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Epoc Digest Fri, 20 Feb 2004 Volume 01 : Number 453
************************************************************************
Sent to: 785 subscribers
In today's Epoc Digest 19 messages:
==============================
- 5mx Not Recognising CF card "Disk not present"
- RE: Russian dictionary
- Agenda to iCal
- Compuserve & Cologne, Germany
- Re: Russian dictionary
- open .txt files,
- E-mail clients
- Hardy CF cards (OT)
- Psion emulator questions | replacements for WinXP apps? | Ebook usurps | Linux
- RE: Re: Oxford English dictionary
- Re: Russian dictionary
- Re: Oxford English dictionary
- Thoughts for the day
- Mobipocket and ExAb conflict
- Nothing hotter than Potter
- Re: Emulator Questions/E-mails/Dictionary/CF Cards/MnetBook Sticker/Travel
- K2 dictionary-question(marks-too many ;-) # 452 (2)
- Re: Oxford English dictionary
- Psion's future?
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 08:47:07 +0000
From: Ian Chapple
Subject: 5mx Not Recognising CF card "Disk not present"
Bob,
>> I have also had this problem several times. I have some CF cards that work in my camera only, and some in both the Psion and the camera. I believe it's something to do with the way that they are formatted. Of interest is that the ones that don't work in the Psion are all San Disk. Solutions welcomed. <<
Psions are very fussy about how a CF card is formatted. On a couple of occasions, I've formatted a CF card on our Windows XP PC, only for my Psion (netBook and 5mx) not to be able to see it: they're either not present or corrupt. The only solution was to re-format the card in my wife's Canon digital camera. Don't know what the camera does differently, but it certainly does the trick.
Cheers, Ian.
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 10:57:37 +0000
From: Daniele Squarci
Subject: RE: Russian dictionary
Astrid wrote: >> A I mentioned in the last digest there is a program called K2 and files for it on mypsion.
www.mypsion.ru/K2.php
www.mypsion.ru/base/k2<<
The first link won't work: it has to be a small k as in www.mypsion.ru/k2.php
>> Among the listed files are a good many language files including a small Italian-Russian dictionary (I suppose that is what itru_small 54 kb means) and large English to/from Russian (enrubig 3.3 mb, ruenbig 2.2 mb). Plus other files (idioms e.g.)<<
That's very interesting! And the possibility of having a selection of dictionaries and data files is very enticing! I'll give K2 a go, but note that there is also a K9 program mentioned, as the address
http://www.mypsion.ru/k-9.php Is there any Russian speaker on the digest that can explain to us what the difference is?
On the whole the programs on the www.mypsion.ru site are excellent and well worth exploring.
Ciao
Daniele Squarci - Italy
-----Original Message-----
From: trolloper
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2004 3:17 AMTo: Daniele Squarci
Cc: Epoc Digest
Subject: Re: Russian dictionary
Hi Daniele,
> There has been some talk of dictionaries in the Digest lately. I will be travelling to Russia next month and will need some kind of phrase book as my Russian does extend beyond "da" and "vodka". Is there any available for the Psion? <
A I mentioned in the last digest there is a program called K2 and files for it on mypsion.
www.mypsion.ru/K2.php
www.mypsion.ru/base/k2
Among the listed files are a good many language files including a small Italian-Russian dictionary (I suppose that is what itru_small 54 kb means) and large English to/from Russian (enrubig 3.3 mb, ruenbig 2.2 mb). Plus other files (idioms e.g.)
To view it on your Psion you will need Russian fonts (the dictionaries are part Latin part Kyrillic). There are some links on the K2 program page, one Russian, the other to A. Zavorine.
http://geocities.com/zavorine/epoc/fontstore.htm
I think I once saw Russian fonts on the EBook site for download as well.
As you mention a phrase book: you could try the Berlitz Phrasebook which supports Russian, Italian and English among others. This however is commercial, came from Palmtop and might no longer be on offer. You won't need extra fonts though. (If you're interested and can't get hold of it ask me again)
Hope that helps,
Astrid
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 11:32:10 +0000
From: Timothy H.D. Williams
Subject: Agenda to iCal
Thanks to Malcolm Bryant's excellent vCal, it is possible to convert Agenda files and run then with iCal on the Mac.
However, the anniversary lists don't appear to be translated. Is there a way of getting them onto the Mac?
Best
Tim
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 13:12:38 +0000
From: Itamar Engelsman
Subject: Compuserve & Cologne, Germany
In March I will be 5 or 6 days in Cologne for an exhibition. Murphy's Law, Compuserve have conneciton numbers in various cities in Germany but ... not in Cologne (Koeln).
Has one of the German subscribers any idea whether there might be an old Compuserve connection number in Cologne not published anymore (just like the central London number which still works) but still active ? I will have free local phone calls from my hotel room <sigh>.
Best regards,
Itamar Engelsman
London, UK
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 13:18:26 +0000
From: King Midas
Subject: Re: Russian dictionary
Hi Astrid,
Thursday, February 19, 2004, 2:55:30 PM, you wrote: ED> Date: 19 Feb 2004 02:17:25 +0000
ED> From: Astrid Stappenbeck ED> Subject: Re: Russian dictionary
ED> A I mentioned in the last digest there is a program called K2 and files for it on mypsion. ED> www.mypsion.ru/K2.php
The correct link is www.mypsion.ru/k2.php
ED> www.mypsion.ru/base/k2
Better to go here: http://www.mypsion.ru/base.php?category=88 (you
can translate this page with Babelfish). I must say that almost all K2
dictionaries and encyclopaedias are in Russian language. That's why K2
is not known in "global" EPOC world.
I think only
- CIA World Factbook 2001 http://www.mypsion.ru/base.php?aid=1549
- Oxford dictionary http://www.mypsion.ru/base.php?aid=1638
- English-German BLT dictionary http://www.mypsion.ru/base/k2/EnGeBLT.k2
are in English.
ED> Among the listed files are a good many language files
ED> including a small Italian-Russian dictionary (I suppose that is
ED> what itru_small 54 kb means) and
ED> large English to/from Russian (enrubig 3.3 mb, ruenbig 2.2
ED> mb). Plus other files (idioms e.g.)
Exactly. Plus, there are big German-Russian
http://www.mypsion.ru/base/k2/deru.k2, Russian-German
http://www.mypsion.ru/base/k2/rude.k2, Spanish-Russian
http://www.mypsion.ru/base/k2/esru_big.k2 etc...
ED> To view it on your Psion you will need Russian fonts (the
ED> dictionaries are part Latin part Kyrillic). There are some links
ED> on the K2 program page, one
ED> Russian, the other to A. Zavorine.
ED> http://geocities.com/zavorine/epoc/fontstore.htm
Yes you should install Cyrillic fonts (1251 code page) to read
Russian.
--
Best regards,
King Midas
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 13:30:17 +0000
From: Itamar Engelsman
Subject: open .txt files,
Answer to: Timothy
Re.: open .txt files - First open the editor and than do "open file" from the menu.
Best regards,
Itamar Engelsman
London, UK
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 13:49:06 +0000
From: Owen H. Morgan
Subject: E-mail clients
Howdy!
Christopher Marwood wrote (> ):
> <<looking for an email client that will let me
> look at all the mails waiting on the server (a la
> EPOC), so I can decide what to delete before I
> start downloading anything.>>
In addition to those already mentioned, you could have a look at: Pegasus Mail which is free at <http://www.pmail.com>
I don't have any experience with it myself, but a friend of mine swears by it.
Owen
Thought for the day:
Don't ever slam a door; you might want to go back.
--
Owen H. Morgan, Yacht "Naomi J.", LD-928°14.86'N 16°50.54'W
Santa Cruz de La Palma, Canary Islands
http://home.no.net/naomij
Phone and SMS:
In Spain: +34 620520079
In Norway: +47 92053097
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 13:49:13 +0000
From: Owen H. Morgan
Subject: Hardy CF cards (OT)
Howdy!
Neville Smith wrote (> ):
> The cards thensolves are hardy things. I put a 20M
> Psion card through a full wash cycle once and it
> still works perfectly in the old 5mx.
A friend of mine once did this with a Kodak transparency film. He crossed his fingers and mailed it to Kodak with a letter explaining what had happened. He got it back and the pictures were fine. There was a short note attached. It said: "This is a process we do not normally recommend for our films"!
I expect they probably gave the film a good rinse before developing it and were grateful for the information so they didn't get any contamination into their developer. Traditional photo processes are done in water anyway, one of the reasons I had to give up my darkroom when I moved aboard the boat. Developing film and prints onboard would simply use too much water.
Owen
Thought for the day:
A closed mouth gathers no feet.
--
Owen H. Morgan, Yacht "Naomi J.", LD-928°14.86'N 16°50.54'W
Santa Cruz de La Palma, Canary Islands
http://home.no.net/naomij
Phone and SMS:
In Spain: +34 620520079
In Norway: +47 920530
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 13:49:38 +0000
From: Antony
Subject: Psion emulator questions | replacements for WinXP apps? | Ebook usurps | Linux
To: Peter Rand
The Psion emulator is part of their SDKs, as such it is a development tool. The connectivity features do not work that well because the device the EPOC applications are running on is not a Psion. As for the OPX, I'm sure you could download it, or even search you psion for it. I do know there is a opx specifically for the Emulator, but am certain it isn't the Date one. I think it is the SysRam.opx, but can not remember for sure.
I think the email application on EPOC is quite poor and is tolerable thanks to the various macros available to enhance it.
I would not recommend using the EPOC emulator on a Windows machine for anything other than software development and a means to access backed up information without converting it. Some may disagree, but hey, what's new.
Have you looked at OpenOffice.org as a replacement for MS Office. There is a Windows version and it's free.
http://download.openoffice.org/1.1.0/index.html
To: Timothy H.D. Williams
How about opening the app first, then open the document? RMRText has an 'open' menu option.
To: Itamar Engelsman
What surprises me about Psions musical chairs with operating systems is why they don't retain the other operating systems too? EPOC would have been relatively easy to port to the Netbook pro. Far easier than Linux as much of the hardware and user interface was already designed for it. Having a Netbook Pro with a choice of EPOC, CE.net or Linux would surely improve their product catchment. Instead they hop off one cloud and float away on another, never quite sure where they'll end up. I think they're going to float away to insolvency land.
Antony Booth
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 15:34:46 +0000
From: Martin Guthrie
Subject: RE: Re: Oxford English dictionary
Reply to: Owen H. Morgan
> > Some time ago there was a discussion about the > > Oxford English dictionary. In TR format it was > > said to be over 8 MB (with no copy function). >
> It's 8487680 bytes.
That's odd. My copy is 6981273 bytes (6.7Mb). Seems to be completely complete (well, it goes from a-z! Erm, no, I lie; it goes from "'cause" to "ψre" - i.e. before "a" to after "z".). No copy function either (shame!). Could there be two versions? It's a shame that the app doesn't let you count the number of entries - I've always thought that'd be useful...
The TR2 format was supposed to have better compression Owen - are you sure that you've not got it in TR1 format perhaps but being opened by your TR2-compatible EPOC client? I thought it was only the Windows version of TR that could convert the files from TR1 to TR2?
Best regards,
Martin Guthrie
www.pscience5.net
www.freepoc.org
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 15:57:45 +0000
From: Daniele Squarci
Subject: Re: Russian dictionary
Owen wrote: >> I must say I have not found all that much of use in Berlitz. It seems to assume that everyone travelling in a foreign country will be living in hotels, eating in restaurants, roasting in the sun and renting cars.
There's not much there about buying stores to cook your own food or getting computer bits, electronic components, spares for a boat or any of the other things I might need to communicate about. You know, simple little things like "Do you have a free berth for a 28 footer?, "Where is the harbourmaster's office?", "Is the anchorage safe?" or "Where can I fill up with diesel and fresh water?
Your life is probably totally different from mine, so maybe it'll serve you better... :o) <<
I see your problem with the Berlitz, Owen, but your lifestyle is hardly typical. You also seem to be heading ever southwards, so you are unlikely to need berth information in the Russian artic. :-) Yes, I will be living in hotels and eating in restaurants, but I'll be going on business, so a basic dictionary is probably better than a limited phrasebook. I've downloaded the K2 version at Astrid's suggestion and it seems to do the trick!
Ciao
Daniele Squarci - Italy (dry land, 45° 47N, 11°45E)
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 16:55:57 +0000
From: Daniele Squarci
Subject: Re: Oxford English dictionary
Owen Morgan wrote >> I've never heard of the K2 format (isn't that a mountain?). Is it possible to make your own K2 files? How about converting a TomeRaider file to K2? Any one know if this is the same version as the 8.1mb TomeRaider file, or is it an "abridged" one? Is there other usefull stuff in K2 format too?
Following Astrid's suggestion, I browsed around the mypsion.ru website, and have since corresponded with the programmer ("Robin Hood") about the two versions, K2 and K9. These are his comments:
---
K-9 was the first version of my app. Last version is 1.4 After 1 year I decided completely change database format because old format don't allow support
of different codepages etc. So K2 is the latest version of K-9 but it can't read K-9 files. For now this is not a problem as we recompile all K-9 files to K2.
Also, K2 don't run on ER1-ER4 devices.
----
There are several databases available at http://www.psion.spb.ru/base/k2
I'm not sure if the OED is full or abridged, but it has 45891 entries from 4to to zymurgy :-)
No mention if you can make your own K2 files.
Ciao
Daniele Squarci - Italy
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 17:02:49 +0000
From: Antony
Subject: Thoughts for the day
To all digest subscribers
As I have stated I will not be responding to any points relating to this subject any further on this forum.
Should you wish a reply from me, email me directly and I will be happy to respond.
May I request that in order to reduce any further disruption to this digest, postings on this matter should not contain a question or point that I would normally feel obliged to respond to.
Please save them for direct email correspondence and I will do my best to answer them.
Many thanks,
Antony Booth
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 17:32:37 +0000
From: "Chris Holly"
Subject: Mobipocket and ExAb conflict
I dearly love ExAb if only for the Ctrl-spacebar access to open programs. However, I notice that when I try to copy from Mobipocket, ExAb hangs and I have to kill it. Anyone else noticed this? I can copy fine from Mobi if I shut down ExAb, so it is no big deal. Not sure if there is anything I can do about it. --Chris Holly
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 19:24:20 +0000
From: Will Green
Subject: Nothing hotter than Potter
Hello All (except Owen. It makes you sick doesn't it! Canary Islands one week, Las Vegas the next! I hope your boat sinks.)
I know the Psion Symbian pull out thing has probably had as much discussion as you can swallow, but here's my two'penneth worth any way.
I've been following the Psion business development closely recently, and, this might have already been mentioned but I haven't seen it, there has been an intriguing chain of events...
1. Psion sell the 'Psion Software' division.
2. Psion invest in a new factory in South Wales (UK) (via a 3rd party).
3. Psion sell their share of Symbian.
For me the reasoning behind this chain of events is that if Psion didn't get shot of its Symbian interests quickly, Psion would have faced a take over bid (probably Nokia) for its share of Symbian, and the name 'Psion' would be lost forever. Similar, I suppose, to the Acorn take over and asset striping for their RISC shares.
I also believe old Potter isn't that keen on mobile phones and hankers to produce another mobile PDA (industrial possibly, in line with the Teklogix range) and the ready cash from the sales will aid this (these new devices produced in South Wales?).
Addressing Linux for a moment. If there had been an un-interrupted production of Psion handhelds, I'm sure EPOC's new incarnation would have been Linux based anyway, with a Psion/EPOC G.U.I., just in the same way Apple moved to the UNIX/Linux based OSX, and Novell have bought S.U.S.E. Linux.
Batman's fight against the Penguin has peared in it's shape!
So to summarise (and I have to admit by nature I am an optimist) I'll happily bet a pint of Guinness that a new Psion handheld PDA, with UNIX kernel and EPOC G.U.I, will be out Q1 or Q2 2005.
Bring it on.
Cheers,
Will.
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 19:43:19 +0000
From: Keith Giles
Subject: Re: Emulator Questions/E-mails/Dictionary/CF Cards/MnetBook Sticker/Travel
Peter Rand wrote:
> 2. A number of third party programs can't launch because > "C:system\opx\DATE.OPX" does not exist. Can I download this from > somewhere?
You need the wins version of the opx to be able to run an app on the emulator. Not all 3rd-party authors provide them. You might find this useful http://www.garethjmsaunders.co.uk/psion/emulator32.html, scroll down to near the bottom to read about Steve Litchfield's site and discussion. Or go directly to Steve/s site, http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/
> 3. Is there a FAQ available for using the Emulator
Try http://www.isbg00598.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/faqEPOC.htm#contents
> In particular, I'm looking for an email client that will let me look > at all the mails waiting on the server (a la EPOC), so I can decide
> what to delete before I start downloading anything.
You might want to look at MailWasher, http://www.mailwasher.net/.
I've never used Outlook. My e-mail client is TheBat!,
http://www.ritlabs.com/en/products/thebat/ with which I am completely satisfied. I see they just put out a new update which includes an anti-spam addition. It may replace my use of MailWasher after investigation.
Re Oxford Dictionary: Astrid, your www.mypsion.ru/K2.php link takes me to something like looks like a Russian error page. Using the other link, I did find the "oxford.k2" file down the list. Now, just what is the K2? Is that an app you must install to be able to read the .k2 file? I browsed the site and came across something called K-9 that seems to be a dictionary, but it doesn't recognize the oxford.k2 file.
Bob Granger wrote, re recognizing CF cards:
> Of interest is that the ones that don't work in the Psion are all
> San Disk.
All my CF cards are SanDisk and they work in my 5ive, 5mx, 5mxPro, and MnetBook.
Itamar wrote, re MnetBook:
> a sticker to stick over the empty space above the keyboard ?
Using PhotoShop, I put a Psion Logo graphic on top of a black rectangle, printed it on a label, cut as best I could to size, and stuck it on. Not the "Best in the West", but good enough for
government work. :-)
Owen Morgan wrote:
> I must say I have not found all that much of use in Berlitz. It
> seems to assume that everyone travelling in a foreign country will
> be living in hotels, eating in restaurants, roasting in the sun and
> renting cars.
Just like most guide books and travel sections of newspapers. Few
have heard of Youth Hostels or travel by bicycle. BTW, Bavarian youth hostels are the only one's I found who will not take you if you're
over 26 - even if they're empty.
Happy Cycling,
Keith
Sunnyvale, CA
http://ohsix827.home.comcast.net
Thought For The Day: If you can't convince them - confuse them.
All my outgoing e-mails have been checked by Norton Anti-virus.
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 19:44:06 +0000
From: vlad a
Subject: K2 dictionary-question(marks-too many ;-) # 452 (2)
> Astrid Stappenbeck wrote on 19.2.2004 11:29 Uhr:
> www.mypsion.ru/K2.php
I'd also be interested. But this adress returns error 404. Do you have the complete correct adress? If it weren't for all questionmarks, I might still find my way around in cyrillic, but as it is... (there's also a K9 version, what's that...)
Thanks,
best,
vlad a
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 20:42:37 +0000
From: Astrid Stappenbeck
Subject: Re: Oxford English dictionary
Hi Owen,
> I've never heard of the K2 format ... <
Small wonder, it's from a Russian only site and came out in late October. (But the program itself is English)
> ... (isn't that a mountain?). <
Good one, that mountain apparently inspired the author when looking for a name. Top of the world (almost).
> Is it possible to make your own K2 files? <
The homepage also mentions a tool called MakeDict to be found somewhere on the page or to get directly by e-mailing the author Robin Hood.
BTW my mentioning of the program wasn't completely altruistic - I thought broadening the user base of the app (especially with English speaking people who know a bit of file conversions) might enlarge the base of non-Russian data ...
;-)
> How about converting a TomeRaider file to K2? <
No idea but if you can unbind a TR file then the rest should be easy.
>> ... Oxford English dictionary. In TR format it was said to be over 8 MB ... <<
> It's 8487680 bytes. <
>> It [k2] is fast, you can copy from it and it takes up only 3.9 MB. <<
> Any one know if this is the same version as the 8.1mb TomeRaider file, or is it an "abridged" one? <
I don't have the TR file to compare but the CIA World Fact Book 2001 is 1795021 b in TR and 1070899 b in k2 and the content is the same! The compression corresponds to bzip according to the homepage. Try Altavista's babelfish to get more information.
> Is there other usefull stuff in K2 format too? <
If you speak Russian or would like to learn it, yes. Otherwise it is pretty limited. The mypsion site lists few files with no Russian content: the Oxford dic, the WorldFactB01, a list of chemical elements (all English), a list of German abbreviations and one of German slang (both GE to EN).
I would like to add that k2 can also display images.
Astrid
*++++++++++&
Date: 19 Feb 2004 23:12:25 +0000
From: Alan Morris
Subject: Psion's future?
With the current exchange of comments after David Potter's recent activity, I thought that a quote from this weeks 'MicroScope' might be interesting. ('MicroScope' is a weekly computer trade journal that I've been getting free for two decades.)
They have a Q&A 'Problem postbag' each week that has an answer from a panel of experts. Psion staff have provided some answers and this week it's Steve Maynard, head of strategic marketing at Psion Software.
The question is about whether or not 2004 will be the long awaited year for 'mobile technology'.
The answer includes:-
" The other factor is the availability of suitably featured devices that the user would be prepared to carry at all times. "
" Success in this industry is about providing the best user experience at the best price. "
Maybe there is hope of a future Psion suitably featured device that provides the best user experience at a lower price.
--
Alan R Morris, G4ENS.
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, UK.
Using a Psion netBook & Nokia 6210e.
*++++++++++&
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