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Epoc Digest      Fri, 14 Feb 2003     Volume 01 : Number 174

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

Sent to:  731 subscribers

In today's Epoc Digest 26 messages:

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

- Re: Backup and restore

- Re: Converting Complex Word Docs

- Orange PAYG

- Re: Replacement pens, 4Itamar

- Re: Psion Dacom Gold Card

- Re: GPRS settings

- Re: Answering the digest

- Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 172 (1)

- Revo replacement

- netBook OS 158,

- RE: Striking through entries on To Do List on 5MX

- White letters on keyboard

- Psion Dacom

- 50 apps, More on XJMail,

- Re: Re deleting mail; Re Fn+Space

- purple software

- .zip files on an Osaris (pt. 2)

- Decent Todo App Query

- Re: Sharp Zaurus

- Screen Cable

- C++ on netbook

- Re:  Email app macros

- PDFPrinter / Complex Documents

- Toshiba Mouse Rubber

- False Representation? gadget! 173 (1)

- Re: False Representation?

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

Date: 13 Feb 2003 17:52:12 +0000

From: Daniele Squarci

Subject: Re: Backup and restore

Dear Rolf,

> How is PsiWin to know that what was "Client 30.1" is now called "Client 6.2" and that "Client 30.1" should therefore no longer be restored? It doesn't because PsiWin looks at the files - it doesn't read your mind.<

Yes, I see what you mean. I had thought that the PsiWin backup process would also recognise deletions. This behaviour is certainly useful if I accidentally deleted a file, but also means that "voluntary" deletions are preserved for evermore...

Daniele

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

Date: 13 Feb 2003 18:07:00 +0000

From: ALYG

(Andrew Longdon)

Subject: Re: Converting Complex Word Docs

The majority of the documents I create (or edit) on the Psion are password protected - am I right in thinking there is no way round the fact that in order to transfer them between the Psion and the PC, one has to firstly remove the password, transfer them, and then protect them again?

,\ndy

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

Date: 13 Feb 2003 19:36:00 +0000

From: ALYG

(Andrew Longdon)

Subject: Orange PAYG

Having just completed the process of converting my Nokia 6210e from Orange contract to Pay As You Go, I can once again confirm that data works fine.

However, I was not impressed with the Orange person who, when I told her that since swapping the SIM card and waiting for the update to be sent, said that it was perfectly normal that the reception indicator would show zero signal strength until the SIM update had been received.

Puzzled by the concept of the phone having the ability to receive an update whilst unable to 'get a signal', I decided to reboot the phone several times - this made no difference. Finally, I removed the battery, jiggled the SIM card and then rebooted - signal restored! I received the SIM update 2 minutes later!

,\ndy

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

Date: 13 Feb 2003 20:16:24 +0000

From: Rolf Vonau

Subject: Re: Replacement pens, 4Itamar

Reference is made to the mail in the EPOC DIGEST V1 # 173 (1) :

Itamar Engelsman wrote at 13.02 2003 (> ):

> I glued it with superglue and you can't even see

> it was ever broken ... <G>

Hi Itamar, be carefully.

We can't see nothing, but under the microscope ...?!!

I read somewhere, that even pens with micro fissures scratch the screen.

--

Best Regards

Rolf

Munich

http://home.arcor.de/rhvonau/index.htm

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

Date: 13 Feb 2003 21:16:15 +0000

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: Psion Dacom Gold Card

Dear Itamar,

<< For a colleague of mine I bought a V34+FAX Psion Dacom Gold CArd Multi-function PC Card to use with the S7. However, whatever I do, I cannot get it to work, and in COMMS it says "no dialtone" >>

The No Dialtone error message says that (a) you've instructed the Gold Card to check for a dial tone before dialling out and (b) that the Gold Card doesn't detect a dial tone. In other words "Phone line? - What phone line?!?!? - Are you telling me that I'm connected to a phone line?!?!?".

Possible actions:

a) Check that the line works by plugging in a phone rather than the Gold Card.

b) Check for an abnormal dial tone.

c) Change the line cord that came with the Gold Card for another one.

d) Check that the Gold Card uses the right country profile

e) Check whether the line uses digital signalling

f) When all fails - use 'blind dialling'.

--

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

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

Date: 13 Feb 2003 21:16:17 +0000

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: GPRS settings

Dear Itamar,

<< Can someone give me the settings for using GPRS with Dutch Tone in The Netherlands and TMobile in Germany ? >>

For which mobile phone, which computer and which software?

--

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

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

Date: 13 Feb 2003 21:16:19 +0000

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: Answering the digest

Dear Uwe,

<< I am a lazy person, if it comes to alot of unnecessary typing, therefore I use the Digest Handler DH instead >>

And I don't like Digest Handler - simple as that.

--

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

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

Date: 13 Feb 2003 21:16:21 +0000

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 172 (1)

Dear Darryl,

P800 + fax

<< So infer from this that there's more to fax capability than simply fax class support >>

There is, indeed. The three fax classes (1, 2 and 2.0) 'only' define the communication between computer and fax-modem or mobile phone. You still need the computer software that uses the fax classes to send and receive fax messages.

<< Anyone know why modern phone modems should struggle with fax over IR (Mike, Rolf)? where older models never had this problem >>

Getting nostalgic already? <G>

You may not have had much of a problem with your Ericsson SH888 but this doesn't mean that the old phones performed better that their great-grandchildren do nowadays. The standard "They don't make them like that anymore" cliche can be preceded by the word "Fortunately" when I look at what has changed through the years. Still, data communication is sufficiently complex for all kind of snags, pitfalls and incompatibilities to crop up.

And then I'm not even talking about some of the strange decisions phone manufacturers have made. Strange in the eyes of a Psion owner, that is. The SH888 had the 'feature' of using IrCOMM, an infrared communication protocol, via the serial as well as the infrared port. Meaning that Series 3a/3c/3mx and Revo owners couldn't use a cable to link an SH888 to their Psion. SonyEricsson may have made a similarly 'strange' decision for the P800. Could be that market research has indicated that the number people who are going to use a P800 as a wireless fax-modem is relatively low.

<< From previous digest discussions there have been various updates to Psion's messaging capabilities... But surely this should not affect 'older' technologies such as fax which the Psion was designed to be capable of handling >>

This very much depends on the issue. It's quite common for fax software to interrogate the fax-modem or mobile phone to find out which fax class(es) it supports and to use the highest supported class. The Ericsson R520 says that it supports Fax Class 1 and 2 when interrogated. But you've found out that Fax Class 2 simply doesn't work - you have to force the Psion to use Fax Class 1 - while it did work with the SH888. Now, who's to blame for this, Psion, Ericsson or both? Looks like it's Ericsson. Still, the R520 might expose a weakness in Psion's software or drivers. Trouble is, that it's not always easy to find out where things go wrong and what might be the cause of it. I had a discussion with somebody from Psion on why a particular Samsung phone didn't work with the ER3 and ER5 Psions for data and fax transmission. And we'd independently come to the same "I'm completely baffled" conclusion.

<< Fail to see the point in mobile operatore giving you a fax number when half the handsets won't support it! >>

Don't be silly - you can just as well complain about oil companies selling diesel fuel at the pump while a large number of cars run on petrol.

<< Data support teams usually try and blame it on the Psion >>

That's because many a phone manufacturer's technical support department tends not to have (much) experience with Psions but can be made liable by the customer for what it says. It's therefore a Yes or a No - and when technical support isn't sure it's a No.

<< But surely Fax is Fax? The Psion supports Fax so a phone that supports the same fax class should work with a Psion - shouldn't it??? >>

Faxing involves a number of official ITU-T and ETSI standards, a number of industry standards, manufacturer's implementation of the standards in fax machines, fax modems and mobile phones, transport over wired as well as wireless networks, etc, etc. It works in the overall majority of cases, despite the complexity, but not in all cases. I've had to change fax machine, for example, because I couldn't get a fax out using machine A while machine B worked.

<< Ignorant of workings behind all this so if anyone can point me in direction of further info would like to arm myself with some questions to take to with manufacturers >>

You can start by reading the GSM ETSI 07.05 and 07.07 standards but I very much doubt this will help you much. First because you need to know the terminology as well as the technology behind it. Do you know, for example, the relationship between channel coding, time slot and transmission speed? Secondly, it doesn't offer a guarantee - see Ericsson R520 above.

<< "The Revo (or any of the ER5 family of machines) cannot be used with a modem which doesn't support the command "AT+FCLASS=?". The modem doesn't need to support fax but it must respond to this command without giving ERROR, otherwise it will try three times and then time out without dialling." >>

Is this true for EPOC Release 5 - Release 5 plus Mobile Connectivity Update 1.1 - Release 5 plus Mobile Connectivity Update 2.0 - or in all cases? And why should a modem or mobile phone give a response other than ERROR when the standards say that it has to respond with ERROR for unrecognised and unsupported AT commands?

That's the problem with giving answers and explanations to people who'd like to keep it "But surely Fax is Fax?" simple. You either give a simplified explanation - which will come back to haunt you - or you give the full explanation - which the questioner either doesn't understand or doesn't want to take the effort to understand.

--

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

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

Date: 13 Feb 2003 22:00:53 +0000

From: Kevin Thorne

Subject: Revo replacement

Reply to David Lir:

<"Such a good machine.  Such a c~~~~y power design."

So true and so sad! I have a notion that a 'Revo 3' with a backlit screen, an SD card slot, and a LiON pack would sell well - even in today's market.>

Yes, a great shame Psion pulled out of the PDA market before anything like this was developed.  A lot of users obviously have had trouble with batteries and charging with this unit and I'm convinced simply changing over to a removeable Lithium Ion pack with the associated more precise charging circuitry would have solved the problem.  I have yet to hear one single problem with a S7's battery or charging going belly up (so far!)

My thanks to Itamar for informing us that the number of 9210 owners reading this Digest amounts to the huge number of 8 users!  I guess this just shows how happy everyone is with their existing machines.  After 9 months of using the 9210 my personal experience is it's not quite there for functionality but as an all in one communications solution it's superb.  I'm finally taking delivery of my MMC to PC card adaptor tomorrow which means I'll have a way of backing up the whole thing to my S7.

Regards

Kevin Thorne

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

Date: 13 Feb 2003 22:25:20 +0000

From: "Sajid T. Jumaani"

Subject: netBook OS 158,

hi everyone

have just successfully installed netBook OS 158... Opera is a lot faster than Epoc's web... Opera is able to play animation objects even when offline...

everything's great... i am so glad i went for the 158...

two things puzzles me though... there are two icons added on the Extras bar the nFTP and the NetStatRF what are these?

thank you

regards,

:-) saj

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

Date: 13 Feb 2003 22:40:44 +0000

From: WINTERWOLFSOUL

Subject: RE: Striking through entries on To Do List on 5MX

Hi,

Re the above subject thanks to everyone who responded with varying solutions and in particular to Cathy, Jim & Ian who all told me what I needed to know. 

I probably had not explained as well as I thought I had and I just needed to know how to actually strike out the entries as I had already ticked the Display crossed out entries box.

Thanks again as this now means I can keep track of things I have done since I recent house move would have usually left me relying on bits of paper!

Many Reiki Blessings

Elaine J Smith

Independent Reiki Master

Reiki Fusion/RADAR

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

Date: 13 Feb 2003 23:43:05 +0000

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: White letters on keyboard

Just wanted to say that I am very happy that after over 1/2 a year of using my S7 the letters on the keys are as white as they were the first day. This of course in contract to the S5(MX).

Best regards,

Itamar Engelsman

London, UK

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

Date: 13 Feb 2003 23:43:25 +0000

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: Psion Dacom

Is this Company still in existence and can I get a lead cable to their modem card from them ? If not, does anyone have a spare leadcable for a Psion Dacom "V34 + Fax Gold Card Multi-function PC Card" ?

Best regards,

Itamar Engelsman

London, UK

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

Date: 13 Feb 2003 23:43:36 +0000

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: 50 apps, More on XJMail,

Answer to: Kit Byatt

Re.: 50 apps - I tend to agree with you, I also use only abt. half of my programs regularly, but most of them occasionally. I think we will venture into some different subjects in the coming months, but I am not sure how willing the subscribers are to answer research questions on a regular basis.

Answer to: ,\ndy

Re. Looks like I'm Mr. Typical then ;-)  -  Ah, but that is priviliged information, sorry <BG>. Unfortunately I am not anymore (using a S7, above 45) <G>.

Answer to: Peter Rand & Philip S. A. Potter

Re. More on XJMail - Thanks a lot. I regularly open 3 mailboxes and occasionally a 4th one (my duty weeks of the digest) so I don't think XJMAIL will be for me.

Best regards,

Itamar Engelsman

London, UK

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

Date: 14 Feb 2003 00:00:15 +0000

From: Tom Robertson

Subject: Re: Re deleting mail; Re Fn+Space

Jack, Itamar and Marcus

Thanks for the replies... admittedly i don;t always close the mailbox before exiting, I'll give it a go.

I guess when I say 'much battery power' I mean is does keeping the screen on dim save enough power to make it worthwhile bothering with!

thanks,

tom

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

Date: 14 Feb 2003 01:10:01 +0000

From: Brian Houghton

Subject: purple software

After posting about Purple Software and receiving notice that they went belly-up, I was able to get to their (much pared down) web site by going to:

www.purplesoftware.com

I even got a response from customer support regarding the download format.

Also, you can directly get many of their apps from:

www.handango.com

Brian

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

Date: 14 Feb 2003 01:13:18 +0000

From: Brian Houghton

Subject: .zip files on an Osaris (pt. 2)

Recently, I wrote about questioning about using .zip files on an Osaris.  My findings are that:

RMRZip will not open.  I have a registered version on my Mako and was dissappointed that it doesn't run on the Osaris.

Zip Manager runs but is very difficult to navigate as the dialogs don't resize properly.

Navigator does work properly.

Hope any Osaris users find this useful.

Brian

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

Date: 14 Feb 2003 02:16:38 +0000

From: "Richard"

Subject: Decent Todo App Query

Please can anyone direct me to a decent freeware Todo list app suitable for the MC218?

I used to use the ToDo feature on my Palm IIIe before switching to the MC218, but I don't like the Todo being part of the calendar program.  I prefer a checklist type program for my work, as I like to create a quicklist which I can check off / add to during the day

Any URLs please either list or send

Cheers

Richard

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

Date: 14 Feb 2003 04:33:37 +0000

From: J

Subject: Re: Sharp Zaurus

Hi

<<Re. Sharp Zaurus - .... And sofar there is limited software available. We'll have to see how it all develops.>>

Yes, but Many apps comparable with those available for epoc are available via third party Zaurus programmers see for example:-

www.thekompany.com

www.myzaurus.com

According to thekompany.com these either run on the C700 or will run with minor adjustments.

No connection with these sites. I am Just a Sharp SL5500 S7 and 5mx user.

Cheers

JADe

London, United Kingdom

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

Date: 14 Feb 2003 05:36:13 +0000

From: Chester Choi

Subject: Screen Cable

Per the comments about screen cable failures, I'm replying with my experience.  The cable on my Psion 5 classic failed after about 3 years of moderate use, so at least one of us in the US has had this happen. 

Don't know if a prior hinge failure contributed in any way (the metal frame broke at the corner where the spring is held in place by a tiny piece of the casting).  I had tried to prolong the life of the screen cable by spraying the area with silicone spray, hoping that the reduced friction would relieve any stress on the cable.  Saving up my money for a future trip to London, since I understand that POS can repair the machine in short order and it would be nice to have them put one of those colored casings on it as well.  However, I missed my Psion so much that I bought a new 5mx via eBay.  Afraid I'm an EPOC addict since I also own a Geofox (part of the very last of the production run after Geofox went belly up) which needs a replacement battery door.  Hope POS can fix that one as well.  I use it mostly for lectures since the Colorshow program and PCMCIA card work pretty well.  I like the Psion's keyboard better than the Geofox.

Chester Choi

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

Date: 14 Feb 2003 06:35:52 +0000

From: "Ramez Mourad"

Subject: C++ on netbook

I would like to know if there is a program like visual c++ for the netbook. I'd also like to know how to find out what revision the mainboard on my netbook is?

Thank you.

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

Date: 14 Feb 2003 08:22:19 +0000

From: "U. Hornstein"

Subject: Re:  Email app macros

Reference is made to the mail in the EPOC DIGEST V1 # 173 (1) : Alan Morris wrote at b 2003 23:30:24 +000 (> ):

> "U. Hornstein" wrote:-

> << I have several useful macros and addon programs for

> Mail app. Thats why I do not want to abandon this app on

> my MC218. >>

> Would you like to share this info Ulrich?

> Their names, function and URL, please.

Hi Alan,

I have poted a few day ago exactly on this. I don't want to repeat that in detail here. If interestted, jsut go back a few digests for a detailed description of how I use the DigestHandler and REM (2). Just in short:

1) Digest Handler from Rolf Vonau

Easy viewing, storing and answering of single mails within several differnet digest formats.

2) ReplyEveryMail from Rolf Vonau for easy replying mails, either standard or digest mails. Multi languaged, very good for me since I have mails in English and German. Predefinable signatures for different purposes, database for personal salutations, and much more. Both 1) and 2) are sophisticated Programs which require sophisticated adjustments, but it is well worth it.

3) SaveMail by Sergio Alisi to transfer Mails from the Mail application into Psion Databases. I transfer all my sent mails into one, once in a while.

4) DataToMAil, the reverse to 3) is available as well.

Go to

http://home.arcor.de/rhvonau

His (english and German!) overview pages give you access to the above and many other Email Macros and applications.

Have fun.

--

With greetings from Germany

Ulrich Hornstein

sent by MC218 (EPOC palmtop)

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

Date: 14 Feb 2003 09:09:11 +0000

From: Andy Hayes

Subject: PDFPrinter / Complex Documents

Hi All

Well I finally got PDFPrinter from Handango after many problems. None I hasten to add were anything to do with Handango. It turned out that someone in my organisation has altered a setting on the proxy server which stopped access to https. I only figured it out when a user told me that they couldn't access their Hotmail account! Needless to say it is one of those must have apps in my opinion.

Peter asked about complex documents. You could convert them to PDF on a PC. I can't see any other option. Rather than buy the full blown Adobe Acrobat to distill the documents into PDFs there is a freeware application available at www.fineprint.com I have not got around to downloading it yet but I think that it runs on Win98 and Win2K. If you have PDF or PDF+ you could then read them on the Psion. Or do you need to edit them?

Next in my list of desires is an AirSnort type application for EPOC. No chance I know! I would settle for a Win version.

Completely off topic I know. I just bought myself a digital radio. Not much in the way of a signal down here in West Sussex. Had more than 6 stations when I first tried it out when I got home. Two of those stations remain :-( I don't have a TV, so this sort of thing interests me.

Andy Hayes

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

Date: 14 Feb 2003 09:12:00 +0000

From: "Mike Woodward"

Subject: Toshiba Mouse Rubber

Reply to: Owen H. Morgan

There are lots of different mouse rubbers depending on the model of portable.

Some are offered on Ebay, some such as the Libretto items can only be obtained

via Toshiba in USA or specialist dealers in USA & they are expensive, suggest

that you use a search engine to identify them.

Mike Woodward

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

Date: 14 Feb 2003 11:38:50 +0000

From: vlad arghir

Subject: False Representation? gadget! 173 (1)

> Epoc Digest wrote:

> (for a machine of 500 pounds no-one will start a court case) Yeah, right, let's start a class action: either pay damages, and lifelong free repairs OR we settle out of court if they resume production... ;-)

Have a look here... just one word: Wozniak!

http://www.danger.com/products.php

and the competition:

http://www.blackberry.net/products/handhelds/blackberry6710.shtml

Anyne tried them?

best,

vlad

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

Date: 14 Feb 2003 12:36:19 +0000

From: Max Ozinsky

Subject: Re: False Representation?

"Janet I. Fine" wrote on 13 Feb 2003 03:02:28 (> ):

> I have never had a cable failure so in

> my experience I don't think Psion has falsely

> represented the product.  Actually I have not read of

> anyone in the US having this problem so maybe it's

> restricted to machines that were purchased elsewhere.

Janet and psionistas

I have a psion 5mx US model, bought in the US, and have had two screen cables replaced. The first lasted just over a year and the second about 18 months. I think that the second lasted longer because I have been careful to only open and close it when absolutely neccesary.

I have bought a MC218, which is sitting waiting to be used in a cupboard, as an insurance policy.

I also want to thank Itamar for the survery which made very interesting reading.

Regards

Max

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

Max Ozinsky

Cape Town

South Africa