Epocdigest V1 # 255

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Epoc Digest Mon, 19 May 2003 Volume 01 : Number 255

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Sent to: 783 subscribers

In today's Epoc Digest 19 messages:

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

- Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 253 (2)

- Locale information required

- Re : Assistant1.99; Beamers sites

- Response to Timothy HD Williams

- RE : telnet cleans mailserver (4 Itamar)

- Retro games

- Re: Psion Wap Browser & GPRS

- Route Planner GPS problem, TubeRoute,

- Re: TubeRoute

- Alan Morris: Photography on Pcs - OT # 252 (2)

- Re: Moving from Psion to PC Issues

- Re: favourite app?

- Re: MNetBooks again

- Re: Data Costs

- Re: Software Licence Fees

- Telnet pop X port110

- Right to own a Copy (for Rolf)

- Palm Import of Psion Calender

- Re: Photography on Pcs - OT

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

Date: 18 May 2003 13:23:44 +0100

From: J. Hamwee

Subject: Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 253 (2)

Answer to: Gary Jenkinson Subject: Moving from Psion to PC Issues

Gary,

I went down the same route and tried several different solutions, and based on my experience I recommend without hesitation that you again try to use the EPOC emulator. I have been using it for several years now. It offers advantages if you have been using your Psions for a number of years:

1. You will not have to replace your PIM. The emulator has exactly the same built in programs as the Psions, and it is 100% compatible with all the files you have saved with the EPOC built-in applications: Agenda, Word, Sheet, Data, etc. This is a very great advantage for me because I use the Data application as an extension of the PIM programs, and I have not found a Windows program to replace it. Unfortunately you will not be able to use third party apps on the emulator, but many of them have PC equivalents.

2. The emulator is not a true emulator in the sense that it makes

your computer think it is a Psion. Actually, it is a Windows program that can be minimised so it is always available on the task bar. You will need to change the settings on the EPOC control panel to avoid automatic switch off.

3. No synch is required. All you need to do is copy your files over from the Psion(s) to a suitable folder on the JVC where the emulator can 'see' them. The simplest way is to use a compact flash card with a PCMCIA adaptor for the JVC and given the size of the Psion RAM, you can do this with a relatively small and inexpensive CF card.

4. If you avoid shutting down the JVC and instead use the hibernate or standby features, when you switch back on you will return to all your open programs and files - including the emulator and any files that may be open on it. This is not quite the same as instant on and off, but for my purposes it comes close enough.

You could also try the Palm desktop program which I once found for a free download, but if you have many EPOC files the emulator is really the way to go in my opinion. The file conversions for a change of platform can be a real pain. I have tried it and gave up.

It may seem strange to recommend a product that is almost an antique in computing terms, but it is so simple and elegant that it outweighs any shortcomings it may have.

I have deliberately avoided the technical details at this stage, but if you need help on any specific point please let me know. No doubt other readers will be able to contribute ideas and tips.

Regards

Joseph

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

Date: 18 May 2003 13:34:34 +0100

From: Marcus von Cube

Subject: Locale information required

Hi,

I'm trying to convince Java on EPOC to behave properly which ist a little complicated. I fear that there is no real localization implemented. In order to overcome the situation, my EpocUtil java framework reads in a properties file on startup to add or correct some of the settings. But I need some information from your side!

Here is an example (for Germany):

# additional system properties

user.language=de

user.region=DE

user.timezone=ECT

user.home=C:\\Dokumente

Can you provide the correct settings for other languages and regions please? The more the

better! Maybe some day I'll be able to figure this out by reading shell.ini but by now, the manual settings must do the job.

If you have a working java installation on your PC (not on your Psion!) you can run the following program:

Properties.java:

public class Properties {

public static void main( String[] args ) {

print( "user.language" );

print( "user.region" );

print( "user.timezone" );

}

public static void print( String what ) {

System.out.println( what + "=" + System.getProperty( what ) );

}

You can find it (java & class) on http://www.mvcsys.de/download/Properties.zip. Please add the default "Documents" path for your local version of EPOC!

The EpocUtil framework and a first application, SmtpAuth (SMTP Authenticating Proxy) will be available soon! (Check http://www.mvcsys.de/download).

Thanks in advance!

Marcus

http://www.mvcsys.de

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

Date: 18 May 2003 14:04:38 +0100

From: Jack

Subject: Re : Assistant1.99; Beamers sites

TO : Vlad Kuzba who asked

>>>>...Your signature says you use Assistant 1.99 The latest version I've found is 1.98. Is the difference worth looking for?<<<

v1.99 was only long ago and for a short while available on Mario Collado site. I didn't notice any difference with v1.98.... Sorry for my needlessly snob and teasing signature ;-]

"Msg simply mailed through Cable ISP x Mocha, Psion netBookUK158 EpocEmail2.00 + QuoteMyMail1.1. All driven by Assistant1.99"

===

TO : Kevin Thorne Subject ....and various

.....>>>Where can I find "PLbeam"? It sounds just what I'm looking for.<<<<

Cbeam, a free alternative for transferring text files (and more) is to be found at :

http://www.cpen.com/Download/extra_applications/m6/psion

and plBeam (20€) at :

http://psiloc.com/psion/eng/plbeam/index.html

HTH

Jack

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

Date: 18 May 2003 15:00:52 +0100

From: Gary Jenkinson

Subject: Response to Timothy HD Williams

Timothy H.D. Williams wrote:

Subject: Sent to Coventry

Is Psion Ltd. one of your study projects?

Hi Timothy,

I may be at University, but it doesn't mean I'm intelligent. I say this

because I'm not sure what question you're asking. Alternatively, if it was

your intention for your comment to be subtly humorous in some way, then that

too has gone over my head.

Psion Ltd isn't a study project, but it could well be a case study for my

Crisis Management module about how not to handle crises, and losing your

customers in the process!

Regards,

Gary Jenkinson

email: garyjenkinson(at)email(dot)com

Tel/Fax/Ansaphone: +44 (0) 2476 361242

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

Date: 18 May 2003 18:15:02 +0100

From: Jack

Subject: RE : telnet cleans mailserver (4 Itamar)

TO: Itamar Subject: Email problem

....>>>to enter the mailbox of Freeserve UK in a different way but the email program on the S7 ? Would Opera be better for this than WEB ? And if via Tellnet, what would be the protocol to follow ?<<<<

HI Itamar

If Opera doesn't a better job than Web in cleaning your server inbox, you could load & try with an er5Telnet client as suggested in ED#249 in response to Owen.

Jtelnet1.1 from ://www.mcaleely.com/freeware/

or Flyterm2.31, shareware

To Telnet pop.freeserve.co.uk or? 195.92.193.154

port 23

Protocol tty

then write successfully the following lines AND what's appropriate between : " "

User " "

Pass " "

List

DELE msg"#"

Happy 7 roamailing

Jack

"Messaging X Epoc Email liberates from (anti)viruses, worms, horses...but not from rogue msg"

Jack

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

Date: 18 May 2003 18:41:29 +0100

From: Kevin Thorne

Subject: Retro games

Is there anywhere I can get good old Space Invaders for the S7? Even better, is this also available somewhere for the Nokia Communicator?

Regards

Kevin Thorne

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

Date: 18 May 2003 19:47:48 +0100

From: Mike McConnell

Subject: Re: Psion Wap Browser & GPRS

To: Rolf Brunsting

<<This doesn't mean that Psion's WAP browser won't work via a GPRS connection.>>

As I have yet to find anyone who has managed to achieve this, can you give any suggestions as to how this needs to be configured?

Regards,

Mike [Dundee, Scotland] __________________________________________

Mobile Phone & SMS: +44 (0)7870 236984

Mobile Fax: +44 (0)7977 156138

Web: http://www.mikemcc.org.uk __________________________________________

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

Date: 18 May 2003 19:49:39 +0100

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: Route Planner GPS problem, TubeRoute,

Answer to: ABlake3459

Re.: Route Planner GPS problem - In Route Planner under Preferences, GPS, there is a possibillity to calibrate the position. did you try to use this ?

In general I find that Streetplanner keeps better to the roads due to the option to "map matching" to keep the cursor on the road you drive in. I find that Routeplanner quite often deviates from the printed roads by quite a margin due to inaccuracies of the maps used. In Routeplanner Millenium the maps are better than in the earlier versions where the roads were straight lines, but still not 100% accurate.

Answer to: Rolf Brunsting

Re. TubeRoute - I think you are right. I got similar strange results to change from the Northern Line to the ... Northern Line from Golders Green station to Knightsbridge. I just did not have the time yet to write about it to the digest. I think it is due to one line having more than one routes. I just tried the route from Edgware to Bank which is one straight route. However, some Northern Line trains go via Bank and some via Charring Cross, so the program states I should switch trains at Camden Town. I also find it disturbing that you cannot choose a station on more than the first letter. You should be able to continue writing the name, narrowing down the search.

Best regards,

Itamar Engelsman

London, UK

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

Date: 18 May 2003 21:16:48 +0100

From: Chris S Handley

Subject: Re: TubeRoute

Hello Rolf,

I am TubeRoute's author, and I subscribed to EPOC Digest 3 days ago, so that I am not aware of any previous conversations regarding my program. Emailing me first might have been a good idea ;-)

> I've just downloaded and installed TubeRoute and got strange

> results for the very first route I planned.

This is not totally surprising, if you read the "Bugs & the future" section of the Help file (see below)!

> This is a route

> I've taken many, many times (Heathrow Terminal 4 to Finchley

> Road)

> The funny thing is that TubeRoute seems to be convinced that

> there is no route with a single change while there is such a

> route:

> - Heathrow Terminal 4 to Green Park on the Piccadilly Line

> - Green Park to Finchley Road on the Victoria Line.

> TubeRoute says that the first change is at Turnham Green

> where I have to switch from the Piccadilly Line to .... the

> Piccadilly Line.

This is due to how TubeRoute handles lines that are not straight, but split-up/join; the database only says that the straight sections of lines are all connected at a particular point - it does not know which ones might continue without a change being necesssary.

Thus it errs on the side of caution, in cases where you MAY not need to change, so that it tells you anyway. I am assuming some level of intelligence with the user :-)

So the actual route that was suggested was correct, it just had an unnecessary change.

To be perfectly honest, I hadn't even consider this was a problem! The database format would probably need to be changed to correct this minor issue. If enough people consider this a major issue, I will put some thought into it...

> The route option also gives the strange result that the

> 'shortest' route is actually longer than the route found with

> the route option set to 'any'. The shortest is:

<snip>

> Which is longer in both distance and number of stops than the

> one supplied with the route option 'any':

> - Heathrow Terminal 4 to Turnham Green on the Piccadilly Line

> - Turnham Green to Green Park on the Piccadilly Line

> - Green Park to Finchley Road on the Victoria Line.

I find this a bit puzzling, since for *me* TubeRoute gives the latter route for all *4* route options. The two possibilities are:

1. Your database is different to mine (did you edit it?).

2. You are using a different map to me (I use the default one).

I guess the reason is number 2, in which case I can explain why:

Probably this is due to a known bug, where lines that curve (and Piccadilly does so between South Kensington & Kings Cross) are favoured more than they should (please see the "Bugs & the future" section of the Help file).

> I'll do some additional testing but it's not encouraging to

> see TubeRoute stumble at the first hurdle.

Fairly heavy testing on my part during development means I am confident that TubeRoute's route-finding algorithm is correct within it's design limitations (which are mostly rather small).

And I have had no reports by other people of any problems. Infact, I have had few reports at all - make of that what you may.

Personally, I decided the lack of reports indicated that not many people needed TubeRoute, and therefore that it wasn't worth putting loads more time into it. As a point of personal pride, I will certainly be doing those things listed in "Bugs & the future", but just not as fast as I might have originally thought.

BTW, development of TubeRoute has currently stalled while I am writing my GPS MovingMap program. Hopefully I'll fix the curved line problem fairly soon, but no promises.

Regards,

Chris Handley

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

Date: 18 May 2003 21:16:51 +0100

From: Chris S Handley

Subject: Alan Morris: Photography on Pcs - OT # 252 (2)

Vlad,

I'm not sure I totally understood what you said, so excuse me if I get it wrong!

>> ...would it be better to request that they be

>> rescanned, which would introduce a few problems? I have a

>> few Windows editing programs available.

> Do NOT use resampling, just reduce size and/or resolution.

I have to disagree.

With *good* software, resampling the image will produce a *perfect* quality image of the desired size.

Infact, resampling can even produce a *better* image, since it is able to use more information than simply scanning at a lower resolution would use.

However, the sad fact is that most non-professional software (and even some professional software too!) is extremely *bad* at resampling. In these cases, you will only get acceptable (not great) results by making the resulting image a whole fraction of the original size.

I.e. If the width was X, then you must choose new width X/N where N is a whole number and X/N also gives a whole number. e.g. For width 1000 you could choose width 500 or width 250.

And since I presume you want to keep the aspect ration unchanged, if you use width X/N, then for height Y you must choose new height Y/N where N is the same and Y/N is also a whole number. The likely hood of you being able to choose a suitable N for an arbitrarily scanned image is sadly quite low.

If you can accept a few minor glitches in the new image (and I suspect you can for large scanned images), then you can probably get away with X/N & Y/N not being whole numbers (just round to the closest whole number).

To test if your software is good at resampling, I would create a SMALL (say 200 x 200 pixels) blank image with a sharp line (preferably 1 pixel wide) at exacty 45 degrees. Now resize by diving the image size by an irrational fraction; PI (3.141592653590) should do the trick. If the resulting line appears perfectly straight along the entire length (no so-called "jaggies") then you have good resampling software. If your line has gaps in it, then your resampling was particularly bad!

Regards,

Chris Handley

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

Date: 18 May 2003 21:32:32 +0100

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: Moving from Psion to PC Issues

Gary Jenkinson wrote:-

<< I've bit the bullet and am waiting for my PC replacement to arrive (JVC MP-XP 7230). .... I will miss with my netBook, but the two that I admired most about my Psion, i.e. size and battery life have been overcome with my new machine as it is virtually the same size and has a battery life of 9 hours use. >>

The sales card (4x A5 size folded) that I have, gives the battery life as 2 hours which is increased to 6 hours when you connect the external battery.

As the card covers both the XP7 and XP3 ranges, I would expect these figures to be for the XP3 series, with the faster XP7 probably having a shorter battery life. There is also a 'long life' optional external battery, maybe gives the 9 hours.

<< I will be keeping my netBook as a backup machine >>

Gary use the PCMCIA slot or buy a CF/USB adapter to use your Psion CFs in the JVC. I've just bought a CF/USB adapter from Currys for £9.90. It works with CF solid state, but not had time to try my Psion 7's IBM 1Gb yet as it's in my camera - the adapter takes Type II.

Alan R Morris, G4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion 7 & Nokia 6210e

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

Date: 18 May 2003 21:32:58 +0100

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: favourite app?

Mike Dyer wrote:-

<< My favourite app is Rmrnews, it lets me keep up with Usenet anywhere with my Revo+ & P7389 mobile phone. >>

What news server do you use as my ISP sends the same post to all download requests - a fault with RMRnews, that makes it unusable?

Alan R Morris, G4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion 7 & Nokia 6210e

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

Date: 18 May 2003 21:33:27 +0100

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: MNetBooks again

Ian Chapple wrote:-

<< I returned my David Lowe netbook because it had a "ripply" point in the middle of the screen; the replacement has this is as well, but to a much lesser degree. Whether this is systematic problem.... >>

I also bought a David Lowe netbook. It does not have any "ripply" point anywhere on the screen. In fact it's almost exectly the same as my Series 7. Apart from the slightly faster clock speed and that the keys are not 'polished' with use.

I think that it's a Series 7 with a netBook plug-in card. Still I'm not complaining as it's in almost brand new condition and was a reasonable price. (my 7 cost me £432, when new)

Alan R Morris, G4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion 7 & Nokia 6210e

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

Date: 18 May 2003 21:34:44 +0100

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: Data Costs

David Steer \(Plus\) wrote:-

<< I though the non-geographical numbers were charged at local rate (including 0845 numbers). >>

0870 numbers would be more acuratly described as lower premium rate calls, as the owner of the number called gets part of the amount you pay for the call. They are not charged at local call rate.

Alan R Morris, G4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion 7 & Nokia 6210e

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

Date: 18 May 2003 21:46:42 +0100

From: paul richards

Subject: Re: Software Licence Fees

> Date: 17 May 2003 23:58:17 +0100

> From: Rolf Brunsting

> Subject: Re: Software Licence Fees

> The clause says that the license to use the

> software is an exclusive, one-to-one, relationship between > developer/seller and purchaser/user. A developer is therefore not > allowed to put an existing license in the name of a new person as > this also breaks the one-to-one relationship.

What a load of tosh. Parties to a contract can agree to vary its terms as they think fit.

> I can understand why the developer(s) did this, but it's still

> unacceptable.

Unacceptable to whom? Apparently not to the parties involved. If the developer owns the rights to the software and the other party to the contract (the licensee) agrees, they can do whatever they like (within, in some jurisdictions, legislation prohibiting the making of certain types of contract).

> Let's therefore not talk about these developers as being "too

> honest". They acted dishonestly because of (a) the

> misrepresentation that is the non-transferability clause in the

> license agreement and (b) by fully accepting breaches of

> contract. They effectively reward the people who violate the

> license agreement as the original purchaser gets part of the

> license fee back, the second hand buyer gets a license at reduced

> cost while the people who do honour the license agreement always

> pay the full fee.

You appear to have a distorted appreciation of the law. These contracts, like all contracts, are made between individual parties. Between them, the parties can agree to vary or break the contract, remake it (for a fee or not), and reward each other in whatever way they see fit. Included in this is their right, on agreement, to set aside all or part of the licence that makes the contract manifest. They can do this verbally or in writing, in advance or after the event. None of this is any concern of yours or of the world at large. In this case, in effect, the original licensee broke the terms of the licence which nulled the contract. The other party to the contract (the licensor) made an identical contract with someone else by issuing the same licence for a fee less than he might want to charge you. As you are not a party to either contract, where is your interest in this matter?

> This information allows me to come up with a counter proposal to

> the normal registration when I'm interested in buying the license

> to one of their applications.

You can make any proposal you like to enter a contract with a licensor. He may or may not accept it. But one thing is for sure; it would have nothing to do with any other contract he has made with anyone else or any licence he has issued to another user.

> This

> person either needs to fill a knowledge/skills gap, get somebody

> else involved in the business to fill the gap, or get out of the

> software supply business very, very quickly.

On the contrary, they have acted in such a way as potentially to gain a long-term customer to replace the one they have just lost.

Owners of intellectual property can sell rights to it of various kinds and at the price they choose, including giving rights away. If I were a student, Microsoft would sell me a licence for Microsoft Office for a hundred dollars or so; if I were a mega-corporation, it might cost me fifty; if I were a government department, I would just mention to Microsoft that I was interested in switching to Linux, and they'd probably give me one for free. As it is, I'd have to dish out several hundred dollars. Would you recommend I contact Bill Gates to tell him to get out of the software supply business very, very quickly?

Regards

Paul

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

Date: 18 May 2003 21:48:03 +0100

From: Jack

Subject: Telnet pop X port110

To Itamar and others who may try my suggestion to telnet via port 25 ! this is for smtp server.

Most used Pop server port is (obviously) 110.

Sorry for that error of mine.

Jack

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

Date: 18 May 2003 22:39:30 +0100

From: Philip S. Adkins Potter

Subject: Right to own a Copy (for Rolf)

Hi Rolf.

I'm really sorry you feel that I should have been charged for software that had already been bought - but my solicitor (English, I'm afraid) disagrees.

The software developer who believes that support is an extra customers have to pay for is ----- very stupid and legally wrong, as I indicated. But (s)he is not wilfully dishonest - (s)he probably won't deny h(is)er published attitude so I won't publicise h(er)is eAddress unless I think it is necessary. So far I don't.

Intellectual property (in UK law) is broadly the same as physical property wherever an appropriate parallel can be drawn. Consequently ownership can easily be transferable if the original owner (licensee) doesn't keep a copy. Software is like the content of a book - copying may be a breach of copyright(!), reading isn't nor is selling the book on. It's physical existence is here irrelevant, the content of a book is intellectual property and can easily be considered a separate item. In fact eBooks can be bought and their only existence is electronic so you actually buy *just* the copyright licence.

I realise that some software can (legally?) be installed several times - this is usually considered an 'extra' but not always. If the software is *simultaneously* used on more than one machine you may need more than one licence - or you may not. If you, like me, have two Psions, then you can only use Tomeraider on one at a time. Consequently TR generously gave me an extra registration for the other machine (TR is machine UID dependent). You tell me this was wrong, possibly you even think it was illegal.

So do you think I should be sued or TR?

You also say that I was referring to physical copy-protection - I wasn't.

I find it necessary to reiterate - software licences *are* transferable. No honest software vendor or copyright holder would even try to get additional fees for nothing more than the effort of doing so.

In England some property owners used to put up signs saying "Trespassers will be Prosecuted." This notice was a lie (except where Crown property was concerned) and most property owners knew that, but it dissuaded people from such trespass. Some might have otherwise been prosecuted for any damage they did but most wouldn't. The sign had no legal force at all. Trespass itself wasn't an offence under English law except on Crown property.

So with non-transferability of software. Software authors/sellers *do* say that their software is non-transferable but that is a lie - an understandable lie, I agree, but still a lie.

I'm sorry you think that this is a legal restriction but I'm afraid in the UK you are wrong. Just because someone of apparent authority says 'frog' doesn't mean you should jump - and it certainly doesn't mean I should.

And, again in the UK, we are talking about civil law - criminal law is a rather different matter. In civil law prosecution is by the person (or group or organisation) who claims to have been wronged. Tomeraider could claim to have been wronged if someone had given me the extra registration without their consent. But they gave me the registration code I offered to buy.

So neither TR nor I will be actually sued.

Finally, please don't confuse the issue by referring to ownership of the copyright itself, I know that usually remains with the writer and I expect most other people do too.

Take care,

Phil.

"Is it progress if a cannibal uses a knife and fork?"

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

Date: 19 May 2003 06:42:03 +0100

From: michael robins

Subject: Palm Import of Psion Calender

Reply to:

Martin Guthrie, Jim Cooke and Sanjay Chawla

Sorry if this has already been answered, however

I can confirm that the Palm Desktop on a PC (latest version v 4..) has an import .VCS file option for the Palm Datebook (which is the Palm Diary ie Psion Agenda equivalent). I have never tried this but would be willing to give it a go with a small test file if anyone wished to send one to me. (With the Palm Desktop I can create a New User - alongside my current user ID and do a test import to that).

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

Date: 19 May 2003 06:51:09 +0100

From: U Hornstein

Subject: Re: Photography on Pcs - OT

Reference is made to the mail in the EPOC DIGEST V1 # 252 (4) : Alan Morris wrote at y 2003 22:27:24 +010 (> ):

> Sorry for an OT post, however, the only thing many can't

> do on a Psion is view/edit photographs and some here are

> active and/or experts on this subject.

> Please reply off list.

> I have been given some scanned historical photo image

> files. They are much too large (17Mb) and should have

> been scanned at a smaller size as the resolution of the

> originals is low.

> Can PC editing programs produce a smaller file that

> would be as good as rescanning at a smaller size? Or

> would it be better to request that they be rescanned,

> which would introduce a few problems?

About any decent Win photo prog can do the job. I have used Photo Impact, ThumbsPlus and others. rescanning is not necessary. Find out the present pixel size. Reduce to the desired value.

example: 3000x2000 to 600x400. Important: keep the aspect ratio, meaning: dn't choose 600x420 or so.

Keep in mind that storing as jpg always looses some information. So dont repeat this too often in a sequence.