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<html><HEAD><title>Psion Faq in html</title></HEAD> <BODY> <BODY BACKGROUND="pics/marble.gif"> <CENTER><h1> PSION SERIES 3x FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS </CENTER> <img ALIGN=MIDDLE src="pics/s3a.gif"> <img src="pics/psion.gif"> <img ALIGN=MIDDLE src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <a href="#Index">FAQ Index</a> / <a href="#Part1">Part1</a> / <a href="#Part2">Part2</a> / <a href="#Part3">Part3</a> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <H7><CENTER>Original author: Chris Wesley </CENTER> <CENTER>Actual author & maintainer: <A HREF="mailto:Pfund3@uni2a.unique.ch">Daniel Pfund</A></CENTER> <CENTER> 01Nov95 </CENTER> <CENTER>Converted to HTML by <A HREF="mailto:Donald@hit.handshake.de">Markus Speicher</A></CENTER> <CENTER> 05Nov95 </CENTER></H7> <H7>Welcome to the FAQ for comp.sys.psion. Find the contents table below. Questions and constructive comments are welcome. Send them to me at: <A HREF="mailto:Pfund@uni2a.unige.ch"> Pfund@uni2a.unige.ch</A>.</H7> <H3><a name="Index">Index</H7> <PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <H3><a href="#Part1">Part I</a></H3> <a href="#I">I. DISCLAIMER</a> <a href="#II">II. CREDITS</a> <a href="#III">III. COPYRIGHT</a> <a href="#IV">IV. FAQ UPDATES</a> <a href="#V">V. WHERE CAN I GET THIS FAQ?</a> <a href="#VI">VI. NEWSGROUP NETIQUETTE</a> <a href="#1">1. INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION</a> 1.1 What is the Psion Series 3/3a? 1.2 What other machines does Psion make? 1.3 What other palmtop alternatives are there? 1.4 Where can I purchase a Psion? 1.5 How can I contact Psion? <a href="#2">2. HARDWARE</a> 2.1 Hardware specifications 2.2 What batteries does the Psion use? 2.3 How long do the batteries last? 2.4 Where can I find the backup battery? 2.5 Can I use an external power supply? 2.6 Can I upgrade my Solid State Disk (SSD)? 2.7 Can I upgrade my internal RAM? 2.8 Can I change the keyboard? 2.9 Can I use a big (normal) keyboard? 2.10 How do I make a serial link? 2.11 What is this "soap on a rope" thing? 2.12 How do I print with my Psion? 2.13 Can I take my Psion through an X-Ray machine? 2.14 Can my Psion wipe out magnetic data? <a href="#3">3. SOFTWARE</a> 3.1 How do I reset my Psion? 3.2 What is killing a process? 3.3 How can I save what's on the screen? 3.4 What is the soak test? <H3><a href="#Part2">Part II</a></H3> <a href="#4">4. TIPS & TRICKS FOR GENERAL USE</a> 4.1 Known hardware problems & solutions 4.2 Known software problems & solutions 4.3 User groups 4.4 Online services 4.5 Bulletin boards (BBSes) 4.6 Magazines <a href="#5">5. SHAREWARE AND FREEWARE</a> 5.1 Relevant FTP sites 5.2 How can I upload my software? 5.3 I've uploaded my soft, but it still doesn't appear, why? 5.4 WWW internet sites 5.5 Shareware for those without online access <a href="#6">6. CONNECTING YOUR PSION</a> 6.1 With an IBM or clone 6.2 With an Amiga 6.3 With a UNIX machine 6.4 With a Macintosh 6.5 With an Atari 6.6 With a modem 6.7 With a packet radio TNC 6.8 Terminal emulation <a href="#7">7. THE EMULATOR</a> 7.1 Limitations & bugs 7.2 Tips & tricks <a href="#8">8. PROGRAMMING</a> 8.1 Overview of development possibilities 8.2 OPL programming directly on the Psion 8.3 OPL programming from a PC 8.4 C Development on PC 8.5 Advanced C Development on a PC 8.6 Available books 8.7 How to do various things: tips & tricks <H3><a href="#Part3">Part III</a></H3> <a href="#A">A. SHAREWARE/FREEWARE AVAILABLE SOFTWARE</a> A.1 Applications A.2 Games <a href="#B">B. COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SOFTWARE, SERVICES & ACCESSORIES</a> B.1 Business & Legal B.2 Education B.3 Leisure & Guides B.4 Navigation B.5 Communcations B.6 Utilities B.7 Diet, Health & Safety B.8 Time Management B.9 Mapping & Surveying B.10 Services B.11 Books & Accessories </PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <a name="Part1"><H3>Part I</H3> <PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <a name="I">I. DISCLAIMER <PRE> This article is provided as is without any express or implied warranties. While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this article, neither the authors, the maintainer or the contributors will assume responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein. This document is compiled in spare time for free, and I cannot resource thorough checking of all its contents. However, I am interested in making the FAQ as good as it can be, so your constructive feedback is welcome. </PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <A NAME="II">II. CREDITS</A> <PRE> To create this document Chris (the original FAQ author) reviewed the Newsgroup activity at comp.sys.psion over some months, used that to generate a list of Frequently Asked Questions, used THAT to generate a FAQ structure, then populated it with extracted wisdom from the news traffic. So a lot of information here is provided by the newsgroup contributors, who are too numerous to credit individually. (Chris said "I'm just the clerk that put it all in one place.") Special thanks go to Markus Illenseer, who owned the first (Series 3) FAQ - from which Chris also extracted useful information. Chris also thanked Clive D.W. Feather, Daniel Senie, Roger Burton-West, for extensive helpful comments on his preliminary FAQ. I would like to thank Mark Gould and Jason Savage for their precious help and comments. Other contributors are credited in the sections they provided special help in compiling. If you have a question which is not answered in the actual FAQ, please Email it to me (Daniel), otherwise if you want more information from one specific section of this FAQ, please try to contact the author of that section first. All the Email addresses of people mentioned in this FAQ are listed here for convenience (in alphabetical order): Andrew Baldwin <A HREF="mailto:Andrew-Baldwin@psion.com">Andrew-Baldwin@psion.com</A> Roger Burton-West <A HREF="mailto:rburton@nyx10.cs.du.edu">rburton@nyx10.cs.du.edu</A> Steve Clack <A HREF="mailto:sclack@cix.compulink.co.uk">sclack@cix.compulink.co.uk</A> Alban Debeaupuis <A HREF="mailto:A.Debeau@ellis.fdn.org">A.Debeau@ellis.fdn.org</A> Tom Dolbilin <A HREF="mailto:tdolby@ncsa.uiuc.edu">tdolby@ncsa.uiuc.edu</A> Clive D.W. Feather <A HREF="mailto:clive@demon.net">clive@demon.net</A> Mark Gould <A HREF="mailto:Mark.Gould@bris.ac.uk">Mark.Gould@bris.ac.uk</A> Markus Illenseer <A HREF="mailto:Markus@tiger.teuto.de">Markus@tiger.teuto.de</A> Eric Johansen <A HREF="mailto:ej@id.dtu.dk">ej@id.dtu.dk</A> Dan Ko <A HREF="mailto:daniel@danielko.demon.co.uk">daniel@danielko.demon.co.uk</A> Roger Muggleton <A HREF="mailto:hzk@cix.compulink.co.uk">hzk@cix.compulink.co.uk</A> Daniel Pfund <A HREF="mailto:Pfund3@uni2a.unige.ch">Pfund3@uni2a.unige.ch</A> Angus Rae <A HREF="mailto:angusr@festival.ed.ac.uk">angusr@festival.ed.ac.uk</A> Jason Savage <A HREF="mailto:Jason_Savage@MBnet.MB.CA">Jason_Savage@MBnet.MB.CA</A> Daniel Senie <A HREF="mailto:dts@world.std.com">dts@world.std.com</A> Oliver Wagner <A HREF="mailto:O.Wagner@pluribus.wupper.de">O.Wagner@pluribus.wupper.de</A> Lloyd Wasser <A HREF="mailto:LWasser@infowave.net">LWasser@infowave.net</A> </PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <A NAME="III">III. COPYRIGHT</A> <PRE> I assert copyright on this document. I encourage you to distribute it widely, but only in its complete and original form and if you do not make any money out of it. </PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <A NAME="IV">IV. FAQ UPDATES</A> <PRE> For the time being at least, I (Daniel) am the keeper of the FAQ. If you have comments or suggestions, corrections, or you have some information you want to see added or a request that I find some new answers, please let me know. Please contact me via the Email address at the top of the FAQ, or if that address doesn't work temporarily (happens around end of october, when I have to reapply for a new account), then contact me at: pfund@cyberspace.org which works all year, but isn't checked out very often and is of very slow access. </PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <A NAME="V">V. WHERE CAN I GET THIS FAQ?</A> <PRE> NOTE: In the (near) future only! You're reading it aren't you? SAVE it :-). This article is posted monthly to comp.sys.psion and cross-posted to comp.sys.palmtops, comp.answers, and news.answers. It is therefore archived at any site that archives news.answers. News.answers is archived on rtfm.mit.edu, and this article is available there via anonymous ftp in the directory /pub/usenet/news.answers/palmtops/psion/partX. If you do not have anonymous ftp but only Email, you can use the mailserver at rtfm: send a message containing the lines "help" and "index" to mail-server@rtfm.mit.edu for information on how to obtain it. Other news.answers/FAQ archives are: cnam.cnam.fr (163.173.128.6) in the anonymous ftp directory /pub/FAQ; ftp.uu.net (192.48.96.2) in the anonymous ftp directory /pub/usenet (also available via mail server requests to netlib@uunet.uu.net, or via uunet's 1-900 anonymous UUCP phone number); and ftp.cs.ruu.nl (131.211.80.17) in the anonymous ftp directory NEWS.ANSWERS (also accessible via mail server requests to mail-server@cs.ruu.nl). Many of specific Psion FTP archives mentioned in this FAQ also maintain current versions of this document. Please do NOT Email me or anybody else mentioned in this FAQ for the latest version. We simply cannot handle such matters effectively. </PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <A NAME="VI">VI. NEWSGROUP NETIQUETTE</A> <PRE> I thought it might be useful to include a few words about using the comp.sys.psion newsgroup. We get a steady trickle of transgressions and the ensuing admonishments. Maybe we can fix these before they happen in future. Egg-sucking grannies may skip this section. (Does that work outside the UK?) a)DON'T BE RUDE. Obvious ? Apparently not. Our newsgroup is an oasis of civilization in a sea of adolescent vitriol and worse. Let's keep it that way. Say it nicely or don't say it at all. If you need to be uncomfortably direct, do it in personal mail - don't post it. b)When responding to a post, most handlers will give you an edit pad with the original post inserted. Delete most of this, leaving only the part which will set the context for your reply. This is more effective communication, it cuts down on crud to scan through, and reduces phone bills for those that pay them. c)Official NETIQUETTE says you should not use the net for advertising, but the prevalent view here is that the current level of activity is useful without being obtrusive. d)Posting binaries is definitively not recommended on the comp.sys.psion usenet group! There is a seperate Psion binaries group called comp.binaries.psion which is a moderated group. The moderator is Eric Johansen. If you wish to post to this group, either Email your binary directly to the news group's Email address: <mailto:psion-binaries@id.dtu.dk> and it will arrive to the moderator or if your news program is configured correctly, post it directly to the group. You will receive a message in return usually in a laps of 2-3 days maximum to confirm your binary. It has been agreed that very large programs which are not Psion specific (ie: don't run directly on the Psion) should NOT be posted there but to the relevant computer group. But you should send a small message to the comp.binaries.psion group stating that you have just posted your program. It is also nice if you include a little description of your binary; it helps to know if it's worth downloading it or not! All postings to this group have been archived and are indexed on an FTP site: <ftp://ftp.id.dtu.dk/pub/psion/index.html>. e)Consider whether you should be mailing or posting. PING-PONG personal dialogues may - or may not - be of interest to others. If not, please don't post. </PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <A NAME="1">1. INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION</A> <PRE> 1.1 What is the Psion Series 3/3a? I will describe the more advanced 3a here. Refer to the hardware section to see what you lose on the Series 3. The Psion Series 3 and 3a are palmtop computers. Though packaged as personal organisers, they are fully general, programmable, powerful computers. The quality of the built-in applications, coupled with the power saving hardware make Series 3's excellent personal organisers. The sophisticated operating system, the hardware, the built-in programming language, and the options to program in C and assembler make them excellent general-purpose computers, with the major benefits of compactness and battery endurance. Optional link facilities can connect the Series 3 to desktop machines, allowing data backup and access to the resources of the larger machine from the Series 3. Modems, fax modems, printers and other peripherals may also be connected via industry-standard serial and parallel interfaces. The built-in applications include a database manager, a sophisticated word processor, time manager, world date/time and dialling codes database, calculator and spreadsheet. The latest models (1Mb and 2Mb RAM models) also include the spell checker/thesaurus and a patience game (solitaire card game). Many other applications are available commercially and from shareware outlets. More details elsewhere in the FAQ. The built-in OPL programming system provides a structured BASIC-like programming language with access to all the features of the machine. This includes the ability to program polished Windows/Icons/Menus interfaces like those found in the built-in applications. The sound interface can record and playback digital sound. DTMF dialling tones can be created which allow the Series 3a to dial numbers directly through a telephone. 1.2 What other machines does Psion make? 1.2.1 WorkAbout This is the latest Psion machine. Very comparable to a Psion Series 3a, it is more robust and has an A-Z keyboard. One nice point: a back lit screen is present. Targeted at the vertical market, thus not so well know to the big public. 1.2.2 Acorn Pocket Book Re-badged Series 3a, aimed at education-related markets. Contains all the 3a applications, though named differently, plus a spell checker, thesaraus and a graph plotting application in a 2MB ROM (versus 1MB for Series 3a). Password protection capability is removed. Costs about 20 GBP more than a 3a. 1.2.3 Series 3 The immediate predecessor to the Psion Series 3a is the Series 3. It is the same machine in size and concept, but is more limited in many respects. See the hardware comparison table in section 2a for a list of differences. 1.2.4 Organiser II series: CM - available in 16K only, 16x2 screen, limited software XP - available in 16K or 32K, 16x2 screen, limited software (database, OPL) LZ - available in 32K or 64K (LZ64), 20x4 screen, introduced notepad (basic text processor), dialing codes database, on-screen clock) 1.3 What other palmtop alternatives are there? (by Jason Savage) See section 2.1 for the Psion Series 3 and 3a hardware specifications. Make: Apple Model: Newton MessagePad 120 Processor Model: ARM 610 Speed: 20 Mhz Bit size: 32-bit Display Type: Monochrome, reflective LCD Pixel Screen size: 320 x 240 Memory Size: 1MB RAM (385K user data & 639K system) or 2MB RAM (1,361K user data & 687K system) Expansion slots Type: Type II PC-Card (PCMCIA 2.0) Number: 1 Dimensions Size (W x D x H): 10.16 x 20.32 x 2.9 cm (4.0" x 8.0" x 1.2") Weight: 480 grams (16 ounces) Power Requirements Batteries: 4 x AA (main) & 1 x CR2032 (backup) Battery Life (Approx): Up to 22 hours Provision for AC Adaptor: Yes Input/Output Ports Serial (max speed): Yes, RS-422 8-pin DIN (230,000 bps) Parallel: No Infrared: Yes, (38,400 bps) Other: Optional FAX modem Keyboard: Yes, Popup virtual keyboard (QWERTY, Numeric, & Phone pad) Included Applications: * Newton Intelligence (Handwriting Recognition, Object Oriented Database Programming language and Communications services) * Calendar (like Agenda) * NewtonMail (email client) * To-Do Lists (like Agenda) * Rolodex-like Address Book (like Data) * Digital Ink ScratchPad * Calculator (like Calc) * World Time Clock (like World) * Dictionary (13,000 words) * Notion List Manager (like Data) Make: Casio Model: Z-7000 (AKA: Zoomer, Tandy Z-PDA, AST GRiDPad 2390) Processor Model: NEC V20 Speed: 7.7Mhz Bit size: 16-bit Display Type: Monochrome reflective, touchscreen Pixel Screen size: 320 x 256 Memory Size: 1 Mb (384K user data & 640K system) Expansion slots Type: Type II PC-Card (PCMCIA 2.0) Number: 1 Dimensions Size (W x D x H): 10.76 x 17.62 x 2.6 cm (4.2" x 6.8" x 1") Weight: 430 grams (15.2 ounces) Power Requirements Batteries: 3 x AA (main) & 2 x CR2032 (backup) Battery Life (Approx): Up to 90 hours Provision for AC Adaptor: Yes Input/Output Ports Serial (max speed): Yes, 10-pin, (19,200 bps) Parallel: No Infrared: Yes, (9600, Casio) Other: Round telescoping pen Keyboard: Yes, Virtual Pop-up software QWERTY, A-Z or International Included Applications: * Date Book (like Agenda) * Address Book (like Data) * Note Book (Digital Ink Scratchpad & Document Manager with outliner) * Pocket Quicken (Financial Organiser) * America Online (Access software for the service provider of the same name) * Calculator (like Calc) * Forms Calculator * World Clock (like World) * Language Translator (26 languages & up 1000 words per language) * Games (Solitaire, Pyramid Solitaire & UKI) * File Manager * Consumer Information * U.S. Information * World Information Make: Hewlett Packard Model: 200LX Processor Model: Intel 80C186 Speed: 7.91 MHz Bit size: 16-bit Display Type: CGA-compatible FTN liquid crystal Pixel Screen size: 640 x 200 Memory Size: 1 or 2MB of RAM Expansion slots Type: Type II PC-Card (PCMCIA 2.0) Number: 1 Dimensions Size (W x D x H): 16 x 8.64 x 2.54 cm (6.3" x 3.4" x 1") Weight: 312 grams (11 ounces) Power Requirements Batteries: 2xAA (main) & 1xCR2032 (backup) Battery Life (Approx): ? Provision for AC Adaptor: Yes Input/Output Ports Serial (max speed): Yes, 9-wire (115K?) Parallel: No Infrared: Yes Other: No Keyboard: Yes, QWERTY Included Applications: * Pocket Quicken (Financial Organiser) * cc:Mail (E-mail client) * Data Communications (VT-100, ANSI & TTY emulation) * Lotus 1-2-3 r.2.4 (like Sheet) * Laplink (like Remote Link) for file transfers * Appointment Book (like Agenda) * Phone Book (like Data) * HP financial calculator (like Calc) * Memo editor with outliner (like Word) * Notetaker (like Notepad) * Database (like Data) * Filer (like File Manager) * Worldtime & Stopwatch (like World) * System Macros * Application Manager * Setup Utility Make: Hewlett Packard Model: OmniGo 100 Organizer Plus Processor Model: Intel 80C186 compatible Speed: 16 Mhz Bit size: 16-bit Display Type: FSTN LCD with Touchscreen Pixel Screen size: 240 x 240 Memory Size: 1MB RAM Expansion slots Type: Type II PC-Card (PCMCIA 1.0: SRAM memory cards no Flash or Modems) Number: 1 Dimensions Size (W x D x H): 15.3 x 9.5 x 2.6 cm (6" x 3.7" x 1") Weight: 329 grams (11.6 ounces) Power Requirements Batteries: 2 x AA (main) & 1 x CR2032 (backup) Battery Life (Approx): ? Provision for AC Adaptor: No Input/Output Ports Serial (max speed): Yes, 10-wire, (?) Parallel: No Infrared: No Other: Yes, Pen Keyboard: Yes, QWERTY (5 function keys) Included Applications: * Appointment book (like Agenda) * Phonebook (like Data) * Notepad (like Word) * Database (like Data) * Worldtime and stopwatch (like World) * Jotter (Digital Ink Scratchpad) * Geoworks Book Reader * Financial Tools * Spreadsheet (like Sheet) * Emulated HP 12C financial calculator (like Calc) * Graffiti handwriting system (handwriting recognition) * Transfer (like Remote Link) * Setup Utility (like Install) * Solitaire Make: Motorola Model: Envoy Communicator Processor Model: Motorola Dragon 68349 Speed: 16 Mhz Bit size: 32-bit Display Type: Reflective FSTN Touch Screen Pixel Screen size: 480 x 320 Memory Size: 1 MB Expansion slots Type: Type II PC-Card (PCMCIA 2.0) slots Number: 2 Dimensions Size (W x D x H): 14.8 x 19.2 x 2.9 cm (5.8" x 7.6" x 1.2") Weight: 770 grams (1.7 pounds) Power Requirements Batteries: Rechargeable Ni-Cad (main) & 1 x CR2032 (backup) Battery Life (Approx): 8 hours Provision for AC Adaptor: Yes, combined with Charger Input/Output Ports Serial (max speed): Yes, 14-pin MagicBus (38,400 bps) Parallel: Yes, MagicBus Infrared: Yes, FSK compliant Other: 2 round full length pens, 4800 bps send/receive radio packet modem, 9600 bps FAX send modem & 2400 bps data modem Keyboard: Optional, QWERTY Included Applications: * Date Book (like Agenda) * World Time Clock (like World) * Address Book (like Data) * Notebook (like Agenda To-Do List) * Calculator (like Calc) * America Online (connection software for the service provider of the same name) * AT&T PersonaLink (connection software for the service provider of the same name) * SmartWallet Make: Sharp Model: ZR-5000 & ZR-5000FX AKA: Zaurus K-PDA Processor Model: Sharp Proprietary Speed: ? Bit size: 16-bit Display Type: DFSTN LCD, Touch screen (finger or stylus) Pixel Screen size: 320 x 240 Memory Size: 1MB RAM (750k user data & 250K system) Expansion slots Type: Type II PC-Card (PCMCIA 2.0) Number: 1 Dimensions Size (W x D x H): 17.0 x 10.0 x 2.54 cm (6.7" x 3.9" x 1.0") Weight: 385 grams (13.6 ounces approx.) Power Requirements Batteries: 2 x AA (main) & 1 x CR-2032 (backup) Battery Life (Approx): Up to 60 hours (~2 months) Provision for AC Adaptor: Yes Input/Output Ports Serial (max speed): Yes, 15-pin proprietary, (19,200 bps) Parallel: No Infrared: Yes, (IrDA & ASK Compliant) Other: Round pen & FAX modem with ZR-5000FX Keyboard: Yes, QWERTY configuration Included Applications: * Activities (like Agenda) * Contacts (like Data) limited to 3 files * Data Files (also like Data) limited to 3 files * Notes (Digital Ink Scratchpad) * Documents (like Word) with Spell Checker * Outline (like Outline mode in Word) * Home & World Clocks (like Time & World) * Calculator (like Calc) * Filer (Manages Printing, Faxing, Email & File transfers) * Messaging (E-mail client) * FAX/Sending (FAX client) * Terminal Mode (ASCII & VT-100 emulation) 1.4 Where can I purchase a Psion? Prices for 2Mb Psion are quoted for each when known, but you should review the Newsgroup for latest prices, as they change quite a bit, and I don't track those changes here very often. Numbers marked "[US/CA only]" means that the number can only be called from the USA or Canada (sometimes both, sometimes only one). If no other number is specified, the person or company presumably does not want to deal with customers from elsewhere. Please note that these addresses have not been verified, so check before you intend to buy from one of them! Marc Tebeka (Might not be working anymore!) 2661 Emerson Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA Fax: +1 415 323 4006 [USA] Email: marc.tebeka@spacebbs.com Psion 3a/2Mb: $ ??? Jonathon Glaser New World Technologies, New York, USA 110 Greene St, Suite 1100 New York, NY 10012, USA 1 800 886 4967 [Toll free in USA only] Promises best available deal Phone: +1 212 941 4633 [worldwide access] Fax: +1 212 274 8527 UK Standard list price Psion 3a/2Mb: 399 UKP Various shops in Tottenham Court Road, London UK. Psion 3a/2Mb: 329 UKP ??? Byson Computers [UK] Fax: +44 1635 874 022 Email: ian@byson.demon.co.uk http://www.hiway.co.uk/~byson/ Clove Technology [UK] +44 1202 302 796 http://intertrader.com/computers/clove/ Computers Direct [US/CA Only] New Hamphsire 1 800 222 4070 Psion 3a/2Mb: $ ??? Dabs Direct [UK] Psion 3a/2Mb: 299 UKP Phone: +44 171 582 4777 Fax: +44 1942 797 979 Email: sales@dabs.co.uk Internet Shopping Network http://www.isn.com/ Rovoreed Ltd [UK] Phone: +44 1981 250 026 Official Psion distributors: Argentina PSIAR Avendia de Mayo 963, 3rd Floor Buenos Aires Phone: +54 1345 4052 +54 1345 2351 Fax: +54 1345 3705 Australia Psitech Ltd Kangy Angy Phone: +61 4362 2014 Email: psitech@cix.compulink.co.uk Canada Compulys Data Inc. Place Montreal Trust 1800, Avenue McGill College, Bureau 2102 Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3J6 Phone: 1 800 361 0609 [US/CA only] Finland Hand Held Systems Torikatu 6-A, 451000 Kouvola, Finland Phone: +35 8513 710 017 Email: Pekka Aikas - Paikas@cix.compulink.co.uk Portugal Comp 3 Lda Rua Augusto Gil 30 A/B 1100 Lisbon Phone: +3511 7972 259 Fax: +3511 7951 928 Spain Paresa SA c/ Balmes 113, ppal 1a 08008 Barcelona Phone: +34 3451 6505 Fax: +34 3451 6231 Switzerland Excom AG Moosacherstrasse 6, Au 8820 Wadenswil Phone: +41 1 782 21 11 Fax: +41 1 781 13 61 1.5 How can I contact Psion? 1.5.1 World Headquarters UK Offices: Alexander House 85 Frampton St London NW8 8NQ Phone +44-171-262-5580 Main desk +44-181-566-6162 Repairs +44-171-258-7276 Technical enquiries +44-171-258-7368 Sales & customer services +44-171-262-5580 Main switchboard +44-181-258-7376 Technical support hotline +44-171-258-7242 SDK support +44-181-566-6162 Repair administration (call only with returns note number) Fax +44-171-258-7340 Email Psion_corp@cix.compulink.co.uk 73733.32@compuserve.com UK Service centre: 17-19 Bristol Road Greenford Middlesex UB6 8UP +44-181-575-9919 1.5.2 USA Psion Incorporated Corporate Headquarters 150 Baker Avenue Concord, MA 01742 USA Phone: 1 800 54 PSION [USA callers only] Phone: 1 508 371 0310 Fax: 1 508 371 9611 71511.3401@compuserve.com 75300.3133@compuserve.com GregPaul@aol.com Midwest Office 225 West Washington St., Suite 2242 Chicago, IL 60606 Phone: 1 312 419 5300 Fax: 1-312-419-7142 West Coast Office One Sansome Street, Suite 2000 San Francisco, CA 94104 Phone: 1 415 951 4764 Fax: 1-415-951-4763 In the USA only, contact 1 800 54 PSION to order parts. They also have a WWW page at: <http://www.psioninc.com/> Please note that this is NOT the official Psion WWW site from London. That one is yet to come. </PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <A NAME="2">2. HARDWARE</A> <PRE> 2.1 Hardware specifications All Psion machines are based around the "SIBO architecture", which was developed to meet common goals which span the SIBO range, including Series 3. Of paramount importance is low power usage. To this end CMOS circuits are used, the CPUs are static - meaning their clocks can be slowed down or stopped and restarted without impairing function, and the specially designed ASIC chips implement sophisticated power management, which always ensures that only those parts of the machine which are needed, are powered up. Power is provided by 2 AA batteries during normal operation. A Lithium backup battery, a CR1620, is provided which maintains memory during battery changes. A mains adaptor inlet is provided. A system clock runs independently of the CPU even when the machine is "off". This allows it to keep time and to wake the machine up when (for example) alarms expire. A six-pin outlet is provided, through which serial and parallel ports may be connected. This outlet has exactly the same signals as the two expansion ports (SSDs). A sound system implements beeps on the Series 3 through a low power piezo-electric element at two volumes. On the 3a there is a more sophisticated system employing bi-directional digital-to-analogue conversion, a conventional speaker, and a microphone, which together support the recording and playback of digitally-recorded sound. Digital sound data is compressed and expanded between 8 and 13 bits by hardware in an ASIC using the Alaw algorithm during recording and playback respectively, at a sample rate of 8KHz. This performance conforms to the ISDN standard for digital phone systems. A Series 3 buzzer emulation is also available on the 3a. For both machines, there are two expansion ports, also called SSD drives, into which RAM or EPROM memory modules may be placed. The memory is split into two types: process and storage. Storage memory is only used for storing data. Process memory is the memory used by the processor. Programs run in this type of memory. Process memory is limited on _all_ Psions to 512k maximum. There is no storage memory on Psions with 512k RAM or less. To be honest, this is a not a big problem, since the Psion implements a real good memory management and "windows" the memory needed for each application. In practice, this means that you can open several huge databases for example and only need 10k of memory for each one. In tabular form, the differences are summarised below: Item Series 3 Series 3a HARDWARE PROCESSOR name V30H (80C86 compatible) V30H(80C86 compatible) Bitwidth 16 16 Speed 3.84 MHz 7.68 MHz video mem access 8 bit - half speed 16 bit - full speed DISPLAY Type Monochrome LCD Monochrome LCD Physical size 126 x 45 mm approx Display size 240x80 480x160 Display depth 2 - black/white 3 - black/grey/white MEMORY Internal 128 or 256Kbyte 256Kb,512Kb,1Mb,2Mb Expansion 2 slots = 16Meg max 2 slots = 16 Meg max DIMENSIONS Size 16.5 x 8.5 x 2.2 cm (6.5" x 3.3" x 0.9") Weight 275 grams including batteries SOUND Output device Piezo beeper Loudspeaker Capability variable pitched Beeps Any sound and DTMF [*] Digital system NONE DAC/ADC 8/13 bits Sound recording NONE 8K samples per second Telephone dialler DTMF capability DTMF capability *Further sounds can be generated if a custom device driver is written PARALLEL PORT Via optional link Via optional link SERIAL PORT Via optional link Via optional link Software Installed in link pod In Psion 3a ROM Max speed 9600 baud 19200 baud SOFTWARE SYSTEM SHELL Controls applications Upgraded on Series 3a DATA Database application Upgraded on Series 3a WORD Comprehensive document Upgraded on Series 3a processing system AGENDA Personal management Major upgrades on 3a application TIME Clock and alarms manager Upgraded on Series 3a WORLD World info database Cosmetic upgrade on 3a CALC Calculator Calculator Allowing OPL extension Cosmetic upgrade on 3a SHEET [*] Spreadsheet application Speadsheet application available as add-on [*] built-in *In the US, and latterly in the UK, the "Series 3s" includes the spreadsheet as standard SPELL CHECKER/THESAURUS NA Only on 1/2Mb models PATIENCE GAME NA Only on 1/2Mb models OPL Programming application Series 3 compatibility mode also available. 2.2 What batteries does the Psion use? Normal power is provided by two AA (also known as LR6) batteries. Standby power is provided by a small Lithium backup battery, a CR1620, which maintains system data during main battery changes or failure. 2.3 How long do the batteries last? It all actually depends on what type of batteries you use. Here are the advantages and disadvantages of the different battery types: -Alkalines. These are the "normal" batteries and work well. -Carbon/Zinc. These batteries are cheaper than alkalines but of course don't last as long. Might be interesting if you can get them really cheap and are ready to change batteries often. -NiCad rechargeables. These proivde less energy than conventional batteries (reports suggest maybe half) and they fade rapidly once their charge is nearly gone, but - they are rechargeable, and so offer a cost effective alternative. Note that NiCads are NOT recharging while the machine is powered by the adaptor. -Lithium AA batteries. They are 30% lighter than alkalines, and they last longer, but they are more expensive. Recommended if you really need long battery life and in extreme conditions. These batteries have a very long shelve life. The link causes high battery loadings, as does the sound system. Accessing the SSDs also increases power drain. Because of the static architecture, a busy CPU drains more power than a sleeping one, so compute-intensive tasks will burn power. For these reasons, it is difficult to quote battery performance exactly, but the table below summarises reports received on the net. Alkaline NiCad Lithium Running time (Hrs) 40-100 20 65-100 Power delivered (mAh) 1500 800 1600-2700 Price each (UKP) 0.5 4.5 Comment 30% lighter The backup battery typically lasts 15 months. 2.4 Where can I find the backup battery? It has been reported difficult to obtain these in the UK, so here is a small list to get you started. You should first check your local _watch_ shop, since this is essentially a watch battery. Sangers photographic, Birmingham 0121-523-4471 C.D. Zelley Ltd, Thetford 01842-755303 Apollo watch products, Tonypandy 01443-432474 Swains International, Hunstanton 01485-533393 Newey & Eyre Ltd, branches throughout the UK Watchmaker supply, Oxford 01993-842442 2.5 Can I use an external power supply? Yes, the Psion comes with a standard power outlet so you can use either the official Psion power supply or a general-purpose mains adaptor (which is cheaper). Negative polarity should be selected - ie the tip should be negative. The power supply should be able to deliver 150mA at 9V. The Psion adaptor has an indentation around the outer conductor near the tip which facilitates snug fit for improved reliability. 2.6 Can I upgrade my Solid State Disk (SSD)? Flash SSDs are cheaper than RAM SSDs because the filesystem doesn't actually allow you to recover deleted space on them. Even if they're cheap compared to real RAMs, they're still quite expensive because they're not manufactered on a big scale (they're Psion proprietary). This tempted several people to accomplish upgrades. It has been successfully done, but I decided _not_ to describe it here for several reasons: 1)It wouldn't be fair to Psion PLC. Think about it: it would prive them of rightly owned money for their R&D and that wouldn't make us many friends, would it? 2)The chips you need aren't easy to find. 3)It is quite easy to do for a trained electronician, so that person wouldn't need any instructions anyway. If you don't have the expertise, don't even think about it! 2.7 Can I upgrade my internal RAM? The big question when the 1/2Mb models came out: can I upgrade my 512k to a 2Mb model? Well, sorry, but the answer is no. The new models use a new ROM to access the extra memory. Psion PLC does not offer upgrades for new models either. The best solution is to sell your old model and get a more recent one. But, if you own a 128/256k or 1Mb model, upgrading it is just a matter of adding more RAM to it. Psion PLC can do this for you, contact them about it. 2.8 Can I change the keyboard? A lot of people buy their Psions in the UK because of the huge price difference compared to their own country. This is not a problem in itself if you just remember that you will be getting the UK version, thus the UK keyboard, applications and manual. This also the reason why so many people would like to change the keys of their keyboards. For these people, there is no simple solution. The keyboard map is not just a file held in RAM, so basically, you're stuck with your keyboard, but there are workarounds to this: 1)In many applications, you can enter special characters (for example - foreign characters not found on the keyboard) by holding down control, then typing the three digits of the ASCII code for the character (ASCII code table on page 246 of the User Guide). This works for all characters in the range 32 to 255. Some lower codes are used for control purposes. 2)There is also a quicker way to enter letters with accents, umlauts etc. CONTROL can be used with the number keys as a character modifier directive. For example, "2" is the "Add an Umlaut" command, so you can hold down CONTROL then press "2" and "o" to get a umlauted "o". Most numbers are chosen as convenient mnemonics: 2 has " above it - which looks like an Umlaut; 3 has \ which simulates a grave accent; 5 has ', which produces and acute accent, etc. See the Character set section of the user guide for details. 3)Use Tom Dolbilin's excellent Macro System package to assign a "macro" to a regular key, thus emulating another key. 2.9 Can I use a big (normal) keyboard? Yes, if you have Tom Dolbilin's Macro System installed, there is a macro called "BigKeys" which actually reads the serial port and sends the key to the HWIM application you're currently running. Unfortunately, it will _not_ work with normal OPL applications. On the other hand, you will still need another computer to send the keys over the serial line, so it really isn't what people are looking for! I am trying to make a little interface for just a normal keyboard (without the need for another computer) myself and I know of one other person who has done it (Keith Baker <mailto:krb@ecs.soton.ac.uk>). Note that it will not work with OPL applications either. 2.10 How do I make a serial link? Unfortunately you can't. The reason being that there is not only hardware but also software in the 3-Link. The 3-Link is *not* just a level converter, so a MAX232 or the like would not work! The extension port uses a high speed proprietary protocol (undocumented). 2.11 What is this "soap on a rope" thing? The "soap on a rope" is simply another name for the 3-Link. It is named like that because of it's ressemble with (guess what ;-) the well known soap on a rope. 2.12 How do I print with my Psion? There are a number of ways you can print from your Psion 1)Through the prallel link, connect your Psion directly to your printer but do _not_ turn the link on in the system screen! 2)Through the serial link - use the printer setup dialogues appropriately and do _not_ turn the link on in the system screen! 3)Use PRINT SETUP to select printing to a file called REM::C:\LPT1. Run MCLINK on your PC, and activate the link from the Psion. Now all print requests will go through the link to the PC printer, and MCLINK is available for file transfers - better than MCPRINT. This solution also works with RCOM. On some PCs running Windows, it may be better to print to LPT1.PRN, which traverses through the DOS/Windows device drivers slightly differently. (by Daniel Senie) 4)Use RFM (see elsewhere in the FAQ) to make Psion drives visible, then use a conventional PC tool to print files from the Psion. 2.13 Can I take my Psion through an X-Ray machine? Yes you can without fear. Nowadays the airport's X-Ray machines are harmless to palmtop computers and diskettes (hopefully ;-). In any case, if you're really not assured, ask to pass it seperately. 2.14 Can my Psion wipe out magnetic data? Yes it can! Be careful with the underside of your Psion because it is actually the speaker which contains a magnet whom is responsible for such problems. Credit cards and other magnetic data seem to be the easiest "victims" of the magnet. Check out the first page of your User Guide for Psion's own warning about this. You can try the paperclip test which consists of taking a pile of paperclips and placing the Psion on top of it. Lifting the Psion will typically take 5 paperclips with it! </PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <A NAME="3">3. SOFTWARE</A> <PRE> 3.1 How do I reset my Psion? You should not normally need to reset your machine at all. See "What is killing a process?" to find out how to terminate misbehaving applications. Doing a RESET re-initializes the system's processes. It re-starts things as though it had just been powered up, and so will make many error conditions go away. Doing a reset will also remove any software patches you may have applied. These would need to be re-applied after each reset. There are two kinds of reset. A SOFT RESET or WARM reset will restart processes, but leave the contents of the RAM disk, and environment variables intact. Do this by gently pushing something like a straightened paperclip into the small hole above the ESC/On key to do a "warm reset". A HARD RESET or COLD RESET will completely re-initialize the whole machine, removing all memory contents. To do this, hold down the right shift key whilst appliying your paperclip as for a warm reset. 3.2 What is killing a process? Killing a process is like closing an application but without letting it know. This will result in loss of data if the application didn't save it before being killed, so be warned! Usually, you can exit an application with Psion-x or Psion-Esc. If nothing else works, you will have to kill it. For this, you can go to the system screen and press Psion-shift-k. You can also use other specific programs which allow killing of _any_ process (Spy is one of them). 3.3 How can I save what's on the screen? From any point, you can take a screen snapshot, by holding down shift, control, Psion, and S. The PIC file generated is placed in M:SCREEN.PIC. 3.4 What is the soak test? To be written </PRE></PRE> <a name="Part2"><H3>Part II</H3> <PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <A NAME="4">4. TIPS & TRICKS FOR GENERAL USAGE</A> <PRE> 4.1 Known hardware problems & solutions 4.1.1 Battery warnings (see also below: "problems when opening the machine") The contacts to the main batteries are poor in many machines. This causes the machine to report low battery power inappropriately, and may cause automatic switchoff. The fix is to ensure the contacts are clean, and making firm contact with the battery. Different battery brands can be slightly different sizes, so pick a larger one. Batteries with dimples in either contact are more prone to problems. You might consider kludging a fix by bending the contacts, or decide to return your machine for replacement. Note that when replacing dead batteries with NiCads, you may see the REPLACE warning for a few seconds after the new cells are inserted. This is normal, and will go away on its own. 4.1.2 Problems when opening the machine Opening/closing the older Series 3's can cause (possibly intermittent) problems to the machine's power supply, which in turn can manifest several problems mentioned in this FAQ. The constant twisting of the lead connecting the main board to the battery contacts can cause damage. This problem is the most serious one and is know as the "dreaded battery lead problem". Psion will repair this in warranty. You can fix yourself if your machine is out of warranty. Remove the screws behind the batteries. Sometime re-seating the two-pin connector will give a permanent fix, otherwise, if you're handy, replace the wires. This should not be a problem on newer Series 3a's, but one never knows... 4.1.3 Automatic dialling The built-in dialer is reported as variously as excellent, through unreliable to un-useable. Sometimes it will work on internal phone systems but not BT - sometimes vice versa. The recommendation for improving performance is to place the Series 3 on a flat non-resonant surface, and holding the phone just above it - not against it. 4.1.4 Alarms replaced by odd beeps Not a bug, but a response by your machine to low battery power. When there is insufficient power to play the chosen alarm, it makes this noise which is designed to be loud but economical on power. Low available power can also be caused by poor battery connections or by the "dreaded battery lead problem" mentioned earlier. 4.1.5 Alarms come in pairs Several people report that their machine can get into a mode whereby alarms sound - and need to be acknowledged - twice. This problem can be fixed by doing a soft reset. 4.1.6 Display problems The Psion display flickers in bright sunlight - use an umbrella. The LCD display works in such a way that the reflected light is polarized. If you wear polarising sunglasses who plane of polarization is at odds with that of the Psion, you'll see a blank screen. Fix: Take your shades off, or get some which are not simple polarizing lenses. Ray-Bans, for example, do not polarize in a single plane. Some people have noticed problems with odd pixels, lines, rows or patches of pixels (usually in a corner - usually the lower right corner). These remain on (dark) all the time. In each case, there is no real fix but to return the machine for repair or replacement. 4.1.7 Lifting button bar Older Series3's had problems with the button bar at the top of the keyboard, which has a tendency to lift off. Also, some often-used buttons could stop working. Replacement is the best option. Glue might help those with no warranty. See the manual for key presses which can in all cases duplicate the function of defunct buttons. 4.1.8 Left hinge breaks This might be due to excessive wear and tear on the extension port (but unverified). It seems that it is a design flaw which Psion doesn't want to admit... whatever the case, there is no other solution than glue or replacement! 4.1.9 Key marks on display This is a quite common problem when the Psion is new. The upper and lower body of the case are a little too tight so when you open it again, you see some key marks on the screen. Apparently it also has something to do with the "oilness" of your fingers... To fix this, either put something between the two or clean the screen with a soft cloth. 4.1.10 Keys rubbing off Unfortunately this was quite common with some older Series 3 and 3a. Actually there seem to be several different keyboard types, so it is not predictable if it will happen to you or not. There is no simple solution to this problem. If your Psion is not in warranty anymore, you can contact Psion PLC which offer a "cosmetic upgrade". 4.2 Known software problems & solutions 4.2.1 World phone numbers wrong Apparently, a number of the country codes are wrong. You can fix this by editing the country information as required, though there is a limited number of slots available in the database. Also note that a complete change in area codes was done in the UK during 1994/5. See the Phoneday program at the IC or on CIX for details and a suite of programs to fix your databases. 4.2.2 Area codes causing problems The Psion will dial all of the number you select. In some countries, (not the UK) dialling the area code for a local call causes problems. Psion's recommended fix is to have two entries for the party - specifying the number both with and without the area code. 4.2.3 Data security with link connected If you have the link switched on, then files can be copied from your machine even when it is password protected. Be sure to turn the link off to remove this possibility. Note also that the link can turn the Psion on when it is off, and will transfer data even as the password screen is being presented. 4.2.4 Security affected by the Macro System Users of Tom Dolbilin's Macro System should be aware that macro key presses work even on a password-protected Series 3. 4.2.5 Word hangs on "busy" when saving a text file forever This is a quite annoying bug which has still not been resolved by Psion. Actually, it is a limitation: the first paragraph should not be bigger than 512 characters. Either start your file with a CR or make a small paragraph ;-) 4.3 User groups ARPUG - Amateur Radio Psion User Group [International] This is more of a mailing list than a formal group. We discuss various topics concerning the Psion and radio in general over the packet radio network. Contact me (Daniel) for more infos or alternatively mail me a message by packet at: HB9VBC @ HB9IAP. Club Series 3 [France] Contact Alban Debeaupuis for more infos or write to: Club Series 3 6 rue de Fecamp 75012 Paris PEAT - Psion Enthusiasts Association of Toronto [Canada] Email Lloyd Wasser for more infos or call him directly at: (416)447-0623 PSILOG [Switzerland] Fluelastrasse 47 8047 Zurich Phone: +41 1 401 12 12 Fax: +41 1 401 08 15 4.4 Online services See also "Connecting your Psion" elsewhere for information on how to connect your Psion with modems. 4.4.1 Internet There is a Usenet group called "comp.sys.psion" in which even Psion employees lurk around. There is also the "comp.binaries.psion" group for binaries. Before posting, it is considered good practice to read the messages and "feel" the group for a while (apart from thoroughly reading through this FAQ ;-) 4.4.2 CIX Psion is also on CIX. Check the Palmtop A forum. There is an offline reader for the 3a (only) called "ReadCIX" 4.4.3 Compuserve There is a Psion discussion group (looking for more infos please!). There is an offline reader for the 3a (only) called "ReadCIS". 4.4.4 Microsoft Network Who has experience here? 4.5 Bulletin boards (BBSes) All numbers are given in ITU format. To dial numbers outside your country, replace the + by your international code. To dial numbers inside your country, replace + and the country code by your national dialling code. For example: UK: for "+", dial "00", except for "+44" dial "0". US: for "+", dial "011", except for "+1" dial "1". Note that the Psion 3a at least knows how to do this. (Clive D.W. Feather) Crystal Tower +44 817 598 244 [UK] Dacom BBS +44 1908 260 435 [UK] Sysop: Andrew Morrow Notes: Psion Dacom, updates for PCMCIA Gold Cards Location: Milton Keynes, UK Ellis BBS +33 43 33 15 47 [France] Flightpath +44 181 759 3332 or +44 181 759 6664 [UK] Lonely Times +49 911 393 9034 [Germany] Sysop: Marko Schuster 300-14k4 Bds, 24hours Metcom BBS +44 1442 257 527 [UK] Pacific BBS +44 1430 431 145 [UK] Psychotic Mouse +44 149 475 8998 [UK] Sysop: John Portwin <mailto:John@lyster.demon.co.uk> Time: 9am-4pm GMT Psion BBS +44 175 289 4422 [UK] Psion GmbH BBS +49 617 237 090 [Germany] Sysop: Matthias Hlscher Notes: Series3/3a software, PCMCIA Gold Card updates Location: Bad Homburg The User Group +44 1752 894 422 [UK] Sysop: Adam Taylor Notes: Privately run, but Psion UK have an account there LTS Datalink +44 1202 660 838 [UK] Sysop: Francis Creese <mailto:vui@cix.compulink.co.uk> 4.6 Magazines See also WWW internet sites for online magazines. 4.6.1 Palmtop This is an excellent publication entirely devoted to the Psion. It is called (quite rightly IMHO): "Palmtop, _the_ journal for Psion series 3 and 3a users". It is an independant magazine in the B5 format running 64 pages (minimum) bimonthly. It is run by only one person in his spare time, thus it doesn't print on regular dates. This situation should be getting better soon, but for the moment, expect some delay. Only available by subscription, credit cards accepted. For more info contact (see also his Email address): Steve Clack 25 Avocet Way Bicester Oxon OX6 0YN England Phone: +44 1869 249 287 4.6.2 PDADevelopers As the title says, this is a magazine clearly devoted to developers on Personnal Digital Assistants (PDAs). This is a general denomination and covers a wide range of machines, amongst which the Psion (although this could be arguable...). It can get quite technical at times but always very instructive with loads of examples and source code. Only problem: being an american magazine & Psion not being too well known over there, it tends to get quite thin on Psion articles. Published bimonthly. For more info, contact: PDADevelopers 293 Corbett Avenue San Francisco, CA 94114 USA Phone: +1 415 621 4252 Fax: +1 415 621 4922 </PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <A NAME="5">5. SHAREWARE & FREEWARE</A> <PRE> 5.1 Relevant FTP sites The main Internet Psion archive is in the UK, at Imperial College (IC): ftp://src.doc.ic.ac.uk. The relevant files are under /packages/psion/icdoc. HTML: <http://src.doc.ic.ac.uk/packages/psion.icdoc/> The archive is administered by Lee McLoughlin: Lee McLoughlin Phone: +44 171 594 8388 Dept of Computing, Imperial College, Fax: +44 171 584 8301 180 Queens Gate, London, SW7 2BZ, UK. Email: L.McLoughlin@doc.ic.ac.uk There is a mirror of IC for the USA at: ftp://ftp.phone.net There is also another known site: ftp://ftp.uni-erlangen.de:pub/psion3/... [131.188.2.43] 5.2 How can I upload my software? You have to FTP it into the incoming directory and mail Lee McLoughlin a note about your program and a one line description. He will be transfering your program to the relevent directory *manually*. 5.3 I've uploaded my soft, but it still doesn't appear, why? The problem is that although Lee is a very nice person, he is also a very busy one. Don't forget that he does this in his spare time, thus it is not high on his priority list! All you can do is be patient... 5.4 WWW internet sites A lot of Psion pages have appeared on the World Wide Web and you might like to check these out (no garantees): http://www.bris.ac.uk/~lwmdcg/Psion/ http://www.kfs.org/~clive/psion/psionincs (Psionics files are here!) http://www.comlab.ox.ac.uk/oucl/users/robin.watts/Docs/ http://alife1.cs.man.ac.uk/psion (http://130.88.240.101/psion) http://www.wave.cube.net/ http://www.digiweb.com/corbin/ 5.5 Shareware for those without online access Steve Litchfield runs a shareware library in the UK: 3-Lib Shareware for the Series 3 and Series 3a SAE for catalogue to: 22 Grays Crescent, Woodley, Berks, RG5 3EN, England. Telephone is +44 1734 265081. e-mail: slitchfield@cix.compulink.co.uk OR Compuserve: 100640,107 http://www.bris.ac.uk/%7Elwmdcg/Psion/Steve/ From Steve himself: "3-Lib tries to be *the* clearing-house for new PD & shareware! Authors can send programs in to me and I'll act as the definitive source for others to get new versions etc from, in addition to uploading to Compuserve, CIX, and sending floppies of new stuff to src.doc and some BBS systems etc. Although set up originally for people who have no access to modems, PCs etc, 3-Lib can be useful for those who are on the net and would like large amounts of shareware on floppy disk very cheaply!" Alternatively, you can send him 4 HD (1.44Mb) disks and 10 UKP with a return envelope to receive the complete library. </PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <A NAME="6">6. CONNECTING YOUR PSION</A> <PRE> 6.1 With an IBM or clone 6.1.1 PsiWin (by Mark Gould) PsiWin is a package for PCs running Microsoft Windows (in all its current incarnations - 3.1, 3.11, for Workgroups, NT and 95). It allows the Psion 3a (or 3 - although this is slightly more limited) to be connected to the PC and for the filesystem of the Psion to be manipulated in exactly the same way as in Windows File Manager. Drag-and-drop copying is possible, as well as conversion of files between Psion app formats and Windows program formats (Agenda conversion is only possible from the 3a format). It is also possible for 3a users to use the True-Type fonts resident on the Windows machine when printing. Finally, there is a Windows version of Psion's built-in Database application. PsiWin normally comes with the PC 3-Link. 6.1.1.2 What if I don't have Windows? The standard software for connecting to DOS machines, RCOM, is included with PsiWin. There may also be some RCOM packages available in stores for those who don't want to buy PsiWin at all. See later for other platforms. 6.1.1.3 What if I already have a 3-Link cable? It is possible to buy PsiWin without also purchasing the 3link. It should be available in stores, but if all else fails, contact Psion directly. 6.1.1.4 What conversions will PsiWin do? The following file types are currently supported: Psion Agenda conversions to and from: Lotus Organizer v.1.0 Act! v.2.0 Schedule Plus Psion Data conversions to and from: dBase III and IV FoxPro Lotus Organizer 1.0 Comma separated values Tab separated text Psion PIC format to and from: Windows RGB Bitmap Psion Record (.WVE) to and from: Windows sound (.WAV) Psion Sheet to and from: Quattro Pro for Windows Works for Windows spreadsheet Lotus 123 (.WK1 and .WK3) Excel 4.0 and 5.0 Psion Word to and from: Text (Windows ANSI and codepage 850) Rich Text Format Word Perfect 5.1, 5.2 and 6.0 Works for Windows WP 3.0 Word for Windows 2.0 and 6.0 Ami Pro 3.0 6.1.1.5 I can't run the Psion Manager - it produces a General Protection Fault. What's the matter with it? Early PsiWin boxes did not indicate that the minimum requirement to run PsiWin was 4Mb RAM. Attempting to run it on a machine with less than this will cause a GPF. The boxes now give the correct information. Alternatively, it may be the case that you are not running Windows in enhanced mode. This is necessary. Some laptops don't run Windows in enhanced mode by default. In order to enable enhanced mode, type "win /3" at the DOS prompt. 6.1.1.6 Why is there no conversion for Schedule+ in Windows NT? Because Psion have not written it yet. 6.1.1.7 Why is there no conversion for Schedule v.7? Because Microsoft have not released its format yet. 6.1.1.8 How do I convert Psion files to a format which is not supported by PsiWin? PsiWin is designed to allow third-party developers to write their own translators for integration into the package. There is a program called pwaddon.zip available on CIX for this purpose. It will be made available more generally soon. 6.1.1.9 Why is there no Windows version of the Agenda? Perhaps the most requested addition to the PsiWin package is a Windows version of the Agenda, for those who do not have a diary program on their PCs (or who do not trust the conversion process). Psion say they decided not to include such a program for a variety of reasons. The justification for including the Windows Database Manager was that people could take advantage of the larger keyboard and screen of their PCs to enter large amounts of data. This was not thought to be an issue for Agenda users. Simply, Psion had to make a number of choices, and in their judgment a Windows Agenda was a lower priority than other things. 6.1.1.10 Why can't I access the PC drives from the Psion? This is a problem for those who use the option in Agenda to tidy to a file on a remote PC (amongst others). The answer is hidden away in the help file, which says the following: If you want to access PC drives from your Psion (they will appear, in dialogs, with "REM::" before their drive letter), edit the PSIONPRC.INI file in your "Windows" directory, and remove the "-x" from the end of the following line: engine=prcenwin.exe -x 6.1.1.11 I'm having difficulty printing from my Psion through Psion Print. What's wrong with it? On some setups using early versions of PsiWin, it wasn't possible to print to certain network printers, or just the first page of a document was printed. Psion released a file to fix this called pp_fix2.zip, which is available on CIX and Compuserve as well as at the site maintained by the moderator of comp.binaries.psion (<URL:ftp://ftp.id.dtu.dk/pub/psion/index.html>) - this site has the file as it was posted to comp.binaries.psion, in five parts. The archive at Imperial College should have a copy when the site is updated. 6.1.1.12 Why can't I reconnect to the Psion once I have disconnected it? (by Angus Rae) I posted a comment about a problem I was having with PsiWin locking up my machine. I had originally blamed it on my video card (it's a Diamond Stealth 32, and the usual mantra is "if it's named after an aircraft or a snake it's probably causing the crash") but after WinLink3 gave me the same problems I started wondering, and remembering some problems I was having with Trumpet Winsock a while back. So, a quick trawl through Microsoft's Knowledge Base revealed that the serial port drivers for Windows for Workgroups have a few little problems. (A few big problems IMHO, but your mileage may vary.) It seems to apply to machines with higher specification 16550 UARTs on local buses. I have 16550AF UARTs on a VESA local bus. There is a fix; replace the file SERIAL.386 with a different version. I believe, but don't quote me on this, that the version from Windows 3.1 would do, but the file WG1001.EXE in the Microsoft SoftLib has a copy which works, which you can get to from http://www.microsoft.com/. If you do a search in the Windows Knowledge base for WG1001 and appnote you can get the full info. 6.1.1.13 My conversions from Agenda to Lotus Organiser cause an Application error. What is wrong? It has been suggested that one source of such problems is an out of date copy of a file called ctl3dv2.dll. A nice man at Psion have suggested the following approach: Currently we sneak a bonus copy of ctl3dv2.dll onto disk 1, uncompressed, for just this scenario, but it's not on all versions. If you don't have it, then I guess the best thing is to close all Windows apps, rename your current ctl3dv2.dll out of the way, then reinstall PsiWin and see if that solves it. If it *doesn't*, then I'm afraid it's going to come down to some fairly standard testing to narrow it down - - what if you use different date ranges or entry types on the "Convert what" dialog (though it sounds unlikely to me) - do Database conversions work (as they use a similar "convert what" system) - do your Organizer and Lotus INI files look OK in \windows - does it happen with nothing else running in Windows - can you change anything about the setup (eg try it on another PC) If none of these work, then check the answer to question 6.1.1.12. 6.1.1.14 I have another problem with PsiWin Many problems with PsiWIn are caused by having 32-bit file access enabled. Try disabling this (in the Control Panel, Enhanced, Virtual Memory). If the problem recurs, try asking in comp.sys.psion (or Psion Technical Support). 6.1.2 MCLink MCLINK is the software which comes with Psion's 3-Link cable. It runs on the host PC (at the DOS prompt) or Mac to provide data transfer capability. When MCLINK is running on the PC/Mac, the Series 3 can see host drives as remote drives, and can access the data on them. Similarly the command interface in the MCLINK program can be used to access or copy data to/from the Series3. MCLINK can also be used to print Series 3 data by copying it to REM::C:\LPT1. MCLINK works under OS/2 and under the DOS emulator with Linux (Free Unix on PC). It had reliability problems under Windows for Workgroups 3.11. It supports only COM1 and COM2 ports. 6.1.3 SLink SLINK is a cut-down version of MCLINK, provided by Psion. It may work in non-standard configurations where MCLINK will not. Since it is smaller, it may cure space problems. 6.1.4 RCom Is a beta version of Psion's replacement for MCLINK. It is available at the IC archive. It provides all the capability of MCLINK and adds a range of other features, including handling of Rich Text format files; backup, compress and equalize functions, a large range of DOS-like commands, from which scripts can be generated, and a Windows interface. Though it's documentation claims that RCOM is "more like a network connection", this is not yet a reasonable claim. When RCOM is running, the host machine can only see the Series 3 via the RCOM interface. 6.1.5 RFM RFM is also available from the archive (RFM110); it is also in beta release. RFM installs a TSR on the host PC; a small process is also run on the Series 3. When set up, the system makes the Series 3 drives look completely like PC drives, and vice versa. PC file management tools can be used with great convenience to manipulate files on both machines transparently. RFM cannot be installed or removed under Windows, but will run under Windows. RFM will lock your machine up occassionally; in this case, turn the link off at the Series 3. Rest the PC after the link icon disappears from the Series 3, or you may need to reset both machines. 6.2 With an Amiga For a long time, Amiga users had to resort to using the Y/Z-Modem protocols to transfer files back and forth with their Psions... that was before Oliver Wagner gratified us with his great program: AmigaNCP. His program fully implements Psion's NCP protocol and thus allows you to see your Psion as a remote drive of your Amiga and vice versa! File transfers are now as easy as drag and drop. The program also contains a simple text transfer mode which allows you to directly convert Psion ASCII files to Amiga/UNIX type; it supports multi-serial cards but needs WB 2.0+. AmigaNCP is shareware and available from the IC FTP site or any Aminet site. There is also a WWW site devoted to AmigaNCP <http://wade1.ab.umd.edu/pub/support/AmigaNCP/> 6.3 With a UNIX machine To be written 6.4 With a Macintosh To be written, any volunteers? 6.5 With an Atari To be written, any volunteers? 6.6 With a modem Psion provide 3FAX, which is a hardware and software add-on offering FAX capability and a data modem operating at 2400 baud. The 3-Link cable/software offers a standard serial interface through which standard modems can be connected, operating up to the Series 3a limit of 19.2K (9.6K for the Series3). Paraphrasing "Lord John" - w0400@ggr.co.uk: The Serial 3link cable is a null modem connection, with a male 25 way end. To work with a modem, you need to "un-null" the modem wires, so you have a straight through link. The wiring of the plug is below. Note that pin 8 is not just "in the air", but connected to pin 6. Choose plugs with whatever gender you need. 2 ------------- 3 3 ------------- 2 4 ------------- 5 5 ------------- 4 6 -+----------- 20 8 -+ 20 -----------+- 6 +- 8 7 ------------- 7 The harder part is correctly configuring the modem; each modem is different. You need to configure the modem and the Series 3/3a to handshake on RTS/CTS. I do not use Xon and Xoff for flow control with the modem; these characters are passed through to whatever is connected to the modem. Using this configuration, I can consistently operate the link at full speed with no problems. Also of interest, Klaus @ ernstk@delphi.com notes: The Psion Modem Adapter (cable), Partnumber 055856, is wired like this: Pin name Pin number Direction DB-25 Mini-Din Series3 - Other DCD 1 <------------- 8 RD 2 <------------- 3 TD 3 -------------> 2 DTR 4 -------------> 20 SG 5 -------------- 7 DSR 6 <------------- 6 RTS 7 -------------> 4 CTS 8 <------------- 5 RI 9 <------------- 22 FG shield -------------- 1 6.7 With a packet radio TNC If you want to work packet radio mobile/remote, your Psion will be just great because of it's small size. Adding a TNC (Terminal Node Controller) is just like adding a modem actually (that's what TNCs are in the first place!), so make the "un-null" cable first (as described in the modem section). Be sure to have a full cable with the CTS/RTS lines and set XFLOW OFF on your TNC as you should preferably use these hardware lines instead of software XON/XOFF codes. As for a specific packet program, you're in luck: Roger Muggleton (G0HZK@GB7WIR on packet) made a nice program called Pocket Packet. Now if someone could just write a little BayCom driver program... 6.8 Terminal emulation The 3-link cable software includes a dumb terminal emulation. VT100 emulators are also available. There are some at the IC archive: term122s.zip VT100 emulator from Psion GmbH vt100v2a.zip VT100 emulator from Widget <http://www.widget.co.uk> (these are crippled versions of commercial products). There are also free/shareware alternatives: FreeVT (File: FreeVTxx.zip) PComm </PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <A NAME="7">7. THE EMULATOR</A> <PRE> Psion, in their great generosity, have released their Psion emulator for the Series 3 and later on for the Series 3a. This is a PC product. Also please note that it is completely *unsupported* by Psion and do not ask them for new versions, other platforms, etc... I think that it was quite nice of them to offer their users (and potential users) such a nice tool. We wouldn't want it to stop, would we? The files are available as usual in the IC archive in the development directory. 7.1 Limitations & bugs The following limitations & bugs were reported: -The keyboard is only "British" and doesn't accept your regular keyboard map (see "Can I change the keyboard?" for ways around this); -No sound; -The system screen "loses" your configuration each time you launch the emulator; -It only works in DOS with 4Mb RAM and at least a 386 processor; -Shift lock works but doesn't show the symbol like on a real Psion; -Shift diamond key doesn't work. 7.2 Tips & tricks -Alt+Ctrl+shift+S makes a screen snapshot and automatically increases the screen number in the file (unlike the real Psion); -Alt+Ctrl+shift+C shows some memory parameters (useful for development); -Ins key on the numeric keypad (0 key) switches between applications like Shift-Psion on the real Psion; -If you replace the 480 by 160 in the "HHSERV.PAR" file by 640 by 480, you will get a complete screen on your PC. </PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <A NAME="8">8. PROGRAMMING</A> <PRE> 8.1 Overview of development possibilities There are a number of ways in which you can program the Psion. Choose the one which fits your abilities, requirements, and budget. 8.2 OPL programming directly on the Psion This is the most straightforward. If you can live with the cramped keyboard and screen, you can pursue this option with no further outlay, anywhere you can take your Psion. Some alleviators: 1)A database of the OPL commands is available from the IC archive (see section 5) which you can load into the built-in DATA application. 2)Switching off the clock in the OPL editor will give you more active screen width. CONTROL/menu toggles this. 3)CONTROL/Word takes you straight to the OPL editor from the system screen. 4)Get OPP from Andy Clarkson. This is really *the* programmer's tool for programming directly on the Psion. It allows you to have exactly the same functionnalities as with Psion's S3ATRAN and even more directly on your Psion! You can also make use of some of the data which follows in this section, so read on. 8.3 OPL programming from a PC You can compose your OPL text files on your PC and send them down to the Psion with the link for translation, or you can obtain S3ATRAN from the IC archive (Section 5). S3ATRAN will translate your OPL source into .OPO format which you can then use the link to move to the Psion. In addition to translating simple OPL, S3ATRAN understyands a number of C-like pre-processor commands, which make source preparation easier. As well as this advantage, source preparation on a PC allows use of the full-sized keyboard and screen, use of whatever text editor you favour, convenient storage and archival of important source code, and access to printers. For those using windows, you can use Psion's Opl Development Environment (ODE) which is a *very* nice programmer's tool for developing OPL in windows. ODE is commercial. There is a Psion 3 emulator for the Series 3 and another one for the Series 3a, both available in the IC archive, which allows you to run OPL programs on the PC. For more details, see elsewhere in this FAQ. The "Psionics files" are a collection of information for the OPL programmer who wants to know more than is in the programming manual, but who doesn't want the expense and effort of getting the SDK. They include general explanations of system concepts, descriptions of all the system calls usable from OPL, information about some useful device drivers, and random other useful items. Much of the information is taken from the official Psion SDK manuals, with permission. Clive D.W. Feather is widely appreciated for having taken the time to bring this information to the Psion community. You can get the latest set of files (which change quite frequently), from the WWW site. See that section in the FAQ for the address. Psion offer Software Development Kits - "SDKs". The lowest level is the documentation-only level. This currently includes three large ring-binders which document vast amounts of detail about the Psion. Though much is of prime relevance to C programmers, a lot of essential information can be gleened by the astute OPL programmer. System calls, file formats, transmission protocols, OS structure etc. are all to be had. The SDK costs 75 UKP. See the contacts section if you want to order it. 8.4 C Development on PC The second level of SDK (see above) is called the "Standard SDK". It includes the documentation mentioned above, and some software on floppies. The software comprises the TopSpeed C language system, an interactive Psion debugger, some customisation files, and some examples. This costs 155 UKP. "TopSpeed C" is a general purpose development environment and C compiler. You can use it to write C programs for your PC, and the development environment allows you to add other language compilers. Psion's customisation files taylor TopSpeed C so that it can generate image files which will run on the Psion. The Psion debugger allows C programs to be debugged. Debugging can be done at the C source code level, or at assembly language level, or in a mixture of the two. The debugger also allows programs to be run locally on the PC in a form of Psion emulator, or run on the Psion itself through the serial link. A slew of very useful features are included in the debugger. Psion also provide some example programs which are referenced in the manuals. Going through these with the manual is a good way to learn about the Psion and the best way to program on it. The SPY application is amoung the examples included. It is theoretically possible to write C programs for the Psion using other compilers, but extensive expertise would be needed to avoid the pitfalls. For example, Topspeed C implements parameter passing in a way which is compatible with the Epoch operating system. Object-oriented programming is possible in this C environment. 8.5 Advanced C Development on a PC The highest level of SDK is the "Professional SDK". This adds the source code of various device drivers to the Standard SDK. It costs 295 UKP. 8.6 Available books (by John A Watson: JAWatson@thelcastle.win-uk.net) In order of complexity, the following books are available. 1)First Steps in Programming the Psion Series 3 by Mike Shaw, 14.95 GB ISBN 0-7457-0145-0 An introduction to the basic principles of programming. 2)Graphic Programming on the Psion Series 3 by Bill Aitken, 14.95 GBP ISBN 0-7457-0156-6 As the title suggests this is for those interested in graphics. 3)Serious Programming on the Psion 3a by Bill Aitken, 16.95 GBP ISBN 0-7457-0035-7 (Series 3) ISBN 0-7457-0282-1 (Series 3a) A complete OPL programming tutorial from basics to advanced especially graphics including sprite design. 4)Machine Code Programming on the Psion Series 3a & 3 by John Farrant, 16.95 GBP As the title suggests this book tells you how to program in 8086 machine code and assembly language. The price/package includes a fully functional two-pass assembler with tesxt editor and debugger. 5)Introduction to Using the Psion Series 3 by Ros Lawton & Isaac Davis, 14.95 GBP ISBN 0-7457-0146-9 14.95. 6)The 100 Most Frequently Asked Questions for You and Your Psion Series 3a & 3 by Richard Bloss & Adam Taylor, 9.95 GBP ISBN 0-7457-0300-3 8.7 How to do various things: tips & tricks (Thanks to Andrew Baldwin for material) 1)First - reading the programming manual which came with your Psion more than once is thoroughly recommended ! 2)REVTRAN - is a reverse translator available at the archive. It turns OPO modules back into OPL - though variable names may be lost. This program allows developers to see how others have implemented their programs, and this may give valuable insights into useful programming techniques. Please note that you should not use REVTRAN to circumvent protection mechanisms, to avoid paying shareware fees, to steal programs or fragments thereof, or to do anything else illegal or anti-social. Some OPL programs are protected against reverse translation. 3)SPRITES - the manual doesn't make it clear. You can have only one sprite. You must emulate any further sprite functionality in OPL. 4)MULTI-DIMENSIONAL ARRAYS - are not provided in OPL, but they can be emulated. For example, a two dimensional array: ARRAY%(X%,Y%) may be implemented by declaring ARRAY%(Z%) (where Z%=X%*Y%). You can now access element (a%,b%) as ARRAY((b%-1)*X% + a%). Each access requires arithmetic so this will incurr a speed penalty. 5)SPEED - OPL can get slow. Here are some ideas for speeding them up. a)Where does your program spend the most time ? Find out, and concentrate on those sections. It's pointless speeding up code segments which will not impact overall speed significantly. b)The use of floating point numbers is very slow; the Series 3 calls code which emulates a floating point processing chip. Major gains can be had if you avoid floating point numbers. Often integers can be used with a mental shift of the decimal point. c)BUILT-IN FUNCTIONS like SIN can also be very slow. Sometimes it is preferable to build a table of answers and use a look-up strategy. d)On the Series 3a, make use of the procedure cache, which can keep often-used procedures in memory - thereby avoiding a heavy time penalty for loading them in. On the Series 3 there is no cache to use, but you can place the procedure code inline to avoid the overhead. There will be a readability/complexity overhead to trade off. e)Use gUPDATE to restrict screen updates, as detailed in the manual. f)OPL allows the programmer to call machine code routines, which can be highly optimized for speed. These can be built from C programs using the SDK, or with an assembler (available in the archive). Programming at low levels requires extensive knowledge of the Series 3 Operating System. During development crashes are common, and data loss may well occur. Also note that re-implementing a code segment at a lower level will not necessarily give significant speed improvements; it depends on what the code is doing. </PRE></PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <a name="Part3"><H3>Part III</H3> <PRE> Please note that the software described here is just a small part of available software and that it would be impossible to track down every single share/freeware Psion program. Thus I have decided to limit the list to what you may call "essential" Psion programs. Of course this is subjective, and if you feel that there is a program which you would like to see added to the list, please write a mini review in the same style as these here and mail it me. I'll gladly add it and give you credit! <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <A NAME="A">A. SHAREWARE/FREEWARE SOFTWARE</A> <PRE> A.1 Applications (by Roger Burton West) I've used the following definitions below. These may not accord with their standard meanings as used elsewhere. Shareware: a fully functional program is provided, but the user is asked to pay for it. Crippleware: as shareware, but the functionality of the program is restricted in some way to encourage registration. (This may not make it unusable - ANY restriction puts a program in this category.) Freeware: the fully functional program is given away free. It is probably still copyright to the author and conditions may be imposed on redistribution. GNUware: the program is distributed under the GNU General Public Licence: among other things, this means it will include source code. Note that when ``xx'' appears, this means the version number. New version come out very often, so I can't track down each program. APPMAN: Jeremy Wakefield: freeware For the advanced OPL programmer only, how to use those cascading dialogues and other flashy features of the built-in apps. Challenging but very useful. CMDP: Psion, Inc.: freeware DOS-style command line interface for the 3a and Workabout. Handy if you like command lines (I do). Slightly quirky. DUMP3A: Wolfgang Schirmer: freeware Elderly but still useful hexadecimal/ASCII file editor. Perfect for inspecting and modifying binaries, finding resources, etc. FE830: Psion, Inc.: freeware Hex/ASCII file editor for the PC, optimised for TLV files. Needs some technical knowledge, but invaluable for data recovery from corrupted files. FONT160: Steve Godfrey: crippleware Edits Psion fonts. You can use them in your own programs, but not in the built-in apps. JBDATxx: John Boyce: freeware Replacement for Data, with much better functionality. Needs lots of memory, but much more useful than the standard app. MACSYS: Tom Dolbilin: freeware The Macro System allows automation of most common Psion tasks. It can record and play back a sequence of keystrokes: but macros are actually full OPL programs, and can use all the power available to the system. A little tricky to master, but very rewarding. MAP*: Steve Litchfield: shareware Huge geographical information system with multiple overlays. Maps of the UK, Ireland and London are available (separate registration). NOT a route finder, but handy for general information and basic town plans. READERxx and TCREADER: Barry Childress: shareware Probably the best text file viewer for the Psion, with many display options and good buffering. TCReader is a PC program to compress text files that Reader can view on the fly. RFM110: Psion, Inc.: freeware TSR to mount Psion drives over serial link to a PC, allowing normal PC software to access them. Old and sometimes unstable, but still my favoured serial comms package. RVTRNxx: Mike Rudin: freeware Extremely useful package to convert translated OPL programs back to source code, in case you've lost the source or want to see how someone else did something. Controversial, and some programs have anti-Revtran "traps". S3ABANKx: Alan Richey: crippleware An excellent general personal finance handler, with optional modules for inventories, expenses, petrol, etc. Shareware version is severely limited (only 3 accounts). Needs lots of memory. Alternatives are available; easier to use, but not as complete: BankPlus (Pete Sipple), SCBank. S3AEM1: Psion, Inc.: freeware Series 3a emulator for the PC. Try before you buy a Psion, test new software, or run programs at greater speed. See also "Emulator" section in part I of this FAQ. TOPIX: Uwe Kallmeyer: crippleware Multi-level outline editor, with links to files from other apps (such as Word or Sheet). Perfect for large project management and keeping track of long lists. A.2 Games (by Dan Ko) Name Stars Zip Exp Mem Type FMT Collection Description ------------ ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- --- ---------- ------------------ pipe3a.zip ***** 9k 10k 12k S Z ? exciting puzzle stigma.zip **** 63k 87k 39k D+C Z ? rolling ball fair22.zip **** 115k 197k 46k S+C Z+S GamesPck3a THE golf game tetris_2.zip ***** 9k 16k 6k S Z ? Tetris nuff said Patience *** - - 8k C R 1Mb/2MbS3a zzzzzzzz bunnies.zip ** 15k 42k ? F Z slow platform lander3.zip **** 33k 62k ? S Z+S GamesPck3a cool space game risk101a.zip ***+ 31k 81k 14k S Z ? strategy willy11.zip ** 40k 68k ? S Z doubt it 2slow2big platform Tanka.zip ** 9k 12k? ? S Z S3 was much better Stars: Arbitary rating units, overall personal impression includes adjustment for size. * waste of space ** avoid; boring, limited appeal *** OK, if you've nothing better to fill your flash with **** excellent, recommended ***** can't live without it Zip: The zip file size Exp: How much space the installed components will take up Mem: Free system memory required to run in Type: S Shareware D Demo F Freeware/PD C Commercial Format: F zipfile, or on floppy S SSD R built into ROM Collection: Name of collection which contains this game </PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <A NAME="B">B. COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SOFTWARE</A> <PRE> This is the official Psion commercial Software list. Thanks to Psion for providing it. All telephone numbers are UK unless stated otherwise. Please note that this part has not been updated since December 1994! B.1 BUSINESS & LEGAL Asset Tracking - Please inquire for price. from Advanced New Technology +44 182 571 3058 Equipment Inspections,PAT checks plus more all within this well proven system. Control of all items, history, inspections, overdue status, locations and status. Full PC management control interface. Pocket Publishing - GBP 49.95 from Hockney Engineers Ltd. +44 113 245 5061 The easy way to print personalised letterheads and the quick way to write every day letters, with a choice of high profile distinctive styles. For use with Canon Bubble Jet Printers or Hewlett Packard and compatible laser printers. Job Search - Please inquire for price. from Maritek +44 141 554 2492 Helps the job seeker keep track of job applications, interviews, etc. It displays details of any application, lists applications and gives breakdown of the current state of applications. Banker - Please inquire for price. from Pelican Software +1 713 242 8928 Personal finance software for the Series 3a. Banker Imports and Exports to Quicken. Very easy to use and provides features such as easy transfers, split transactions, password protection, unerase, reconciliation, pop up Calculator and Calendar, reports, printing, reminders and Tidy. DataDeLuxe - GBP 69.95 from Pocket & Soul +32 3232 3468 Database for the Series 3 and 3a. Works with all existing data files. Toggles between a record view and table view of all selected records. Contains multiple search and select options and fast alphabetical sort routine. Banking Assistant - GBP 89.95 from Portable Software +44 190 463 3918 Built around a multi-currency, multi-account system with tax handling and cash flow forecasting. Separate budget planner and petty cash recorder plus an energy monitor. Complete with over 100 sophisticated financial calculators and converters. Text Assistant - GBP 89.95 from Portable Software +44 190 463 3918 Assembles letters, memos, orders, invoices or notices without lots of typing. Lays out the page automatically. Financial documents totalled allowing discount and tax calculations. Links to the Data system to produce mail shots. Sales Assistant - GBP 89.95 from Portable Software +44 190 463 3918 Integrated order processing, stock control and customer care. Full set of output documents and management reports. Special versions available for several industries. Training Assistant - GBP 89.95 from Portable Software +44 190 463 3918 Contains a register and results recording system. Designed for use in industrial training as well as educational establishments. Allows for self assessment by students. Carries out much of the tedious analysis and report writing. Office Assistant - GBP 89.95 from Portable Software +44 19 463 3918 Designed to help co-ordinate a busy office. Integrated time facility includes project monitor. Helps with filing and retrieving documents. Petty cash account plus inventory and loan equipment tracking. Contact EDGE - GBP 116.33 from Total Computer Systems +44 199 257 5151 Manages prospects, sales and business contact information by integrating a relational contact database and user defined report generator with the Psion 3 Agenda, Word and Spreadsheet. Contact TEAM links 3a's with Lotus Notes sales and marketing database for 2 way data exchange. Finance Pack - GBP 49.95 for Series 3, GBP 59.95 for Series 3a. from Widget Software Ltd. +44 143 881 5444 Ideal for home finance, self-assessment for income tax, small business accounts (without VAT). Ask for the "Widget Software Guide to Getting Rich", a four page booklet containing full details on this package. Agenda Link - Please inquire for price. from Widget Software Ltd. +44 1438-815-444 Share information in your Series 3 or 3a Agenda by linking it to either Lotus Organizer or MS Schedule Plus. Agenda Link translates the data from Series 3/3a to these popular Windows information managers. Child Support and Legal Aid - Please inquire for price. from Dodona Ltd. +44 122 264 4131 ChildSupport calculates liabilities and entitlements to child support and includes welfare benefits calculations. LegalAid calculates entitlement and contributions to a Green Form, ABWOR, Civil and Criminal Legal Aid. Helper 3 and Renovator - Please inquire for price. from Ferret Information Systems Ltd. +44 122 264 4660 Helper 3 calculates Income Support, Family Credit, DWA and Housing Benefits. Renovator calculates entitlement to Renovation, Grants for Owners and Tenants, Landlords and disabled Facilities Grants. B.2 EDUCATION Note: The "Acorn Pocket Book" is a re-badged Series 3. Acorn Schedule - GBP 19.95 from Acorn Computers Ltd. +44 122 325 4254 Supplied on an SSD ROM card with manual. This combines a diary, personal organiser and timetable. Also includes the spell checker. Acorn Plotter - GBP 35.19 from Acorn Computers Ltd. +44 122 325 4254 A graphical plotting application meeting all curriculum needs in Math and Science for key stages 3,4 and onwards as well as most of the requirements for A-Level. Supplied on SSD with manual. Explorer - GBP 92.82 from ExpLAN UK Ltd. +44 182 261 3868 Designed to allow the introduction of an IT content to field trips and surveys by replacing the traditional pen and paper worksheet with a structured set of questions on an Acorn Pocket Book or Series 3/3a. Event - GBP 24.95 from ExpLAN UK Ltd. +44 182 261 3868 A desktop diary for Acorn RISC computers designed to work with Schedule on the Acorn Pocket Book and Agenda on the Series 3/3a. Occasion - User version GBP 69.95. Network version available. from ExpLAN UK Ltd. +44 182 261 3868 A personal organiser application for Acorn RISC computers. Comprising a diary, address book, phone book and note book. Information may be exchanged with applications running on the Acorn Pocket Book and Series 3/3a. B.3 LEISURE & GUIDES Miscellany - GBP 34.95 from BroadOak Computing +44 171 836 7640 Includes Biorhythms, the Series 3 character set, the date of Easter 1901-2199, Football Pools manager and draw selector, RPI price comparisons 1947-1994 (9 indices) Games for Thinkers & Gamblers. Includes Roulette, Nim, Poker Dice and Quintet. Papillons - GBP 34.95 from BroadOak Computing +44 171 836 7640 A crossword-like linked-word game. Links may be anagrams, common associations of words, homophones, puns, synonyms. Cryptic clues help you to flit from word to word. GolfCard - GBP 69.95 and Analyst - GBP 25.00 from M-P (Golf) Systems +44 181 394 2049 GolfCard is a Database and Scoring System for use on and off the golf course. Use it to score all popular match formats for 1 to 4 players, Then save course details and match for reference and analysis. Analyst allows you to monitor you and your partners' progress. It can show all or a selection of a player's scores on one course at once, and then calculate averages, eclectic scores and other statistics. Games 3 - GBP 34.95 from Widget Software Ltd. +44 143 881 5444 Seven exciting and innovative games for your entertainment. Includes Castle, a full text adventure game; Bandit, a fruit machine; Poker and Solo, classic card games; Reversi, Quad and Minesweeper. Paint and Compose - GBP 69.95 from Widget Software Ltd. +44 143 881 5444 Paint can display or print downloaded PCX, GIF, or BMP files, create new pictures or capture and print spreadsheet graphs or screen shots. Compose can create and print melodies on bass or treble clef. The Greater London Restaurant Guide - 49.95 from Mobile Software +44 181 906 0002 Find the restaurants you want but didn't know existed, quickly and easily. A wide variety of search keys ensures that you ask the questions, and Mobile Pages gives the answers. For example, all Chinese restaurants serving both Cantonese and Peking food, with a non-smoking area and highchair availability. B.4 NAVIGATION Air Navigator - GBP 116.33 from Dolphin Digital +44 120 248 3050 Flight Planning software for PPL through to commercial use. Flight plan, fuel consumption and cost displayed or printed. Stores aircraft and route information, full weight and balance schedule plus dB Hold, crosswind, conversions, sunrise, and sunset etc. Full European or American database available. GNAV3 & GNAV3a - GBP 149.00 (GBP 249.00 for Pooleys) from Haggis Computers +44 146 767 1243 Professional flight planning using waypoints created from latitudes and longitudes, national grid references or bearing and distances from known waypoints or a track and distance. Pooleys, Europe, US databases available. LGBK3 & LGBK3a - GBP 149.00 from Haggis Computers +44 146 767 1243 An electronic logbook for the Professional or Private pilot. Handles both Fixed Wing and Rotary Wing. Includes a CAA CAP371 calculator for flying limitations and duty hours. Produces A4 certified print outs. astroNAVCOMP - From GBP 149.00 from Intecma Associates +44 184 434 4570 Multi-leg rhumb line and Great Circle passage planning. Celestial navigation with integral almanac for sun, moon, planets and stars. Easy to use - fixes computed without plotting. Running fixes. Graphic display of D.R., fix, and position lines. Astro-Navigation - Please inquire for price. from Maritek +44 141 554 2492 Sextant sight reduction calculations done quickly. Automatically compensates for refraction, parallax and sun diameter. Equally easy for moon, planets and stars. Running fixes, use for predictions and gives time of sunrise/sunset, twilight and transits. May be combined with Navigator. Flight Analyser - Please inquire for price. from Top of the Stack +44 123 585 0157 For glider pilots and balloonists. Allows you to upload, view, analyse and archive electronic barograph traces on the Series 3/3a. Features include auto scaling, multiple zooming, GPS support, automatic selection of climbs and descents and many useful utilities. Sightmaster 3 - Please inquire for price. from Dolphin Maritime Software Ltd. +44 172 845 4171 An Ocean Navigation program which includes memory of all data for navigation, Sight reduction with all corrections automatically applied, Almanac for 59 stars, the sun, the moon and all 4 planets until 2100 AD. Coastmaster 3 - Please inquire for price. from Dolphin Maritime Software Ltd. +44 172 845 4171 For the Yachtsman or professional Navigator who needs to store very large numbers of waypoints and routes. Computes intermediate points along a rhumb line, automatic route, ETA, true/apparent wind and many others. Stability Draft and Trim 3 - Please inquire for price. from Dolphin Maritime Software Ltd. +44 172 845 4171 For ship loading calculations. Storage for up to 10 ships, up to 99 voyages per ship, up to 99 cargo spaces, stores etc. per ship. All results printable via optional cable. Oil Survey 3 - Please inquire for price. from Dolphin Maritime Software Ltd. +44 172 845 4171 For oil and chemical cargoes. Up to 99 surveys may be stored. All the usual ASTM-IP tables plus many extras. Ability to print out survey with surveyor's name etc. via optional cable. NAVCOMP - From GBP 149.00 from Intecma Associates +44 184 434 4570 Passage and race planning. Multi-function multi-leg system with built-in tidal streams for N. Europe. Estimated hourly positions with graphic display of groundtrack. Up to 99 legs, 234 named waypoints with index. Wind oriented tacking. Optional NMEA +44 1183 interface. Navigator - Please inquire for price. from Maritek +44 141 554 2492 A chart table companion for navigation, passage planning and keeping a log. Unlimited waypoints/routes. Computes a detailed passage plan. Computes present positions, bearings, ground track and speed, and keeps performance data. Full GPS capability with optional receiver. Nautical Assistant - Please inquire for price. from Portable Software +44 190 463 3918 Check the European tide tables from the built-in data tables. Numerous navigational, waypoint and racing calculators included. B.5 COMMUNICATIONS InterData - Please inquire for price. from Lacegem Ltd. +44 161 792 2871 Gives you the power to manipulate your data effectively on your Series 3/3a and to work with, share and convert your data for use with your favourite Windows database. InterData S3 and InterData PC are supplied as a suite of two programs on a 3.5 inch disk. Interdata S3 available alone on flashpack. ESP/3 (Electronic Sales and Purchases for Series 3) - GBP 75.00 from Oak Software +44 192 681 5041 A communications base using the ESP/Net service which brings customers and producers together electronically. Additional applications can easily be written as required. Waspbox - Please inquire for price. from Wasp Software Ltd. +44 173 755 5989 Provides office machine costs recovery for professionals. Copier, fax control and direct chargeback to client account irrespective of computer software supplier. Any office machine can be made to function only when valid client codes are entered. Stand-alone or networked. Local reports or mainframe. Wasp Time Recorder - Please inquire for price. from Wasp Software Ltd. +44 173 755 5989 Portable Time Recorder for professionals. A host of features which you would have been pleased to think of yourself to make your business more fluent and profitable. Download and upload client details from network or mainframe. Report locally or on any supplier's system. Winlink - GBP 29.99 from Widget Software Ltd. +44 143 881 5444 Winlink makes communicating between a Series 3 or 3a and Windows easy. You need a Serial Link (RS232) Cable in order to use Winlink. VT100 Emulator - GBP 58.75 from Widget Software Ltd. +44 143 881 5444 Keep in touch with your office system or test equipment on site direct from the Series 3a. Use with remote system via modem or connect direct to any host requiring VT100 capability. Supports most VT100 features including underline, bold, reverse video, scrolling and keypad emulation. S3WP - Please inquire for price. from Point.X +42 224 225 347 Converts text between Series 3/3a Word processor and WordPerfect 5.1 files without losing any formatting information (styles, emphasis etc.). Database files (application DATA) can also be converted to WP 5.1 files. Utility is running from MS-DOS commands with various parameter settings. dBase Convert - Please inquire for price. from Point.X +42 224 225 347 Converts Series 3/3a database files from and to DBase file format (dBase III compatible). Also the ODB files (OPL data files) are handled. Program is MS-DOS command line driven and several parameters are provided. Agenda files can be transferred to dBase as well. S3 Backup - Please inquire for price. from Point.X +42 224 225 347 Provides simple and easy to use file backup from specified Series 3/3a disks (internal, A, B or any combination). Program runs from MS-DOS command line and can be included to the batch files. Program compares the files on Series 3 with contents of "archive" on PC to copy a new file. 3BASE - Please inquire for price. from The Turing Machine Company +31 206 533 033 A user-friendly Windows application offering data integration between your Series 3/3a database and many of the world's PC-based database applications. 3BASE will convert between Series 3, Series 3a, dBase IV, Windows Card, IIP95LX and FoxPro files and a variety of other database formats. Series 3 Tools - GBP 49.95 from Widget Software Ltd. +44 143 881 5444 Puts you in control of your Series 3/3a, telling you how much RAM you have left, how much space each file on your SSDs takes up and how to make the most of what you have left. Also includes Convert utility and Task Manager. Commander 3a -Please inquire for price. from Yellow Computing +49 713 695 1111 A toolbox of utilities for the Psion Series 3 and 3a. The Commander-Shell allows all file functions such as copying, renaming, deleting etc. Also includes a fast Database-Viewer, Data Compression, Hex Editor, SSD-Manager, Graphics view and print utility etc. B.7 DIET, HEALTH & SAFETY Compute-A-Diet - Please inquire for price. from Comcard Ltd. +44 190 577 8957 A complete dietary analysis system incorporating the UK National Food Database. Calculates your ideal weight, dietary requirements, daily averages and much more. US and Aus. versions also available. Risk MATRIX Assessments - Please inquire for price. from Advanced New Technology +44 182 571 3058 Full, user driven, Risk assessment system. Employs the Risk Matrix method of determining the risk level. Full risk action control and measures in place facilities. Full PC management control interface. Risk HRN Assessments - Please inquire for price. from Advanced New Technology +44 182 571 3058 Full, user driven, Risk assessment system. Employs the Hazard Rating Number formula technique to determining the risk level. Full risk action control and measures in place facilities. COSHH Assessments - Please inquire for price. from Advanced New Technology +44 182 571 3058 Allows H & S mangers to view COSHH details directly from the Series 3 and also enables them to undertake COSHH Assessments using the base chemical details. Full PC management control interface. Room Safety Checks - Please inquire for price. from Advanced New Technology +44 182 571 3058 The H & S Manager can walk into a room and check all safety aspects. Complete with hazard ratings, notepad and automatic action alarms directly from the Series 3 Agenda. Full PC management control interface. Visual P.A.T Inspections - Please inquire for price. from Advanced New Technology +44 182 571 3058 All electrical equipment can be checked easily and quickly for any obvious visual defects. Full recording of inspector, date, time and full results. Full history and overdue reporting. Full PC management control interface. B.8 TIME MANAGEMENT G-Tabs - GBP 99.95 from Gartside Neville Ltd. +44 172 233 3490 A sophisticated, easy to use system for collecting time, expense and cost data. Comprehensive facilities include activity timing, reviewing, cutting/pasting, merging, backing-up, printing and data transfer to the Psion Spreadsheet and PC-based accounting, database, spreadsheet and bespoke products. Timing Assistant - GBP 89.95 from Portable Software +44 190 463 3918 Contains a set of business and domestic timing utilities. These include a professional work timer, a scheduler plus fitness, phone and chess timers. With Data Assistant which extends the built-in Data system. Timebase - GBP 116.33 from Total Computer Systems +44 199 257 5151 Allows a service professional to record time, activity, expenses, costs and charges electronically. Available in single user form and muti-user department form. A further version can be linked to existing departmental time recording or accounts systems using Timebase LINK. B.9 MAPPING & SURVEYING Geographical Database - Please inquire for price. from Fawnbench Ltd. +44 127 645 1239 Displays a map of the UK from a digital database including roads, railways, and rivers with full annotation showing town and road names. Features can be searched for by name and location. Users can add their own features represented by custom icons. Planned Building/Room Inspections - Please inquire for price. from Advanced New Technology +44 182 571 3058 A complete Building/FM managers package. Buildings/Rooms can be set-up with standard blocks of questions, enabling all aspects of the room to be checked. Full hazard ratings and automatic agenda and alarms when actions are due. Asset Tracker & Portable Appliance Testing - Please inquire for price. from Surveying Technology +44 171 702 3850 A Facilities Management tool that utilises the Series 3a and interfaces with Seaward PAT testers. Simplifies using the Psion Series 3 in conjunction with a CCD barcode scanner to keep track of company assets. Survey Master Graphique - Please inquire for price. from Surveying Technology +44 171 702 3850 For creating survey drawings. A comprehensive list of commands that include entering symbols, editing data on site, calculating angles and viewing drawings on site. Download the survey drawing into AutoCAD or use DXF translator. Condition Survey Master - Please inquire for price. from Surveying Technology +44 171 702 3850 Designed for Building Surveyors and Property Managers. A fully customisable Condition Surveying system using GUI allows fully detailed internal and external works to be monitored and downloaded into the Windows database. B.10 SERVICES Advanced New Technology +44 182 571 3058 With a wide range of on-hand experience, work closely as partners with companies requiring custom systems to provide an effective solution in almost all aspects of business and industry. References for quality satisfaction available. Iceberg Software Ltd +44 137 181 0829 A consultancy service offering a professional team to meet your software requirements. Experience includes financial trading software, analytical, datafeed and remote Psion based access to PC applications. Can develop ideas and produce software for MS Windows, MS Windows NT and the Psion Series 3a. PNJ Consultants-Software Engineering +44 181 740 0215 A software engineering and consultancy service is provided for all types of Psion machines. Applications can be developed professionally to your requirements for use on their own or in conjunction with larger systems. Right Hand Software Ltd. +44 181 319 8576 Develop general and business applications for the Psion range of computers. Services include business requirement analysis, software design and programming in C or OPL, integration with desktop systems and implementation, training and support. The User Group - +44 175 276 8515 User group for Psion. Receive unlimited technical support, advice, newsletters, shareware, new software, discount hardware, special offers, own bulletin board, regional seminars and fun. Cost is GBP 28.00 per year. B.11 BOOKS & ACCESSORIES First Steps in Programming the Psion Series 3. By Mike Shaw. GBP 14.95 from Kuma Books Ltd. +44 173 484 4335 Step by step instruction of the programming process of OPL. Introduction to Using the Psion Series 3. By Rod Lawton and Issac Davis. GBP 14.95 from Kuma Books Ltd. +44 173 484 4335 Disregards all the computer jargon and concentrates on the machines abilities and potential as your own Personal Assistant. Serious Programming on the Psion Series 3. By Bill Aitken. GBP 14.95 from Kuma Books Ltd. +44 173 484 4335 Program planning and writing with many worked examples. Graphics programming on the Psion Series 3. By Bill Aitken. GBP 14.95 from Kuma Books Ltd. +44 173 484 4335 Detailed explanations of graphics programming with numerous worked out examples. Serious Programming on the Psion Series 3a. By Bill Aitken. GBP 16.95 from Kuma Books Ltd. +44 173 484 4335 Covers all the commands of the Series 3a including sound, drawing and filling in black and grey plus a major section on graphics. Programmeren in OPL - Please inquire for price. from Portasoft +31 757 042 05 Describes how you design an application in OPL for the Psion Series 3 and 3a. It starts with simple programming and continues with subjects like using structures, procedures, menus and window functions. Available in Dutch. Desk Stand - GBP 16.99 from Widget Software Ltd. +44 143 881 5444 If you don't have enough hands to talk on the phone and use the Series 3 at the same time, then you need this black, anodised aluminium desk stand. The angle of display makes it easier to read the screen and reduces glare. Designed to make your Series 3/3a stand out above even the largest mound of paperwork </PRE></PRE> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> <UL> Markus Speicher (ww36asms@sbusol.rz.uni-sb.de) Sonday, 11/5/1995 </UL> <img src="pics/donssmalline.jpg"> </BODY> </HTML>