-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tips for Posting to the Digest and how to unsubscribe
at the end of the Digest
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Epoc Digest Wed, 17 Mar 2004 Volume 01 : Number 475
************************************************************************
Sent to: 784 subscribers
In today's Epoc Digest 11 messages:
==============================
- Unsubscribing
- Re: Epoc Digest V1 # 474 Answer to Timothy/Simon re VCal & VCard
- Andy Hayes CF Disaster# 474
- Re: emulator/Psion XP, Netbook font, CronTab
- CF card speeds
- EplayM
- Re: EplayM
- Re: Modems / CF Disaster (4 Andy)
- Broadband advice and update on netPad
- Statistics, Modems, TCP/IP-Fix,
- Re: The Great Psion Giveaway!
*++++++++++&
Date: Tue, 16 Mar 2004
From: Digest administrator
Subject: Unsubscribing
Hi,
due to repeated bouncings of Epocdigests with the reason "address unknown" we had to unsu
With best regards
Rolf Vonau
The Epoc Digest Team
*++++++++++&
Date: 16 Mar 2004 09:31:32 +0100
From: George Cooke
Subject: Re: Epoc Digest V1 # 474 Answer to Timothy/Simon re VCal & VCard
> I also haven't worked out how to keep either calendar "updated" - > swapping a vCal file seems to completely overwrite what is on the > other computer. At least with vCards you can re-export your entire > Psion Contacts database and import it into Apple Address Book, to be > given an item-by-item choice of overwrite, update or ignore. Anyone > else using this system, with ideas or tips to offer?
Yes, there is a trick. Remember we are talking about sharing your Psion Agenda and displaying it on the Mac, not synchronising - which is not possible AFAIK with the Mac.
When you import a new vCal file into the iCal on the Mac, it adds the new data to the old data if you do not select 'New Calendar' in the Add Events dialogue. This results in double entries. What you need to do is select 'New Calenadar' and let it import the data you exported as a
vCal file from the Psion.
This should double entry everything but in a different colour. You should see that the frame on the left displays 2 Calendars (possibly called 'vcalendar' and 'vcalendar 2'. Delete the first one as this is the old vcalendar and you should be left with the new one.
The manual synchronising of the Address Book import feature is OK, but I usually delete all the contacts on the Mac and import afresh from the Psion. Any Mail Groups I have need exporting then importing again on
the Mac.
Neither way is without toil, but I find it works OK.
Of course, the vCal and vCard export utilities on the Psion mean you can export meaningful backups that could be read by most modern software, and you might just use them as standalone converters to
create versatile backups of your Agenda and Contacts, without importing them.
George
*++++++++++&
Date: 16 Mar 2004 10:22:46 +0100
From: vlad a
Subject: Andy Hayes CF Disaster# 474
> Epoc Digest wrote on 16.3.2004 8:59 Uhr:
> The CF wont even format in a card reader, let alone the Psion, so I have just > ordered another 256mb
I noted that before - I have never seen a dead CF card. I have had
corruption etc. and lost data. Try to format it repeatedly. If you plan to throw that card away, throw it my way. We might have a surpise...
best,
vlad a
*++++++++++&
Date: 16 Mar 2004 10:37:09 +0100
From: Chris S Handley
Subject: Re: emulator/Psion XP, Netbook font, CronTab
This email has been resent because I got an error message saying the retry time-out had been exceeded :-(
Peter Rand wrote:
Subject: Mbmview.opx for emulator/Psion XP?
> I'm now in the process of getting MBMView up and running on
> the emulator. When I launch the app, I get the message
> "mbmview.opx does not exist", so I guess the app needs a
> special WINS opx to work.
MBMView was never officially released as a WINS version, and since the author sadly died, it never will be. But, he did give unofficial versions to a few people, and Steve Litchfield (sp?) made it available in the "abandoned" section of his web site (3lib.something-or-other).
The WINS version works, but has a few bugs you'll have to live with. Personally I recommend using Imaging (from www.freepoc.org ) as a better alternative, and only use MBMView when Imaging lacks a particular feature.
> In addition, I was wondering if anybody has gotten a secure
> web-browser (Opera), or an FTP app running on the emulator?
Save yourself the bother, and use Internet Explorer on Windows; it is far faster & more compatible than any EPOC browser will ever be. If you are worried about security, then simply turn off as many options as possible, such as ActiveX, plug-ins, and the like.... Or use Opera for Windows!
FTP will only work if the relevant stuff if available as WINS versions, and I think this is rather unlikely. Personally I'd recommend Directory Opus 6, which (amoung MANY other things) seamlessly integrates FTP into Windows.
> Also, is there a way to use the notebook's built-in wireless
> LAN via the emulator?
No, unless you can get the Emulator to use Window's TCP/IP stack. I only know how to (theoretically) do this for Email, but not Web; but since you ought to a Windows browser this wouldn't be a problem...
> PS: my eyes used to glaze over when people posted about the
> emulator, since I thought it was only something for software
> developers.
Luckily the Digest & Pda Street are archived for posterity...
Regards,
Chris Handley
=============
Antony Booth wrote:
Subject: Netbook font
> Is there a way to change the System font colour as I have
> some wallpapers with darkish images and would like to make
> the font white instead of black?
Not that I know of. I would suggest that you only use images that have no dark patches on them, or perhaps artifically lighten the image.
> Antony Booth
> Posting EPOC computer relevant information ONLY!
Is that a "Thought of the month"? ;)
---
Chris Handley
Record attempt for the shortest Digest signature starts here! :)
=============
Subject: CronTab
Itamar Engelsman wrote:
> Re.: CronTab - If no re-install is needed, can you repeat the
> link to it ?
http://cshandley.web.users.btopenworld.com/CronTabFix.zip
While I am at it, I'll just re-mention my Email indenting macro (for replying to emails), in the hope a few more people might use it for this Digest:
http://cshandley.web.users.btopenworld.com/Email_Indent.zip
---
Chris Handley
*++++++++++&
Date: 16 Mar 2004 15:34:23 +0100
From: Tony Cabot
Subject: CF card speeds
Malcolm,
Here are a couple of sources for CF Card speeds. These are primarily for digital cameras. It seems to me that it is more necessary to have a fast card in a digital camera because most won't take another picture until the first one is saved. I have been using Lexar cards in the netBook and a Minolta Dimage 7. The difference between the 12X speed of my older card and the 40X of the new one (both 256MB) is quite noticeable.
Tony Cabot
In (We're about to have a blizzard) Boston
http://webpages.charter.net/bbiggers/DCExperiments/html/dimage_flash_card_speeds.html
http://www.dpreview.com/articles/mediacompare/
***Original Message***
2004 12:58:57 +0100
From: m.garrett
Subject: CF card speeds
Hi All,
I'm about to purchase a new 256Mb CF card for use in my netBook and 5MX and
I'd like one with a quick access speed as I use my current CF cards to store
many, many webpages and associated reference notes for my University
studies.
<<SNIP>>
Has any done any work on testing CF card speeds or can anyone recommend a
fast card? Is it possible to measure the speeds of my current flock of
cards?
Thanks in advance,
Malcolm
In (will it ever get warm here) Darlington
*++++++++++&
Date: 16 Mar 2004 15:43:23 +0100
From: Tony Cabot
Subject: EplayM
Owen,
I've had good luck with MusicMatch Jukebox. If I recollect it was free, or almost, but you have to put up with their requests to upgrade. You can convert MP3s down to 8 kbps from the 128 which they say is CD quality. I have not gone that far but have found that 48 (mono) is adequate for music on the netBook.
Tony
****Originla Message****
Date: 15 Mar 2004 17:51:26 +0100
From: Owen H. Morgan
Subject: EplayM
Hi!
A while ago, I installed the EplayM mp3 player software on my 5mx and then didn't bother any more with it, as the sound quality isn't really good enough for music. However, I've recently got hold of a couple of CD based lauguage courses which I have ripped to MP3 and listen to on my MP3 player. This is an application where the sound quality would not be very important, so the Psion could be useful for this. What is the easiest way to convert high quality MP3 tracks to something suitable for EplayM? I'd prefer a Freeware solution of course!
What kind of battery life can I expect when using EplayM for longer periods?
Owen
*++++++++++&
Date: 16 Mar 2004 19:30:53 +0100
From: Mike Dyer
Subject: Re: EplayM
Reply to: Owen H. Morgan >Subject: EplayM
>Hi!
>What is the easiest way to convert high quality MP3 tracks to something suitable for EplayM? I'd >prefer a Freeware solution of course!
Hi Owen, I use Musicmatch Jukebox on my pc, it's a free download.
>What kind of battery life can I expect when using EplayM for longer periods?
Well EplayM can cause my Revo+ to pass out in only 1/2 an hour :o/
Oh I found a Belt Case in the end cheers!
Regards,
Mike Dyer.
*++++++++++&
Date: 16 Mar 2004 20:27:33 +0100
From: Astrid Stappenbeck
Subject: Re: Modems / CF Disaster (4 Andy)
Hi Andy,
> I have found an old US Robotics modem (56k FaxModem). I have connected to my ISP OK, but the sound (white noise) keeps going all the time that I am connected. Is this a faulty modem or a setting that needs changing? <
There was something on loudspeakers in an old digest. It was a posting on a Psion Dacom card but might be universal. I haven't tried it out but maybe it will sort out your problem:
" The M in the string (loudspeaker control) needs to be followed by a parameter indicating the behaviour of the speaker.
M0 = Turn loudspeaker off at all times.
M1 = Enable loudspeaker until carrier is detected.
M2 = Enable loudspeaker whenever modem is off-hook.
M3 = Enable loudspeaker after dialling and until carrier is detected.
What happens when you issue the AT&FM command is that the modem accepts &F (use factory settings ) but ignores the M. "
____________
> my (DaneElec) CF card has died. 256mb of D: drive ... Firstly I noticed the corrupt Address file, then the CF would keep declaring itself corrupt every time that I ran a Powerbase file. ... It resolutely refuses to format beyond 52%. <
As far as I remember the DaneElec cards were reported to be slow. That may cause a time-out after 52% when you try to format the card on the psion with the inbuilt configuration. Have you tried SmartFormat and played a bit around with the parameters? Have you tried any other device (digicam)?
Hope that helps,
Astrid
*++++++++++&
Date: 16 Mar 2004 21:41:16 +0100
From: PRAR
Subject: Broadband advice and update on netPad
Guys (n Gals)
I'm about to take a leap into Broadband through ntl. I'm looking at getting a wireless router and would appreciate any advice you have (either on or
off list). The reason for going wireless is that I have a netBook with a Dell TrueMobile wireless lan adaptor (PCMCIA) and I would like to use this properly.
What recommendations do you have for compatible wireless routers?
Will the Dell card work with the netBook.
PS Repairs to my netPad have come in at just short of £300. It's been sent to Psion in France to fix. On the basis of this I must advise you to avoid netPads which say Backup Battery Critical at all costs however desirable
the actual device is.
PRAR
*++++++++++&
Date: 16 Mar 2004 22:08:38 +0100
From: Itamar Engelsman
Subject: Statistics, Modems, TCP/IP-Fix,
Answer to: Alan Morris
Re.: Statistics - You wrote :
"Science is a set of observations that appear to conform to a set of rules, that is our best current understanding of the facts. So that understanding is an opinion! "
Thanks. Too often people think that science is absolute truth that can't be objected to or be discussed.
Answer to: Andy Hayes
Re.: Modems - If you try to use a US Robotic modem with a Psion it is difficult to use. You will need a very specific init string, maybe Rolf Brunsting can help you further.
To All
Re. TCP/IP-Fix - Can anyone give us the web address for this fix ?
Best regards,
Itamar Engelsman
London, UK
*++++++++++&
Date: 16 Mar 2004 23:28:37 +0100
From: Steve
Subject: Re: The Great Psion Giveaway!
> Date : Monday, 15 March 2004
> From : Kim Bang-Sørensen
> Subject : Re: Give away
>
> I got a very nice reply from Neil but only after being accepted by his
spam protection programme.
> You should have received an email with a link to a spam protection site
where you have to repeat
> a word on the site.
> That will clear your address and your initial email will be forwarded to
Neil.
> Try again.
> Neil seems to be a very nice chap.
Hi Kim,
I have tried again to-day not only to his email address he gave in this
Digest but also to the email address on his web site (same but with "Psion"
before I was careful not to put anything which might lead to an anti-spam program
thinking it was spam.
Still nothing though :-(
It must be a really over zealous anti spam program .. it's a wonder Neil
gets any email at all !
Looks like I will never be able to contact him and probably the program I
wanted (SimCity) which I have been looking for will have gone anyway... I
have wanted this program for ages and I have to go into hospital soon and
it would have whiled away the long hours !
This is REALLY frustrating .. and by the way I am sure Neil is a nice guy
... I never doubted that.
Kindest Regards to all,
Steve Denney
North East UK.
*++++++++++&
To reply or to send your own messages,
subscribe by sending an email to
with SUBSCRIBE in the subject.