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Epoc Digest Tue, 25 Mar 2003 Volume 01 : Number 211
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Sent to: 770 subscribers
In today's Epoc Digest 15 messages:
==============================
- Re: Improving "Data" (# 205)
- 5 Mx battery life
- Mako / MC218 / Handspring Visor Deluxe
- CF Card, A world of thanks,
- MC218 Repair
- Re: Emulator and WinXP
- re: repair of MC218
- Re: 5MX-screen backlight
- Re MP3 file sizes
- Backlight coming on
- Re: PowerBase wanted
- AW: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 210 (3)
- MBMView
- Digest subjects
- Re: Mako Battery
*++++++++++&
Date: 23 Mar 2003 17:11:35 +0000
From: "Martin Guthrie"
Subject: Re: Improving "Data" (# 205)
Reply to: "Stephane Sage"
First of all, sorry for the delay replying. Been away on holiday and my netBook refused to sent my Outbox mail although it'd quite happily pick up the new stuff. Suspect that a hard reset + complete restore will fix it but don't have the OS image with me on holiday... Anyway:-
>>>>
- how to modify the type and size of a field after it has been duly implemented (without erasing all data within this particular field) and <<<<
Short answer is, "You can't". Longer and rather more useful answer is, "You can't - but you can create a new (empty) data file with the field sizes/types as you like them and then import the old data file into new one. Net effect is what you want to achieve." :-)
Best regards,
Martin Guthrie
—————————
www.pscience5.net
www.freepoc.org
*++++++++++&
Date: 24 Mar 2003 12:02:48 +0000
From: "Steve Morton"
Subject: 5 Mx battery life
An old topic I know. but I think I have broken my own record for battery life on my two year old 5mx....
30 hours 16 minutes or 1607 mAh. batteries where a set of Sainsbury's Extra Long Life . Not sure who makes them for them, it just says 'Produced in Belgium for Sainsbury's Supermarkets'
Better than any Duracells I have used...... Can't remember the price of a pack of these, but I will be using them in future.
I'm a rare contributor to the Digest, but thanks to all that do. Informative reading everyday...
Regards
Steve
*++++++++++&
Date: 24 Mar 2003 13:55:34 +0000
From: "Andy Hayes"
Subject: Mako / MC218 / Handspring Visor Deluxe
Hi All Thanks for the interest in the Mako. That is now sold. Next item on the for sale list is my MC 218. This was bought about about 18 months ago, although I don't have the original receipt to hand. It was mostly kept in a safe for the first year of its life, was then used heavily for about 4 - 5 months and occasionally for the last one to two months. It is in pristine condition, having been kept in a PalmTec hard case, which is included. The case itself has some scratches on it. The original packaging is missing, but I should have the manual to hand as well as the EPOC Connect CD. There are no signs of imminent screen failure. Price is £80, delivered anywhere in the UK. Includes batteries. The next bunch of items for sale (as one lot only) are as follows. Handspring Visor Deluxe with docking station, case and original packaging. Again this item is in pristine condition having spent most of its life in a safe, except for a 2 week visit to Canada, it has had hardly any use. The original CD is missing and possibly some basic Get You Started instructions, but the synchronisation software can be downloaded free of charge from www.handspring.com by using the units serial number. It comes with a Magellan GPS which plugs into the Springboard slot. NOTE: the GPS cannot be used as a stand alone item. This is pristine and has been used in the UK for about an hour and in Canada for two weeks, included is the original packaging and a mapping CD etc. Also included is an in car holder for both items. To the best of my knowledge the price for everything was about £300. It is for sale for £120, delivered anywhere within the UK. Supply your own AAA batteries. Thanks Andy Hayes
*++++++++++&
Date: 24 Mar 2003 14:11:18 +0000
From: Itamar Engelsman
Subject: CF Card, A world of thanks,
Answer to: Neil Brackstone
Re.: CF Card - I suggest you start with doing a soft reset which will solve most of these kind of problems. If not, get back to the digest for further assistance.
Answer to: Will Green
Re. A world of thanks - Did our researches show the same conclusions ?
Best regards,
Itamar Engelsman
London, UK
*++++++++++&
Date: 24 Mar 2003 14:51:38 +0000
From: "Rick Gillyon"
Subject: MC218 Repair
> From: Christopher Marwood
> Subject: POS repairs
>
> The good: screen cable repair is now "only" UK£80 - used to be £130.
As far back as June last year the screen cable repair was only
£75+P&P - it was only £125+P&P if the screen itself was damaged.
> The bad: They have changed their policy and will now not
> repair the MC218.
Are you sure? It has always been on their list of "machines we do
not repair" but they have always done the repairs, so long as
the screen itself or the keyboard is not damaged. If you haven't
already done so, call them to check.
Bye,
Rick
http://www.gillyon.com/
*++++++++++&
Date: 24 Mar 2003 16:25:37 +0000
From: Keith Giles
Subject: Re: Emulator and WinXP
YaouanK wrote:
> Type something such as "subst c:\emulepoc\ k:" before (where c:\emulepoc is > where the emulator is installed) and launch the emulator from the "k" drive (or > whatever letter you like)
In my emulator's Epoc.ini file I have:
_epoc_drive_c C:\epoc32\wins\c
_epoc_drive_d C:\epoc32\wins\d
Since I don't want to screw up my backup files, I don't refer the
emulator to them. I just created C and D sub-folders to the
emulator's Wins folder, then copy whatever backup files I want (making sure I *don't* touch the wins opx folder!) to the emulator.
If I've done something with the emulator that I want on my Psion, I
connect, then copy that file directly to the Psion. It'll get to my
backup files the next time I backup.
It's a bit roundabout, but guarantees no problems with backup files.
Am I talking down to everyone? Sorry if I am, but I dislike getting
instructions with half the steps missing. :-)
Happy Cycling,
Keith
Sunnyvale, CA
http://home.attbi.com/~ohsix827/
Thought For The Day: Children are born with a hearing problem. They
can hear everyone's mother but their own.
All my outgoing e-mails have been checked by Norton Anti-virus.
*++++++++++&
Date: 24 Mar 2003 17:56:00 +0000
From: Christoph
(Christoph Pulster)
Subject: re: repair of MC218
The repair service is done by SonyEricsson, no problem at all. Here in Germany http://www.becker-partner.de does the job for SE. Any repair/warranty/service worked fine for me (and I did use it a
couple of times).
May I add that I still retail Psions and the MC218 (www.pulster.de, new German units 319 EUR, new english and french ones 299 EUR).
Potter for president,
Chris
*++++++++++&
Date: 24 Mar 2003 18:00:53 +0000
From: MartinYirrell
Subject: Re: 5MX-screen backlight
Korbinian & Owen
Thanks for the suggestion that it could be a macro. Yes, I am running Macro5 but the only macro I have loaded is Owen's Morse. Nor am I running Merlin nor any other programme that, to my knowledge, switches the backlight on. Mostly I use Agenda, Jotter & Tomeraider.
Martin Yirrell
*++++++++++&
Date: 24 Mar 2003 18:01:01 +0000
From: MartinYirrell
Subject: Re MP3 file sizes
Neil
I've just taken a 60M WAV file and converted it to a 695K MP3 file with Sound Forge. Admittably the MP3 file is 16kBit/s, 11,025Hz mono against the WAV file's 44,100Hz stereo but it is playable on my 5MX and sounds OK tho' not high quality. The answer, I think, is to cut the sampling down to minimum.
Martin Yirrell
*++++++++++&
Date: 24 Mar 2003 20:21:23 +0000
From: "Hoffman, Susan"
Subject: Backlight coming on
For a while, my machine would turn on the backlight if I opened it during evening hours while it was plugged in to external power. I never figured out where the setting was to control this.
Susan Katz Hoffman
Pepper Hamilton LLP--------------
3000 Two Logan Square
18th & Arch Streets
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Tel: 215-981-4990
Fax: 215-981-4750
e-mail: hoffmans
web address: www.pepperlaw.com
*++++++++++&
Date: 24 Mar 2003 20:47:44 +0000
From: Marek Oswiecimski
Subject: Re: PowerBase wanted
Possibly, you can still get an electronic distribution of this app from Handango (http://www.handango.com/). It is full version, downloadable from Handango server, and you don't need any unlock code to be sent from the developer. Therefore you can safely buy the program, even though Purple is no longer in business.
The only problem I experienced with this distribution was its WinRAR format (requires PC to extract sis file and pdf manual from the downloaded archive).
Alternatively, you can try http://www.psionex.co.uk/
Best wishes
Marek
*++++++++++&
Date: 24 Mar 2003 22:54:08 +0000
From: Reitinger Erich
Subject: AW: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 210 (3)
Try www.archos.com
20 GB Multimedia Juke Box, with optional CF-Card Reader and Cameramodule.
Encodes sound to MP3, writes video and jpg to harddisk, plays MP3s .
I use it to backup my PsionCF-Cards and JPG from my camera and playing videos and a lot more...
..................................
From: Owen Morgan
Subject: Music catalogue software / MP3 players
Hi.
I've recently finished ripping my entire CD collection to MP3 files. The idea is to send my CD's home for safe keeping, buy a MP3 player (or MP3 CD walkman) and free up some much needed bookshelf space on the boat.
The next logical step is to make a catalogue of all my music on the Psion with the same information that's in the MP3 tags. I have WindoZe Mediaplayer and Musicmatch jukebox on the PC. Any ideas on how to get the playlists onto the Psion? I know there is an export function in Musicmatch, but it didn't look like it's configurable.
I probably want something a bit more advanced than Psion Data on the Psion end as I want to be able to do nested searches. I'm not looking for a way of playing the files on the Psion, I just want a searchable database.
On the topic of MP3 players, I can tell you I bought a Goodman MP3 CD-walkman at Maplins in Dublin yesterday and it's going right back. It makes a loud click at the start of every track and peculiar occasional plopping noises during playback. I've also looked at a JVC and a Sony. Both have good sound reproduction. The JVC was larger, but it was easier to navigate the CD and full volume was slightly louder than the Sony. The Sony is smaller, lighter and sexier. However, at 200 Euro for the JVC and around 270 (IIRC) for the Sony, we're getting dangerously close to the price of a 20gb harddisk-based MP3 player, partticularly as those can also be used as a portable harddrive and I can then sell my 16gig PCMCIA external harddisk. (Any takers?)
Owen ............................................................................
*++++++++++&
Date: 24 Mar 2003 22:54:34 +0000
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: MBMView
Dear All,
I trust you will have noticed that I've volunteered to contact the family of the late Lieuwe de Vries regarding the future of MBMView. Martin Guthrie has described three avenues to explore and I've agreed to investigate whether one of these can form the basis for making MBMView available to EPOC users once more. Recent postings on the Digest have made me think about the current situation and my role as intermediary.
It can't have escaped the attention of Digest subscribers that I'm of the opinion that the rights a developer has to his/her application under copyright law should be recognised and observed. I've agreed to act as intermediary because Martin's 'three avenues' take full account of these rights. Two of them deal with the family retaining the rights to MBMView and one with a transfer of rights. Previous discussions have, on the other hand, indicated that some of us find it very difficult to accept that copyright can have the effect that an application is no longer distributed. A scheme was proposed by which such applications could be made available, even when it meant violating the rights of the developer and breaking copyright law. One of the candidates for such a distribution being MBMView. Needless to say that these views are in conflict with the three avenues Martin described. They're not encouraging when you're attempting to get MBMView back into distribution by legal means.
What has become clear in recent postings is that one of us has taken the law in his own hands, has sent his MBMView registration details to other Digest subscribers and has pointed out the way to get the registration details for other applications. But what really struck me was the message by another Digest subscriber who thanked the distributor of registration details for his generous and kind offer. The same person who'd previously asked for somebody to act as an intermediary in order to get guidance from Lieuwe's family and get the matter resolved. The same person who thought it excellent that I'd volunteered to be that intermediary.
It's this 'thank you for you kind and generous offer' that has made me think. I've wondered how it is possible for somebody to applaud the attempt to get MBMView back into distribution by legal means while, at the same time, applauding the illegal distribution of registration details. Well ... it beats me. I've had to come to the conclusion that the availability of MBMView appears to be oh-so important to that it doesn't matter at all whether MBMView is supplied legally or illegally. What's more, that there's somebody who appears to work on a 'my hands are clean' basis - somebody else has to be the intermediary - another person has to supply the registration details. I'll spare Digest subscribers the words with with I'd describe such an attitude, it's clear that I don't think much of it.
I trust this makes it clear why I feel there's no longer any basis for being an intermediary between those on the Digest interested in the future of MBMView and Lieuwe's family. I could have approached the family when Digest talk about an illegal distribution scheme was just that - talk. It appears that we're well and truly beyond talk. I can't disregard the duplicity that has come out of recent Digest messages when asked to approach Lieuwe's family to discuss the future of MBMView. I'm no longer sure who it is I'm representing, nor do I know who it is I'm going to report back to. Is it the person who wants to get guidance from Lieuwe's family, the person who wants to get the matter resolved. Or is it the person who describes software piracy as a kind and generous offer. And what's there to discuss when there are people on the Digest who have already decided that MBMView is going to be distributed, whether by fair means or by foul. It's impossible to be an intermediary between Digest members interested in MBMView and Lieuwe's family when you see that the same Digest members can't be trusted.
--
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
*++++++++++&
Date: 24 Mar 2003 23:05:17 +0000
From: Kevin Thorne
Subject: Digest subjects
From: Itamar Engelsman ...
<<<[PS. Although the current situation is not an EPOC matter, I thought that we can be lenient and allow subscribers to voice their opinions to their EPOC friends. Let us know if you don't agree]>>>
Mark Deppe wrote in reply:
<I do not feel this would be a desirable route, and there are plenty of forums for such discussion.>
I agree - there are plenty of discussion forums elsewhere for this and almost any other subject under the sun. Let's keep the Digest solely for Psion/EPOC related matters. I really don't want to see it diluted with every other posting relating to the rights or wrongs of war. Anyone else feel strongly about this?
Regards
Kevin Thorne
*++++++++++&
Date: 25 Mar 2003 03:51:57 +0000
From: Keith Giles
Subject: Re: Mako Battery
Bringing you up-to-date on my Mako. If you recall, I sent it into Palmtop Support Service, Toronto, Canada, for a battery/PCB replacement. I've had the Mako back for a couple of weeks now and it works perfectly so far. When the battery indicator gets down below 20% I recharge it for at least 6-1/2 hours. The red LED light stays on for about 1-1/2 hours. Previously it shut off in 5 minutes or less (unless I put it in the freezer). And the machine would generally turn itself off at about 80%.
The company owner is a pleasure to talk to.
I *may* even take the resuscitated Mako out of the house! :-)
Happy Cycling,
Keith
Sunnyvale, CA
http://home.attbi.com/~ohsix827/
Thought For The Day: Conceit is an odd disease - it make everyone sick but the one who has it.
All my outgoing e-mails have been checked by Norton Anti-virus.
*++++++++++&
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