external keyboards?

[sallypointer]

I've got a Psion 3a, I know its a bit dated, but its fine for my needs (mostly working on writing projects on the move).The only problem is that the keyboard is a bit small for effective typing when I'm doing reference library work. Does anyone know of a way to use an external keyboard with this model?
Cheers
Sally

[MikeMcC]

Now you really are exercising the brain cells. I don't believe there is what you probably want - an external keyboard to plug into the 3a - but there was an application that let you connect the Psion to a PC and use the PC's keyboard to type on the Psion. It did however require the use of a Macro program which may now be hard to find.

I haven't looked into this very fully but I have the file if you want it. Send me your email address by Private Message (don't post it in open forum) and I will let you have a copy. The Zip archive is about 350k.

[sallypointer]

That sounds possible, but it wouldn't help much in my case as I need to be able to type reasonably large volumes of text in areas away from my PC. But I'd definately be interested in the concept. I did a google seach and turned up a couple of tantalising references to the topic that seem to have been raised in psion geared magazines a good few years ago, but of course they didn't give any detail in the articles. (Maybe what I need is attachments for my fingers to make them fit on the keys better!)
I'll email you off forum for that info though
many thanks
Sally

[IanS]

I've not heard of anything that may help. The 3a doesn't even have an Infrared port, so converting a Palm IR keyboard is also a no no.

The obvious suggestion (but not the one you want to hear) would to be to buy a Series 5/Revo/Osaris etc. But they are still expensive. There are a plethora of keyboards for Palm devices, and you can pick them up cheaply on Ebay.

Forgive me for suggesting that last bit... I wasn't thinking straight. ;)

Ian

[jhh112]

Sally, Mike, et al

It is indeed possible to connect a PC keyboard to a Psion 3a, 3c, or Siena!

Keith Baker of the UK worked up an interface nearly 10 years ago, and sold it for a time.

I know all about it, because I bought one from him while living in France. And, what's more, I would be delighted to sell it to someone, as I now use a smallish (4.5 lb) iBook instead!

It consists of

(1) a small (2 in by 3 inch by 3/4 inch) battery powered box (take little 9 v battery, lasts forever) that you connect to the PC link cable (the soap on roap if it is a 3a, the serial cable if it is a Siena or 3c)

(2) a bit of software from Keith that you load into the Psion

(3) a keyboard. The recommended one is a small (about a laptop keyboard) Cherry model, uses little power and types beautifully.

The whole business works very nicely, and what's more, it has a printer interface built in.

Keith got out of this business some time ago and moved, and all you find on the web is "tantalising references" indeed.

The Baker setup is fine for typing lots of text. Obviously, Psion 3 series machines are not for graphic or advanced comms intensive pursuits (which is what I do, hence the iBook).

The great advantage is battery life, no need to plug in and no moving parts. Good for writing a book in the desert or on an island without electricity. Or deep in the stacks of a library.

I have used this on my original Psion 3a, my two Psion 3cs, and two Sienas.

I have not used the keyboard much recently, and so am interesting in selling it off for a moderate price (much less than the 100 UK pounds I paid back in 1995). I also don't need the Sienas anymore, and have some surplus flash disks, a Siena external flash disk reader, and a Psion travel modem (cabled one that fits 3c) that I would take offers on.

I now live in Australia, but shipping anywhere is not prohibitive (the Aussie dollar is cheap). I sent a whole box of Psion gear to a fellow France for something like $A40 = $US25 = 14 UKP.

I can send more details and pictures if anyone is interested.

Cheers


Jeffrey Harris
jeffrey.harris@anu.edu.au



:)