PsiRisc


This is the name IMS have given to their RISC OS transfer software, version 0·04 of which is now available. It links Acorn and Psion machines, covering the Psion Series 3, 3a, 3c, Siena and Series 5, as well as the Geofox One. On the Acorn side you need a machine with RISC OS 3·1 or above. The software integrates seamlessly with RISC OS (there is nothing to install on the Psion side) and your Psion appears as a device on the left side of the iconbar. It will backup and restore files automatically, and conversions will be built in for at least Data, Sheet and Word files. The introductory price is £44·99 including VAT and P&P, and IMS are also selling the transfer cable for Siena and S3c owners who haven't got one, and a four-way serial switch box. Registered users of their PsionFS S5 graphics converter will get a discount on the purchase price of the full package, bringing the cost down to £29·99, which represents excellent value for money.

File Conversion Window
File Conversion Window

Backing up is handled by saving all the files to a TAR archive, which allows the long file names used on the Series 5 to be preserved. The current release version doesn't talk to the 16-bit fileserver in the S5, or read the UIDs (the Psion equivalent of filetypes), but I've got a pre-release version that does both, and the first file convertor will join the S3c ones in a few weeks. Existing purchasers will get a free upgrade to the new version.

uids.gif - 42Kb


Filer Display in PsiRisc - With UIDs Read

As both PsiRisc and ArcLink5 are really works in progress, and as I've had the latter for far longer, a full comparative review would be unfair to both IMS and to Paul Vigay, so I won't do that until the features of each have been finally realised. What I will do is try to give you an idea of the scope of the two products. Although some of the features and aims of PsiRisc are the same as for ArcLink5, they are achieved in different ways, and will ultimately be different products.

One area where it scores dramatically is in the speed of opening directories. This is at least an order of magnitude quicker than with ArcLink5, and multiple directories can be open on the desktop at the same time. Moving and copying files around on the S5 is therefore exceedingly simple. If I were to compare it to anything else, I'd have to say it feels like a greatly souped-up version of PocketFS.
It detects whether it is connected to a Series 3 machine,
or a Series 5, changing the icon accordingly.
The fact that it also works on my Series 3a is a great bonus, as it means that I can use the one piece of software for both machines. In particular, if you want to connect a Siena to a RISC OS machine, then PsiRisc is the only way to achieve this.

long.gif - 27Kb


Filer Display With Long File Names

The pre-release version will do everything that ArcLink5 will. In addition it is faster in opening directories and has all the normal filer features (file sorting, icon details, etc.). It will also show the ROM (drive Z:) of the S5, allowing files to be examined or copied into RAM.

Conclusions
It's becoming clearer to pick between the two: PsiRisc is currently faster and more stable than ArcLink5, but a little more expensive. Whichever one you pick, it is excellent to have the choice of two products after months of doing the whole thing manually. If you want to see the up-to-date information from IMS, then keep an eye on the Psion / Acorn Connectivity Page on their site to learn more. They have now added the price and availability details to their announcement, and are still holding the introductory price at £44·99.
Alternatively, IMS will supply PsiRisc free with any Series 5 or Geofox One machine bought from them.
Contact them at:

Innovative Media Solutions Ltd
Box Bush Farm
West Wick
Weston-super-Mare
BS24 7TF
Tel (01934) 522 880
Fax (01934) 522 881

email: sales@ims-bristol.co.uk (Sales enquiries)
email: support@ims-bristol.co.uk (Technical support)

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