??Assistant V1.4Prerelease © Mario Collado
1. History (Whats new)
2. Upgrading the old Quicknotes file
3. Batteries and no end
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Here a Request from me to all users with non-english/german machines! I dont know the 7 System Alarm sounds for any other machines! So, you will miss that Sounds for setting an Alarm, that are not in the Z:\System\Alarms\ folder.
These are, for english machines the sounds: Chimes,Rings,Signal,Silent
Or on german machines: Melodie,Klingel,Signal,Ruhe
If anyone mails me that Informations for his machine language, I will implement it in the next Release (:-))
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1. Upgraders: (Whats new)
V1.4 Prerelease
For the final 1.4 there will be no other changes, exept of Bugfixes and that (after Macro5 2.37 is released) all language dependent Sendkeys used by Assistant will be replaced with the new SendRsckey:
Added Italian Language (including Italian Help)
Many thanks to Lucio Luigi Vitagliani for the translation :-))
There are currently also translations in work for the following languages:
French, Spanish, Portuguese
Added "Jump to folder" (see Macro5 2.37)
Data files moved to Drive C:, if Assistant is installed on D: (for speed reasons)
Upgraders: The files are automatically moved, first time you run the new version.
Fixed mostly problems with Allegro and Calligrapher.
Macros should run correctly now. Also any paste commands, used by Assistant itself (as cliptexts). Calligrapher (or Allegro) will stay in front, whilst executing the Macro. An exception is (at the moment), that if you are e.g. in Word, Assistant is running, and you start then Calligrapher, you may have to press your cycle Hotkey(see below) once, to foreground word again.
The second is, Assistant uses at the moment for the "Jotter" (for "in work" and to save an entry) Command "Sendpenclick", because I don't know the Hotkeys for changing font and saving on other language machines. This causes troubles, if the Calligrapher window is in the screen area, where the Sendpenclick commands are executet. This will be changed all in the final Version, as soon as Macro5 2.37 is released. Assistant will then use for all machines the respective Hotkey for any language.
Assistant supports now two Jotter files (if you are fancy):
The normal Notes, and if you like to have them in a seperate file: Tasks
The same files, just the name differs. You can, if you will use it, access the functions like:
ft... Find Task
nt New Task
ta Foreground the Taskfile
cn (as usual) manipulate Task
I have also implemented a "Compact Notes/Tasks", to compact the files, as Data doesn't this very regulary:
Type "cnotes", for the Notes file
"ctasks", for the Taskfile
Totally rewritten the "Kill/Close Tasks". It works much better now, and the "Close all" has been enhanced
Users of a Rom 1.00
Caused by a Bug in the Rom, Help files are not handled correctly!
As a solution, rename "Assistant.hlp" to "Help". If you call the Help from the Menu or "hlp" in the editwindow, Assistant will search for it and foreground it like the real help file.
Added two extra Hotkeys, which are by default disabled:
One, to display a Tasklist, the other for Taskcycling.
Added a Backlight/Contrast setting at Switchon, similiar to that in Macro5
The needed files to run Escript Macros are now available for Download also from my Homepage. Updated the Help file with the new functions.
Splitted the Readme in InstallS5.wrd with Installation details, and ReadmeS5.wrd with the News and History.
V1.4Beta21
Anyone, running a Rom 1.00 machine: You will probably having troubles with the help file: This is caused by a bug in the 1.00 Rom, handling help files not correctly! Some users mailed me, that after renaming the Help file to : Assistant, they had no troubles. I'm working on a solution :-)
Fixed Bug, Calling currencies, updating or deleting will not work!
Added Alarmsounds and Hotkeys for Notes (Edit entry, update Entry) for the french machines.
V1.4 Beta2
Fixed Bug, Hotkey not responding after some Menuoptions.
This Bug caused Problems aso wth the Help file.
As I've getting rid of the problems with the Mainscreen and Menu, I have decided, to change the Program slightly:
If you select the running Program from the Tasklist or Extrasbar, not the Mainscreen, but the Editwindow appears! Menu is only available now from the edit window by typing # or at Programstart.
Added "Macro at Startup" and "Macro at Switchon" functions. Macro at Startup will, if enabled, run a Macro every time, you start Assistant. Macro at Switchon will, if enabled, run a Macro (between predefined times), every time, you switch on the machine.
Fixed a problem with "compact", where Assistant cancels the compact function, if file is open or writeprotected
Removed the 100 items limit for all functions like Cliptexts, Keystrokes, currencies, Shortcuts...
V1.4Beta
Assistant is now an App with its own Icon (UID: 268441650)
Assistant has now a help file (refer to this for the new functions)
As extensive changes have been made (nearly 65% of the code has been rewritten), I have decided, to bring it out first as Beta. Please try it and report any Bugs !!!
Extracted all Messages to external Rsc-files, to support other languages:
Assistant is currently available in german and english.
By default, Assistant uses the english Rsc file (Language.rsc) If you want to run the program in German, move to the Assistant folder,delete Language.rsc and rename German.rsc to Language.rsc
If you think, that there would be people interested also for your language, contact me. I will mail you the file, where you have to translate the messages for your language.
Note/Taskmanager has now full support for categories. Also procedure has been enhanced. You can now reverse the "in work", change simply Date or Priority.
Kill/Close shortcut has changed from "k" to "kk"
Support now for Keystrokes (Sinple and complex)
New function: Insert Special character (.)
New function: Automatic change to Upper/lower case (ul)
New function : Disable/Enable Backlighttimer, set Switchofftime (bl)
Hotkey-procedure has changed to same as in Macro5 !!! It may therefore be possible, that you have to setup the Hotkey again !!!
Assistant is now only compatible with Macro5 2.35 upwards
!!! If you are a user of Backlite+ or Extrabars from Jason K., you will be pleasured to hear, that Assistant now supports Escript/Backlite-Macros!!!
cosmetic changes (like: Filemanager remembers last file and path, if default path is not used or set to "C:\", Setting an Alarm, actual time is shown instead of 00:00, and the Alarmsounds are automatically found.On "Program,Macro,Cliptext not found, you are presented with the list of all existing ..., Graphical Battery checker displays now also the "System messages": + for good, L for Low,R for Replace, E for empty)
Shipped around a System Bug for many File selectors, displaying also non-valid files before the folder once has been changed or showing System folder only after Disk has been changed one time.. (E.g. diplaying also non Agenda,-Data files for the Compact function.
Fixed a problem, on trying to paste a cliptext beginning with "o", getting an error (caused by the set contrast procedure beginning with "co"). (Hopefully) fixed a Bug, that,after running some rare Macros, and pressing the Hotkey, you were presented with the main screen instead of the Edit window.
In the calculator you can now use the result for further calculations.
Assistant has now the option, to be closed for Backups (like Macro5)
This solves also some problems with Startup and other Apps, which couldn't close Assistant.
You can define a folder, where you usually store your Sound files: If you do so, typing "w" for "Play sound", the initial choice will be this folder.
.....
Please refer to the Installation section for a successfull upgrading!
And please !!! Run all Sis files, to make sure, that the actual Versions of all needed OPX libraries will be installed !
V1.3
Anyone who has already message suite 1.5: Assistant will check for Textcv.app, and if found, starting the files with endings *.txt *.me, *.1st,*.now directly. also, in the "open text file" (txt), any selectet file will be directly converted and if not, the normal procedure as you know it is started.
Same for microsoft word97,95 files (*.doc)) , but if not installed, action will be cancelled !!!
Added a Compactor for Data and Agenda files
Added a Currency converter
Added a "History list" for the edit window
Extended the Quicknotes to a little Note/Task manager (Quicknotes can be upgraded with a few restrictions, but will be compatible, for those, who are happy with it!)
If you have the Message suite, you can use the following two new items:
1.Assistant supports now the files *.Htm and *.Html
2.Hyperlinks can now be Email addresses (recognized by the @ character) and are starting the Email Applikation, creating a new mail, ready with the Address
All views are now sorted in alphabetical order
Links to no more existing Files, or Aliases to no more existing folders can be updated or deleted now.
The built in Mbm Viewer handles now correctly also Multibitmaps, in which the different Bitmaps have different sizes.
The Hotkey for System, "S" has changed to "sy". This is caused by the changes for the History list.
(Updated sections in the Manual are marked with ***, so if you like to read only changes, you could repeatedlly search for the ***)
The manual has now a Future plans section.
Added some comments to the Battery section at the end of the manual.
V1.2
Rewritten the still buggy "Textviewer" (see later)
Fixed some problems with "Sun", calculating only first found city
Added "Hyperlink"-function
Added simple "Finger11" function
Added a "Quicknote" taking facility
You can now update in Cliptexts and file Shortcuts also the caption.
Added a "Paste path" function (similiar to the Macro Copypath. Helpfull for the Hyperlink function)
Removed Systinfo and Instexe.exe from Zip, because the new Versions of Macro5 include them.
V1.11
This is just a Release for a Bugfix. In V1.1, setting a Password, and it is longer than 4 Characters, the message appeared, "Error in... String too long"
The following two cosmetic changes have also been made:
The Calculator supports now also "×" and "÷" instead of "*" and"/".
The "FileManager" function keys I changed from single keys to "Ctrl+Keys", because anyone selecting files usual with letter, not arrow keys may get troubles.
It may be, that from time to time you will find on my Homepage such Bugfix Versions. Theese will not have major changes, and if you dont have problems with your current Version, theres no need to download it!
V1.1:
Removed all those silly bugs:
Fixed problem on typing "sun" not starting Sunlight calculation, but searching for Shortcut!
If no Shortcuts were defined, a message did appear, displaying "to create one, type "nf" instead of "ns".
City function now has correct formatting of lat, long in degrees
Also, time difference is shown now in hours and minutes
Fixed problem, a File link (s) in Macros folder would not start the Document, if it is not a Macro
Fixed bug, "opo"-files not running correctly.
Enhanced "a bit" the "close all Files" function. (If only System and Assistant remaining, automatic ending. No more required to press "Del"). Also I've fixed the problem, that Macro5 has been started, if it was not running .
Removed case sensibility for file Shortcuts, as I think its better.
Fixed Bug, "Read Txt file" not working correct, if started from within Word.
Fixed Bug, Password functions worked sometimes, sometimes not
Fixed Bug, after creating a Folder alias, and folder is "C:\" or "D:\" showing message "Folder not found". This seems to be a "exotic" thing on the Series 5, as testing for existance of the root Directories with e.g. "If exist("C:\")" returns not the correct value!
If you found other Bugs, and they were not fixed, it is because you did not contact me :-( and told me about.
For being more configurable, you can optionally set a "full" value now in Battery preferences.
This causes, that if you are upgrading from V1.0, you must delete your old ini.file. (Only this ! , not the Clips.dat, documents ....)
Updated procedure of handling bmp,aif etc. It is also possible now, to start gif- files, as Version 2.1 of MbmView support them now.
The Zip procedure has been totally rewritten, because the new Version of S5Zip recognizes now Zip files. So, you can open a Zip file by creating a link (ns) or by selecting it from a folder alias or the "d" file selector. S5zip is launched quickly with the respective file!
Added function "l", switch the Link on, but to "last used" (ifrared or cable). This is faster than "lc" or "li", because no "sendkey" is used.
"Quick-time" now inncludes weeknumber and disappears automatically after 5 seconds, if no key is pressed.
"Set Alarm" now starts not from the "last slot", but from the first.
Added new function "Edit Macro", which foregrounds the Source file of a Macro for editing (if found)
Added "Delete Macro", which deletes both a Macro module and its Source file.
Changed the "Document-starter" (d) to be a little Filemanager.
3. Upgrading Quicknotes to Notes
Users of Quicknotes: If you wish to upgrade, you have the following possibilities:
1.) Ouch !!! Delete the Quicknotes file, and use the Notes file :-(
2.) Oh, God: Open both Quicknotes and Notes
Do for every note the following: go to the note, select "Edit entry" from the menu, copy the text (ctrl+c), foreground the Notes file, select "New entry", and paste the copied text (ctrl+v). Note, the date and time fields are not compatible ! You will loose the infos. You could automate this procedure by recording a macro for it! This could look like this:
Proc macro:
Local number%,a%
Rem Enter for number% the number of recoords in your quicknotes file
Number%=40
While a%<=Number%
If fgdoc%:("C:\Macros\Assistant\Quicknotes")
pause 90
endif
Sendkey:("Ctrl+Shift+e") Rem Edit entry for english Psions
Sendkey:("Ctrl+c")
Sendkey:("Esc")
Sendkey:("Enter") Rem next record
Pause 20
If fgdoc%:("C:\Macros\Assistant\Notes")
pause 90
endif
Sendkey:("Ctrl+Shift+n") Rem new entry on english Psions
Sendkey:("Ctrl+v,Ctrl+s") Rem Paste and save Record
a%=a%+1
endwh
Endp
Rem I did not test this, but it should work.
3.) You could also rename Quicknotes or move it to another Folder, and assign a Shortcut to it, to have access to your already taken notes, and use the new one afterwards.
Batteries and no end
I want here to say some words to the never ending discussion off the Battery consumption.
First to the graphical Battery checker:
I´ve found out, during developing this program, that the Battery Voltage, returned by the Sysinfo.opx should be very correct. But the Voltage is extremely depending on things like, is Backlight on, how many tasks are running, the colours of the screen etc. So, you could get a Voltage of 2,4 Volt, turn the Backlight on, and would find, that the Voltage is 2,2 Volt. Caused by this, the percentage of the Batteries is sunken. On the other hand, if you plug in the mains adapter, you wil find after a time, that the Voltage has raised. Dont expect though, that if you use Accus, that they has been charged ! To avoid to much differences in that point, I didn´t use the normal value for Max. Batterievolt: 3,1 Volt, but 2,8 V. If you dont like this Value, you can set a different in the preferences. Second, you can configure a Voltage, to warn you, if the Voltage sinks below this value. By default this is set to 2,2 V (2200 mv). This is, in my opinion a typical Value, of becoming things "dangerous". If you want to be be warned earlier, set the Value higher!
This values will also be used for the Batteries percentage. So, the % shown, will be the % of the Values 2,8 V and 2,2 V. I find, that this, except of the very last minutes of power, returns very stable values.
I´ve chosen 2,8 V, because the value of 3,1 V will never be reached!
If you use Alkalines (poor boy), the value may be at the very first minutes up to 2,9 V, but rapidly sink to 2,7V. Until that point, the Battery will be shown full and the percentage as 100%.
What Batteries should one use:
A good question: I will answer here to it:
What do you use your Psion to:
If you use it to find once a day a telephone number, or writing once a week some notes:
You MUST use Alkalines, in addition, if you have a mains adapter, leave it plugged in! where ever possible.
See below.
If you use it once a month (? , why did you buy it), use Alkalines or Lithium Batteries. A mains adapter is a must for you! Whenever you are not using it, you should let it plugged in !!!
See below.
Id you use it for one or two hours a day, use Nicd- Accus (best 800 or 900 mah)
See below
If one uses it about 5 or 6 hours minimum a day, in other words: me, use NiMH-Accus
Or you will spend all your nice money for Batteries or are „bound“ to the cable of the mains adapter!
Why this all?:
The different types of Batteries have good and bad sides.
So, Alkalines: have the most capacity:( Duracell Titanum up to 2100 mah)
They have 1,5 V and the self discharging rate is very low. You can keep them in your house for at least 5 years, and they will have almost 80 percent of their power. The bad side is:
Especially on the Series 5, as it pulls much power of it, the Voltage will sink after a short time rapidly more and more, and you cant use all its power at all on the Series5!
So I´ve got after about 5 hours of use the message, that battery is to low for playing sounds and after 10 hours, no more Backlight. The longest time I used one Set was about 14 Hours, although this is really a torturial!, when you have whether Sound nor light, nor you can save a document to Disk or even translate a small program.
NiCd: They have much lesser power (up to 900 mah), and the self discharge rate is much higher! So, if you would use your Psion once a month, you could be presented with an empty screen: because if the batteries finished, the Backup-Battery must „die“ and this will be very soon! As they are getting cheaper and cheaper, you will save lots of money. They have about twice the price of Alkalines, but you can recharge them up to a few hundred times!
Somewhere these day I found an article (at 5 Alive or Total S5), that someone found out with accurate machines, that the Series 5 Battery consumption is still surprisingly high, if it is switched off!!!
So be aware. On the other hand, Nicd, as well as NiMh-Accus, have at begin a lower Voltage than Alkalines (1,25 Volt, in the Psion about 2,7 Volt. When they are full), but keep this value very stable till the bitter end. So you can use them only up to about 6 or 7 hours, maybe lesser, but you will have access to Sound and Backlight until a few minutes, before they are empty!
NimH : The newer generation of Accus are free from harmful things, provide a very high capacity for Accus (about 1000 to 1200 mah), but have a extremely high self discharge rate! The price is again, about twice that of NiCd, although they ere getting also cheaper in the last time
So, they are best, if you work your Psion all day (up to 10 hours is the live), but if you leave them in for about 10 days without of using, they will be empty!!!
*** These days I bought a new Set of NimH Accus with a nominal capacity of 1.500 mah !!! I've used them now a few times, and must say, I'm very pleasured. I've got out about 1650 mah, about 15 hours, a value, that is very near to Alkalines. And the price? about 6,5 US$ or 12.-DM for one piece.
But after using them about 6 or 7 times, you start to save money at all ! ***
They have also the advantage, unlike Nicd-Accus, that they have no „memory effect“.
This means: If you don't use several times a Nicd accu until he is empty, then if you charge it again, he
will loose quickly his power, and if you do this several times, from a 900mah Accu, you will get a 500mah Accu. Modern chargers for Accus therefore have a function, to empty the Accu, before charging it again.
For both, NiCd and NiMH (Nickle Cadmium / Nickle Metal Hydride) the good thing is, that they are best for things, pulling much power, as the Series5 and Flashs for Foto cameras, Walkmans ...
In every case, if you use Accus, you should work with at least 2 Sets (I use 3)
One, that is in the machine, one that is charged ready for use for the time, until the empty Set must be charged. I for my own, have one Set in the machine, one in my pocket and (when the machines one is getting weak,) one Set in the charger, where they are in a mode, where they are kept on their full power. Most modern chargers have this mode. Note also, that Accus, unlike Alkalines, love cold temperatures. Alkalines are not working good in cold temperatures, and if you use them outside, and it is cold, it could happen, that your Psion does not work (or very slowly). If you occur something like that, take out the Batteries and warm them up in your hands a bit. Accus, instead, will self discharge much quicker, if you keep them at a warm place, e.g. the pockets of your trousers.
There are also available the new Lithium Batteries, which have the advantage, that they can be stored for about 10 Years without loosing much of its power!. They have about 30% less the weight of Alkalines. They are, though, extremely expensive (up to 5 times the value of Alkalines). They keep their Voltage more stable than Alkalines, and have a higher nominal Capacity (about up to 2800 mah).
Because of that points, you should use such Batteries only, if you use your Psion very, very seldom.
*** Nowadays there is also available a new type of "Rechargable Alkalines"
and Rechargable Alkali-Mangan Batteries. I did not test them, so I can only tell you, what I heard, or what people are mailing me:
The main thing is: Like Alkalines, they have a nominal Voltage of 1,5 V. If you buy them, they are fully charged (unlike normal Accus). You can not charge them with normal Nicd or NimH- Chargers. You will have to get a specia charger, because of the higher Voltage. These chargers are still quite expensive. For the case of the rechargable Alkalines: Note, you MUST NOT empty them, but you have to recharge them, the sooner, the better. At least, if you used them have of the capacity, you should recharge them, otherwise, they will not get their power again. If you do your job correct, you can use, recharge them about 25-30 times. Every time, though, their capacity will get lower! Their nominal power, when they are new, is usually 1000 mah or 1500 mah. Unlike other Accus, the selfdischarge rate is very small. The price is still very high !!!. For people who use their Psion very often, my personal opinion is: Not the best choice. Maybe, if they get cheaper, and the technology for this Batteries give them a higher life time, things may change.
If I am wrong or you have a other opinion, tell me your expieriences.
Cheers,
Mario