Epocdigest V1 # 350

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Epoc Digest Sat, 27 Sep 2003 Volume 01 : Number 350

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Sent to: 790 subscribers

In today's Epoc Digest 20 messages:

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

- Transfer of Psion Data to Apple Mac

- Re: PsiWin

- Re: Belkin USB-Serial on Win XP

- Batteries

- Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 348 (16)

- Airline Baggage Handling

- Re: Repairing faulty screen

- Re: Zip preference settings

- Converting your contacts file

- Contacts sync.

- EPOC solution vs PC solution to Converting your contacts file

- OT: Air-Travel tips: thanks! # 347 (8)

- SUBSCRIBE

- FontMachine and the dissapeared system folders

- FontMachine and Mentor

- Memory lane, REX

- Transferring Psion Agenda & Contacts to Pocket PC 2003 Device

- Re: Zip preference settings

- Re: Mystery crash

- Revo Questions

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

Date: 24 Sep 2003 19:24:25 +0100

From: David McCorquodale

Subject: Transfer of Psion Data to Apple Mac

I have a netBook and would much like to transfer my Data file containing contacts to my Apple (OS X)

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

Date: 25 Sep 2003 22:32:12 +0100

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: PsiWin

Itamar Engelsman wrote:-

<< First of all of course Psiwin is not in ROM and as such not that difficult to update and put the patch / change on Psion's website. >>

Sorry, I did not make my original posting clear. It's about an OS being in ROM. When an OS is in ROM it has to be very carefully checked and checked over and over again before it's released. An OS in RAM like Windows is released with lots of bugs etc. Followed by many patches and even then it's never right!

OK, Psion could make patches to PsiWin - but how many minor versions of Windows exist?

<< Secondly, do you really believe that Microsoft has got a team of people that scrutinise other Companies software (Lotus, Psion) and design ways to make it difficult for those softwares to run on Windows ? I don't think any Company would put that in their strategy as it would of course be an unendless game of "tick and tack". >>

Well Itamar, Micro$oft did just that with Lotus 123. It was reported in most (all ??) computer journals at the time. It's a true fact. It did happen. So there is a strong possibility that Micro$oft has 'fixed' later versions of it's desktop OS, as EPOC is (sorry was) in direct competion with it's handheld OS.

However, the latest Micro$oft activity of stopping it's chat rooms for the good of children; has been questioned by all of those I've spoken to about this. What's the 'real' reason, many have asked? Not a fact, but I would expect an ulterior motive lurks underneath. Maybe they will bring them back, but with a chargeable fee for their use. This is a possibility high up the list of suggested reasons - but not a fact.

Alan R Morris, G4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion 7 & Nokia 6210e.

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

Date: 25 Sep 2003 22:32:27 +0100

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: Belkin USB-Serial on Win XP

michael robins wrote:-

<< I had problems with my Belkin USB to Serial converter, the solution was

to get the very latest (XP) drivers from the Belkin Web site. >>

When I bought the laptop and converter in January at the same time, I noticed that the drivers did not include XP.

I went to Belkin's web site and downloaded their 'XP driver'. It was not for XP, but an older version of Windows - the same as on the CD with the converter.

I'll have another look at their web site. Thanks Michael.

Alan R Morris, G4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion 7 & Nokia 6210e.

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

Date: 25 Sep 2003 22:37:50 +0100

From: Kevin Thorne

Subject: Batteries

Mike Dyer wrote:

<*I* believe peoples problems are down to ignorance of the characteristics of NiMh batteries, particularly if they part charge the thing with the docking cradle.

Of course if Psion had the wisdom to fit Lithium Ion batteries, this wouldn't have been an issue, but at least 'our' screen cables don't break ;o)>

I agree with this too. But NiMh batteries are cheaper and no doubt Psion were trying to keep the Revo as competitively priced as possible. I suspect one of the reasons my Nokia Communicator has the superior Lithium Ion type is because of the increased power draw due to the colour TFT screen whereas the Revo can make do with the cheaper type because it only has to power a monochrome LCD screen. Oh, and Communicator screen cables don't break either :-)

Regards

Kevin Thorne

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

Date: 25 Sep 2003 22:52:54 +0100

From: Emily Rutili Lemer

Subject: Re: EPOC DIGEST V1 # 348 (16)

At 12:31 PM 9/25/2003 +0100, you wrote:

>Re. Sony Clie NX73V - I don't think it is marginal for me either. I looked >at the options in stores and found that an on-screen keyboard takes up a >considerable part of the screen, and if the screen is anyhow already >smaller it leaves very little space for the original application to be >shown. With this machine the screen is 8.4 cm long and the handwriting >recognition part is 3.8 cm, leaving just over half the screen to show the >application. However, when using the thumbboard you have the full 8.4 cm >of screen.

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

Date: 25 Sep 2003 23:59:05 +0100

From: Owen H. Morgan

Subject: Airline Baggage Handling

Howdy!

Trygve Henriksen wrote (> ):

> There's a few more tips for the diehard check-in

> type, though...

> 1. if your suitcase have wheels, use duct-tape on

> them!

> Many suitcases with wheels gets stuck in the

> automated luggage handling systems at modern

> airports. (The wheels slips into cracks between

> castors and so on)

Yup, forgot about the wheels. Another reason to tape them is to prevent your bag rolling down a 30 degree incline on a conveyor at 100mph and crashing into another bag or the wall at the next bend at terminal velocity. Many wheels are actually designed to be removable, but if the case was assembled in the shop, the customer never realized this, and they fall off somewhere between checkin at your point of departure and the arrivals hall at your destination. Check if your wheels are removable, and if they are, put them inside the bag before you check it in. Some wheels are simply too fragile and get broken. Judging by the number of caseless wheels that were always rattling about the place, quite a few suitcases must arrive at their destination missing a wheel and quite a few passengers end up having to carry that heavy bag rather than roll it.

Another thing I forgot to mention is shoulderstraps. They're always catching on things on the conveyors. The strap catches and the bag stops, another bag comes along and stops, another bag comes along and stops, then one of three things happen. Either the pressure becomes too much and the strap breaks, or the "brains" of the system discovers something's wrong, stops the belt and someone has to climb up there and clear it or the bags keep heaping up and bags start falling off. In many cases the strap will by then have become jammed in so hard that the only way of clearing it is cutting or ripping the strap.

If the shoulder strap is removable, take it off and put it inside the bag. In some cases, only one end of the strap is detatchable. If the opening of the zipper is at the end that isn't removable, It may be possible to unhook one end and stuff the strap inside the bag.

> 2. remember that many airport luggage handling

> systems use bar-code readers to route the luggage

> to the correct aircraft.

I think Air Fungus do this at DUB. RyanAir don't though, but at some other airports they use CityJet etc. for the handling, and they may use bar codes.

Finally, most luggage does actually arrive intact at the same airport as the passenger and at the same time, but in some cases this happens because someone along the way noticed something unusual and said: "Hey, wait a minute..."

Owen

Thought for the day:

You can fool some of the people all of the time,

and all of the people some of the time,

but you can make a fool of yourself anytime.

Owen H. Morgan, Yacht "Naomi J.", LD-9Somewhere in sunny Spain, heading for the Canaries.

http://home.no.net/naomij

Phone and SMS:

In Spain: +34 620520079

In Norway: +47 92053097

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

Date: 25 Sep 2003 23:59:14 +0100

From: Owen H. Morgan

Subject: Re: Repairing faulty screen

Howdy!

Timothy H.D. Williams wrote (> ):

> Where do I get I,2,3, 4,5 and 7 from?

1. A very steady hand

Lay off that Caribbean rum for a while (but send me a bottle.)

2. Experience with soldering electronics

Start at a young age and dismantle anything that beeps when it shouldn't or doesn't beep when it should, then buy and assemble a couple of electronics kits, then work for a couple of years as a DJ where half the gear at the venues you play is falling apart, collect vintage cars for a few years until it finally dawns on you that all the bits are heavy, dirty and impossible to get spares for, then buy a sailboat, move aboard and try to keep all your electronic equipment alive..

3. A soldering iron with a very thin tip

Buy a small soldering iron at any hardware store and start filing, or preferably buy a good one at somewhere like Maplin in UK/Ireland or Radio Shack in US or from an electronics supplier on the net and probably still do some filing. Your filed tip won't last all that long, so buy a spare for more normal use. Don't buy an iron under 45 Watts.

4. Some very thin resin cored electronics solder.

Try the same place you got the soldering iron, but make sure you buy solder that has the right resin for electronics. The wrong resin will damage the PCB. Alternatively buy, borrow, beg or steal electronics solder from a Radio / TV repair centre. They might just be able to supply the soldering iron too. BTW Overheating will also damage the PCB.

5. A new screen cable.

POS used to sell them, but then they wouldn't anymore, but you may still be able to convince them if you promise not to send them the wreck if you make a hash of it. I have no idea whether the German outfit sells cables, but if they do, that would be a better option as they are supposed to last longer. As far as I remeber, the Germans are the guys who do RAM upgrades as well, so maybe it's as well to send it to them for the repair and get more RAM while you're at it?

7. A web site with a description on how to disassemble the 5mx. (Optional, but very useful)

I know these sites exist, and I'm sure someone will post the URL. I don't have access to the world wide wait, so I can't go looking.

> T in the Caribbean

Have a drop of Malibu in that tea (no milk). Tastes wonderful, and the only thing Malibu is of any use for.

Owen

Thought for the day:

I finally got my head together, now my body is falling apart.

Owen H. Morgan, Yacht "Naomi J.", LD-9Somewhere in sunny Spain, heading for the Canaries.

http://home.no.net/naomij

Phone and SMS:

In Spain: +34 620520079

In Norway: +47 92053097

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

Date: 26 Sep 2003 00:32:48 +0100

From: Owen H. Morgan

Subject: Re: Zip preference settings

Howdy!

Jack wrote (> ):

> Zip WITH icon preference might be more easily

> recognised by RMRzip!

Don't use this if you ever intend to share the file with other EPOC users. Some of us don't use RMRzip. If I try to use Navigator to unzip a zip file that was written by RMRzip with the icon preference active, Navigator sees the RMRzip UID in the file before it bothers to check the recognizers, decides this file ain't mine to mess with and tries to hand it over to RMRzip which ain't there. Result? I have to kickstart my laptop, wait for WindoZe 2000 to go through it's morning ritual, copy the file to the laptop, unzip it in WinZip and copy it back to the Psion, shutdown the laptop, and then two cups of tea later I can have a look at whatever was in the Zip file.

So, please all EPOC Software authors, never distribute software in Zip files created with RMRzip with the icon option!

Owen

Thought for the day:

Meditation is not what you think.

Owen H. Morgan, Yacht "Naomi J.", LD-9Somewhere in sunny Spain, heading for the Canaries.

http://home.no.net/naomij

Phone and SMS:

In Spain: +34 620520079

In Norway: +47 92053097

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

Date: 26 Sep 2003 00:32:56 +0100

From: Owen H. Morgan

Subject: Converting your contacts file

Howdy!

Larry De Coste wrote (> ):

> And of what use is the thoroughly (3 copies)

> backed up contacts.cdb file if there is NOTHING

> including PSIWIN 2.3.3 that will convert it on a

> non-EPOC system computer: Convert says that there

> is NO file format available for conversion.

The first thing you should have done was ASK THE DIGEST! There are several EPOC software tools that are able to convert between Contacts and Data, and from Data you can export on the Psion or convert with PsiWin. There may be other possibilities that I'm unaware of.

Now, how do I use EPOC software when my EPOC computer is broken?, I hear you cry.

You have two options. Either ASK THE DIGEST if anyone knows of such a tool that'll run on the EPOC simulator on your PC, or ASK THE DIGEST whether some kind soul will use his Psion to convert the file for you if you e-mail it to them.

Don't assume an EPOC-related problem has no solution until you have

Wait for it!

...

Ready?

...

All together now:

...

ASKED THE DIGEST!

...

OK?

Owen

Thought for the day:

In software systems it is often the early bird that makes the worm.

Owen H. Morgan, Yacht "Naomi J.", LD-9Somewhere in sunny Spain, heading for the Canaries.

http://home.no.net/naomij

Phone and SMS:

In Spain: +34 620520079

In Norway: +47 92053097

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

Date: 26 Sep 2003 00:55:45 +0100

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: Contacts sync.

Answer to: ladecoste

Re. Contacts sync. - AFAIK you can export your contacts file to a .vcf file and than import that file into your address book on your palm. My DATA files exported as text files with "," separators which I could synchronise both with the Address book of the Palm and the third party software HandDbase 3.0.

TO ALL : I would like to wish the Jewish readers of this digest a very happy and healthy New Year and all the best for the coming year ahead (the Jewish New Year will be this week-end on Saturday and Sunday).

Best regards,

Itamar Engelsman

London, UK

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

Date: 26 Sep 2003 02:40:47 +0100

From: ladecoste

Subject: EPOC solution vs PC solution to Converting your contacts file

For Owen,

| The first thing you should have done was ASK THE DIGEST! There are | several EPOC software tools that are able to convert between Contacts | and Data, and from Data you can export on the Psion or convert with

| PsiWin. There may be other possibilities that I'm unaware of.

| Now, how do I use EPOC software when my EPOC computer is broken?, I

| hear you cry.

My point exactly.

| You have two options. Either ASK THE DIGEST if anyone knows of such a | tool that'll run on the EPOC simulator on your PC, or ASK THE DIGEST | whether some kind soul will use his Psion to convert the file for you | if you e-mail it to them.

Thank you for your concerned reply and I am sure someone on the list would bail me out if I needed it. But I am a computer person, actually earned a living at it for 7 years before getting into other areas. The sync with Lotus Organizer '97 worked perfectly and all 564 addresses & very importantly, their notes are all on the Dana. As an added bonus the agenda file of appointments came over as well.

| Don't assume an EPOC-related problem has no solution...

My concern was with the PC end of it. That there was no conversion included in PsiWin for such an important part of the 5mx system.

Thanks again for your help.

Take care, Larry

Larry De Coste

Riverside RI EE.UU.

Linux User #305687 (Libranet GNU/Linux 2.8.1)

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

Date: 26 Sep 2003 14:24:29 +0100

From: vlad a

Subject: OT: Air-Travel tips: thanks! # 347 (8)

> Epoc Digest wrote:

> long OT post, but as I have noticed many of our readers travel by air, this > should be relevant, and hopefully educational to some.

Owen,

thanks a LOT for the very substantial and amusing OT-post a few Digests ago! :-)

My last experience: had forgotten the swiss-tool in the onboard bag. At the entrance luggage-check I had to take it out oc & I put it in the zippered bottom-pocket of my check-in sailor bag (those cylindric softbags, pretty heavygoing zipper). That evening I saw the tool was gone although the pocket was closed. Looked to me like someone opened it, took it (and the little box w. spare bits) then closed it. Made me wonder, I would've thought there is

no time for tricks in transit... The airline would pay I think 10 EUR, but the private insurance covered 100%.

best,

vlad a

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

Date: 26 Sep 2003 14:41:29 +0100

From: Suhaib

Subject: SUBSCRIBE

Subject: Re: Broadband (EPOC DIGEST # 344)

I use the NTLWORLD cable broadband service

and have a lynsis router

Which work just fine with my Malay-Netbook and Cisco Wifi 340 card

Suhaib Ahmed Sufi (Manchester, England)

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

Date: 26 Sep 2003 15:10:08 +0100

From: Richard

Subject: FontMachine and the dissapeared system folders

Hi,

When browsing for outside of the system screen (for example when asked where to save a file in Word, and I press Tab so that I get the expanded "tree" file view like Windoze Eggsplorer), there is no System folder in C or D.

In System preferences (Ctrl+k) the system folder *is* enabled and the folder *is* displayed in the normal System screen (and when pressing Tab while in the System screen).

Any ideas or workarounds, anyone?

I've just installed FontMachine (and some other less "intrusive" stuff) so I'm fairly sure that FM is responsible...

Cheers,

Richard

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

Date: 26 Sep 2003 15:10:17 +0100

From: Richard

Subject: FontMachine and Mentor

Hi,

I've just installed FontMachine (and some other less "intrusive" stuff) and I'm fairly sure that FM was responsible for stopping Mentor (the diary-ish app) from loading. I've tried an uninstall and reinstall of Mentor and OPOs.

The first screen appears in Mentor, and then I get a message saying "Error in MENTOR/MGRALOADGRAPHICS - unknown media"

I recently read an identical post - this guy (Ian (not Chapple) had Mentor, installed Fontmachine, and then would get the same error message as me.

I'm waiting for a reply from Mentor and FontMachine people.

Anyone know how can I get Mentor to load again?

Cheers,

Richard

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

Date: 26 Sep 2003 20:16:40 +0100

From: Trygve Henriksen

Subject: Memory lane, REX

Greetings!

Itamar Engelsman wrote:

> Re.: Memory lane... - Just out of interest, are you planning to open

> an old computers museum or something like that ?

Planning to?

You've probably never seen my website...

http://home.c2i.net/trygvh/english/

(The computers are in the 'Gadgetman!' section)

> What do you do with all these computers and PDA's

> (besides being "super organised" <G>) ?

Do with them?

Does a stamp collector use his stamps?

Well, all right... I use my netBook daily.

The S3c and MC400 is in periodic use for some writing.

(notes on the S3c, then 'fleshing it out' on the MC400)

The Org II LZ64 is used to organise my magazine collection...

(It's solid enough that I can use it in used magazine shops)

The HP 700LX is used to program a Parallax Basic Stamp 2p, but may be replaced by a Olivetti Quaderno notebook PC soon. (Got the Olivetti today)

The S3a was my first PDA, bought in 1995. I wrote my first program on it the first week I had it.... (I bought it because I needed something to remind me of appointments, but I always forgot to enter them :-)

The S5 took over as PDA in 1998, and served until I got hold of my netBook.

Quite a few people have found me sitting crosslegged with either the S3a or the S5 in my hands and a long cable snaking its way into a network box, either a router, hub or switch.

The boss thinks I have games on the netBook, which I do, and that I'm goofing off during meetings, not writing notes, which is also correct, so has banned it from the office...

(If he ever got to the point I might take notes, but... :-)

I'll refrain from explaining what all my games consoles are for....

(Not listed on the site yet)

---

francisco.vegas wrote about the REX:

> Its a great pity, that the direct syncing of these two

> machines will not be possible. It would have been nearly

> the perfect mobile solution. The netbook for the semi-mobile

> situation and the REX for the ultra-mobile situation.

As I wrote, if anyone is willing to try writing the EPOC software, I have the serial protocol...

The docking cradle may be a little ungainly, but it sure beats using a Windoooze laptop.

On that note, Oregon Scientific also makes a PDA in a similar format, the PD293. This one, though, isn't shaped as a PCMCIA card, so must be inserted into a docking cradle. On the other hand, it is also cheaper.

(Unfortunately, I haven't been able to hack the serial protocol of that one, yet)

:-)

Trygve

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

Date: 27 Sep 2003 11:41:04 +0100

From: Gary Jenkinson

Subject: Transferring Psion Agenda & Contacts to Pocket PC 2003 Device

Hi,

Does anyone know of a way to directly transfer and integrate my Psion

netBook Agenda and Contact files into the Mobile Pocket PC 2003 o/s

installed on my Dell Axim X5 without using Outlook synchronisation?

I’m hoping there is a conversion programme that I can use because I’ve never

found Outlook easy and I’m hoping I can avoid this.

Any suggestions gratefully received.

Many thanks

Gary Jenkinson

email: garyjenkinson AT email DOT com

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

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

Date: 27 Sep 2003 15:42:27 +0100

From: Korbinian

Subject: Re: Zip preference settings

Hi Jack

> Zip WITH icon preference might be more easily

> recognised by RMRzip!

But every non Epoc user can't use your file if you have forgotten to change it before sending.

> PS never forget to : Close archive (Ctl+L) before

> exiting RMRzip itself (Ctl+E)

Why?

regards

Korbinian

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

Date: 27 Sep 2003 15:42:38 +0100

From: Korbinian

Subject: Re: Mystery crash

Hi Chris

> I would be *most* interested to hear if other BT

> Internet/Openworld (56K modem) users do or don't

> get similar problems with their Psion devices. I

> am using the dial-up number 0808 9933001.

I have the same problem since yesterday. The first time it occurs was with nICQ. But today also with web and email. I use a modem called only 32k 'fax modem' and the free german provider 'freenet.de'.

It seems, providing only one app uses the internet connection, simply pressing Ctrl+FN+Shift+k give you back control over your psion. Otherwise the only solution is a soft reset :(

I can't remeber to have changed or installed anything.

Very nerve-racking!!

regards

Korbinian

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

Date: 27 Sep 2003 16:11:36 +0100

From: Mike Dyer

Subject: Revo Questions

Hi all,

I have two questions regarding my Revo+.

The first one, is it possible to sort the order of how the 'contacts' entries are presented when in 'email', especially when I go to send an SMS Text message and hit the 'address' button the entries are not in alphabetical order so I have to keep scrolling down every name and phone number until I find the correct one.

Secondly, Is it possible to set the Revo+ clock to display a 24hr clock instead of a 12hr one, also can I set it to display an analogue one like the 5mx instead?.

You wouldn't believe I've owned it two years and still am wondering about things!.