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Epoc Digest Fri, 21 Feb 2003 Volume 01 : Number 180

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

Sent to: 736 subscribers

In today's Epoc Digest 35 messages:

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

- Re: P7 Microphone trouble

- Psion 5Mx & Revos for sale on Expansys

- Re: Pocket Reader

- Re: Pocket Reader <> 5mx

- spare PSion, Mac again# 179

- Re: Backing up to a Mac

- Re: Answering the digest

- RE: Rules for proper EPOC programming

- Re: FontMachine backup

- Dane-Elec 4 in 1 PC card adaptor, 9210 alarm

- EpoClock macro released

- Psion as TV-remote control

- Re: False Representation?

- Re: Psion and Email

- Re: GPRS

- Re: Revo Battery

- Re: WLAN Cards, Colour icons

- 5mx pro queries

- USB/RS232 cables

- Psion Dacom final solution

- netBook Gold Card, Long sig,

- Psions in reserve,

- Re: Screen cable research

- Let's steer clear (4 Rolf B.)

- Re: Psions in reserve (4 Jim B.)

- Re: Police cameras (4 Itamar)

- MC218 Repairs (4 Owen)

- MMC in netBook

- netBook & ISDN

- Power Consumtion of a Psion5

- Re: Font Machine and Backup

- Backing up to a Mac

- Screen cable (again)

- RE: FontMachine backup

- Re: P7 Microphone trouble

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

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

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Temporary unsubscribed for 1 week to correct the problem :

neko.ncitnl<at>msa.hinet.net, julian<at>kudos.uk.co, reynaldsy<at>yahoo.com

Fully unsubscribed :

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We hope that you will either correct your problem or resubscribe with a different email address.

F.Y.I.: Our system is that after 3 consequetive bouncing of the digest a subscriber is temporary unsubscribed for one week. If after that period the digest continues to be bounce back to us, we will unsubscribe the person.

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 13:07:31 +0000

From: "Ian Chapple"

Subject: Re: P7 Microphone trouble

Tom,

>> I am having a problem recording sound on my psion 7. This is a recent problem that doesn't resolve itself after a hard reset. Playback of sound files works perfectly well, however, I cannot record anything. All I get is a background buzz (similar to that from the 5 series when recording with the backlight on). I can record a tapping noise if I flick my nail on the casing near the microphone. Any ideas!?!? Perhaps there is a means of adjusting the microphone volume? I have checked the surface of the microphone and it seems clear. Perhaps the microphone itself has become dislodged - is this possible?<<

I sent my 7 in for repair (under warranty) because the microphone didn't work, but then later heard that in fact the microphone is not soldered to the motherboard, but is instead held under tension using sprung contacts, which can cause problems. Pressing down on the casing directly over the microphone often solves any recording problem that you are having, by relocating the microphone; this might well explain why you can record a tapping sound.

Hope this helps, Ian.

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 14:26:10 +0000

From: michael robins

Subject: Psion 5Mx & Revos for sale on Expansys

Just a quick note to say Expanysy (www.expansys.com) are selling refurbished Series 5mx and refurbished Revos Plus. The 5Mx is listed as £249 inc VAT, The Revo Plus at £129 inc VAT. I'd suggest establishing the guarantee period before purchasing one.

MikeR

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 14:37:33 +0000

From: J.

Subject: Re: Pocket Reader

To :Chris Cooper Subject: Pocket Reader <> 5mx link not working properly

>>>...I have a recently acquired Siemens Pocket Reader .....After linking the pen and the 5mx, and switching on the pen, I hit 'Read pen' in the Reader program. It correctly closes Psion's Remote link (if it's open) and then searches for the connection. More often than not it then produces the message 'Communications error -....<<<

Did you interplugged a nullmodem?

just my 2€c

Jack

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 14:42:13 +0000

From: J.

Subject: Re: Pocket Reader <> 5mx

To :Chris Cooper Subject: Pocket Reader <> 5mx link not working properly

>>...More often than not it then produces the message 'Communications error - Switch the pen off, then on again and retry.' This never works.....<<<

Did you interplugged a nullmodem?

just my .2€c

Jack

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 17:18:27 +0000

From: vlad arghir

Subject: spare PSion, Mac again# 179

> Jim Bewick wrote:

> virtual warehouse, as it were.

1 functioning spare, & one w a broken screen I got from a nice customer who found it more effective to buy a new machine than wait until it's repaired...

> Steve Hodgson wrote:

> getting a Mac

> firewire CF reader

The added speed is useless. I have a USB-one (TriMedia, meaning it also reads diskettes and SM-cards)

> ...in mind all the warning here about only formatting disks on the Psion etc.

No problem formating CF in Mac Finder as DOS-disk. In fact, this might even

be the last resort if a c ard gets corrupted in the traffic between Psion

and Apple (which it occasionally does, see past digests).

I would advise at least one CF used exclusively for backup (46MB should be

ok) - which you NEVER read with the Mac and backup to on a regular basis.

best,

vlad

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 17:31:32 +0000

From: us

Subject: Re: Backing up to a Mac

Steve, it's my experience that if you allow the CF to be mounted on the Mac's desktop, then the presence of a System folder (or maybe the presence of OPX files or something) may cause the mac to corrupt the CF. it did regularly to me! What i now do is use a cheap USB CF card reader ONLY to access a dedicated CF card that moves between mac, s5, wife's s7 and camera, and has no System folder on it at all. We use "EpocBackup" because it compresses the psion stuff into a zip archive and so doesn't upset the mac.

I also use a Keyspan USB PDA adapter which plugs into the rs232 port. Slow but reliable. JPL (Java Psion Link) http://website.lineone.net/~john.montgomery/ provides basic file transfer but not much else; Trafics5 http://perso.wanadoo.fr/Philippe.galmel/ has potential for more.

Tell us more about these unix shell scripts.

Oh and I discovered that psion contacts and apple address book can exchange vcard files.

Simon

http://www.simon-s.ne

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 18:05:50 +0000

From: Jan R Gustafsson

Subject: Re: Answering the digest

Rolf Brunsting wrote at 18 Feb 2003 21:21:33 +0000 in EPOC DIGEST V1 # 178

> Dear Jan,

> The advantage of doing things manually is that

> you're in control and don't have to follow

> whatever a developer thought was convenient or

> clever.

> << Try Rolf V's DigHandler ... >>

> Thanks but no, thanks. I've written software

> design and user interface specifications as well

> as software and user interface design documents

> and have developed a few rules to judge

> applications on. Rolf Vonau's DigHandler and

> RepEvMail have a number of characteristics which

> don't meet my rules. I therefore consider them to

> be 'bad applications'.

> Well ... what Rolf Vonau has missed is that an

> EPOC-EIKON application has to follow the EIKON

> user interface design guidelines.

Dear Rolf,

No offence taken, but here I think maybe you apply your rules in a case where they are not feasible (I know there are many set of user interface specifications out there that differ over time in their conclusions and recommendations), and as most of us digesters are not familiar with your specifications, we can merrily go on using sw that does not conform to these rules.

I'm also happy unaware of in what way Rolf V has defected from the EIKON guidelines - his DH sw in a clear-cut way simplifies the handling of Epoc Digest postings for me and that to me is a 'good application'. That's what I wanted to tell my fellow digesters.

Could it be that your work in the field of user interface design is available somewhere on the Internet?

Cheers,

Jan G

Stockholm, Sweden

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 18:57:34 +0000

From: Jaap Laméris

Subject: RE: Rules for proper EPOC programming

Reference is made to the mail in the EPOC DIGEST V1 # 179 from Rolf Vonau to Rolf Brunsting:

>I took as basics the guidelines written by Steve Litchfield (3lib.ukonline.co.uk). I don't know your rules.

>Tell me, please, the URL of your rules, and I will check, whether I can include them in my programs.

Dear Rolf´s

As a programmer I also would be glad to hear of these rules. Please list them here in this digest, or if these are too long for posting, include a reference for downloading them. I would like to hear any suggestions for improvements or guide lines from experienced software designer´s or software architects.

Are there other websites with these type of guidelines than those already mentioned?

Best Regards,

Jaap Laméris

http://home.hccnet.nl/j.lameris/mypsion.htm

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 19:28:55 +0000

From: "Steve Hodgson"

Subject: Re: FontMachine backup

> Every time I back up to my PC using PsiWin, it reads the 4 additional

> font files I have installed as if they had been changed. Does > anyone

else have this happen and/or does anyone know why?

This rang a very vague bell at the back of my mind but it hasn't got

any louder yet unfortunately. A couple of things to try.

Have you emailed mBarinSoftware for support? My experience is that

it's pretty quick responding and generally accurate. The second thing

is, have you soft reset the machine then run a backup? This might be

worth a try.

Cheers,

Steve Hodgson

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 20:48:13 +0000

From: Kevin Thorne

Subject: Dane-Elec 4 in 1 PC card adaptor, 9210 alarm

Reply to Mike Robins:

<I haven't got one of these - but a couple of things spring to mind:

1. Some of these adaptors have a strange layout of the 'sockets' and whilst some cards go in the right way up and the right way around, other cards need to be upside down etc - in other words maybe try putting the card in the other way up (or other way around) ? 2. Should you connect the adaptor to the PC before inserting the MMC ?>

You're right! The MMC does go in upside down (with the contacts facing upwards, label facing downwards). It now fits the adaptor flush. Alas though, the S7 still can't see the card and I know the PC slot definitely works and the MMC is OK :-(

Reply to Ashley:

Hurrah - at last, another 9210 owner on this Digest <G> Let's hear from the other 8 sometime as I'm feeling out on my own here and there are no problems to solve....until now! Anyway, yes you can easily change the standard alarm but unless one reads the manual (which no self respecting PDA owner would ever do!) it's not immediately obvious how to do it 'cos it's unhelpfully set within the Telephone application. Select Menu/Profiles/Edit/Alerts/Clock Alarm and browse your disks to select whatever sound file you fancy. If you fancy something different go to www.n9210.co.uk where you'll find loads of sound files along with many other types (lots of good music videos already in .nim format ready to play in Video Player for those long boring journeys). I use a lot of the music files in Multimedia Player to use my 9210 as a sort of Walkman too.

Regards

Kevin Thorne

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 21:20:41 +0000

From: "Sergio"

Subject: EpoClock macro released

Dear friends,

just a few lines to inform you that, thanks to David suggestions and David & Itamar beta testing, I released a new little macro that just displays the system clock plus a small battery gauge, when invoked. The settings are fully (or quite so...) customizable.

You can download it from my web pages:

http://www.geocities.com/SiliconValley/Bridge/1492/

Any suggestions and comments are welcome!

Ciao

Sergio Alisi

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 21:38:30 +0000

From: vlad arghir

Subject: Psion as TV-remote control

There was a small free utility called S5tv.

It should turn the PSion into a TV remote control- I have the app, but couldn't make it work.

Anyone an idea?

Thanks!

best

vlad

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 22:24:44 +0000

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: False Representation?

Owen H. Morgan wrote:-

<< Yes they do. The large number of screen cables that fail reduce the value of the machines that have not yet failed. >>

Big Snip.

I agree with all of Owen's comments except:-

<< I don't know of any other relatively expensive product in the computer market with such a high frequenciy of failures within the first two or three years. >>

With the exception of MS Windows over a much shorter time!

Alan R Morris, GW4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion 7 & Nokia 6210e

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 22:25:04 +0000

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: Psion and Email

"Ian Chapple" wrote:-

<< I am still having a lot ot trouble sending e-mail from any provider other than Compuserve. I have now set up 4 different free e-mail accounts with Dutch ISPs, and can not send mail from any of them; .... I have no problem opening any of the mailboxes, regardless of who I pohone up with, so I'm a bit stuck. >>

I had problems on my old Psion 5 when I started with Orange ISP. The one I'm using to send this with had (and still has) a number of addresses that worked, but Orange always failed.

My problem was down to using the wrong password. ISPs use different names to describe their passwords, which are different from those used by Psion. You use one password to send e-mails and another to receive e-mails. I was able to send via Orange on a desktop, but not a Psion.

Eventually after trying with all passwords, I eventually for the correct one.

Alan R Morris, GW4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion 7 & Nokia 6210e

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 22:25:14 +0000

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: GPRS

Mike McConnell wrote:-

<< Have a look at the Nokia 6310i, which supports GPRS (and which I am using with GPRS to send this) >>

or some of the other models by Nokia, Ericsson or Siemens. One phone to

Mike, has the fax sending corruption problem been solved on the 6310?

Alan R Morris, GW4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion 7 & Nokia 6210e

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

Date: 20 Feb 2003 22:25:23 +0000

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: Revo Battery

"Jim Cooke" wrote:-

<< The fridge concept is that the thermal sensor in the Revo/Mako battery pack prematurely overheats thus causing the charging to stop before the batteries are actually full. By chargin the Revo/Mako in a cool environment, the thermal sensor doesn't react so quickly. >>

I never liked the idea of using a fridge, due to condensation problems. I don't know, but would expect the thermal sensor to reduce charge not stop it. (Is it a typical thermistor? Never had my Revo apart.)

I charged my then new Revo+ as instructed on the sheet enclosed with my Revo+ and I have never had any problem with my battery. I use ChaDis in it's different forms on my 5mx, 7 and Revo+.

Using the Revo+, I always stop charging on the few occasions that ChaDis beeps an over charge warning. At other times I will leave the charger connected for a few hours when it's down to trickle charge EVEN IF it shows 100%. This is probably similar to a fridge charge effect, but taking a bit longer - thermal over heat will not then occur.

Alan R Morris, GW4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion 7 & Nokia 6210e

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 00:09:39 +0000

From: Martin Guthrie

Subject: Re: WLAN Cards, Colour icons

Thanks for all the feedback on the WLAN cards everyone - I'll look at the website that Mike suggested when I manage to stop travelling...

Reply to: "Steve Hodgson"

>>>>

My own personal feedback is that the TomeRaider icon once colourised

can be hard to see on some system backgrounds and might be better with

a block border. This is nit-picking in the extreme though.

<<<<

Maybe look at it if/when time allows, etc...

>>>>

The colourised RMRZip is tremendous as the mbm file affects toolbars

and icons all the way through the program. I remember playing around

with the main splash screen for RMRZip some time ago trying to achieve

an updated MBM for my own use - the main driver being those 10MB CF

cards! Can you even buy them in that low a denomination now?

Secondary drivers were wanting to create a colour MBM, including a

colour machine and smoothing the gradient fill. I may just fire up

another attempt, inspired by these new files...

<<<<

Go for it! :-)

Reply to: "Simon Wolf"

>>>>

Your colorized icons are great and certainly brighten things up a bit. However, I do have a few more suggestions for you ... nConvert, Vexed, Messenger, Doodler, MagicKeys, QuikList, HotKeys, FlashBack, SmartFind, PowerBase, EncryptIt, Z80 (Spectrum Emulator) and Plan5. Please let me know which AIF files you need me to send you.

<<<<

nConvert is already available in colour - see Neuon's site for the S7/netBook version. Will add the others to the (already fairly long) list and come back to off digest if I can't find the relavent aif files.

Reply to: us

Subject: colourised apps

>>>>

Well I suprised my wife by colourising some of the grey apps on her netbook. Now of course she's complaining about the remaining grey ones - Savemail, Hermes, EpocBackup and Comms

<<<<

Comms? You mean the program built into the ROM Simon? If so it's already in colour on my 158 build netBook. Although I can always put a copy of the colour aif file from ROM into my zip file if it's helpful. Others added to my list. :-)

Best regards,

Martin Guthrie

www.pscience5.net

www.freepoc.or

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 00:25:02 +0000

From: Tim Williams

Subject: 5mx pro queries

I have just received my 5MX Pro from POS and I am very happy with it.

However, I need enlightenment and would appreciate any help.

The system is on an external card.

If I have to do a hard restart, how do I get the system onto C?

Why, when I have the system installed on C, do I need to have the

external card in place before the Install programme works?

Should I lose the system, is it available over the net?

And finally, is there a way of getting everything from the Revo onto

the 5mx, including the codes. (At the moment, the Tomeraider that I

have installed on the 5 won't recognise the unlock code that I bought a

couple of years ago.

Many thanks in advance

Do good when you can, and charge when you think they will stand it.

–Mark Twain

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 00:38:13 +0000

From: Tim Williams

Subject: USB/RS232 cables

Is there such a thing as a USB/RS232 cable which I can plug directly into my 5mx at one end and the Mac at the other?

Or must I look for a serial/RS232 cable that I then plug into the Keyspan usb/serial connector?

Many thanks

Never ask a guy what kind of computer he drives.

If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not,

why embarrass him?

Tom Clancy

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 00:44:12 +0000

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: Psion Dacom final solution

Problem solved. Today I received the other Gold Card with the second Euro modem adapter. While the card did not work (it is a PCMCIA modem card) at home I tested the adaptor with the other modem card (a Multi-function PC Card) and this combination works as it should. Conclusion is that the first modem adapter is indeed faulty.

Now I've got one Gold Card PCMCIA modem card (VFC+Fax) without cable. If anyone is interested, you can get it for free.

Best regards,

Itamar Engelsman

London, UK

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 00:44:14 +0000

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: netBook Gold Card, Long sig,

Answer to: Sajid Jumaani

Re.: netBook Gold Card - My V34+Fax Multi-function PC card is compatible with my S7, so I suppose yours should work on the netBook as well.

Answer to: David Lir

Re. Long sig - We do not delete personal details from signatures but for sometimes deleting these the second, third, etc. times they appear. We do delete long automatic messages about not being responsible, advertisements added by the ISP or other third party server additions.

Best regards,

Itamar Engelsman

London, UK

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 00:44:15 +0000

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: Psions in reserve,

Answer to: Jim Bewick

Re.: Psions in reserve - When I used my 5MX exclusively I did have a spare one in the safe at work. Now that I use the S7 daily and the 5MX only with my GSP in the car, I sold my spare 5MX. The S7 is a much stronger machine without all the problems the 5MX has got. I think several people have a 2nd one at home, but I would be amazed if it is more than 5 or 10% of the subscribers (no, no time for weekly researches ... <G>).

Best regards,

Itamar Engelsman

London, UK

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 01:19:18 +0000

From: Owen H. Morgan

Subject: Re: Screen cable research

Howdy!

Itamar Engelsman wrote (> ):

> And Owen, besides the

> screen cable problem we already forgot about the

> peeling skin of the S5

I have a theory about that. I was one of those who had this problem while others didn't have a problem at all. I use my Psions in a very hands on way. Maybe it was the sweat on my hands that ruined the paint and the people who didn't suffer were those who normally used their machine on a desk?

PS. I'll probably buy a second hand 5mx for €200 on Sunday. Apparently, it's very low mileage and in perfect condition, so I'll risk it. At least, unlike my MC218 it will be possible to have it repaired when the need arises. The MC218 needs a new screen as well as a cable and there's no way I'm paying Ericsson £200 for that when I can have a working machine cheaper.

Owen

Thought for the day:

The human mind ordinarily operates at only ten percent of its capacity, the rest is overhead for the operating system.

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

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 05:46:23 +0000

From: David Lir

Subject: Let's steer clear (4 Rolf B.)

I ask, without having any way of enforcing the request, that you no longer reply to my Digest messages. Regardless of what you choose to do - I will no longer be replying to *any* of your messages. Life is too short as it is, and I don't have the requisite time or energy to waste on responding to your childish outbursts.

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

David Lir - \\:>{o>

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 05:46:40 +0000

From: David Lir

Subject: Re: Psions in reserve (4 Jim B.)

"An occasional feature of postings is the information that the contributor has a mint Psion sitting in a cupboard as insurance against failure of the present machine.

I'm just interested - is this a widespread practice? It would be significant if there was in fact a pool of Psions like that out there: a virtual warehouse, as it were."

I've set aside a totally new unused backup 5mx that I bought along with the 5mx I'm using now. The 5mx so closely matched my needs that I just couldn't resist buying a second unit - especially since the line had been just killed off.

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

David Lir - \\:>{o>

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 05:46:57 +0000

From: David Lir

Subject: Re: Police cameras (4 Itamar)

"After some downloading and several hours of fruitful work I have now a .OVR file for Route- and Street planner of over 1,000 cameras in the UK in most parts of the country."

and

"My next project will be to create a similar file for Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, France and Germany."

I'm curious. Why are you mapping Police cameras?

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

David Lir - \\:>{o>

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 05:47:18 +0000

From: David Lir

Subject: MC218 Repairs (4 Owen)

Owen,

Shiva in Toronto, Canada might be able to repair the MC218. He once offered to build a 5mx for me from spare parts - I don't see why he couldn't repair an MC218!

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

David Lir - \\:>{o>

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 07:24:35 +0000

From: "Marcus von Cube"

Subject: MMC in netBook

Kevin,

> If so, the question is are Multimedia Cards supported by the S7 PC card slot? Has anyone successfully used a Multimedia Card with a S7 in this way?

I've got a Sandisk MMC adaper that works without hazzle in my netBook. The 64MB MMC flushes with the adapter and does not stick out. This is an MMC/SD only adapter. It obviously mimics an ATA device, same as a CF or PC Card drive; so no drivers are needed.

Marcus

http://www.mvcsys.de

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 07:32:59 +0000

From: "Marcus von Cube"

Subject: netBook & ISDN

Saj,

>is Gold Card 56K+Fax Multi-Function card compatible with netBook? >is upgrading this card to ISDN still supported?

The card should work as a modem but not with the ISDN adapter. It uses too much power from the PC Card slot. There is a netBook motherboard upgrade on recent devices, but I don't know, whether this can be retrofitted to older machines. I tried to connect the ISDN cable on my LAN/Modem Gold Card in the netBook and it didn't work.

Marcus

http://www.mvcsys.de

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 07:36:53 +0000

From: U Hornstein

Subject: Power Consumtion of a Psion5

Hello Group,

lately there were several discussions on how much power it takes to switch the backlight on. Most people have only a rough idea how it could be, but not what the exact figures are.

Almost to the day 4 years ago I did some measurements on this topic. I measured several operational states of the Psion including

- idle

- working

- Link on, receiving, transmitting

- (infrared, only switched on)

- Backlight

- read and write cycles on C: and D:(CF 45MB)

Reading this page gives you a good idea on the real power consumption of a Psion 5.

You find the page at

http://home.t-online.de/home/u.hornstein/ps.htm

With greetings from Germany

Ulrich

sent by MC218 (EPOC palmtop)

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 08:43:57 +0000

From: "Marcus von Cube"

Subject: Re: Font Machine and Backup

Philip,

>Every time I back up to my PC using PsiWin, it reads the 4 additional font files I have installed as if they had been changed. Does anyone else have this happen and/or does anyone know

why?

The problem seems to be that the font files are locked by the software and never made it into

your backup. So they are marked for backup every time, which fails every time. A way to get

around this could be to either get a copy of the files elsewhere and put them into the backup folder, or uninstall the fonts (without deleting them) in Font Machine, reboot the Psion, do a backup and then reactivate the fonts.

Marcus

http://www.mvcsys.de

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 09:02:09 +0000

From: Cyril Catt

Subject: Backing up to a Mac

Hi Steve,

All I can say is that the FireWire transfer between my Macs (with OS9 or OSX) and a CF card reader works faultlessly to transfer TIFF and JPEG files from digital cameras to iBook, iMac and earlier model Macs. But do you just want to back up Psion files, or to use them on a Mac?

I was very satisfied with my 3a (until its inevitable cable failure). It gave the convenience of a keyboard based palmtop - great portability and acceptable long term working in the field. It could conveniently swap files with my Mac network. And there was a considerable selection of manuals and advice.

Not so with the P5. Poor display, complex and limited file swapping and translation, a single, limited, manual. The possibility of file exchange by CF card didn't seem to work, and even when it did there was still translation to contend with. Several forum contributors provided invaluable help, but Psion and Apple seem disinterested in one another. Availability of a decent manual might also have helped.

The Palm's limited screen and lack of inbuilt apps and keyboard are a poor substitute. The Dana is too bulky. Pen based systems are simply not up to my needs. And the NetBook file transfer / file translation / application installation problems seem to present the same technical quagmire as the P5.

The likelihood of another keyboard based palmtop with a suite of software as well integrated as the 3a, and simple synching to Macs appears to be zero. I've reverted to a filofax, with the alternative squinty inconvenience of Palm and floppy folding keyboard, or the overkill of an iBook (when I know I'll be near a power socket if more than a few hours work is likely).

Cyril Catt

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 09:02:57 +0000

From: "Mark Bridge"

Subject: Screen cable (again)

Greetings, all -

The screen cable on my 5mx has failed again - this is now the third time in three years. (The second failure was within the warranty period of the first repair, so *at least* I've only paid twice).

Although I'm inordinately fond of my Psion, I'm fed up with it now, so it's for sale. Offers, please, off-list for 3-year old Psion 5mx with hard case and 64MB CF card. All in good condition except for screen cable failure - you can still see the display if you only half-open it. Also PsiWin lead (the 'locking' connectors don't lock, but it works ok), a copy of PsiWin on CD, all the original packaging and a few assorted programs.

I'm not giving up completely - I have a Symbian-powered Nokia 7650 and haven't yet chosen my next handheld computer...

Best wishes

Mark (Berkshire, UK)

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

Date: 21 Feb 2003 09:43:19 +0000

From: "Philip Carlisle"

Subject: RE: FontMachine backup

Steve Hodgson wrote -

"This rang a very vague bell at the back of my mind but it hasn't got

any louder yet unfortunately. A couple of things to try.

Have you emailed mBarinSoftware for support? My experience is that

it's pretty quick responding and generally accurate. The second thing

is, have you soft reset the machine then run a backup? This might be

worth a try."

Hi Steve

Thank you for the v. rapid response.

I've tried the soft reset - no change. Still taking 1 min 45 secs to back up the 4 files as if new additions.

Will now do what I should have thought of earlier and e-mail mBrain. I'll report any reply to the Digest.

Thanks again.

Regards

Philip Carlisle

London

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

Date: 20 Mar 2003 03:16:08 +0000

From: "Hanno"

Subject: Re: P7 Microphone trouble

Hello Tom,

This message is not especially helpful but may underline a faulty design:

I have had the same trouble on my Psion 7. My machine dates from 1999 and has never had the microphone functioning properly.

I vaguely remember that I was able to record a message once or twice and then not at all. The soundeffect being exactly as you describe.

Half a year later Psion in Holland replaced the microphone and again it failed almost immediately. And so I gave up.

I note that your Psion has recorded properly for a while at least and will follow comments on the Digest with renewed interest.

Not very useful (sorry about the gloom)however if anyone has an explanation for it then I would be glad to hear about it.

Regards,

Hanno

Tom Robertson wrote at 19 Feb 2003 12:18:18 +0000 in EPOC DIGEST V1 # 179

> Hi,

> I am having a problem recording sound on my psion

> 7. This is a recent problem that doesn't resolve

> itself after a hard reset. Playback of sound files

> works perfectly well, however, I cannot record

> anything. All I get is a background buzz (similar

> to that from the 5 series when recording with the

> backlight on). I can record a tapping noise if I

> flick my nail on the casing near the microphone.

> Any ideas!?!? Perhaps there is a means of

> adjusting the microphone volume? I have checked

> the surface of the microphone and it seems clear.

> Perhaps the microphone itself has become dislodged

> - is this possible?

> Regards,

> Tom

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

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

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

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