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The Digest Fri, 29 Oct
2004 Volume 02 : Number 623
************************************************************************
Sent to: 750 subscribers
In today's The Digest 14 messages
=============================
- Messagae to all: Digest Archive
- Re: Off topic comments to "new TubeRoute released"
- The MonopolySoft vs the Free thinking world | Cheap Nokias
- Re: Attaching Word files to e-mail; Re: PsiWin & MP3
- RE: Microsoft vs Nearly everyone else
- Itamar: battery life of P910i
- Attaching Word files to e-mail,
- Re: Attaching Word files to e-mail
Date: Fri, 29
Oct 2004
From: Digest administrator
Subject: Message to all: Digest Archive
Dear subscribers,
for your convenience we changed the form of archive. At top of each digest now
is a link to the previous digest, at bottom is a link to the next digest. Besides
this you can now search in the topics and find a certain digest. Check the
address http://www.psioneering.co.uk/digests/index.html
With best regards
Rolf Vonau
The Digest Team
Date: 27 Oct
2004 20:53:16 +0100
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: Off topic comments to "new TubeRoute released"
Dear Alan,
<< Any bugs found in new software should be sent direct to the
programmer, who has produced software for the benefit of others, and not on
list as Rolf B has in the past >>
To set the record straight, somebody posted a message on the Digest mentioning
that there was an EPOC route planner available for download (at long last). I
downloaded it, installed it on my Psion and played with TubeRoute. What I wrote
in response to the 'availability notice' were my first impressions of it.
Chris responded to my first impressions of TubeRoute by, first, introducing
himself as the author and, secondly, by mentioning that bugs, errors and/or suggestions
should be sent to him directly. No problem with that, were it not that Chris
went on and addressed what I'd written. I've no problem with that either as
Chris has the first right of reply, as far as I'm concerned. However, when you
respond on the Digest to what somebody has written on the Digest you're
entering into a Digest discussion. Which makes it strange to expect that I
should have kept things off-Digest.
As for your "unnecessarily critical of Chris's programming skills",
please note that the very first route I asked TubeRoute to plan for me
contained an error. My reaction would have been different had the error cropped
up in (say) the 126th route I asked it to plan. It would also have been
different had I asked TubeRoute to give me the directions for one of the most
difficult routes there is for a London Underground route planner. The route
was, actually, a fairly simple one, which made the error rather glaring. When
this had happened to other people I'm sure they'd also be less confident of
TubeRoute's route planning capabilities.
<< I don't like complaining about posters, but what does Rolf B add to
this Digest that is on topic or in reply to a question with helpful advise
>>
I'm in the same boat as anybody else on the Digest in that I can only give
helpful advice when the question concerns something I know about. I can't give
such advice on topics that are (well) outside my area of expertise. And, like
others, I both remain on-topic and stray off-topic depending how a discussion
develops.
<< He reminds me of a line manager I knew years ago. He would enter
the rest room and start-up a controversial topic and once a heated discussion
was underway, would leave >>
When you check past Digests you'll find that I never, ever, have dropped a 'bomb'
here - then to walk away from it.
---
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
Date: 27 Oct 2004 21:10:23 +0100
From: Rolf Brunsting
Subject: Re: SonyEricsson P910
Dear Bernard,
<< Rubbish. My P800's is the only diary application I use which *doesn't*
use untimed >>
Please note that I wrote "Psion's Agenda is the only diary application *I
KNOW* that supports untimed entries" (emphasis added by the undersigned).
<< Where else do you put birthdays for goodness' sake? >>
Other applications have Anniversary as one of their entry types so that you
don't need the entry type Untimed for birthdays, wedding days, etc. And,
please, note that I wrote "Now, I'm not going to say that untimed entries
are useless." later on in my message. Also, that I'd prefer my P800
treating Events in the same way as Psion's Agenda - as a variant
of untimed entries.
<< It goes to 8am from my netbook to P800 via IR >>
What I wrote was to illustrate what happens when you'd beam an untimed entry
from Agenda to Calendar. The actual time that's tagged on to the untimed entry
by Calendar depends on personal settings.
---
Kind Regards,
Rolf Brunsting - Darp - Netherlands
Date: 29 Oct 2004 01:16:17 +0100
From: Antony Booth
Subject: The MonopolySoft vs the Free thinking world | Cheap Nokias
The MonopolySoft vs the Free thinking world
-------------------------------------------
To: Chris Handley
> ... in a slightly philosophical mood, and he hopes that any replies
will be in a similar vein (and size:) <
That was funny. Why don't you call a spade, a spade though? What you
really meant was: You hope the replies don't include a typical Rolf
rant! ;)
That .pdf document goes to prove one thing. No matter how dead a horse
is, people will still attempt to flog it some more. A Symbian Netbook
pro simply won't happen because Nokia make phones and M$ make Oses, or
at least buy and steal code to construct an aesthetically pleasing
product that people think works well as an OS because it looks good.
After all, you know you've got a powerful, well written search
application, when there's a dog scratching its ear while the egg timer
pops up as you watch it show a list of files that didn't match the
pattern you entered ;D
Cheap Nokias
------------
I have been thinking of getting a 9500 and know they retail anywhere
from 400 - 550GBP, or 200GBP and some high monthly rental agreement, so
I thought "What the hell, I'll have a look on eBay". To my great
surprise, I've seen some that were supposedly brand new, unlocked for
any sim, with full warranty and from sellers with good ratings (30+
feedback at 100%. Obviously there are clearly some scam artists trying
to sell some too), going at around the £150GBP mark. Has anyone heard
anything about a truck load getting ripped off, people managing to
defraud their feedback rating (buying lots of cheap stuff to get a good
rating, then rip someone off with a high value auction?), or some scam
that means they're reselling rental phones? If not, I may take another
look and hope you ratbags don't outbid me. :)
Antony Booth
Date: 29 Oct 2004 01:56:35 +0100
From: Jack
Subject: Re: Attaching Word files to e-mail; Re: PsiWin & MP3
To: Axel Moberg who
<<<... suppose this is a classical problem.
When I write a document in EpocWord on my MC218, attach it to an e-mail, and
then receive it on a PC it cannot be opened directly>>>
Re
Hi Axel
It's surely classical ;-]
The simplest way, as you discovered, is to select-copy and paste the text (as
.txt) in the email body!
A sophisticated one is via a converter like Neuon.com shareware nConvert to
convert your psiword file in MSdoc.RTF and even zip and attach, all in one go!
To: Cathy Roberts, wondering
<<<... if you could say what programme you use on your Psion for
listening to MP3s?...>>>
Re
I could warmly suggest EplayM from
www.zavorine.com/epoc
HTH
Jack
Date: 29 Oct 2004 04:14:44 +0100
From: Martin Maxwell
Subject: RE: Microsoft vs Nearly everyone else
Answer tp: Chris S Handley
Subject: RE: Microsoft vs Nearly everyone else
Dear Chris,
>Somehow I managed to NOT notice that on the 31 August the Business Case
draft PDF for netBook Pro Symbian OS was released on http://www.dp.com.my/
.. <
Yes, the document was finished still in early draft form and several chapters
are missing or incomplete. We gave up when it became clear that Psion was not
even going to remain as licencee in Symbian. However, selected chapters
have been circulated to Nokia, UIQ and others and been received very well,
though there is no tangible result yet, except for scattered rumours of a
larger Series 90 device with keyboard option (yes exactly, still a mythical
device).
>Indeed, it apparently seems that even some of Microsoft's allies (e.g.
MAPICS) are acting more out of fear of (being bought by) Microsoft, than of a
genuine belief that Microsoft is best. [At least, if I understood a
particular footer correctly.] <
Yes you did, but there at the same time it should be expected that some
companies are rather
positioning themselves with the hope of *being* aquired. It's a bit like a huge
larvae and a very small larvae chewing on the same leaf. The smaller one moves
towards the perifery as long as there's something left. After that it might get
eaten.
>>>>Anyway, I thought this was a very interesting take on why Psion
should produce a Symbian OS variant of it's Netbook Pro, to compliment it's
WinCE ..net version. <<<<
Thank you! Though the events happened faster than we had time to update the
document. But with increasing enterprise and mobile professional emphasis by
Nokia, and with Clove increasing production rate, I'm sure it will materialise
in some shape or form.
>>>>Although I don't believe Psion will pay any
attention,<<<<
Several insiders did indeed give attention - in quietness - but far from
sufficient to dare speak up.
Moreover, several independent calculations arrived at a breakeven volume of
25000-30000 devices.
This was reaffirmed by both insiders and ex-Psion people. It was later stated
by one Psion spokesperson that if we could confirm this volume we would have Psion
with us. If I'd still been in the venture capital business I'd would have gone
for it because our very conservative estimation was for 100000 devices in
Europe alone.
>>> nor do I intend to wait forever for mythical device, so I'll
probably be get a Nokia 9300 at some point - even though it lacks a touch
screen.<<<
Same here. 9300 or 9500, with additional typeable Bluetooth keyboard. And my
netBook will follow me for another 10 years. Unless...
>>>P.S. I somehow get a mention in the credits for document,
although I don't think I did anything particularly deserving of that, beyond my
occasional public thoughts about the Netbook and EPOC!<<<<
You did deserve the credits as you were part of the early PDAStreet
discussions! I remember in particular your thoughts on OPL as a commonality
factor and on the use of the netBook as a development platform.
A bit philosophical too today...
cheers
Martin Maxwell Harnevie
Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia
Date: 29 Oct 2004 05:26:17 +0100
From: Mike Dyer
Subject: Re: UIQ Stuff
Reply to: Itamar Engelsman <itamar....com>
>
>Re.: Landscape view on P800?900?910 - If the book >reader can function
>in landscape, I suppose other programs could as well. >Does anyone know
>of a program to use this phone in landscape mode ?
Oh it *could* be done, but it hasn't been done...
Also regarding your battery life problems, have you got 'power save' enabled in
the display part of the control panel?, I also have both backlight settings
here set to 'auto'
I get two days of useage with moderate pda/phone use between charges i.e. at
the weekend, during the week it is being charged constantly whilst in my car,
that keeps it going.
If I didn't use the pda side at all and just used it as a phone I've seen a
good 5 days of use between a charge but this happens rarely as it is such a
nice toy.
Regards,
Mike Dyer (currently having GPRS problems grumble)
Date: 29 Oct
2004 08:42:00 +0100
From: Steve Litchfield
Subject: Itamar: battery life of P910i
Yes, any app which is cycling in the background waiting for something is going
to be a big battery-killer. Voice dialling, keyboard driver active, any MGS
game, etc. I'm sure there are more.
Good idea for an article, actually, 'the ultimate guide to power saving on your
UIQ smartphone'!
With all the above turned off, and by turning Flight mode on each night, I get
3 days or more life from my P900 from a single charge. ____________________________________________________________________
Steve Litchfield, 3-Lib, http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/
Software and features for Psion/Symbian handhelds and smartphones
Also PocketInfo, useful files - http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/pocketinfo
Journalism: sub-editor and/or senior contributor to:
Palmtop User - http://www.palmtop.co.uk/
PDA Essentials - http://www.paragon.co.uk/mags/pdaessentials.html
PC Basics - http://www.paragon.co.uk/mags/pcbasics.html
Reviews editor, AllAboutSymbian - http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/
Date: 29 Oct 2004 10:36:32 +0100
From: Philip S.Adkins Potter
Subject: Word for eMail
Hi Folks,
Axel, the EPOC Word format can only be read by EPOC Word, the Java-Psion-Link
or an appropriate emulator. I assume it can be converted by some
word-processors (I think that's what PsiWin does).
But the same kind of thing applies to most word-processor documents, whatever
the platform.
This isn't particularly an EPOC problem. It's more because of the
non-universality of w-p file formats. EPOC Word is EPOC's w-p and it's
formatting is for printing first and foremost as are most w-p formats. As long
as the print drivers understand that formatting then it's fine in itself. Word
can export text files and nConvert, from Neuon, can also produce Rich Text
Format files. In practical terms that's probably enough for most people.
But for eMail it is generally better to use text anyway, although many use HTML.
HTML is better than w-p formats as it's pretty universal. Most desktop eMail
clients render HTML automatically and nConvert converts EPOC Word files to
HTML.
But please, please, if you use this route make the HTML an attached document as
a lot of people don't like reading HTML code in the body of an eMail (well, I
don't anyway!).
Happy days,
Phil.
"Love is a many-splintered thing."
Date: 29 Oct 2004 10:51:26 +0100
From: Anthony Ross
Subject: lost toolbar + system files
I recalibrated the screen (thanks Itmar) and got the toolbar back most of the
time. I have now made a note of all the keypresses for the functions. While I
was experimenting with various keypresses the following files have appeared in
one of my folders:-
Const.oph (15k)
Toolbar (15k)
Demo (13k)
TBarApp (11k)
System.oxh (4k)
Printer.oxh (3k)
Date.oxh (2k)
Toolbar.oph (1k)
dBase.oxh (1k)
Bmp.oxh (1k)
The above are all capable of being opened and read (and presumable edited
although I WOULDN'T DARE)
OPL Toolbar.opo (6k)
and the following opl data files which cannot be opened:-
SkelOpl.mbm
TDemo.mbm
TalkDemo.mbm
TalkDems.mbm
What are these files? How did I manage to get them in my Folder? Can I safely
delete them? I have copied them to Backup disc D just in case
Thanks
Tony Ross
Date: 29 Oct 2004 12:30:39 +0100
From: Itamar Engelsman
Subject: Attaching Word files to e-mail,
Answer to: Axel Moberg
Re.: Attaching Word files to e-mail - The EPOC Word program is not compatible
with Windows WORDS. Accordingly you cannot open one in the other. There are
several work arounds :
- if you have Psiwin installed on the PC you can convert the file from Epocword
to Windows Word
- you can download the Symbian editor program and write the file as text only
which you could than import into a WORD file on windows, but you would not be
able to format the text on your Psion
- you can use a program called nConvert which will convert the Epoc word file
on your Psion to a Windows document. My experience is that the best way to do
this is to convert it to a RTF file which can than be opened with most
wordprocessors on your and other peoples PC. There was another program
that also did this conversion but I forgot it's name.
Best regards,
Itamar Engelsman
London, UK
Date: 29 Oct 2004 12:42:53 +0100
From: Steve Hodgson
Subject: Re: Attaching Word files to e-mail
> I have only found two work-arounds:
> - either to first save the document on the hard disk, and then open it.
> But it leaves ugly empty squares in the beginning for formatting, and
> other information.
> - or to copy the Word file to the e-mail itself, and then copy it back
> to Word in the PC. But what do we then need EpocWord for?
Your choices are somehat limited but perhaps not as much as you think:
1. nConvert from Neuon will allow you to convert your Psion Word file to PC
Word, RTF etc. It will also perform similar magic on spreadsheets, jotters etc.
2. Once you have saved the Psion word attachment to disc you can run PsiWin on
the local copy to convert it to Word. This does rely on the recipient always
having PsiWin available.
3. If you don't need to edit the file further after it is sent you could
convert it to PDF on the Psion unsing the PDF printer application from
mBrainSoftware. This is the one I favour most often.
4. As you probably know, you could export the file as plain text but of course
lose all the formatting and any graphics.
Hope this help.
--
Regards,
Steve
Hodgson
mailto:steve
Date: 29 Oct 2004 14:04:04 +0100
From: Wajira Perera
Subject: Magic Word - P 910
To Itamar Engelsman
Dear Itamar,
>The only other reason I could think of is that the Voice dialing might take
a lot of battery power as it must be ready / scanning all the time whether the
magic word is being said or not, so
I now switched that off as well.
>
I own an old Ericsson T 39 and find that the 'magic word' business eats up
battery like nothing. I have stopped using it at all.
One can imagine the phone responding every sound it hears, and running through
a whole heap of code and consuming processor cycles trying to decide if what it
has heard is indeed the magic word. I can venture to suggest that heavy battery
drain in your case is probably due to the same reason.
I have been following up on your detailed comments on P 910 with intrest. Can
you enlighten me on the ease (or otherwise) of synching the P 910 with the PC. Is
it a 'one button' operation as in the
case of Palms?
Regards
Wajira Perera
Sri Lanka
Date: 29 Oct 2004 19:29:43 +0100
From: Ian Colvin
Subject: wireless pc card for 7book
Dear Itamar,
Thanks for your reply. I understood from Ian Sylvester's site -
http://www.epocfaq.co.uk/faqNetworks.htm#LANcompat - that some 7books would
power network cards, though I believe it may depend upon the date of
manufacture (i.e. some may be able to supply more power to the PC slot than
others). I thought I would try mine out to see, if I can get hold of one of the
cards that works that is.
I shall try to get hold of the Buffalo Technology WLI-PCM-L11GP-3 which seems
to draw very little power. I have found several places stocking what they call
a Buffalo Aironet WLI-PCM-L11GP and I am hoping this is the same card. (Dabs
are the only company that mention the WLI-PCM-L11GP-3 but their website says
they have none in stock.)
Thanks again for your reply, and thankyou also to Bruce Knox who alerted me to
Expansys stocking this.
Cheers,
Ian
Itamar wrote:
> Date: 28 Oct 2004 21:57:57 +0100
> From: Itamar Engelsman <itamar....com>
> Subject: wireless pc card for 7book, Landscape view > on P800?900?910,
>
> Answer to: Ian Colvin
>
> Re.: wireless pc card for 7book - Hi Ian,
> unfortunately for you the S7 will not work with a
> wireless card. You will need the netBook or the
> Malaysian netBook for this.
> >
> Best regards,
> Itamar Engelsman
> London, UK