<< I thought maybe I'd pep up the Series 7 by getting something for the "E" drive. What kind of accessories can be used with the "E" drive? I'm only aware that IBM microdrives don't work >>
Well my IBM 1Gb drive works in my Psion 7, although so far It's not had much use. Snag is that I found it wont fix into the E: drive slot, so It has to be slot D:.
Don't install apps on it as it delays the <Ctrl + Tab> directory display.
--
Alan R Morris, G4ENS.
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.
Using a Psion & Nokia 6210e.
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Dec 2002 20:46:54 +0000
From: U Hornstein
Subject: Where is the standard script dir for Perl on EPOC
Hi List,
I have been playing with the Perl port 5.6.1 for EPOC since a few days. It is available on http://www.science-computing.de/o.flebbe/perl . It seems to be a VERY good thing. Thanks, Olaf, for the trouble of porting it.
Being a beginner in Perl, I have some trouble. If anyone could help me with the following:
I have installed the perl installation and perlstart. If I enter the path+filename of my perl script into the command line of the application perlstart, the script executes as planned. If I omit the path, it does not execute, naturally. But there must be a standard directory into which I can put my scripts files so that I do not have to enter the full path each time. Where is it? Can I define this directory, if yes, how? I tried to enter
-x d:\scriptdir
on the commandline, with or without a trailing \, which did not help.
And: I do not use ESHELL - and hope that I do not have to.
Any help is appreciated.
If some of you have written some perl scripts from which you think other Psion users could use it too, I am a happy receiver.
--
With greetings from Germany
Ulrich Hornstein
sent by MC218 (EPOC palmtop)
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Dec 2002 21:27:53 +0000
From: "Steve Hodgson"
Subject: Re: Solutions for Revo
> 3. How do I keep the Jotter list view from going to all the way to
> end of the
> alphabet whenever I switch out and then back into the Jotter?
Chris,
This one I think I know...
You can set sort options in Jotter (shift + ctrl + Q) to use one of
alphabetic or creation date or by last update. The last of these could
be used to avoid the problem you describe.
Cheers,
Steve
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Dec 2002 21:33:22 +0000
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Shareware & Morality
Dear Astrid,
<< ... I won't loose any sleepover copyright issues ... >>
You also talk about certain rights as described in the German Constitution. Well, why do you expect your rights as a German citizen to be acknowledged and respected when you show not to have much respect for the rights of writers and those who develop software? And I wonder how you can say that you're 'morally on the safe side' when the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDoHM) mentions in Article 27 - Section 2:
"Everyone has the right to the protection of the moral and material interests resulting from scientific, literary or artistic production of which he is the author."
Then there's Article 17:
"(1) Everyone has the right to own property alone as well as in association with others.
(2) No one shall be arbitrarily deprived of his property."
And Article 23 - Section 3:
"Everyone who works has the right to just and favourable remuneration ensuring for himself and his family an existence worthy of human dignity ..."
The Universal Copyright Convention is the practical translation of UDoHM-27-2. The author is given legal property (UDoHM-17-1) of his/her 'original work', whether it's a novel or a software application, for a limited period. Thereby giving the author the opportunity to get a "just and favourable remuneration" for his/her labours (UDoHM-23-3). How well the author is remunerated depends on the popularity of the 'original work' and how much the author charges for it.
What you're pushing aside because of mere inconvenience is a fundamental human right which goes one step further than the German Constitution.
<< Should we all throw our psions away in a couple of years because the selling and maintenance of (semi-)commercial software has become unprofitable? >>
The answer is a clear "No" because you're not prevented from creating the software you need in order to keep using your Psion. Not finding the application they were looking for has been the trigger for many to start developing software and to become a shareware author.
<< There are pharmaceutical companies who have developed medication that could save or lengthen the lives of people - but it doesn't because by the unconditional recognition of the copyrights and therefore marketing autonomy makes it unavailable for millions in need >>
Copyright, and other intellectual property rights, aren't merely about protection and restriction but also about encouraging development and the advance of learning. The possibility of getting a patent allows pharmaceutical companies to afford the lengthy process of research, development, clinical trials and acceptance testing before a medicine can be sold. They wouldn't be able to raise the money otherwise.
That a pharmaceutical company has the patent on a medicine doesn't imply high prices are charged for it. Pharmaceutical companies can, and do, supply medicines to developing countries at cost price. The problem is that many a developing country can't even pay these low prices because they're ruled by people who mismanage the country's economy and use their position for self-enrichment. Think of Zimbabwe's Robert Mugabe who has turned 'The Breadbasket of Southern Africa' into a country that can no longer feed its own population.
<< Patents have been issued to plants and animals that have been genetically engineered (not on the procedure but on the product!) >>
US patents on what a particular section of DNA codes for have been strongly disputed as they stray into the area of scientific discovery. J.J. Thompson could have received a patent for his discovery of the electron following a similar line of thought. All signs are that US DNA patents won't be internationally recognised. Some have already been withdrawn.
That there is a level of protection for those who create new plant varieties or new breeds of animal is nothing new. This form of protection is called 'Breeder's Rights' and is highly similar to copyright. When you buy Bintje potatoes in the supermarket, or at the greengrocer, you're buying a free variety everybody can grow. Choose Agria or Marphona and you're buying a protected variety. The breeder who created the variety (Agrico Holland for the Agria and Marphona potato varieties) gets a license fee based on the tonnage under cultivation.
<< Ludwig II of Bavaria who had build the castles of Neuschwanstein and other fairy tale ones... >>
Wrong example, I'm afraid, because Ludwig used public money to build his castles - Bavaria was all but bankrupt when Ludwig died. it's therefore not strange that the executioners of Ludwig's estate ignored the provision is his will that the castles should be destroyed. Also because Ludwig had shown sufficient signs of mental instability during his life. The castles themselves being the most visible signs.
<< Software might be a minor issue but I am a strong believer in the public domain in all fields of life >>
Intellectual property rights expire automatically. You therefore get public domain software without having to do anything. It only requires a bit of patience.
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Dec 2002 21:33:32 +0000
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Epoc Digest and DigHandler sw
Dear Itamar,
<< First of all I think Rolf is a good developer on the basis of working several months with his digest program to run this digest ... >>
You're entitled to your own opinion, Itamar. I'm afraid the version of RepEvMAil I've tried out was not an invitation to spend much more effort on it. Nor was it of a standard to give me much confidence in Rolf Vonau's other applications.
<< Even if a program would have a problem, that does not say anything about the other programs written by the same developer, and certainly would not be a reason to announce your "blackmailing" the author in public >>
I think you better the take word "blackmailing" back because I haven't threatened Rolf Vonau with a 'You do X, Y and Z, or else ...'. That I consider RepEvMAil to be pants may not be flattering but is what I think of the application.
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Dec 2002 21:33:37 +0000
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Epoc Digest and DigHandler sw
Dear Rolf,
<< Concerning the programs I think, everyone is free to use them or not, even to choose their developers ... >>
And I've chosen not to use RepEvMail and am not inclined to download any of your other applications on the basis of RepEvMail.
<< As hundreds of people do use it and are satisfied, it could of course also be your problem >>
One piece of advice for when you find yourself in a situation like this once more : NEVER, EVER say to a (prospective) customer that it's his/her problem!! That 100 or 100,000 customers are satisfied doesn't matter. You're not talking with a satisfied customer but with somebody who's far from satisfied. Concentrate on the dissatisfaction - NOT on the person. Find out WHY the customer is dissatisfied - what the customer wants YOU to do in order to become a satisfied customer. And when you can't make the customer satisfied - cut your losses - say the application doesn't match the customer rather than the other way around - say that you trust to be of better service next time.
<< When you unsuccessfully tried to install the program RepEvMail, why did you not ask me like other users to give support? >>
I've written you an e-mail you've not responded to.
<< At last I would point out, that all people using the program was satisfied with the instruction >>
1st Law of Holes : When you find yourself in a hole - stop digging!
You've already informed the customer that he's got a problem. You're now telling the customer that he's too stupid to understand the instructions. That's a ten out of ten for completely alienating the customer.
That other people have no difficulties with the instructions is not important - you don't need to do anything for them - you're not going to learn anything from them. But you do need to do something for the customer who's opened his mouth to tell you there's something wrong with the instructions. He could very well represent all the other (prospective) customers who discarded RepEvMail because they couldn't understand the instructions either - but DIDN'T tell you about it. What's more, he's able to tell you WHAT is wrong - something you can learn from.
As for the instructions - they're there to inform the new customer how (s)he has to operate the application. When the customer still doesn't know after having the read the instructions there's something wrong with the instructions. The instructions don't supply what the customer needs and have therefore failed to do their job.
<< That's what I call helping criticism >>
A critique of an application ALWAYS helps, whatever the criticism. You may decide not to make any changes to the application, despite what's been said about it. But you've at least looked at the application in the light of the critique - you've learned something from it - why you're not going to change the application.
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Dec 2002 21:33:44 +0000
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Morality
Dear Philip,
<< In this particular arena (software for ephemeral hardware) the rules are not clear-cut and such rules as there are may need to be modified for this reason >>
I'm sorry, but the rules are quite clear - the author is granted copyright on his/her application. Copyright is in force for the duration as defined in the statute books. It's for the author to decide whether (s)he makes use of all the protections copyright gives. A freeware developer makes no use of them, a shareware developer waives the rights on reproduction and distribution. As copyright is assigned to the author it's the author who can decide on a change in status of the application, like changing it from shareware to freeware. Consumers are free to request such a change of status when the shareware author has decided to withdraw the application from sale or to cease trading altogether. In case the author cannot be contacted the status of the application remains as is.
The rights of the shareware author are balanced by the rights of the consumer. The software product the author supplies needs to be free from defects, for example. Meaning the author has the obligation to repair any bugs consumers report to him/her. EC regulations have recently been tightened to the effect that the consumer no longer has to show the bug is there. The burden of proof now rests with the software author. The author is also obliged to continue to supply assistance to the consumer for a minimum period after the software has been removed from sale.
That Psion no longer supplies the Revo Plus, Series 5mx and Series 7 has no effect on these rules. The developer has created an application for the EPOC implementation on Psions. The success of the application is therefore linked to the continued availability and success of Psion's handheld computers. That's a risk the developer takes.
<< Certainly the current rules render such (abandoned and crippled) software useless, even if the copyright only persists for 10 years which is not the position under UK law >>
What's the problem? The shareware distribution method offers a number of distinct advantages to the consumer. The *only* disadvantage of the method is that copies of the trial version can still be around long after the author has stopped trading.
<< When a shareware owner effectively disappears, cannot be found, cannot be contacted and cannot be paid (s)he has effectively abandoned that business and any of it's products to any other hands >>
That's not necessarily the case.
1) Copyright is assigned to the author. The author's shareware company can thus cease trading without the author losing the rights to the application.
2) A shareware representative (I'm thinking of RMR) can handle a number of jobs on behalf of the author, similar to a book publisher. In case the representative goes out of business the author will have to find a new representative or do the jobs himself/herself.
3) Another possibility is the conditional transfer of rights. A company like Neuon acquires the rights to the application but they automatically revert back to the author when the company goes down.
The same can apply to hardware. Psion's withdrawal from the consumer PDA market doesn't mean that everybody can now manufacture the Series 5mx. Psion still owns the rights to the design of the 5mx. Somebody who thinks there's still a sufficiently strong demand for the 5mx will need to acquire the rights from Psion before putting it into production again.
ogramming did) >>
Every generation claims to have found and/or invented a number of things previous generations had already found/invented.
That the author of copyright material can't be contacted is nothing new. Ludwig van Beethoven regularly used the services of an Amsterdam based company that specialised in printing sheet music. The company received the commission from Beethoven to print copies of three new works, together with the manuscripts. When the company wrote to Beethoven that the job was done, requesting instructions, they didn't receive a reply. The company wrote another letter and received no reply, wrote another letter, etc. It didn't hear anything from Beethoven for two years, till the company received a very angry letter in which Beethoven demanded to know why he hadn't received the copies he'd ordered.
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Dec 2002 21:33:57 +0000
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Shareware registration codes (Rolf B.)
Dear Edgar,
<< BUT if you crack it or ask for a code, Rolf B is wrong, you are not a thief: you are using unlawfully a licence ... >>
I'm sorry, you're picking a single item from a section covering three paragraphs.
<< The reason we must understand the subtle difference is the point that you do not do any harm to the author, because he had not expected anymore income (that's why he stopped supporting the SW .... >>
You're *assuming* that this is reason. While there are several, perfectly legitimate, reasons why the author has withdrawn the application. I'm afraid others make the same assumption because it's oh-so convenient to explain away the harm done to the author.
<< Software registered, author not available: this is more and more frequent in EPOC5 world, and a serious problem. And here the author's behaviour is unlawful, and although he is not a theft by definition, his act DOES harm the user. How? And why? Registering a software is signing a contract. And ALMOST ALL the shareware authors offered too much in this contract: FREE support and upgrade for UNLIMITED period of time, or without a DEFINITE time limit >>
This is where you're going wrong.
First, because it's simply not true that all shareware authors use exactly the same terms and conditions of sale.
Secondly, there are shareware authors who don't charge for point releases (2.1, 2.2, 2.3, etc.) but *do* charge for major releases (2.0, 3.0, 4.0, etc.).
Thirdly, there are (commercial) applications that are supplied with (say) a 3 months free (technical) support period. After the 3 months you can choose between paying per support call or to pay in advance in the form of a support contract. Shareware tends not to have such support limitations and can be described as being supplied with unlimited free support. However, this doesn't mean that there are absolutely no limits at all.
a) The author would only have to sell a single license to be chained to the application for the rest of his/her life. No judiciary accepts this as a legitimate part of a contract.
b) It can't have escaped the attention of the consumer that companies close down, shops disappear from the high street and that brands and products are no longer on sale. In other words, that the supply of products and services can come to an end. It's therefore unreasonable for the consumer to expect there will never, ever come an end to the relationship between shareware author and licensee.
c) When copyright expires the demands that can be made on the author as sole supplier expire with it.
d) The author is entitled to (temporarily) withdraw support when a licensee makes undue and/or excessive use of the author's support servict's unlikely that a person who has the brains to develop software does not have the brains to realise that release 5 would be followed by release 6 at some point in time.
<< 2. their products were far from perfect and they were greedy to get money even in the early phase of SW development (and the promised free upgrade could convince hesitant users) >>
This is an assumption on your part and a very nasty one at that. It also assumes that the consumer is a brainless idiot incapable of using the shareware trial period to any effect.
<< 3. they simply did not dare to build in a time limit to alert their potential users, and send them to other authors >>
Which is another nasty assumption and one that defies logic. Why should a shareware author put a time limit into the application when the author doesn't want to impose a strict limit on technical support and application upgrades? How is the application on my Psion to know that there's a new version so that it can stop functioning? And where do you get the idea from that shareware authors have second sight and are able to divine what the future brings?
<< 4. it is very cheap and really tempting to promise something superior, the potential user buys rather the 'promise' than the 'as is' product >>
A developer's plans are just that - plans. They're not promises because they describe what the shareware author *intends* to do. Factors beyond the author's control can prevent the author translating these intentions into application functionality. Psion moving out of the consumer handheld market is such a factor. Ditto the recent economic downturn. And the author has only to walk in the path of the proverbial no. 11 bus and the author's plans die with the author.
The shareware application you buy is therefore 'as is' because that's the functionality the application offers. In case you want to buy the application because of a planned feature you need to contact the author prior to purchase to discuss the status of the feature and a possible release date. The author then knows that the feature is a conditional part of your purchase.
<< Any reason they had, they are breaking their contracts right now ... >>
What you describe is not a contract between author and licensee but consumer protection running wild - the author becoming the slave of the licensee. You have a number of rights as a consumer but they don't extend as far a you imagine them to extend.
<< ... remember the complaints e.g.. about Neuon's disappearance ... >>
I've just visited the Neuon web site (www.neuon.com) and the latest announcement is the launch of nICQ for the Nokia 7650 on November 16th, last.
<< Vanishing companies (mentioned by Rolf) can count on serious lawsuit, months of litigation and years in prison ... >>
Given what you'everybody will agree on.
c) It's not a major factor in the consumer's decision process so that it's much better to list the features the consumer does use to make a purchase decision.
<< As I understand it, an external antenna is always better than an internal (all other things equal) ... >>
All things aren't equal, I'm afraid, as you tune the performance of the phone's radio circuitry to the characteristics of the antenna. That 'external is better' is fine as a general rule of thumb. But there are phones with a planar antenna that outperform phones with an external antenna.
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
*++++++++++&
Date: 8 Dec 2002 21:34:21 +0000
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Siemens, Series 5, Virgin/Tiscali
Dear Tony,
<< The M35i, which is basicaly the C35 in a bombproof box >>
My GSM Data Companion database lists the following:
Phone : Siemens M35
Band(s) : GSM900 and GSM1800
Data adaptor : Integrated
Series 3 : Yes
Series 5 : Yes
Revo : Yes (Cradle)
Series 7 : Yes
netBook : Yes
Link : Cable
Notes:
- Requires an optional connection kit.
- Supports Fax Class 1 which is less suitable for faxing via GSM than Class 2.
Recommended modem settings:
Modem tab:
- Name : Siemens M35
- Speed : 19200 bps
- Connect via : Serial
- Fax class : 1
Initialisation tab:
- Init. (reset) string : AT&F
- Data init. string : AT\Q1
- Fax init. string : Leave empty
Advanced tab:
- Flow Control : Software (Xon/Xoff)
- Terminal detect (DSR/DTR) : Unchecked
- Carrier detect (DCD) : Unchecked
- Modem type : Mobile
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
*++++++++++&
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