Discussion:
Alternatives to psion 5 for use with RiscOS
(too old to reply)
p***@ukonline.co.uk
2004-05-10 08:35:26 UTC
Permalink
Hi Folks!

As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but slowly
dying Psion Series 5.

Sharing text files with Riscos would be the required minimum of
compatibility (As long as those could include CSV or TSV).

I appreciate that serial connections are harder to come by for newer
machines, though they're still available if you look hard enough. I suppose
ethernet would serve as an alternative. (Also USB compatibility is a viable
option and card readers might help)

Software needed on the machine would include the usual organiser, and
contacts stuff, but also a database application and route-planning software
are essential. Bonus points would be had for Bluetooth and MP3 playing might
eventually be advantageous.

I could probably go and buy a machine tomorrow that had all of these
features, but the advice of experienced RiscOS users would be immensely
helpful.

Should I give up on avoiding Microsoft? I'd rather not.

Regards
--
Phil Michael
Thomas Milius
2004-05-10 12:08:48 UTC
Permalink
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Hi Folks!
As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but slowly
dying Psion Series 5.
Sharing text files with Riscos would be the required minimum of
compatibility (As long as those could include CSV or TSV).
I appreciate that serial connections are harder to come by for newer
machines, though they're still available if you look hard enough. I suppose
ethernet would serve as an alternative. (Also USB compatibility is a viable
option and card readers might help)
Software needed on the machine would include the usual organiser, and
contacts stuff, but also a database application and route-planning software
are essential. Bonus points would be had for Bluetooth and MP3 playing might
eventually be advantageous.
I could probably go and buy a machine tomorrow that had all of these
features, but the advice of experienced RiscOS users would be immensely
helpful.
Should I give up on avoiding Microsoft? I'd rather not.
Following remarks:

1. Wait until Wakefiled show. Perhaps there are some news
about machines fullfilling your requests even I don't think so.

2. I bought a Demolux DBOOK1 some weeks ago as a replacement
for my Psion S5. It is a german version of a Coxion (or something
like this. Search the net)-computer.
It has approximately DIN A5 format, no harddisc, 128 MB battery
buffered RAM, one CF-card slot, a 200 MHz StrongARM processor,
a 800 by 480 65535 colour touch dispay and a in my opinion useable
keyboard.
It seems to run 4 hours or more from accumulators (must still check
in details). It has a LAN interface.
I was able to connect to it with SAMBA on my RiscPC/Iyonix.
It has an inbuild GPRS-module (which I can't use in the moment
for I am not an owner of a mobile phone) which allows you to
phone from the computer with a headset or to surf in the internet.
It has a (for myself useless) Monitor interface.

Disadvantages:
Operation system is unfortunately Windows CE 4.1 .net but which
seems to be relatively stable.
It has a USB device interface. USB host would have been better
for you can't connect eg. a printer directly.
It weights twice as much as the PSION but compared with
laptops not much.
It is very expensive in my opinion (but I didn't see alternatives ...).

Some software is supplied with it: EXCEL, WORD, POWER POINT
viewers and a Text- and a Spreadsheet program (WORD/EXCEL
compatible). I don't have an overview about this programs in detail
in the moment. There are also a PDF viewer and Internet Explorer 5.5.
There is an attempt of an editor (Wordpad) and an address and
an Agenda application. Last both programs are doing their job
but they are relatively poor compared with PSION Agenda or
PSION Database. Also supplied is M$ media player.
MP3s are played fine with it (slowing down the machine
remarkable) but I think !KinoAMP is playing MPEG videos faster.

There is other software for Windows CE too but:
1. It seems especally for the combination Windows CE 4.x/ARM
there is not much software in the moment.
2. Most of it is shareware or commercial software (and really expensive).

So the range of software for Windows and RISCOS and even EPOC is much
much bigger, better and cheaper.

On the other side. There are photographys showing the DBOOK1
in conjunction with a CF-GPS card as a travel pilot in a car ...

This machine with RISCOS for the half price would be really
nice. But yes a dream ... :-(

3. I not seeing any other alternatives :-(

Thomas Milius
Chris Hughes
2004-05-10 17:49:19 UTC
Permalink
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Hi Folks!
As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but slowly
dying Psion Series 5.
Sharing text files with Riscos would be the required minimum of
compatibility (As long as those could include CSV or TSV).
I appreciate that serial connections are harder to come by for newer
machines, though they're still available if you look hard enough. I suppose
ethernet would serve as an alternative. (Also USB compatibility is a viable
option and card readers might help)
Software needed on the machine would include the usual organiser, and
contacts stuff, but also a database application and route-planning software
are essential. Bonus points would be had for Bluetooth and MP3 playing might
eventually be advantageous.
I could probably go and buy a machine tomorrow that had all of these
features, but the advice of experienced RiscOS users would be immensely
helpful.
Should I give up on avoiding Microsoft? I'd rather not.
Why not checkout Pinnock Computer Services.

www.posltd.com

They repair/refurbish and sell second hand Psion's and Acorn Pocket Books.

They have a good reputation.
--
Chris Hughes
Wakefield RISCOS Computer Show 15/16th May
http://www.wakefieldshow.org.uk
Gary Jones
2004-05-16 13:38:56 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Hughes
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Hi Folks!
As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but slowly
dying Psion Series 5.
<<snipped>>
Post by Chris Hughes
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Should I give up on avoiding Microsoft? I'd rather not.
Why not checkout Pinnock Computer Services.
www.posltd.com
They repair/refurbish and sell second hand Psion's and Acorn Pocket Books.
They have a good reputation.
I'll agree with that. Excellent service from them.

Gary
--
Gary Jones
Chris Evans
2004-05-18 09:13:16 UTC
Permalink
Post by Gary Jones
Post by Chris Hughes
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Hi Folks!
As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but slowly
dying Psion Series 5.
<<snipped>>
Post by Chris Hughes
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Should I give up on avoiding Microsoft? I'd rather not.
Why not checkout Pinnock Computer Services.
www.posltd.com
They repair/refurbish and sell second hand Psion's and Acorn Pocket Books.
They have a good reputation.
I'll agree with that. Excellent service from them.
Unfortunatly experiences vary, we recommeneded them a couple of years ago
to a customer who told us afterwards we should never recommend them again,
as he had had problems!

Our experince was that they got the repair done but were a bit disorganized
and slower than quoted.

Chris Evans
--
CJE Micro's / NCS / Fourth Dimension 'RISC OS Specialists'
Telephone: (01903) 523222 Fax: (01903) 523679
***@cjemicros.co.uk http://www.cjemicros.co.uk/
78 Brighton Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 2EN, UK.
Ed Donnelly
2004-05-18 20:16:43 UTC
Permalink
In message <***@client.cjemicros.co.uk>
Chris Evans <***@cjemicros.co.uk> did write:

[snip]
Post by Chris Evans
Unfortunatly experiences vary, we recommeneded them a couple of years ago
to a customer who told us afterwards we should never recommend them again,
as he had had problems!
Our experince was that they got the repair done but were a bit disorganized
and slower than quoted.
I've used them once, when my 5mx's screen died - I posted the machine
off on Wednesday and got it back, working perfectly with a new keyboard
even, on Friday. Absolutely first rate service.

TTFN,
Ed
pv
2004-05-10 18:50:39 UTC
Permalink
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but
slowly dying Psion Series 5.
I'm thinking of selling my Psion Revo+ which is brand new and still in all
it's original packing. They still go for around 90 quid + on eBay though.
Fully working with RISC OS via my own ArcLink5 software, or any of the
other RISC OS link apps.
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Should I give up on avoiding Microsoft? I'd rather not.
Nope. I'd avoid Microsoft like the plague. I've now got a top of the range
iPaq but it's not a patch on the Psion Revo. :-(
--
Paul __\\|//__ Life,
(` o-o ') the Universe
---- www.segfault.co.uk ------ooO-(_)-Ooo------ & Everything ------

Posted using a RISC OS computer - 100% immune to all email viruses.
(email address is genuine, to fool junkmailers)

It's been one helluva day.
Chris Evans
2004-05-11 13:26:02 UTC
Permalink
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Hi Folks!
As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but slowly
dying Psion Series 5.
We have a few 16MB Osaris's in stock, specs are similair to PSION REVO
The screen (320x200) isn't as high res as the Psion5 but it fits all the
other basic criteria
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Sharing text files with Riscos would be the required minimum of
compatibility (As long as those could include CSV or TSV).
I appreciate that serial connections are harder to come by for newer
machines, though they're still available if you look hard enough. I suppose
ethernet would serve as an alternative. (Also USB compatibility is a viable
option and card readers might help)
Software needed on the machine would include the usual organiser, and
contacts stuff, but also a database application and route-planning software
are essential. Bonus points would be had for Bluetooth and MP3 playing might
eventually be advantageous.
I could probably go and buy a machine tomorrow that had all of these
features, but the advice of experienced RiscOS users would be immensely
helpful.
Should I give up on avoiding Microsoft? I'd rather not.
Regards
Chris Evans
--
CJE Micro's / NCS / Fourth Dimension 'RISC OS Specialists'
Telephone: (01903) 523222 Fax: (01903) 523679
***@cjemicros.co.uk http://www.cjemicros.co.uk/
78 Brighton Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 2EN, UK.
Dr P.N.Young
2004-05-16 17:37:20 UTC
Permalink
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Hi Folks!
As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but
slowly dying Psion Series 5.
We have a few 16MB Osaris's in stock, specs are similar to PSION REVO
The screen (320x200) isn't as high res as the Psion5 but it fits all the
other basic criteria
Bought one (they did indeed have it in stock!). Not all Series 5 apps work
as they should, but it's an acceptable alternative for people like me who
have 10 years or so of Psion data!

Best wishes,

Peter.
--
Peter \ / \ Prestbury, Cheltenham, Glos. GL52
Anne \ / __ __ \ England.
Cecilia / / \ | | |\ | / _ http://www.argonet.co.uk/users/pnyoung
James / \__/ \_/ | \| \__/ \_____________ ***@argonet.co.uk.
Phil Michael
2004-05-16 22:30:35 UTC
Permalink
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but slowly
dying Psion Series 5.
Hi again.

Thanks everyone, for the helpful replies.
However, I suppose I had in mind /different/ alternatives to a Psion 5.

I was thinking specifically of something more modern, either a Palm machine,
or one of those Sony offerings, or else something similar.

I guess the psion 5, though a wonderful machine, was never really in its
element as a PDA. It always seemed to me as more of a replacement for a
laptop computer.

Regards
--
Phil
Bob Hartley
2004-05-18 10:52:24 UTC
Permalink
Post by Phil Michael
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but slowly
dying Psion Series 5.
Hi again.
Thanks everyone, for the helpful replies.
However, I suppose I had in mind /different/ alternatives to a Psion 5.
I was thinking specifically of something more modern, either a Palm machine,
or one of those Sony offerings, or else something similar.
Get a palm machine and I'll make you a custom database app if you need it. :-)

cheers
bob
Post by Phil Michael
Regards
p***@ukonline.co.uk
2004-05-18 14:59:45 UTC
Permalink
Post by Bob Hartley
Get a palm machine and I'll make you a custom database app
if you need it. :-)
cheers
bob
Sounds great. Thanks for the offer, but will the thing communicate with my
desktop RiscOS machine, or will I have to take it to someone else's house
just to download off and to it? As an alternative, do any have on board
ethernet?

regards --
Phil
News poster
2004-05-20 16:57:14 UTC
Permalink
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Hi Folks!
As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but slowly
dying Psion Series 5.
www.pulster.de for new Psion hardware Series 5/7 netbook all at
remarkably reasonable prices.

I bought an ethernet/modem card for my Netbook from them. Nice people
to do business with
HTH
Stan

--
Chris Evans
2004-05-21 10:46:32 UTC
Permalink
Post by News poster
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Hi Folks!
As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but slowly
dying Psion Series 5.
www.pulster.de for new Psion hardware Series 5/7 netbook all at
remarkably reasonable prices.
Are they new or refurbished units? (I don't understand german)

if refurbished the prices look high to me!
Post by News poster
I bought an ethernet/modem card for my Netbook from them. Nice people
to do business with
HTH
Stan
Chris Evans
--
CJE Micro's / NCS / Fourth Dimension 'RISC OS Specialists'
Telephone: (01903) 523222 Fax: (01903) 523679
***@cjemicros.co.uk http://www.cjemicros.co.uk/
78 Brighton Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 2EN, UK.
Steffen Huber
2004-05-21 12:14:26 UTC
Permalink
Post by Chris Evans
Post by News poster
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Hi Folks!
As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but
slowly dying Psion Series 5.
www.pulster.de for new Psion hardware Series 5/7 netbook all at
remarkably reasonable prices.
Are they new or refurbished units? (I don't understand german)
The website doesn't really tell. However, you get the full warranty.
Post by Chris Evans
if refurbished the prices look high to me!
You know of a better source for Revos?
166 vs. 130 UKP seems to be not that much of a difference.

Anyway, before buying my Revo+ (which is in fact a Diamond Mako), I did
a bit of research to compare the Osaris with the Revo+. The outcome was:
- Revo is much faster and has more memory (but Osaris has extendable mem)
- Revo uses a later version of the OS
- Revo is smaller and has a better display resolution
- Revo has higher build quality
- many freeware apps don't run on Osaris

So I'm not sure if it is a good idea to do a direct price comparison
without looking at the hardware/software differences.

Steffen
--
***@gmx.de ***@huber-net.de
hubersn Software - http://www.hubersn-software.com/
Private homepage - http://www.huber-net.de/
Chris Evans
2004-05-21 16:52:07 UTC
Permalink
Post by Steffen Huber
Post by Chris Evans
Post by News poster
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Hi Folks!
As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but
slowly dying Psion Series 5.
www.pulster.de for new Psion hardware Series 5/7 netbook all at
remarkably reasonable prices.
Are they new or refurbished units? (I don't understand german)
The website doesn't really tell. However, you get the full warranty.
Post by Chris Evans
if refurbished the prices look high to me!
You know of a better source for Revos?
166 vs. 130 UKP seems to be not that much of a difference.
Anyway, before buying my Revo+ (which is in fact a Diamond Mako), I did
- Revo is much faster and has more memory (but Osaris has extendable mem)
Our Osaris's are 16MB same as REVO+
Post by Steffen Huber
- Revo uses a later version of the OS
- Revo is smaller and has a better display resolution
- Revo has higher build quality
- many freeware apps don't run on Osaris
So I'm not sure if it is a good idea to do a direct price comparison
without looking at the hardware/software differences.
The Osaris's advantages other than price that i know of are
replaceable standard AA batteries, the Revo is built in rechargable!
The Osaris has Compact Flash socket!

So overall I think things are pretty close!

Chris Evans
--
CJE Micro's / NCS / Fourth Dimension 'RISC OS Specialists'
Telephone: (01903) 523222 Fax: (01903) 523679
***@cjemicros.co.uk http://www.cjemicros.co.uk/
78 Brighton Road, Worthing, West Sussex, BN11 2EN, UK.
Grahame D Collie
2004-05-22 15:05:47 UTC
Permalink
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Hi Folks!
As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but slowly
dying Psion Series 5.
Sharing text files with Riscos would be the required minimum of
compatibility (As long as those could include CSV or TSV).
I appreciate that serial connections are harder to come by for newer
machines, though they're still available if you look hard enough. I suppose
ethernet would serve as an alternative. (Also USB compatibility is a viable
option and card readers might help)
Software needed on the machine would include the usual organiser, and
contacts stuff, but also a database application and route-planning software
are essential. Bonus points would be had for Bluetooth and MP3 playing might
eventually be advantageous.
I could probably go and buy a machine tomorrow that had all of these
features, but the advice of experienced RiscOS users would be immensely
helpful.
Should I give up on avoiding Microsoft? I'd rather not.
Regards
How about a Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 or SL-5600? Having used Psion
Revo's and
5mx's for a number of years, I found the Zaurus to be a worthy
upgrade/replacement, and pretty much fully compatible with the Acorn.
I've tried Palm machines but never really took to them, apart from
which, I
couldn't find any (useful) way of getting them to talk to the Acorn.
The
Zaurus uses Linux, so no Microsoft worries!

The Zaurus doesn't seem to be readily available over the counter in
the UK
at present, but there are always plenty available on ebay at extremely
reasonable prices. It comes with the usual USB cradle, but serial
cables
are available:

http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=SIO_ZTCAB

I transfer files to and fro using !Connector on the Acorn:

http://connector.a-m-z.org/

and C-Kermit on the Zaurus:

http://killefiz.de/zaurus/showdetail.php?app=792

You'll need some way of installing C-Kermit first (i.e. a PC or CF
card),
but once done, you should be able to do everything from the Acorn.
As most
applications for the Zaurus come as self-extracting archives (.ipk
files)
they can simply be transferred like any other file.

I regularly transfer Psion databases (as CSV files) to Portabase (an
excellent free database) on my Zaurus:

http://killefiz.de/zaurus/showdetail.php?app=663

The only route-planner I've seen is:

http://sourceforge.net/projects/routeplanner/

but I haven't tried it so can't say if it's any good.

Bluetooth and Wi-Fi are available via CF cards and the Zaurus also has
an SD
card slot. MP3 playing comes as standard. If you're interested,
and have
any other queries, drop me an e-mail.

Grahame.
Dave Lawton
2004-05-23 16:21:05 UTC
Permalink
Post by Grahame D Collie
Post by p***@ukonline.co.uk
Hi Folks!
As the subject says, I'm in need of a replacement to my faithful but slowly
dying Psion Series 5.
snip
Post by Grahame D Collie
How about a Sharp Zaurus SL-5500 or SL-5600? Having used Psion
Revo's and
5mx's for a number of years, I found the Zaurus to be a worthy
upgrade/replacement, and pretty much fully compatible with the Acorn.
I've tried Palm machines but never really took to them, apart from
which, I
couldn't find any (useful) way of getting them to talk to the Acorn.
The
Zaurus uses Linux, so no Microsoft worries!
The Zaurus doesn't seem to be readily available over the counter in
the UK
at present, but there are always plenty available on ebay at extremely
reasonable prices. It comes with the usual USB cradle, but serial
cables
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=SIO_ZTCAB
I think you will find that Expansys also sell the machine
as well, 80 in stock @ 218.45gbp
See http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=SL-5000D&partner=register

It's what I replaced my Pocket book with, very pleased
with it, been v.reliable.

HTH
Dave
--
A sig will appear here when normal service is resumed :)
Grahame D Collie
2004-05-25 20:47:45 UTC
Permalink
Post by Dave Lawton
snip
Post by Grahame D Collie
The Zaurus doesn't seem to be readily available over the counter in
the UK
at present, but there are always plenty available on ebay at extremely
reasonable prices. It comes with the usual USB cradle, but serial
cables
http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=SIO_ZTCAB
I think you will find that Expansys also sell the machine
See http://www.expansys.com/product.asp?code=SL-5000D&partner=register
It's what I replaced my Pocket book with, very pleased
with it, been v.reliable.
HTH
Dave
--
A sig will appear here when normal service is resumed :)
So it is! I got mine from my local Cash Convertors for 125 GBP (it was
about 400 GBP new at that time). I liked the look of it, and after a brief
fiddle, decided to buy it and see if it would work with the Acorn. As you
say it's been very reliable, not crashed once in over a year!

Grahame.
pochino
2004-05-26 08:51:55 UTC
Permalink
The Zaurus ...
I got mine from my local Cash Convertors for 125 GBP (it was about 400
GBP new at that time). I liked the look of it, and after a brief
fiddle, decided to buy it and see if it would work with the Acorn. As
you say it's been very reliable, not crashed once in over a year!
Grahame.
Does it run things like the Collins dictionaries?

Bri
--
Brian Adam
Auckland NEW ZEALAND
Grahame D Collie
2004-05-26 20:42:52 UTC
Permalink
Post by pochino
Does it run things like the Collins dictionaries?
Bri
--
Brian Adam
Auckland NEW ZEALAND
Not Collins AFAIK but see here for various dictionaries available.

http://killefiz.de/zaurus/search.php?q=dictionary

This site is the main resource for Zaurus software. The search facility is
pretty good, and pretty much all software from GPL to commercial is listed.

Grahame.
pochino
2004-05-28 19:09:43 UTC
Permalink
Post by Grahame D Collie
Post by pochino
Does it run things like the Collins dictionaries?
Not Collins AFAIK but see here for various dictionaries available.
http://killefiz.de/zaurus/search.php?q=dictionary
This site is the main resource for Zaurus software. The search
facility is pretty good, and pretty much all software from GPL to
commercial is listed.
Thanks for that. Unfort no Italian/English!

Brian
--
Auckland NEW ZEALAND
Grahame D Collie
2004-05-28 20:15:40 UTC
Permalink
Post by pochino
Post by Grahame D Collie
Post by pochino
Does it run things like the Collins dictionaries?
Not Collins AFAIK but see here for various dictionaries available.
http://killefiz.de/zaurus/search.php?q=dictionary
This site is the main resource for Zaurus software. The search
facility is pretty good, and pretty much all software from GPL to
commercial is listed.
Thanks for that. Unfort no Italian/English!
Brian
--
Auckland NEW ZEALAND
Oh yes there is. On further checking...

http://sourceforge.net/projects/bedic

Grahame.

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