porting software to psion 5mx

[tom sparks via cctalk]

Could someone port some software to the psion 5mx for me

* [zpaq](http://mattmahoney.net/dc/zpaq.html) [source 
code](https://github.com/zpaq/zpaq)


thank you

just got my psion about a week ago

[tom sparks via cctalk]

I just got my psion (5mx pro) about a week ago,
I am wondering is there are Psion community that I can ask questions

looking for a book Advance Graphics BASIC programing (type-in listings)

[tom sparks via cctalk]

I am looking for a book I remember borrowing from the local library 
about late 1980, early 1990


this what remember:

* BASIC programing (type-in listings)
* Advance Graphics
* Polygon graphics
* IBM
* "that's all folks" image on front/back cover
* BSAVE/BLOAD (I think)
* two or three flight sims ( wireframe, filled polygons, AI ), they 
looked like Microsoft Flight Simulator 1.0 looking back

* wait press?

Re: BBS software was Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA

[tom sparks via cctalk]

On 03/11/17 03:56, Liam Proven wrote:


On 31 October 2017 at 23:02, tom sparks via cctalk
<cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:

I am looking for BBS software to run on my linux computer that i can use to
down/up-load stuff for my psion 5mx

The 5MX can talk IRDA, you know, which might be easier but is
line-of-sight only.

This may be informative:

http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/pdf/Psion-HOWTO.pdf

Also see:

http://palmtop.cosi.com.pl/2012/12/28/psion-linux-pc-and-a-cable/


I'm look at the reverse case psion to PC

BBS software was Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA

[tom sparks via cctalk]

I am looking for BBS software to run on my linux computer that i can use 
to down/up-load stuff for my psion 5mx


I have 2 xbees[1] to make the link

PS: I know there is pswin[2]

[1]: they are radio modems, see https://www.sparkfun.com/pages/xbee_guide
[2]: http://psion.info/GJ5/psiwin233_32.html


 Forwarded Message 
Subject:Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA
Date:   Mon, 30 Oct 2017 06:38:23 +1000
From:   tom sparks 
To: 	Mike Stein , General Discussion: On-Topic and 
Off-Topic Posts 




I want download all the data before I go and upload it when I return or 
use a "dial-up" connection[^1]


[^1]: I am really unsure if I want to go down the TCP/IP path

Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA

[tom sparks via cctalk]

On 31/10/17 00:34, Liam Proven wrote:

On 30 October 2017 at 00:57, tom sparks via cctalk
<cctalk@classiccmp.org> wrote:


cant find the Gateway HandBook on ebay :(
if wanted the GPD Pocket i could buy these
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora_(console)> or  GDP Win
Toshiba Libretto size issues

Your quoting is broken. It took 3 goes to type this because I couldn't
find your actual reply.


I checked cctalk mail archive I could not find where my text quoting is 
broken[1]




The Pandora is a gaming toy. It's got a terrible keyboard.

The GDP is one device, it just comes with either Windows or Ubuntu
installed. I think even the specs are the same.


I was say that the "modern" GPD pocket version sucks compared to the 
older versions.


if i was designing the next gen, i would start of with a kindle keyboard[2],
clamshell it, then make it smaller


The difference between modern things and the Psion is of course
battery life. A Psion 5/5mx ran for months on a pair of AAs. A
mini-laptop runs for a few hours.



[1]: http://www.classiccmp.org/pipermail/cctalk/2017-October/035578.html
[2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazon_Kindle#Kindle_Keyboard

Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA

[tom sparks via cctalk]

On 30/10/17 09:41, Sam O'nella wrote:

I'll add a few more problem specs than answers but the down side of a 
lot of devices is lack of backlit screen so working in a dark space 
can be a problem, 

same issues with e-ink

and I'd be quite interested to see real battery life reviews.




 So many devices that can work only last a few hours on battery. Could 
be age issues but that's what I've accepted as a reason not to collect 
too many handheld devices. Proprietary batteries and most are dead.


Do you want keyboard or is palm like writing acceptable?

Do you mean thumb typing, I can learn that

On the bright side, despite battery age palms are easy to find and 
relatively cheap. Most are at goodwill because of obsolescence not 
because theyre broken.  I find them all the time for $10.

thanks for the 2nd hand shops tip

Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA

[tom sparks via cctalk]

On 30/10/17 07:38, systems_glitch wrote:
You might check out the Gateway HandBook series -- there's a 286 and 
486 version. I've got the 486 version, it'll run DOS/Win31/Win95 and 
Linux/*BSD distros that support the 486. Suspend/resume is instant, 
there's an internal battery to carry you through battery pack hot 
swaps, and you can gut the old pack and restuff with modern cells. 
I've been meaning to build a USB based pack replacement for mine, 
using one or two 18650 cells, a charge controller, and a load share 
switch IC. Gets around the problem of needing the Gateway charger, 
which mine didn't come with :)


I've got one of the above-mentioned GPD Pocket computers, it's fully 
modern and comes with Windows 10 or Ubuntu. I've got mine running 
Slackware, but I haven't had much time to mess around with it in the 
past few months.


In between the Handbook and the GPD Pocket, there's the Toshiba 
Libretto line. There were a number of models, I've only ever had 
Libretto 110CT machines, which are 233 MHz Pentium-MMX with up to 64 
MB RAM. These run up to Windows 2000 just fine, and do fine with a 
modernish CLI Linux/*BSD (though some distros are starting to drop 
i586, and I've heard some distros will be dropping 32-bit Intel 
altogether soon). Keyboard isn't as good as the Handbook, but it's 
much better than the DOS palmtops I've used.


Thanks,
Jonathan

cant find the Gateway HandBook on ebay :(
if wanted the GPD Pocket i could buy these 
<https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandora_(console)> or  GDP Win

Toshiba Libretto size issues



On Sun, Oct 29, 2017 at 4:38 PM, tom sparks via cctalk 
<cctalk@classiccmp.org <mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>> wrote:


On 30/10/17 04:14, Mike Stein wrote:

- Original Message -
From: "tom sparks" <tomasparks...@gmail.com
<mailto:tomasparks...@gmail.com>>
To: "Mike Stein" <mhs.st...@gmail.com
<mailto:mhs.st...@gmail.com>>; "General Discussion: On-Topic
and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk@classiccmp.org
<mailto:cctalk@classiccmp.org>>
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2017 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA


On 30/10/17 01:22, Mike Stein wrote:

Radio Shack M100 (if you've got a large pocket); still
used by some writers for the very reason you mention.

m

I did look at M100 and clones, but I ruled them out, as
could not use
them without extra hardware to get some DOS-like filesystem

---

The internal file system isn't an issue for most people; the
max ~30KB RAM disk (and file) size can be a limiting factor,

30KB is a limiting factor me, as I dont know how many text files i
want to store

  but like many similar units you transfer files in and out
via built-in utilities and an RS232 cable or $10.00 bluetooth
dongle to whatever file system is at the other end including
Android and the other main OSs.

I dont want to bring another computing device with me to act as
storage,
I want download all the data before I go and upload it when I
return or use a "dial-up" connection[^1]


But as you mentioned, if you otherwise like the unit and can
live with an 8x40 (albeit large and very legible) screen,
there are various modern expansion options available,
including CP/M emulation (under active development).

What makes it still a popular unit are the character size and
legibility, the excellent keyboard and the long 4xAA cell
battery life; the otherwise identical T102 is a thinner and
lighter version.

the final nail in the coffin for m100 is the size of my go bag (
23 * 16 * 1.5cm)

m
-

[^1]: I am really unsure if I want to go down the TCP/IP path

Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA

[tom sparks via cctalk]

On 30/10/17 01:22, Mike Stein wrote:


Radio Shack M100 (if you've got a large pocket); still used by some writers for 
the very reason you mention.

m
I did look at M100 and clones, but I ruled them out, as could not use 
them without extra hardware to get some DOS-like filesystem




- Original Message -
From: "tom sparks via cctalk" <cctalk@classiccmp.org>
To: "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic Posts" <cctalk@classiccmp.org>
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2017 6:05 AM
Subject: Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA




On 29/10/17 06:01, Evan Koblentz wrote:

I am looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA, so I can write idea/notes
when I
am away from my computer

Hi Tom.

Welcome to 1997. :-)



the [Psion 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psion_Series_3) and [Psion
5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psion_Series_5) look like good
options,
but i read about the hinge/screen issues

I am leaning more towards the Psion 5 because of the easy of getting
accessories,
but it has more things to break

but I am wounding about other options?

"Wondering"? :-)


Tom - Here's the dilemma. The pocket-sized DOS computers (HP-200,
Atari Portfolio, etc.) are too small for their keyboards to be useful.
The larger ones (all the Windows CE stuff that Liam mentioned, along
with the awesome Psion Series 7/Psion Netbook) have good keyboards and
screens, but they're fragile and kind of exotic for modern purposes.

For me, the solution is modern produts. I use a high-end Android
smartphone and a low-end Chromebook. Either one is excellent when I
need a quick/simple note-taking device. With the phone I use the
"Google Keep" app for quite notes/lists. With the Chromebook I use an
offline app just called "Text" because it's extremely fast and has
good options.

I want something that has anti-procrastinate features (no internet, no
videos, no mp3s, etc),
long battery life (40+ hours),
easy replaceable batteries

PS: I am adding it to my "off-line" gobag also

Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA

[tom sparks via cctalk]

On 30/10/17 04:14, Mike Stein wrote:


- Original Message -
From: "tom sparks" 
To: "Mike Stein" ; "General Discussion: On-Topic and Off-Topic 
Posts" 
Sent: Sunday, October 29, 2017 1:39 PM
Subject: Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA



On 30/10/17 01:22, Mike Stein wrote:


Radio Shack M100 (if you've got a large pocket); still used by some writers for 
the very reason you mention.

m

I did look at M100 and clones, but I ruled them out, as could not use
them without extra hardware to get some DOS-like filesystem

---

The internal file system isn't an issue for most people; the max ~30KB RAM disk 
(and file) size can be a limiting factor,
30KB is a limiting factor me, as I dont know how many text files i want 
to store



  but like many similar units you transfer files in and out via built-in 
utilities and an RS232 cable or $10.00 bluetooth dongle to whatever file system 
is at the other end including Android and the other main OSs.

I dont want to bring another computing device with me to act as storage,
I want download all the data before I go and upload it when I return or 
use a "dial-up" connection[^1]


But as you mentioned, if you otherwise like the unit and can live with an 8x40 
(albeit large and very legible) screen, there are various modern expansion 
options available, including CP/M emulation (under active development).

What makes it still a popular unit are the character size and legibility, the 
excellent keyboard and the long 4xAA cell battery life; the otherwise identical 
T102 is a thinner and lighter version.
the final nail in the coffin for m100 is the size of my go bag ( 23 * 16 
* 1.5cm)



m
-


[^1]: I am really unsure if I want to go down the TCP/IP path

Re: looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA

[tom sparks via cctalk]

On 29/10/17 06:01, Evan Koblentz wrote:
I am looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA, so I can write idea/notes 
when I

am away from my computer


Hi Tom.

Welcome to 1997. :-)



the [Psion 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psion_Series_3) and [Psion
5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psion_Series_5) look like good 
options,

but i read about the hinge/screen issues

I am leaning more towards the Psion 5 because of the easy of getting
accessories,
but it has more things to break

but I am wounding about other options?


"Wondering"? :-)



Tom - Here's the dilemma. The pocket-sized DOS computers (HP-200, 
Atari Portfolio, etc.) are too small for their keyboards to be useful. 
The larger ones (all the Windows CE stuff that Liam mentioned, along 
with the awesome Psion Series 7/Psion Netbook) have good keyboards and 
screens, but they're fragile and kind of exotic for modern purposes.


For me, the solution is modern produts. I use a high-end Android 
smartphone and a low-end Chromebook. Either one is excellent when I 
need a quick/simple note-taking device. With the phone I use the 
"Google Keep" app for quite notes/lists. With the Chromebook I use an 
offline app just called "Text" because it's extremely fast and has 
good options.
I want something that has anti-procrastinate features (no internet, no 
videos, no mp3s, etc),

long battery life (40+ hours),
easy replaceable batteries

PS: I am adding it to my "off-line" gobag also

looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA

[tom sparks via cctalk]

I am looking at buying a pocket PC / PDA, so I can write idea/notes when 
I am away from my computer


the [Psion 3](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psion_Series_3) and [Psion 
5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psion_Series_5) look like good options,

but i read about the hinge/screen issues

I am leaning more towards the Psion 5 because of the easy of getting 
accessories,

but it has more things to break

but I am wounding about other options?

Re: HPGL plotter art files

[tom sparks via cctalk]

On 16/10/17 15:07, David Collins via cctalk wrote:

Brent could you send it to cura...@hpmuseum.net as well?

Thanks!

David Collins


On 16 Oct 2017, at 2:32 pm, Brent Hilpert via cctalk  
wrote:


On 2017-Oct-15, at 4:20 PM, Mike Stein via cctalk wrote:
Can anybody direct me to some interesting HPGL plotter files for a display at 
the upcoming World of Commodore show?


I'm sending (in a separate, direct message with attachment) the semi-famous / 
once ubiquitous Space Shuttle plot from the 1980s.

I received it from someone after making a similar request to the list 10 years 
ago.

Some things to note though: this plot uses multiple colored pens and was scaled 
to some (largish, IIRC) size of paper.
I was targetting a HP 9872 plotter which was too early to understand some of 
the more complex HPGL directives present in the SS plot, such as drawing arcs.
I wrote a language filter/converter that will optionally scale the image, 
offset it relative to the plotter bed, converts certain directives e.g. arcs to 
a series of line-segment directives, reduces the number of pens, etc.

I'll send the original SS plot, if you figure you could use the filter program, 
I can send it along, or a modified plot, upon request.


inkscape has hpgl export support
[Chiplotle](http://cmc.music.columbia.edu/chiplotle/) gives you a python API
these is also [tsp art](http://wiki.evilmadscientist.com/TSP_art) witch 
can drawn on plotter


tom

Halt and Catch Fire (TV series)

[tom sparks via cctalk]

I have just finished watching [Halt and Catch 
Fire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halt_and_Catch_Fire_(TV_series))

I've tried to Identify the companies the show represents

 early 1980-1985 (Season 1):
* Cardiff Electric = [Compaq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compaq)
 Joe MacMillan, Gordon Clark, Cameron Howe

1985-1989 (Season 2-3):
 * Muntiy = [PlayNET](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayNET) / [Quantum 
Link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_Link) / 
[Habitat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitat_(video_game))

Cameron Howe ( founder ), Donna Clark
* MacMillan = [McAfee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McAfee)
 Joe MacMillan ( founder )
 *  Unknown? = [NSFNET Regional 
networks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Science_Foundation_Network#Regional_networks)

 Joe MacMillan ( founder )
* Gordon Clark computers = 
[Dell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Dell)

 Gordon Clark ( founder )

 1990 -1995 (Season 4):
 * Comet = [Yahoo! 
Directory?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahoo!_Directory)

 Gordon Clark ( founder ), Joe MacMillan
 * Rover = [AltaVista?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AltaVista)
Donna Clark ( intervestor )

 Issues I had was:
 * Hollywood hacking: [packet 
sniffer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packet_analyzer) = bloodhound

* Amiga computer: poor portrayal, looked like a DOS  computer

Halt and Catch Fire (TV series)

[tom sparks via cctalk]

I have just finished watching [Halt and Catch 
Fire](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Halt_and_Catch_Fire_(TV_series))

I've tried to Identify the companies the show represents

early 1980-1985 (Season 1):

* Cardiff Electric = [Compaq](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compaq)
Joe MacMillan, Gordon Clark, Cameron Howe

1985-1989 (Season 2-3):

* Muntiy = [PlayNET](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PlayNET) / [Quantum 
Link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_Link) / 
[Habitat](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habitat_(video_game))

 Cameron Howe ( founder ), Donna Clark
* MacMillan = [McAfee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McAfee)
Joe MacMillan ( founder )
*  Unknown? = [NSFNET Regional 
networks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Science_Foundation_Network#Regional_networks)

Joe MacMillan ( founder )
* Gordon Clark computers = 
[Dell](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Dell)

Gordon Clark ( founder )

1990 -1995 (Season 4):

* Comet = [Yahoo! 
Directory?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yahoo!_Directory)

Gordon Clark ( founder ), Joe MacMillan
* Rover = [AltaVista?](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AltaVista)
Donna Clark ( intervestor )


Issues I had was:

* Hollywood hacking: [packet 
sniffer](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Packet_analyzer) = bloodhound

* Amiga computer: poor portrayal, looked like a DOS  computer