Epocdigest V1 # 329

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Epoc Digest Mon, 01 Sep 2003 Volume 01 : Number 329

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Sent to: 799 subscribers

In today's Epoc Digest 10 messages:

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- Motorola leaving Symbian

- Formatting of owner information

- FreeNote v3.04 just released!

- Screen cable goes on 5mx pro

- Netbook for Sale

- Re: E-mail Virus/TubeRoute

- Re: Additional PDA, netBook Pro, Symbian

- Revo - problems with reset

- Reply to Zaurus C700 series (David Lir)

- Revo Battery solution

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Date: 31 Aug 2003 08:12:03 +0100

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: Motorola leaving Symbian

Hi Michael,

Yes, I read the same in the UK papers yesterday. However, here it was written that Motorola plans to use a variety of OS systems and will not stop using Symbian. Anyhow, the direction Motorola was taking was clear when they stopped the joint development of a phone with Psion/Symbian.

They further wrote that Nokia is investing more money into Symbian as they are afraid that Microsoft will enter and take over the market just as happened with the PC's. Microsoft is still struggling and Nokia wants to try and make sure they stay that way.

Bye,

Itamar

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Date: 31 Aug 2003 10:47:16 +0100

From: Marcus von Cube

Subject: Formatting of owner information

David,

>I guess that the Owner info screen is using Word after all?

Not quite right! Word, Jotter, Agenda and some other software are using a special control, the rich text control, to enter and display text. This is the reason that it can be formatted at all. Of course word is the app that makes the most obvious use of this feature.

The moral of the story: Don't reinvent the weel if you have one on the shelf! EPOC is a very modular system and all apps, if properly designed, make use of the same modules. This keeps

code duplication to a minimum and is the main reason, why EPOC applications are so small (compared to Windows apps).

Marcus

http://www.mvcsys.de

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Date: 31 Aug 2003 12:43:36 +0100

From: Philip Bister

Subject: FreeNote v3.04 just released!

Hi Everyone

I just wanted to let everyone know that I have just uploaded the latest version of my freeware note repository program, FreeNote. The latest release is v3.04

In this new release, I have introduced another set of file tabs - now 14 file tabs to choose from! The extra tabs are accessed by using Ctrl+up arrow key and

Ctrl+Dn. Automatic sorting can also now be switched off if required.

If anyone wants to try out the program, or if you are an existing user and you wish to have the latest version you are welcome to download.

Kind regards

Philip

http://www.philipbister.ukonline.co.uk

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

Date: 31 Aug 2003 14:27:31 +0100

From: Timothy H.D. Williams

Subject: Screen cable goes on 5mx pro

Last Friday, on the last day of the holiday, my 5mx pro, bought reconditioned from POS broke down. I suspect the cable is the problem - the screen shows jumping lines. Of course, nothing had been backed up. I packed the machine with an airline pillow and posted it off to POS from Orly airport.

Why is it that every Psion I buy breaks down after just six months? I readily admit that I open and close the 5mx a lot - it's a wonderful source of reference - but that surely must be par for the cause on clamshells.

Where do I go from here? I don't want to migrate to another platform and fortunately I had my 24mb Revo waiting for me back home. But I can't buy a new machine every six months.

Should I buy a Netbook? Is it any more reliable than the 5 mx?

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

Date: 31 Aug 2003 20:53:22 +0100

From: Daniel M Siegel

Subject: Netbook for Sale

Sorry to say it but i need some of my Win32 apps on a lightweight machine and this will make my beloved Netbook redundant. If anyone is interested in a 64mg Netbook, power supply (USA plug but takes input from 100-240V), docking station, cable to link to PC, Psion Dacom Gold Card 56K+FAX 10Mb Ethernet (with GSM&ISDN ready with all dongles) in excellent shape, latest ROM on original flash card and hardcopy spiral manual, email me. I would like to get $800 for the whole set, but will listen to reasonable (over $700) offers. I'm on Long Island, NY and make it into the city weekly if anyone is interested in a firsthand look.

Happy Labor Day Weekend.

Daniel Mark Siegel MD, MS (Management and Policy)

Phone 631-751- MOHS / 631-751-6647

Office Fax 631-751-6644 / 631-980-3893

PERSONAL FAX (in USA): 586 283 0510 via eFax

www.skincancer.dermdex.net

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

Date: 31 Aug 2003 21:08:14 +0100

From: Keith Giles

Subject: Re: E-mail Virus/TubeRoute

Tony wrote:

> Much to my suprise I have received two recent "failed delivery" > messages which appear to be infected messages I have tried to send > on.

They certainly are infected. On my PC, MailWasher picks them up as suspect, so I click the Delete, Bounce, and Blacklist boxes. I then open my e-mail client (I don't use Outlook) and Norton AV catches and dumps them. I must be one of the lucky few - I've never gotten many e-mails with a virus. That probably means I have very few friends who put me in their address book. Is that why my bike club presented me with a T-shirt that says, "Charter Member of the P*ss and Moan Club"? :-)

Trygve Henriksen wrote:

> I really wish people would follow twosimple rules about email:

I'd add one more: Keep your AV's virus definitions up to date. Some weeks I get notified (automatically) of 4-5 updates available. I'm always amazed talking to people and find they think that having once bought an AV program and installed it, they're set for life.

Chris Handley wrote:

> Thats because I changed my web address! It is now:

> http://cshandley.web.users.btopenworld.com/

That's one of those sites which shows only a list of apps and when you click on them you start the download process. Does that mean that you no longer have a site which explains the various apps and gives screen shots?

Happy Cycling,

Keith

Sunnyvale, CA

http://ohsix827.home.comcast.net

Thought For The Day: Ever wonder if taxation without representation might have been cheaper? (Perhaps only significant to US readers.)

All my outgoing e-mails have been checked by Norton Anti-virus.

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

Date: 31 Aug 2003 22:38:49 +0100

From: Rolf Brunsting

Subject: Re: Additional PDA, netBook Pro, Symbian

Dear Itamar,

<< I know about the P800, but it is rather expensive in the UK and the T610 in the end came for free >>

Vodafone giving you a SonyEricsson T610 at no charge isn't the right basis for making comparisons, of course. But have you checked whether it was possible to get a SonyEricsson P800 under the same conditions? Or that you could get one by paying a small additional fee of (say) £40.=?

Regarding your "expensive in the UK", the P800 isn't one of the cheapest phones in the Netherlands either. But what you have to keep in mind is that the P800 is a combination of PDA, mobile phone, MP3 player and simple snapshot digital camera in one device. It's price should therefore be compared to that of equivalent components or component combinations. The PDA can be a Palm Tungsten T or a Hewlett Packard 1910. You can combine mobile phone and snapshot camera into one by choosing a SonyEricsson T610 or a Nokia 7250i. Combining camera and PDA is also possible by opting for a Palm Zire 71. And you can keep the three separate by choosing a plain mobile phone like a Nokia 6310i or Siemens S55 plus one of those small and inexpensive 640x480 pixel digital cameras. You don't have to look for a separate MP3 player because the 1910, Tungsten T as well as the Zire 71 perform the same function.

It doesn't end there, however, because the P800 is supplied complete with a USB docking station, PC software, 16 MByte memory card and a stereo headset. The first two items will be included with the above two Palm models as well as the HP. Don't know whether they also come with a headset - a possible additional expense. But what you'll need to add to these packages is a 16 MByte memory card.

In other words, the price of the P800 should be compared to that of (say) a Hewlett Packard 1910 plus SonyEricsson T610 plus 16 MByte SD card (plus headset).

<< And it is still quite bulky, some of the palms or pocket devices are very slim and easily fit in a shirt pocket >>

The same comparison applies. The size and weight of a P800 should be compared to that of a 1910 plus T610 or Zire 71 plus 6310i combination. Besides, the shirt pocket that holds an HP1910 will also hold a P800. Personally, I wouldn't keep a PDA or mobile phone in my shirt pocket because they easily slip out. Bend over to pick up something from the floor and the PDA/phone is on the floor.

<< Also, the P800 would be an "overkill" as I really don't want the device to be more than a diary and databank >>

That's what you're thinking about at this moment - using the Series 7 as your main diary and contacts database - the 'other' device (PDA or smartphone) storing a copy. It wouldn't surprise me when this situation will change in time. You'll have the PDA/smartphone with you much more that the Series 7. Which will include situations in which you're making an appointment or need to note down somebody's contact details. I doubt that you'll scribble them on a piece of paper, enter them in the Series 7 at a later date (when you haven't lost or mislaid the piece of paper) then to transfer then to the PDA/smartphone. Once or twice may be fine but there comes a time hat you start to enter the such appointments/contacts on the PDA/smartphone and transfer them to the Series 7 at a later date. Even when you have your Series 7 with you as it's both quicker and easier to pick the PDA/smartphone out of your pocket than to dig the Series 7 out of your briefcase. It think it's not unlikely that your main diary and contacts database will shift from the Series 7 to the PDA/smartphone.

<< Maybe I should have another look at the REVO, I don't know. As said, I'll think about it >>

The Revo is a good candidate, of course, as you only need to transfer two files from the Series 7 to the Revo to get all your appointments, to-dos, anniversaries and contacts details on the Revo (and vice versa). Nor do you need to learn new tricks because you're using exactly the same applications. The snag is that keeping the Revo and Series 7 up to date requires discipline. Forget to copy (say) the contacts file from the Series 7 to the Revo and you're sure to get the "£%*&£$ ... it's still on the 7!!" experience when looking up a telephone number or address. The same will be true when you want to keep a PDA or smartphone up to date with what you enter on the Series 7. Synchronisation tools are a great help but synchronisation is still something we'd rather do without.

Having a think about it is a good thing. However, think about it in a wider perspective than having a copy of your diary and contacts details on another device. Have a look at the work routines in which you're using your Series 7. You may be using your Series 7 in the sense of "When you've only got a hammer, everything starts to become a nail". When you've got a PDA or smartphone next to your Series 7 it may no longer be as logical to use the Series 7 for a number of tasks as it is now. Doesn't mean that it has to lead to a strict division of labour in which the Series 7 does A, B and C and the PDA/smartphone X, Y and Z. You can, for example, use the Series 7 for business related appointments, to-dos and anniversaries and the PDA/smartphone for the private ones. But that you have the same contacts list on both Series 7 and PDA/smartphone. Or, that you'll record business expenses on the PDA/smartphone but manage your private finances on the Series 7.

<< Sure, they could. But will they be interested in selling these to individuals via the usual outlets ? If note they will not take an order for 1 netBook Pro from Itamar Engelsman with these programs installed >>

Why not? You can currently buy a netBook from Expansys and Clove Technology - dealers that aren't really active in the vertical application market. I don't see why Psion Teklogix should suddenly object to the sale of ce.NET based netBook Pros via the same dealers. As for single unit sales - again - why not? It's not only the big corporations that have the automation projects Psion Teklogix wants to be involved in as a supplier. Small companies, even one-person companies, have such projects as well. Psion Teklogix won't be adverse to supplying one, or two, or five netBook Pro models to these companies. What it won't do, of course, is to develop very special items, unless such items gives them additional access into the bigger corporations. Putting Pocket Word, Pocket Excel and Pocket Outlook on a ce.NET netBook Pro is nothing special because these are standard software components.

<< The current netBook runs OS 5 and OS 7 has not been programmed (yet) to run on a netBook. Will Symbian put in the manpower and funds to make it work ? >>

What Symbian supplies is the software equivalent of a LEGO construction set. The licensee is free to decide whether to do all the necessary construction itself, or to get Symbian involved in the construction. Symbian OS is also based on a number of component families, like microprocessors that are based on an ARM core. Use such a processor in your device and you only have to tune Symbian OS to that particular ARM based processor. You don't have to do a complete rewrite. Don't forget that Psion Teklogix is one of Symbian's customers. When a Symbian OS based netBook Pro would sell in Psion Teklogix' marketplace you can be sure that Symbian will supply the necessary assistance that's within its scope (subject to negotiations).

Kind Regards,

Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands

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

Date: 1 Sep 2003 08:24:30 +0100

From: May, Rob

Subject: Revo - problems with reset

I recently started experiencing a problem with my Revo not switching

down to trickle charge and triggering the ChaDis alarm. I decided to

try and recalibrate the battery charging and so left the Revo on until

it shut down, hard reset and recharged for 6 hours. When I switched it

back on it appears to have lost all the system information and can't

open any application or restore backed-up files. I thought I'd try

another hard reset but every time I switch back on I get two beeps which

the manual says is a soft reset. Can anyone offer any ideas as to what

has happened and is there any other way to force a hard reset? I did

consider disconnecting the battery but as it's still under warranty,

thought I'd hold off in case I needed to return it to Psion.

Regards,

Rob May

Nottingham, UK.

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

Date: 1 Sep 2003 08:32:00 +0100

From: Mike Woodward

Subject: Reply to Zaurus C700 series (David Lir)

David

You have to accept Microsoft bloated files sizes, if you don't need to convert

them, you can use RTF files, but they can be even larger for complex

documents.

It's also a similar problem on the Psion if like me you receive e-mails with

Microsoft attachments, my e-mail account consumes 53 MBytes of disk space.

I receive a number of documents that are in other formats such as WordPerfect,

I just change the file extension to .doc & Microsoft Word opens them without

any problem, the Psion converter handles these as it correctly interprets the

file type from the header, the Zaurus gets upset as it can only handle genuine

Microsoft word files.

Mike Woodward

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

Date: 1 Sep 2003 11:24:54 +0100

From: John Morris

Subject: Revo Battery solution

My first Revo 8Mb developed battery problems after 18 months, so that it would shut down completely if an alarm was sounding. The problems started on a holiday in Turkey when I feel it overcharged itself on their strange electricity! Since I bought a replacement $99 Mako 16Mb by mail order from the US, I have run the new machine on silent alarms only, but have charged it whenever I remember, be it at 15%, 50% or 99%, and often have left it charging for more than 24 hours without mishap. On holidays in Turkey in recent years though I only gave it a couple of 15-minute charges to last me untill I got back to the UK, in case the problem recurred. Apart from some occasional strange battery percentage readings, which seem to sort themselves out later, there have been no power problems.