The Datafile PD-CD 4/DATAFILE_PDCD4.iso/psion/text_fqa/faq_p01.tx

Text File | 1995-12-02 | 31.6 KB | 867 lines

Archive-name: psion-faq/part1
Version: $VER: Psion FAQ v1.1Beta2 (1995/12/01)
Posting-Frequency: monthly

                               PSION SERIES 3x
                          FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

                         Original author: Chris Wesley
                   Actual author & maintainer: Daniel Pfund

                             01Dec95 - v1.1Beta2


*NOTE*:  my  Email  address  has changed!  Please use this address until
=======  11Oct96: [e-mail].


Welcome  to  the FAQ for comp.sys.psion.  Find the contents table below.
Questions  and  constructive  comments are welcome.  Send them to me at:
<mailto:[e-mail]>.

part 1
======
         I. DISCLAIMER
        II. CREDITS
       III. COPYRIGHT
        IV. FAQ UPDATES
         V. WHERE CAN I GET THIS FAQ?
        VI. NEWSGROUP NETIQUETTE

      1. INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION
         1.1 What is the Psion Series 3/3a?
         1.2 Which model should I buy?
         1.3 What other machines does Psion make?
         1.4 What other palmtop alternatives are there?
         1.5 Where can I purchase a Psion?
         1.6 How can I contact Psion?

part 2
======
      2. HARDWARE
         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 can I build 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?

      3. SOFTWARE
         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?
         3.5 How can I find a text in my memos with Agenda?
         3.6 How can I make the cursor bigger?
         3.7 How can I take out the "hum" when I record sounds?
         3.8 How safe is password protection?

      4. TIPS & TRICKS FOR GENERAL USE
         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)
part 3
======
         4.6 Magazines

      5. SHAREWARE AND FREEWARE
         5.1 Relevant FTP sites
         5.2 How can I upload my software to IC?
         5.3 I've  uploaded  my  software  to  IC,  but it still doesn't
             appear, why?
         5.4 How can I upload my software to Frontiernet?
         5.5 WWW internet sites
         5.6 Shareware for those without online access

      6. CONNECTING YOUR PSION
         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
part 4
======
         6.6 With an Acorn Archimedes or Risc PC
         6.7 With a modem
         6.8 With a packet radio TNC
         6.9 Terminal emulation
         6.10 TCP/IP stack

      7. THE EMULATOR
         7.1 Limitations & bugs
         7.2 Tips & tricks
         7.3 Changing permanently the keyboard mapping

      8. PROGRAMMING
         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

      A. SHAREWARE/FREEWARE AVAILABLE SOFTWARE
         A.1 Applications
         A.2 Games

part 5
======
      B. COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE SOFTWARE, SERVICES & ACCESSORIES
         B.1 Business & Legal
         B.2 Education
         B.3 Leisure & Guides
         B.4 Navigation
         B.5 Communications
         B.6 Utilities
         B.7 Diet, Health & Safety
         B.8 Time Management
         B.9 Mapping & Surveying
         B.10 Services
         B.11 Books & Accessories

========================================================================

I. DISCLAIMER

  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.

  This  FAQ  is  not sponsored or endorsed by Psion PLC or any subsidary
  companies they may own in any way.

II. CREDITS

  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          <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Daron M. Brewood        <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Roger Burton-West       <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Steve Clack             <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Nick Craig-Wood         <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Alban Debeaupuis        <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Tom Dolbilin            <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Clive D.W. Feather      <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Mark Gould              <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Markus Illenseer        <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Eric Johansen           <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Uwe Kallmeyer           <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Edwin Klement           <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Dan Ko                  <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Philippe Lebreton       <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Steve Litchfield        >mailto:[e-mail]>
    Neil Masson             <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Roger Muggleton         <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Daniel Pfund            <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Angus Rae               <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Jason Savage            <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Daniel Senie            <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Oliver Wagner           <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Lloyd Wasser            <mailto:[e-mail]>
    John A. Watson          <mailto:[e-mail]>
    Chris Wesley            <mailto:[e-mail]>

  If  you  happen to change addresses or know the new address of someone
  on this list, please Email it to me, thanks!

III. COPYRIGHT

  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.

IV. FAQ UPDATES

  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 anymore (will
  stop   working   after   11th  October  1996),  then  contact  me  at:
  [e-mail]  which works all year, but isn't checked out very
  often and is of very slow access.

V. WHERE CAN I GET THIS FAQ?

NOTE:   In  the  (near)  future  only!   For the time being, this FAQ is
*****   instance  of  approval  by the "news.answers" team.  It was only
        posted to c.s.psion and c.s.palmtops this time.

  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/psion-faq/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
  [e-mail] 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  [e-mail], 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
  [e-mail]).

  There  is  also  a  WWW  site  archiving all the news.answers FAQs at:
  <http://www.switch.ch/cgi-bin/faq/fillform>,  but  note  that they are
  only  archived  in  ASCII format.  Many of specific Psion FTP archives
  mentioned in this FAQ also maintain current versions of this document.

  There  is a HTMLized version of this FAQ held on Mark Gould's site at:
  <http://www.bris.ac.uk/%7Elwmdcg/Psion/FAQ/>.     Mark's   site   also
  contains  links  to  other  sites which carry the HTMLized version and
  which may be closer to you.

  Please  do  NOT Email me or anybody else mentioned in this FAQ for the
  latest version.  We simply cannot handle such matters effectively.

VI.  NEWSGROUP NETIQUETTE

  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:[e-mail]>   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 common practice to send a little description of
    your  binary;  it helps to know if it's worth downloading it or not!
    Usually,  this  description  has  the  same  subject  line  but with
    part0(/x) suffix.  All postings to this group have been archived and
    are indexed on the following 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.


1. INTRODUCTORY INFORMATION
===========================
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 in  the last
  part of this 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 Which model should I buy?

  This  question  is  really  a  personal  matter.  I would definitively
  suggest  getting  a Series3a (and not 3) because of the greater screen
  resolution.   As for which memory model, this depends entirely of your
  needs  and  what  you  plan on doing with your Psion.  In general, the
  more  memory  the  better (and keep in mind also that the 1/2Mb models
  offer  the  spell checker/thesaurus and solitaire game which you might
  need).   If  you're  reading  this,  you probably have access to Psion
  free/shareware  also.   You  will see that these programs will quickly
  fill  up  your  memory ;-) so I would suggest to get the biggest model
  (2Mb).   If  on  the  other hand, money is tight and you don't plan on
  using  much more than the Agenda and the built-in apps, then I think a
  512k  is  big  enough  for  you.   As  you can see, there is no simple
  solution to this answer!

1.3 What other machines does Psion make?

1.3.1 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 general public.

1.3.2 Acorn Pocket Book

  Re-badged Series 3a, aimed at education-related markets.  Contains all
  the  3a  applications, though named differently, plus a spell checker,
  thesaurus  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.

1.3.3 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.

1.3.4 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)

1.4 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

    See  also  the following WWW site for a more complete comparaison of
    Psion3a-HP200lx with over 170 articles:
    <http://www.primate.wisc.edu/homepage/d.dubois/psion/index.html>

  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)

1.5 Where can I purchase a Psion?

  Prices  for  2Mb  Psion are quoted for each when known, but you should
  contact  vendors  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.

  Usually, you will get the best deal from a UK vendor (but keep in mind
  that you will also get a UK version!)

  Important  note:   these  addresses  have  NOT been verified, so check
  before you intend to buy from one of them!


  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: [phone]
    Email: [e-mail]
    <http://www.hiway.co.uk/~byson/>

  Clove Technology [UK]
    [phone]
    Email: [e-mail]
    <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: [phone]
      Fax: [phone]
    Email: [e-mail]

  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: [phone] [worldwide access]
      Fax: [phone]
    Email: [e-mail] OR [e-mail] (GidNEW on AOL)
    <http://www.nwt.com/>

  Internet Shopping Network
    <http://www.isn.com/>

  NDS Distributing
    11875 Dublin Boulevard, Suite D-270
    Dublin, CA 94568
    USA
    Phone: [phone] [US/CA only]
    Phone: [phone]
      Fax: [phone]
    <http:// ??? > (unknown but exists)

  Rovoreed Ltd [UK]
    Phone: [phone]

  Marc Tebeka (Might not be working anymore!)
    2661 Emerson Street,
    Palo Alto, CA 94306, USA
    Fax: [phone] [USA]
    Email: [e-mail]            Psion 3a/2Mb: $ ???


  Official Psion distributors:

  Argentina
    PSIAR
    Avendia de Mayo 963,
    3rd Floor
    Buenos Aires
    Phone: [phone]
           [phone]
      Fax: [phone]

  Australia
    Psitech Ltd
    Kangy Angy
    Phone: [phone]
    Email: [e-mail]
           [e-mail]

  Canada
    Compulys Data Inc.
    Place Montreal Trust
    1800, Avenue McGill College, Bureau 2102
    Montreal (Quebec) H3A 3J6
    Phone: [phone] [US/CA only]
    Phone: [phone] [International]
      Fax: [phone]

  Finland
    Hand Held Systems
    Torikatu 6-A, 451000
    Kouvola, Finland
    Phone: [phone]
    Email: Pekka Aikas - [e-mail]

  Portugal
    Comp 3 Lda
    Rua Augusto Gil 30 A/B
    1100 Lisbon
    Phone: [phone]
      Fax: [phone]

  Spain
    Paresa SA
    c/ Balmes 113, ppal 1a
    08008 Barcelona
    Phone: [phone]
      Fax: [phone]

  Switzerland
    Excom AG
    Moosacherstrasse 6, Au
    8820 Wadenswil
    Phone: [phone]
      Fax: [phone]

1.6 How can I contact Psion?

1.6.1 World Headquarters

  UK Offices:
  Alexander House
  85 Frampton St
  London NW8 8NQ
    Phone: [phone]  Main desk
           [phone]  Repairs
           [phone]  Technical enquiries
           [phone]  Sales & customer services
           [phone]  Main switchboard
           [phone]  Technical support hotline
           [phone]  SDK support
           [phone]  Repair administration
                             (call only with returns note number)

      Fax: [phone]
    Email: [e-mail]
           [e-mail]

  UK Service centre:
  17-19 Bristol Road
  Greenford
  Middlesex UB6 8UP
  [phone]

1.6.2 USA (Psion Incorporated)

  Corporate Headquarters
    150 Baker Avenue
    Concord, MA 01742
    USA
    Phone: 1 800 54 PSION [USA callers only]
    Phone: [phone]
      Fax: [phone]
    Email: [e-mail]
    Email: [e-mail]
    Email: [e-mail]

  Midwest Office
    225 West Washington St., Suite 2242
    Chicago, IL 60606
    Phone: [phone]
      Fax: [phone]

  West Coast Office
    433 California Street
    Suite 520
    San Francisco, CA 94104
    Phone: [phone]

  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.

1.6.3 Germany

  Psion GmbH
    Saalburgstrasse 157
    61350 Bad Homburg
    Germany

    Phone: [phone]
      Fax: [phone]

    Hotline: [phone]
    Mailbox: [phone]
    (Dacom GmbH is on [phone], Hotline on -42)

    Email: [e-mail]
    Email: [e-mail]
    <http://emporium.turnpike.net/P/psion-gmbh/>

End of part 1/5