually complain. Anyhow, success with the change and I for one will re-subscribe for another year just to see whether to continue or not.

Answer to: Toby Butler

Re. Solution - A solution might be to use GPRS on a mobile phone if your PC has an IR connection. When not in use you don't pay for it so it seems good for the erratic use you seem to make of the PC, and it would work if needed with your Psion(s) too.

Answer to: Peter Keene

Re. Netpad - You lucky guy ! Don;t they give one to the digest team to have a look at too .... ? Yes, do give us your impressions, very interesting.

Answer to: David McCorquodale

Re. Webmail - AFAIK you cannot check your webmail with the Psion email program. You can use WEB to connect to the internet and check it online. As to SMS, I think you need to set the SMS settings in the email program.

Answer to: Kevin Thorne

Re. Route- & Streetplanner - Streetplanner works nicely in colour. Parks are green, main roads yellow, built up areas peachy and water is blue. Route planner has got the main roads in yellow and the route in blue, but otherwise no great use of colour. The maps in Route planner from TomTom were improved and instead of the straight lines they now follow the actual roads as they are. Streetplanner TomTom only had cosmetic changes and even Palmtop themselves advised me not to upgrade form the Millenium version.

To All

Re. Color Magic - I used it for 10 days and today it expired. I had to remove the program after which it did an automatic programmed soft reset, which I find unfair from the programmers. The program itself worked very well on my S7. I brightened up my screens with some yellow, green and cyan colours in the various menus, highlighted some texts and the background as white became more white than the normal background on my S7 (which now has returned). I think I'll register the program as I find it did make my S7 more user firendly.

Bye,

Itamar Engelsman

London, United Kingdom

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