Epocdigest V1 # 419

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Epoc Digest Wed, 07 Jan 2004 Volume 01 : Number 419

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Sent to: 788 subscribers

In today's Epoc Digest 22 messages:

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- JavaPsion

- Re: Installing large files via Windows XP PC

- RE: Epoc Digest V1 # 418

- Re: PDF files and Adobe Java Viewer

- Re: Opera on nB

- Creating an MP3 collection database from MusicMatch

- various topics

- Reading HTML on Web

- Re: viewHtml (4 Astrid)

- Multitasking

- Multitasking,

- Re: MP3 d/b

- Psion 5mx & Revo Plus for sale in London

- Re: nB US AC adapter

- Misc Answers

- Database / Digest Re-send

- Re: VReader/eBook

- Re: MP3 collection database

- Partitioning the Microdrive (Re: Daryl Kempster -- 2.2GB Microdrives)

- Re: Dana or MBook

- Re: David Mbooks, Zaurus,Dana

- User Apps Keyboard Trick

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

Date: 5 Jan 2004 22:11:24 +0100

From: Timothy H.D. Williams

Subject: JavaPsion

On 5 Jan 2004, at 16:18, Epoc Digest wrote:

> The Keyspan converter however seems to require updated software > available from www.keyspan.com; and the Psion (5mx, MC218 and S7 in my > case) needs Psion JVM.

I don't have Java on my Revo but JPL works perfectly on the Mac.

Tim

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

Date: 5 Jan 2004 22:16:06 +0100

From: Steve Hodgson

Subject: Re: Installing large files via Windows XP PC

ED> Twice I've tried to install WinEPOC onto my 5mx and after a ED> few minutes, to my horror it twice caused the laptop

ED> to reboot!

ED> Is this a known problem with XP/PsiWIN, or indeed with large ED> .SIS installations? WinEPOC is a 700kb file - other

ED> smaller files have installed without problem...

Are you running the .sis file from the PC? If so, try copythe file over then running the SIS file on the Psion.

Regards,

Steve Hodgson

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

Date: 5 Jan 2004 22:18:06 +0100

From: Neil Thompson

Subject: RE: Epoc Digest V1 # 418

Well that was very entertaining - a whole issue taken up by one contributor! Makes a change from the "What machine shall I get next?" and "Why can't Psion produce an EPOC NetBookPro?" threads of late...

Neil

www.neilthompson.co.uk/psion

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

Date: 5 Jan 2004 22:23:49 +0100

From: Steve Hodgson

Subject: Re: PDF files and Adobe Java Viewer

ED> I'll try to get around to trying it out someday. Hopefully, ED> it will fill the gap for the small percentage (IME) of

ED> PDF files that crash PDF+

There has been a little debate on comp.sys.psion.misc regarding this viewer over the last few days. I tried to install the downloaded version with no success and also tried to compile an executable Java class file on the netBook with no success.

If anyone has got any good pointers on how to install the viewer can they post some info.

Regards,

Steve Hodgson

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

Date: 5 Jan 2004 23:45:18 +0100

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: Opera on nB

Daniele Squarci wrote:-

>>> I've used Opera to display the occasional e-mail that

>>> arrived in Email as html text code

> How did you do this, Alan?

I copy all of the received text (Ctrl+A, Ctrl+C) then tap the System icon. Open a new file using 'Editor' - The Symbian text editor - with '.htm' as the filename extension. Then insert the clipboard (Ctrl+V) and close the file. Tap on the file which opens in Opera.

You can also do the same with attachments in html. Just save them and rename with '.htm' as the filename extension.

>>> I got an error - Reason code: KERN-EXEC and

>>> Reason number: 3.

> I'm afraid this is a fairly common error with Opera.

I've used a S5 and now 5mx S7 and Revo+. I bought a nB with 1.05 (450) English (UK), 158. Maybe I need to do a reinstall from CF???

I find the nB is unstable requiring apps to be closed and many soft resets. Never saw this with the other EPOC machines.

Chris S Handley wrote:-

> If you run the Sink2 program, your Psion will be fine!

Got a URL Chris?

Alan R Morris, G4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion netBook & Nokia 6210e.

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

Date: 5 Jan 2004 23:54:34 +0100

From: J. Hamwee

Subject: Creating an MP3 collection database from MusicMatch

Owen Morgan wrote:

>> I have a large collection of MP3 music (30 gigs). I would like to have a database of my music on the Psion. If possible, I'd prefer a relational database with albums linked to artists etc. It is possible to export a listing from MusicMatch on my Toshiba to IIRC a tab separated file. Any ideas how to get this onto the Psion and what software to use on the Psion end? I know I can import TSV in Data, but that's probably a little too limited for my use. I have Powerbase somewhere in a dusty corner, but found the learning curve too steep when it first came out.<<

Hi Owen,

I have not found a way to export information from Musicmatch to a file and I have only been able to print hard copies of the listings.

There is a program called Music library from wensoftware.com that you may find helpful for your purposes. It will scan your PC and build a library of your mp3 files, and you can then export the list in different shapes and forms and to different formats including comma delimited, tab delimited, Excel spreadsheet among others. It is very versatile and you can play with the demo version for 30 days.

I have easily converted my listing into an EPOC Data file which is quite suitable for my purposes. Like you, I also tried Powerbase but gave up. There are some other EPOC data base programs but I have not tried them.

In my experience the most troublesome aspect of Musicmatch is to download information of music tags because their proprietary data base does not seem to be very comprehensive. However, the registered version of MM offers a smart feature that allows you to give tags the same name as the corresponding file name, and I edit the file names with ZTREE. I have used its indispensable predecessor XTREE since the dawn of (DOS) history, and its successor ZTREE really shines when you have to change a large number of file names.

I hope this helps.

All the best

Joseph

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

Date: 6 Jan 2004 00:13:04 +0100

From: Gianluca Gallino

Subject: various topics

Ciao all!

reply to Timothy H.D. Williams

>Another question: are there Java programmes for NetPad/Book that are of any interest to non->power users of the Psion?

not sure of having understood properly. BTW, here are my favourite java programs for netBook:

SMTPauth by Marcus Von Cube

VNC (Virtual network computing)

GrandRapid Java Browser (memory-hungry, though)

There is a thread on pdastreet (psionplace) with a number of links waiting to be explored as well as respective java apps to be tried ;)

http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=f67f39a83c3d12234bd41fa364b5bd9b&threadid=29761

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to Keith Giles

Subject: Re: Dismantling netBook to fix screen calibration drifting

>Also, are there any explicit instructions and photos to show exactly how the procedure is carried out?

I join in Keith's request and wish there could be a chance to see more about the above

-----#####-----#####-----#####

to David Steer $Plus$

Subject: Re: Dismantling netBook to fix screen calibration drifting

>>>I dismantled a friends Series 7 with the same problem and all I ended up doing was loosening a metal plate a tiny bit that covered the screen cable to resolve the problem! Pressing on the lable, I feared could eventually damage the connection or acellerate screen cable damage. Ensure a full back up and disconnect all power. The job took me about 15 minutes!<<<

Ciao David,

amateur netbook dismantlers such as myself would love to see pictures of the above-mentioned procedure, as long as it is not a hassle for you or others able of doing so; it looks an interesting alternative to repair service ;)

-----#####-----#####-----#####

to Owen H. Morgan

>>>I have a large collection of MP3 music (30 gigs). I would like to have a database of my music on the Psion. If possible, I'd prefer a relational database with albums linked to artists etc... I know I can import CSV in Data, but that's probably a little too limited for my use. I have Powerbase somewhere in a dusty corner, but found the learning curve too steep when it first came out<<<

Ciao Owen,

have you ever happened to try the (freeware) PSIdat relational database by Kevin Millican at www.millican.info ?

Kevin's site was also written and is actually mantained through PSIdat html functionality.

PS your "Thought for the day: Professionals built the Titanic, amateurs built the ark" is definitely one of my favourite ones, ever .

-----#####-----#####-----#####

to ian chapple

Subject: Symbian article http://home.planet.nl/~ian.chapple/iee_symbian.htm

thanks very much Ian for your kind link to such an interesting article.

cheers

gianluca

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

Date: 6 Jan 2004 02:05:58 +0100

From: Jim Watson-Gove

Subject: Reading HTML on Web

Astrid, Daniele, and Alan,

<<Well, I don't know how Alan did it (manually or using a macro) but the easiest way is to use 'View HTML mail' a macro by Niel Markwick which copies the text to a temporary .html file which is then loaded to the browser of your choice and displayed there. You can set the macro to delete the temp file afterwards. I found it on Pascal Nicolas' site on epocboulevard (additional macros). So you'll know that you will need a macrostarter like Macro5.>>

What I do (and I learned it from someone here on the list when I was maintaining my web site from my 5mx).

1. Copt the text from the email

2. Open a word file

3. paste HTML into file

4. Select Other and "export as text"

5. When saving change .txt to .html

6. Click on created file and read (it loads itself into web and probably Opera automatically.

No macro required (what's a macro?).

jim - port townsend

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

Date: 6 Jan 2004 02:35:15 +0100

From: Jack

Subject: Re: viewHtml (4 Astrid)

To Astrid : Viewing html mails in browser

>>>>...I have slightly modified the Macro........<<<<<

Hi Astrid,

Would you be so kind as to mail your "updated" ViewHtmMail.opl Thanks

Jack

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

Date: 6 Jan 2004 10:00:01 +0100

From: Rick Gillyon

Subject: Multitasking

> From: Ing. Michael Asteriou

> Subject: RE: Multitasking

> Agenda

> Contacts

> eGuitar

> Logit

> Tomeraider

> Calculator

> Data (2 Databases)

> Clock

> Phoneman

> Scribble

> Notepad

> Citymaps

> Note

> Big Collins

> I also was tempted to buy the new PEG-UX50 from Sony, but as long as there is not REAL multitasking in PalmOS, I will resist and stick to my good old reliable 5MX...

It's an interesting concept, and I think multitasking *is* useful from time to time. But which of those apps is actually processing in the background while you do something else? I'm not sure that I can see anything that is. And the Sonys/Palms are using a CPU which is over 10x faster than the 5mx, so app startup times isn't an issue. I can think of a few times in the past when I've done large exports e.g. from BankPlus, and I've been able to work on other things while it has progressed - useful, but rare enough not to be a real issue.

The only real shortfalls of the Palms IMO is battery (i.e. not replaceable), keyboard, filesystem, reliance on a PC and lack of macros.

Rgds,

Rick

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

Date: 6 Jan 2004 13:44:52 +0100

From: Itamar Engelsman

Subject: Multitasking,

Answer to: Michael Asteriou

Re.: Multitasking - As you are not the first one, for sake of good order having programs open at the same time is not exactly the same as having them working at the same time. If you have WORD open and switch to eGuitar WORD is open but does not work. If another machine closes WORD and opens it again fast enough the result is the same. However, when for example downloading email and at the same time working in WORD you truly have multi tasking that is currently not possible with the Palm.

Best regards,

Itamar Engelsman

London, UK

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

Date: 6 Jan 2004 14:19:37 +0100

From: Euan Mee

Subject: Re: MP3 d/b

On 5 Jan 2004, at 21:18, Owen wrote:

> I would like to have a database of my [MP3] music on the Psion. > If possible, I'd prefer a relational database with albums linked to > artists etc. It is possible to export a listing from MusicMatch on > my Toshiba to IIRC a tab separated file. Any ideas how to get this > onto the Psion and what software to use on the Psion end? I know I > can import TSV in Data, but that's probably a little too limited

> for my use. I have Powerbase somewhere in a dusty corner, but found > the learning curve too steep when it first came out.

Why is Data too limited? All you've asked for is artist & album name, so far...

Data'd be ideal for that sort of thing.

It'd duplicate artist & album names true, but the relational psuedotables might well gobble up the same memory, or worse, C:

drive memory.

If you stick a page on the Symbian/Epoc Wiki

http://html.dnsalias.net:1122

with what you actually want to do with it, then I'll help you think it through.

I might even help you write it, if it looks like forcing me to learn something useful! :-)

Cheers,

Euan

xlucid

this.sourceforge.antispam.net

GawnSoft: http://www.gawnsoft.co.sr

The SymbianOS/Epoc Wiki: http://html.dnsalias.net:1122

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

Date: 6 Jan 2004 15:43:54 +0100

From: Nicole Carbonara

Subject: Psion 5mx & Revo Plus for sale in London

Complete with belt leather pouches, mains adaptors (+ craddle for the Revo), user manuals. Excellent condition.

Nicole

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

Date: 6 Jan 2004 16:46:34 +0100

From: Jim Watson-Gove

Subject: Re: nB US AC adapter

David Lir,

<<Has Psion UK given you a time frame for delivery on the US adapter, Jim?>>

They quoted the time it would be given to the carrier (4 days as I recall).

Luckily, another member of the list is sending me an extra power adapter to get me up and going. It should be here today or tomorrow, if the snow doesn't slow delivery (first snow two days ago in two years). One of the reasons I moved here (a minor one) was that I missed the snows of Alaska (I lived in Anchorage for four years 28 years ago). We get just enough to know we're in snow country and not enough to be a major problem (I have yet to se a snow shovel here).

jim - port townsend

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

Date: 6 Jan 2004 16:46:37 +0100

From: Jim Watson-Gove

Subject: Misc Answers

David Lir,

<<I owned the Zaurus 5800 ......... and pretty decent software - though nowhere near as good as the applications on a 3a>>

I agree with you - my wife would not. Even though she is a much faster typist than I, her files were small and she never ran into the slow processor problem (that started and grew worse as the file size passed a certain point and

grew). The OS, for her was extremely intuitive and user friendly, and the machine would do anything she needed it to do.

<<I'm sure glad I didn't go for a Dana then - either for myself or for my kids! I've already suffered through the experience of a computer too slow to keep up with fast typing once, and would rather not repeat it!>>

The problem is not as bad as on the Zaurus. I'm fairly fast despite three fingers and the problem would only kick in when I was "multitasking" (or what passes for it in Palm OS). Usually, I said, with moving data between WordSmith and Snappermail. Only a few of us on the AlphaSmart forum even noticed the problem. This is one of those things that should be evaluated individually (one size does not fit all).

<<All of this talk on the Digest recently, of both the Dana and the upcoming Palm OS 6, gives me the idea that an affordable and fast netBook alternative may appear in the not-too-distant future - running Palm OS 6. Any

thoughts?>>

The major missing ingredient is the acceptance that a Psion sized keyboard (minimally Revo sized) is a good marketing move. An upper level Palm with a decent keyboard would be a great start. Add the expected improvements of OS 6 and it could be a great machine.

<<If the keys on the Dana feel noticeably cheaper than the keys on the MnetBook than that would seem to offset the increase in size>>

I suspect that the keys on the new (16 meg) machine have been

improved.

<<....as I prefer to keep my E: drive (a 512MB CF in a PCMCIA adapter) inserted, as much as possible.>>

Hmmm - this means you have CF cards in both D and E. That sound very attractive - one for "expansion" and one for backup. Where does one get (recommendation?) a PCMCIA adapter and how expensive is it? Definitely not interested in micro-drives (too high tech and expensive for me)

<<The 16MB Dana, with its antiquated screen technology (notice how I didn't say obsolete?) would be a good buy at $299US, IMO. Of course, now that Peter has told us how his Dana can't even keep up with his typing - I'm not sure a Dana at any price is a good value for a touch-typist!?>>

I suspect that Peter's typing skills are at the top of the envelope. Once again one should try one out before writing the Dana off.

<<I didn't realize that they had made the 'old battery swap' so difficult to accomplish! Screws!??>>

Whoops!!! I just took a careful look at my Dana. It has what appears to be one small shipping screw (or child proofing screw). Once that is removed, it has a simple sliding cover - slid it to the left and it comes out. Slide it

to the right and it "locks." The screw could be thrown away safely.

<<Talk about MULTI-TASKING! :)>>

That's the story of my life.

<<After the power unit has arrived Jim, could you PM me and let me know if the power unit Psion ships you is branded 'Psion' or not - and whether it has a bent (right angle or 'L' shaped) tip or a straight tip as the 100/240 POD unit that Clove and Sita sells does?>>

Will do.

jim - in snowy port townsend

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

Date: 6 Jan 2004 17:43:45 +0100

From: Andy Hayes

Subject: Database / Digest Re-send

Hi All

Owen told us that he has a large collection of MP3 music (30 gigs) and would like to have a database of his music on the Psion. If possible, he'd prefer a relational database with albums linked to artists etc.

Have you considered the instructions in Relatabase? I wouldn't normally print someone's work, but I know that you don't have any net access.

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

Your Relational Database. (by Mark McGimpsey)

If you wish to have your standard Psion 5 database act like a relational one, with records attached to a principal, here's how you do it.

I'll take you through the setting up of the file as I am assuming you have just recently purchased a Psion 5. If you are an experienced user you will already know how to do this, but the concept may give you a fresh approach to your databases.

Alternatively if you wish this file is already configured, so simply edit and remove the text from the fields and use this file as a template.

1. Deleting the Default Labels.

Press Ctrl+L to enter the "Change Labels" screen. Highlight the "HomeTel:" label and tap the "Delete" box 7 times (deletes all the remaining labels except Name:).

2. Adding Labels.

Tap the "Add" box to enter the "Add Label" screen and type "Reference:" in the empty box at "Label". Then tap the "Options" box and change the "Number of characters" box to 10. Tap "Ok" and then tap "Ok" again to return to the "Change labels" screen.

3. Adding More Labels.

Repeat step 2 and add your own customised labels. Remember to leave the "Type" field as "Text" even for the telephone number fields. Change the "Length" to 100 if you want to add text after the numbers. Remember also to tap the "Options" box and tick the "Search label for phone numbers" box to enable the dialling function, (Fn+Menu) from the main screen. Here are some suggested fields. However whatever you choose please leave the "Updated:" and "Notes:" fields to the last, and read steps 4 & 5 before adding them. Here are some suggestions :-Position:

Work:

Fax:

Home:

Mobile:

Address:

Email:

Last Contacted:

Updated:

Notes:

4. Adding a Date Label.

When you add the "Updated:" label, change the "Type" box to "Date" (tap and select). Doing this means that the current date is automatically imprinted into this field on creation of the record.

5. Adding a Notes Label.

When adding this label change the "Type" to "Memo". This gives you an unlimited number of characters to allow you to record plenty of information. However remember to tap the "Options" box and tick the "Search label for phone numbers when dialling" box.

6. Entering the Principles.

When you enter the Principle (the Company or Record to which you wish to "attach" the "contacts"), start the title with a space and type in block capitals. This has the effect of sending the principals to the top of the card browser where they sort in alphabetical order. Enter the reference in normal type. I suggest you repeat the title used in the "Name:" field above. As you move down entering information you will see the current date already inserted in the "Update:" field.

7. Entering Contacts.

When you enter the Contacts, associate them with the principal by typing in the principal name in the reference field. (The same as step 6). The advantage of doing this rather than using a number is you can immediately see who the contact is associated with. When you sort the database, the contacts will line up under the principals in alphabetical order by the "Name:" field. To view the principal and associated contacts, type in the principal name in the "Find" box on the main screen as normal, and the principal will appear at the top of the card browser with all the associated contacts in alphabetical order underneath.

To configure the sort parameters, press Ctrl+S from the main screen to enter the "Sort by label" screen. Change the "0" to 3 and press "Ok".

Press Ctrl+F and tick the first three labels as fields to "find" in. Press "Ok".

8. "Search" Macro.

When viewing a contact (to return to the selected group), or to initially pull up the list with the selected principal and associated contacts from the main database, I use the following macro with Macro5. I believe it is compatable with other macro applications:

PROC Macro:

FgDoc%:("c:\Documents\My Directory\My File")

SendPenDown:(69,39)

SendPenDrag:(225,36)

SendPenUp:(225,36)

SendKey:("Ctrl+c")

SendKey:("Ctrl+v")

ENDP

9. And Finally.

Press Ctrl+K to bring up the "Card View Preferences". I suggest the settings of: Tick the "Show Card Browser" box, set the "Card Width" to 65% of the screen, and tick the "Show Labels" box. I also suggest you remove the toolbar from view by pressing Ctrl+T from the main screen.

Have fun and good luck with your newly configured database.

***********

Personally I think that this guy is a real star to have come up with something like this. Could it be modified to what you want?

Rolf mentioned that some subscribers didn't get the Digest #418. "Even in the Epocdigest mailbox this digest didn't arrive. But somebody of you got it, e.g. Neil Thompson replied already. I don't know why this was happen. We decided to resend the digest".

I was one of those that didn't get it, but there's no need to apologise about sending it twice - after all you can't get too much of a god thing!

Andy Hayes

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

Date: 6 Jan 2004 19:35:58 +0100

From: PRAR

Subject: Re: VReader/eBook

________________ Reply Header ________________

Date: 4 Jan 2004 19:55:14 +0100

From: Euan Mee

Subject: Re: VReader/eBook

<<<<<On 4 Jan 2004, at 10:04, Prar wrote:

> I've unistalled ebook now - it was the wrong way

> round for me

What do you mean by this?>>>>>

When using portrait mode I hold the P5 in my left hand with the screen on the left. This gives me a secure comfortable grip, especially when compared to using the P5 with the screen on the right. My right hand is free until I need to hit [Esc] for a page down. With ebook the portrait mode is the other wrong way up and also there didn't seem to be a way of paging down at my own rate.

Given time I might get used to the autoscrolling but in the end I just installed it.

PRAR

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

Date: 6 Jan 2004 23:14:43 +0100

From: Alan Morris

Subject: Re: MP3 collection database

Owen H. Morgan wrote:-

> I have a large collection of MP3 music .... what

> software to use on the Psion end? I know I can import TSV

> in Data, but that's probably a little too limited for my

> use.

Owen have you looked at PsiDat? It also might take a while to get used to. You could setup the artist field to drop down a list of existing artists and tap to select.

It can also import Data (or dBase) files.

I've got the URL but not at the moment.

Alan R Morris, G4ENS.

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.

Using a Psion netBook & Nokia 6210e.

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

Date: 7 Jan 2004 01:31:02 +0100

From: Marek Oswiecimski

Subject: Partitioning the Microdrive (Re: Daryl Kempster -- 2.2GB Microdrives)

4 Jan 2004 Daryl Kempster wrote:

>> I noticed recently that Scan (www.scan.co.uk) are now selling a 2.2 GB Magicstor Compact Flash Type II Microdrive. [...]

There was an earlier discussion on maximum addressable memory on a Psion and for a FAT 16 system like the Psion that equals 2GB. It would need a FAT 32 system to utilize capacities of 4GB. <<

As far as I am able to understand it, FAT type does determine addressable number of clusters (in case of FAT16 about 65 thousand clusters) -- but the cluster size may vary. Cluster is an elementary unit of allocation of disk space. With 32kB per cluster you get 2 GB FAT16 partition. (65 000 clusters x 32 000 Bytes = 2 000 000 000 Bytes approximately.) If you are willing to accept bigger sizes of clusters, you can address more memory (make a bigger partition).

On the other hand you cannot allocate a single cluster to more then one file. This means, that one 33kB file will take up 64kB of disk space (2 clusters 32kB each), and 10 files 1kB each will take up 320kB of disk space (10 clusters 32kB each). As we can see, space efficiency should also be taken into consideration.

You can find a lot of information on that subject from numerous (googlable) sources, including an article at www.pscience5.net written by the digest member Martin Guthrie.

>> However I have a note that Marek Oswiecimski successfully partitioned a 256MB CF using a Windows application Ranish Partition Manager. <<

To be precise, Ranish Partition Manager (http://www.ranish.com/part/) is DOS utility, but I successfully ran it on Windows ME laptop "in DOS mode". Things can be different, however, with Win XP -- as it supposedly doesn't support DOS any more.

>> can you partition a microdrive anyway? <<

Possibly so. Assuming the device conforms CompactFlash specification, it should be treated as an ordinary ATA disk. Yet on the other hand, as we have many times heard, people do experience different problems with more widespread solid state CF memory cards -- so I wouldn't take this for granted.

Best wishes

Marek

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

Date: 7 Jan 2004 03:00:12 +0100

From: Melvin Woody

Subject: Re: Dana or MBook

I wrote:

><<I doubt that I'd need 500 at any one time. But that leads me to ask how one does load files from Windows to either the Dana or the MBook?>> >

Jim Watson-Grove replied:

>With the MBook (5mx, Revo, etc.) The transfer is done most easily with PsiWin (IMO). The conversion process is very very fast for one file. Conversion is necessary from Psion to Windows - no conversion per se Windows to Psion - almost the same time (very fast). >

I've already transferred some spreadsheet files to Excel and know how

fast that is. But with respect to both MBook and Dana, I gather you're

telling me, one has to transfer one file at a time. One cannot move

whole directories, as I'm used to doing when transferring files from

desktop to laptop. But could there be a way of simply moving a whole

directory of files onto a CF from my laptop and thereby make them

available to either the MBook or the Dana?

I'm now leaning hard toward the MBook - partly in the hope that once

the psi-linux people bring the netbook configuration in line with what

they've done with the 5mx, I'll be able to operate in linux in all three

of my computers by next year and escape the clutches of Microsoft for

good -- or at least for the most part.

Melvin

>With the Dana you hot sync (like any Palm unit) and the files in the folder on the Windows machine are readable without conversion. This takes time (1 - 3 minutes).

>If you use the resident AlphaWord, you can transfer a single file at a time and (AIR) it is very fast.

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

Date: 7 Jan 2004 03:12:39 +0100

From: Scott Lloyd

Subject: Re: David Mbooks, Zaurus,Dana

David,

To answer question as to what machine is my primary, that would be my Malaybook.I purchased two of these at the same time so if one failed I could just grab the other and never miss a beat. My second (backup) malaybook is a clone of the one I use everyday. I also carry a 5mx for problems when I do not want to lug my mbook around, again it is a clone of my mbook. I also have a first year Series 7, the cable died the first week I had it! Psion repaired it (1999) but once again the screen as expired...sob....But one the bright side I have a pristene Series 7 with extra memory,battery,case...stashed in my Psion war chest.

Re: screen cable problem, you will not believe how stupid these mistakes happen, first of all nobody likes to design cables.

Its not a mech E or a Elec engineer function, second of all I have seen this happen so many times...people don't consider a plan for the cables until the mechanical packaging is complete and all of the PCB's are done....then its oh sh***where are we going to put/route this cable. Usually by then the real estate as all been taken, so sometimes the cable designs are marginal at best, granted you would think knowing its a clam shell design that the harness would be a primary concern.

Another stupid but true answer, since cables are usually the last item to be installed in a product....guess what! the budget is shot so there is no more money! I have been through this more than I want to remember..."for the want of a nail".

Later the dana....

Best wishes

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

Date: 7 Jan 2004 08:11:23 +0100

From: Adam Carter

Subject: User Apps Keyboard Trick

Hello all

I stumbled across a keyboard trick that I have never heard of before and owners of s7 (me) and Netbook might find this useful. I found this due to my failing screen cable with a screen calibration problem.

While holding the CTRL Key press any of the user application shortcuts (left hand side of screen 1-4) and the application associated with each shortcut is displayed in similar fashion to the Extra's pop up.