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

Tips for Posting to the Digest and how to unsubscribe

at the end of the Digest

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

Epoc Digest Fri, 03 Jan 2003 Volume 01 : Number 138

************************************************************************

Sent to: 710 subscribers

In today's Epoc Digest 20 messages:

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

- Dcalc 3.00 - patched source available / aktualisierte Source verfuegbar

- Warning re Maplin Electronics and Pocket Reader

- System files

- Re. Where to look for new applications

- My indispensable S7, Tomtom cityplanner, Tablet Devices, Travelmodem, Dacom Gold

- Viking CF Cards

- Tom Olstad is now working in Statoil

- Re : Santa/Solun; Re : look for new applications

- Reply to EPOC DIGEST V1 # 137

- Re: Warning re Maplin Electronics and Pocket Reader

- Re: Query - Agenda to Data/Sheet Link

- Tablet Devices

- RE: Crypto Programs

- Sony Clie

- Printing hlp or data files

- EPOC VNC / ABP / Toys / Maps

- Psion Serial Number

- Good value for large capacity CFs

- strangenesses

- Re: Where to look for new applications

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

Date: 2 Jan 2003 10:37:06 +0100

From: "Marcus von Cube"

Subject: Dcalc 3.00 - patched source available / aktualisierte Source verfuegbar

Hi,

I put a modified version of Bob Hepple's Dcalc RPN calculator on my download page /

Ich habe eine angepasste Version von Bob Heppels Dcalc UPN-Rechner auf meiner

Download-Seite verfügbar gemacht:

http://www.mvcsys.de/download

http://www.mvcsys.de/download/dcalc-multi.zip (SIS)

http://www.mvcsys.de/download/dcalc-300-src-mvc.zip (Source)

Enjoy / Viel Spass

Marcus

http://www.mvcsys.de

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

Date: 2 Jan 2003 11:38:15 +0100

From: "Chris Cooper"

Subject: Warning re Maplin Electronics and Pocket Reader

Aleck Cartwright wrote:

> SIEMENS Pocket Reader - I was also wondering if anyone knows > where I can get a cheap pen scanner, the Siemens Pocket Reader > would be ideal, does anyone know where I could get one?

and Trygve replied:

Try Maplin.

www.maplin.co.uk I think it was... (I registered as a customer and ordered one right before Xmas. :-)

I've had a lousy experience with Maplin. Both the Website and a human operator told me they had plenty of Pocket Readers in stock. I ordered one before Xmas, together with a couple of CD-RWs. The latter came, but with no Pocket Reader and a note telling me it was out of stock. I got irate with somebody on the phone, and finally I was told that one would be retrieved from a store and sent to me. Since then I've done more chasing, and found that my order appeared on the system as cancelled. I've been told that another attempt will be made to get one from a shop to send to me. But their systems seem so inefficient that I'm not counting on it.

I see now on their Website that the PR is listed as discontinued.

However, if there's a Maplin store near you, it could be worth enquiring there. To find out, try 0870 264 6002, Maplin's direct customer services number.

Best,

Chris

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

Date: 2 Jan 2003 11:50:51 +0100

From: Jan R Gustafsson

Subject: System files

Hi all!

Hope you have a better start of the new year than me, in bed with a heavy cold. But I can't refrain from "thumbing away" on my MC218.

Maybe some of you more experienced psionists can shed some light over how Epoc OS stores and uses system files. I have noticed that I on both C & D drives have among others LIB and OPX folders with dll and OPX files, some of them with the same name but different creation dates. Is this because I sometimes install apps to C, sometimes to D? Does Epoc always use the latest version or does it use the version found on the drive to witch the app using it was installed? Is it safe to remove all but the latest version of for example sysram1.opx or estlib.dll? If it's enough with one (the latest?) version of such a file, where's the best place to keep it, C or D? Does this hold for all types of system files?

I like a "clean folder structure" on my Psion and also find it would be possible to reclaim some valuable memory space if I had answers to some of the above questions. Or am I just bothering myself quite unnecessarily with this?

Cheers,

Jan G

Stockholm, Sweden

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

Date: 2 Jan 2003 12:11:14 +0100

From: "Simon Wolf"

Subject: Re. Where to look for new applications

Steve,

A little while before Christmas I agreed to take over the day-to-day running of Epoczone due to Jon Read's other commitments leaving him very little time to spend on the site. I've now cleared a backlog of work that I had to get done before Christmas and so the next few weeks will see numerous updates to the site starting with new additions and updates to the central software database. I am also hoping to resurrect the news section of the site to cover non-software developments and hopefully Epoczone will become a valuable site for all of you guys.

Sorry if this seems to be a bit of a plug but I am only answering the question. 80)

Kind regards.

Simon Wolf

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

Date: 2 Jan 2003 13:48:25 +0100

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: My indispensable S7, Tomtom cityplanner, Tablet Devices, Travelmodem, Dacom Gold

Answer to : Kevin Thorne

Re. My indispensable S7 - In short, I agree with you. In the sal I bought a laptop for my son for his study. Wonderful with DVD, windows, etc. However, decided to stay myself as long as possible with the S7. Just bought a 2nd battery which will take me to over 10 hours of usage without electricity ... as long as it works, I work with it. A great business tool.

Re. Travelmodem - Yes, I still use it at home mainly, but with this new modem card I think it will move to the background as a back-up option. It is soooooo much easier just to connect "the Psion to the phone socket".

Answer : Alan R Morris

Re. Tomtom cityplanner - I am still interested to hear from anyone whether there are significant changes to the program in the newest version or not.

Answer : Philip Bister

Re. Tablet Devices - Interesting to read, but I am still very much so a keyboard use and when my S7 one day will stop functioning I would still be looking for a keyboard solution. A tablet device is nice for portabillity and home use, but no use for business work with email, spreadsheets and documents. I could never do the daily input from a graffity device.

Answer : Joseph Hamwee & others

Re. Dacom Goldcard - Thanks for all the answers. Jospeh, your solution silences the modem altogether and is the same as just choosing the "never" option in the "Options" tab. I'll use it like that as the noise is indeed disturbing others as well as myself <G>.

Best regards,

Itamar Engelsman

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

Date: 2 Jan 2003 16:29:22 +0100

From: Andy Hayes

Subject: Viking CF Cards

Hi All

Anyone using Viking CF Cards? Do they work with Psions? Any comments.

Andy Hayes

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

Date: 2 Jan 2003 17:10:50 +0100

From: Arild.SUP_Gjerde

Subject: Tom Olstad is now working in Statoil

As from 01.01.2003 I am working in Statoil.

Please send all mails to my new Statoil address: too

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

Date: 2 Jan 2003 17:46:41 +0100

From: J.

Subject: Re : Santa/Solun; Re : look for new applications

Subject Re : Santa/Solun

Kevin noted

>... Santa was still in the lower right corner as of 1PM PST 30 Dec. Hummm, does he go away?>

Hi Kevin,

Yes the new moon made Him invisible

He'll ride back next december (I checked *<;-}

Till then keep On your psion, folks!

Subject Re : look for new applications

To Steve Hodgson

> Do any of you still use any > of the software archive sites or know if any of them are kept up > to date?<

There is hardly something new in a week interval when I check :

psionplace.com/

epoczone./com/www.php3

epocboulevard.com/er5

But... is there any soft still missing in our beloved machines?

Have a good Y2K+3

Jack

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

Date: 2 Jan 2003 18:15:00 +0100

From: dd.white

Subject: Reply to EPOC DIGEST V1 # 137

Date: 31 Dec 2002 15:13:48 +0100

From: Rolf Vonau

Subject: Re: Psion Dacom Goldcard modem V34

> The literature does not give the AT commands to

> reduce this noise. Is it possible to reduce the

> noise of dialling to an "acceptable" level ?

Reply f

The bad news is that the noise made by the Dacom Card is often due to a break down within the card and cannot be turned off by AT commands.

The good news is that the card is guaranteed for life and will be re-programmed by Dacom if returned otherwise undamaged .

D.D.White

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

Date: 2 Jan 2003 18:20:59 +0100

From: Trygve Henriksen

Subject: Re: Warning re Maplin Electronics and Pocket Reader

Greetings!

Chris Cooper wrote:

> I've had a lousy experience with Maplin. Both the Website and a

> human operator told me they had plenty of Pocket Readers in stock.

> I ordered one before Xmas, together with a couple of CD-RWs. The

> latter came, but with no Pocket Reader and a note telling me it was

> out of stock. I got irate with somebody on the phone, and finally I

> was told that one would be retrieved from a store and sent to me.

> Since then I've done more chasing, and found that my order

> appeared on the system as cancelled. I've been told that another

> attempt will be made to get one from a shop to send to me. But their

> systems seem so inefficient that I'm not counting on it.

The package has yet to arrive here in Norway...

If it doesn't arrive within two weeks I'll go 'ape' over it and bother anyone that I can reach by mail. (No, I'm not gonna waste money on an international call)

I've had a rather ghastly Xmas, and need someone to take it out on...

(The intake for the spring fed well at my parents house frose, someone hacked a server I have a small site on and there was this queazy feeling coming from my belly)

> I see now on their Website that the PR is listed as discontinued.

They should have listed it as such as soon as they knew they wouldn't get any more of them... (It wasn't listed as such when I ordered, but it WAS listed as in stock)

> However, if there's a Maplin store near you, it could be worth

> enquiring there. To find out, try 0870 264 6002, Maplin's direct

> customer services number.

You think Maplin Indirect is bad?

You should have tried the Norwegian dealer.

(Arngren electronics)

The only thing worse than trying their mail-order service was to try buying something in the store...

Fortunately, I don't think they're in business any more.

:-)

Trygve

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

Date: 2 Jan 2003 18:41:41 +0100

From: "Steve Hodgson"

Subject: Re: Query - Agenda to Data/Sheet Link

> My guess is that your mate was hoping to set up this system using

> only

> the built-in software and this is where I think things will get

> tricky.

One alternative that did occur to me afer my previous posting is that

it *may* be possible to achieve what you are after using only an Agenda

file synch'd to (say) Outlook. Once the appointments are available on

the PC it should be possible to extract the required data more easily

that on the Psion itself.

Cheers,

Steve Hodgson

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

Date: 2 Jan 2003 18:45:37 +0100

From: "Arent Kits van Heijningen[106016.3614]"

Subject: Tablet Devices

Date: 1 Jan 2003 11:03:30 +0100

From: "Philip Bister" Subject: Tablet Devices

>>As we probably all know, the current handheld market is mainly based on Palm OS and Pocket PC (the majority seem to me to use Palm OS).<<

>>In fact, I think Psion have already the form in place! The netPad. But at approx. GBP 1000, for the retail consumer, its far too expensive. Why can't Psion produce an economy version of the netPad?<<

Well , currently Clove has them at GBP 869.50 inc. VAT , my suggestion is

that Psion could do more to market them at the generic business market (

Think company-wide issue of this type of device , not just the warehousing

and dispatch departments )

With component prices dropping a revised product could be offered at

between GBP 569 and GBP 1069 , depending on the feature set

The ruggedness is what makes the thing attractive , ruggedized devices

from other manufacturers easily cost between GBP 1500 and GBP 2500

AS it is one piece , there are no issues with the screen ribbon , that

part will last now as long as the rest of the device

I consider the current Clove price a very good one as the HP clamshell now

costs GBP 1000 and that one is not ruggedized

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

Date: 2 Jan 2003 19:14:27 +0100

From: "Chris Edwards"

Subject: RE: Crypto Programs

Hi All,

Firstly Happy New Year to you all,

>>From: "Woody B"

Subject: Crypto Programs

>>...................I've downloaded several programs from Tucows-- crypto114, encrypt40, freecrypt. Also CodeSafe for passwords.Any recomendations, suggestions, problems with any of these, or other suggestions?<<

Hi Woody,

I regularly use EncryptIt! By Peter Csutora. I purchased it when I had a Revo 2 or 3 years ago. Luckily I kept my registration details as I wandered off to the world of pocketpc for a while !! Anyway, I've returned to the Psion 5MX and downloaded the latest version at www.pocketiq.com It's even better than the original and it even has a wiping facility which wipes free space on the c drive or CF. It's a great program and I can't recommend it highly enough.

BTW, I have no connections with the author or with pocketIQ.

Hope this helps,

Chris Edwards

Http://www.coolmagic.btinternet.co.uk

Put a deck of cards in your pocket, and a feeling of confidence in your life." Ricky Jay

Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Walk beside me and just be my friend. Albert Camus (1913 - 1960)

Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832)

-------

This message contained attachment(s)

-------

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

Date: 2 Jan 2003 22:09:27 +0100

From: James John

Subject: Sony Clie

Hi there,

After 12 years of using Psions from the Organizer 2, Series 3a, Series 5 and Revo I finally made a switch to the Palm platform to give it a try especially the colour screen.

The colour screen is wonderful and with a backlight trully good especially being able to read in all light conditions. Got Tome Raider installed for that.

The built in software is so basic when compared to EPOC but does make it efficient when using the Diary and Todo. Text entry is also limited when not having a keyboard.

Had a tough time finding a good financial app especially that all of them dont even come close to what ABP offers.

I only wish that Sony or Sharp had decided to use EPOC in their handhelds instead of Palm or Linux respectively.

Hope the new smartphones will at least achieve what the Handspring Treo did for Palm.

Regards

James J

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

Date: 2 Jan 2003 23:14:00 +0100

From: "Woody B"

Subject: Printing hlp or data files

I'm trying to print the help file from the program ABP. I've been unsucessful in moving and converting it so I can use some Windows program to print it out. The convert says there is a problem with the file and won't convert.

I'm trying to use ABP this year and I'm one of those people that does better learning from a piece of paper.

Thanks, Woody

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

Date: 3 Jan 2003 08:57:02 +0100

From: Andy Hayes

Subject: EPOC VNC / ABP / Toys / Maps

Hi All

I am glad to report that I have finally got EPOCVNC working on my networked

netBook. The culprit was the vnchosts.txt file. Once deleted and replaced I

got a connection first time to my server. Its slooow, but still impressive

to see a portion of a Windows screen on the netBook. I don't think that I

will need to run an antivirus app though ;-)

I have also had another look at ABP, which has been installed and unused on

my netBook for some time, after Itamar's reminder that it can back up

automatically at closedown of each session. I am loath to lose all of the

extra functionality of RMRBank, but losing 3 weeks data has been a bit of a

nightmare for me recently - my fault admittedly!

I think that I have been very good this year, hardly buying any gadgets at

all. Not even my normal self-buy Xmas presents. Today I could no longer

resist. The wants list adds up to 2x256mb CFs, a 1gb MicroDrive, a 5mx Pro

(for Linux purposes) and a transflective screened netPad with WiFi. I was

very good and just bought one of the CFs. The 256mb seems to have bottomed

out at £60 + VAT and I have been watching the prices for ages. Its either

going to be a netPad or a holiday this year, and as I would be going on my

own, (no woman in my life at the moment - and no queue forming either!) the

netPad will probably win the day.

For anyone frustrated with the size of the screen on the 5mx when using it

on the road with a mapping application for travelling North/South or

South/North, consider doing what the sailors do: tack East and West ;-)

Andy Hayes

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

Date: 3 Jan 2003 09:55:56 +0100

From: Douglas Brown

Subject: Psion Serial Number

Dear all,

Sorry this is such a basic question. I hope someone can help? My P5mx must go in for repair. First, I must get an RMA from the Psion Repair Centre's web site.

No problem? Well, the their web page form wants my Serial Number, and (silly me) I do not have a note of it. Nor does the PsiWin Properties dialogue appear to tell me it.

How do I find the serial number? I seem to recall it is burned into the ROM. How do I read it if the screen is dysfunctional?

One thought I had: The PsiWin link is still working. Is the Serial Number in a file in the ROM, which I can just copy out onto my PC?

TVMIA. Douglas (Please CC any reply posting

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

Date: 3 Jan 2003 10:33:16 +0100

From: Simon Jeffree

Subject: Good value for large capacity CFs

Hi & a happy new year to you all,

Just thought I'd let you know, I found a good deal on large capacity CF (type 1) disks from Orca Logic Ltd. (http://www.orcalogic.co.uk).

They're manufactured by Transcend & have what they call "25x Ultra Performance". I guess this must be similar to SanDisk's "Ultra" technology, but they're much less expensive. The blurb says they have a transfer rate of 25 x 150kb/sec & that other cards are on average only 10-15x. Santa (in the form of my wife) brought me the 512Mb one (at £136.80 +VAT) & my experience so far bears this out.

My old 128Mb Sandisk CF disk was nearly full & my 5mx took 30 seconds to come up with the "Open file" dialog in Word or Program, but now, with the same data transferred to the new Transcend CF disk, it only takes 6 seconds. I know this is not just due to fragmentation on the old disk because I recently reformatted it & there was no difference. I have all my apps & data on the CF rather than the "C:" internal memory & the machine feels generally much more responsive, particularly when starting & stopping programs & also when altering Jotter & Agenda files (presumably because these apps store their data immediately rather than the user having to do a save. The Email app. is also much quicker (my emails are all on the CF).

The following table is taken from their website:

Orca Part Code Capacity Price (ex VAT)

128MFLASHCP-B78 128MB £39.96

256MFLASHCP-B79 256MB £65.87

512MFLASHCP-B80 512MB £136.80

TS1GFLASHCP 1GB £348.61

Delivery is free in the UK & £10 for other countries. Mine took a couple of days.

Only time will tell if it is reliable, but I'll let you know if I have any problems. Orca's website quotes a lifetime warrantee but the packaging from Transcend quotes 5 years.

I must add that I have no connection with Orca Ltd. or Transcend

Hope some of you may find this useful

Best regards,

Simon Jeffree

Maidstone, Kent, UK

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

Date: 3 Jan 2003 12:46:31 +0100

From: us

Subject: strangenesses

last night was Psion Disaster night in our house, my 5mx got stuck downloading emails, so I disconnected, did a soft reset to clear the problem... and was informed that the C internal disk was "corrupt". Time for a hard reset and learning how to restore from EpocBackup! Strangely all my email and internet settings, and emails, were lost and the settings needed manual re-entering. Lucky for me I'd had a new years clearout and savemail'd all my emails to CF card!

later on I suggested to my wife that she try emptying her netbook's email using SaveMail, but she ~highlighted~ all the messages before setting Savemail off, having instructed it to delete after saving... it saved the first message and deleted all the rest in one fell swoop! And then she confessed to never having got round to doing a backup... Ah well, 50 or so personal messages down the pan!

Remember boys and girls, back up.

Simon

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

Date: 3 Jan 2003 13:02:48 +0100

From: Owen H. Morgan

Subject: Re: Where to look for new applications

Howdy!

Steve Hodgson wrote (> ):

> These days it sees to me that there is no

> alternative to checking all

> the developer website individually. Do any of you

> still use any of the

> software archive sites or know if any of them are

> kept up to date?

I stopped using Tucows a long time ago when they changed the format so that you had to wade through three or four consecutive big pages to get to the download. This made it impossible to use with a Psion and GSM phone. In the beginning they used to send out an e-mail newsletter with links direct to the software authors site.

Owen

Thought for the day:

Westheimer's Time Estimation Rule:

Estimate the time you think it should take, multiply by 2, add 3, and change the unit of measure to the next higher unit.

Owen H. Morgan, Yacht "Naomi J.", LD-53°20.87'N 6°14.83'W

Dublin City Moorings

http://home.no.net/naomij

Phone and SMS:

In Ireland: +353 (0)87 7474173

In Norway: +47 92053097

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

************************************************************************

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

************************************************************************

***** Tips for Posting to the Digest *****

1 - Never send the previous Digest with your reply !!!

2 - Remember to write a meaningful Subject Line [and do

not repeat the subject text of the digest].

3 - Avoid sending HTML ("rich email") or MIME encoded,

it's not ASCII text. The HTML attachment will blow up

your email and increase the download time 3 times or

more.

4. Send your messages to the above email address with the

following in the subject field:

- a meaningfull subject description for your messages

- (UN)SUBSCRIBE to join or leave the digest

- ADMIN for all other matters for the digest team

5. How to Unsubscribe/Subscribe from the Epoc Digest:

Send a message with in

the subject line the word SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE

and no text in the message. Only messages (un)subscribing

the email message in the "From" line will be accepted

(you cannot unsubscribe someone else).

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

You've Been Reading the Epoc Digest

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