Top 5 (or 10) Netbook accessories/software

[Calbrit]

Hopefully, I will soon be the owner of a Netbook and I want to get the most out of it, so I would also be grateful for a top 5 (or 10 if it extends to that) add ons/software to buy (and approx cost please). I have a 64mb flash disk, 56K Travel Modem, the latest Opera software, EPOC Sync plus a bunch of other third party software programmes which I have been using for my 5mx.

Many thanks!

Grant

[MikeMcC]

If you have been using a 5mx and Mako, I am not sure that the software you would use with a netBook would be very different. The netBook uses essentially the same ER5 operating system (although it can be upgraded), so you can use the same programs. You do, obviously, have a larger display and colour screen.

[netBookBabe]

Grant

I agree with Mike in regard to software - I'm sure you will continue to use a lot of your current favourite apps. The main thing is to check whether an app has an s7/netBook specific version and make sure you get the right one - sometimes this takes the form of an extra file which adds the colour support, so it's possible to miss it if you don't realise. I seem to recall Purple Software's Backgammon was a case in point.

As for accessories, I would say that you would find a PCMCIA card modem less cumbersome than the travel modem - that's definitely my most essential add-on. I also have an adapter that allows the use of an extra CF in the PC card slot, and one that takes SM cards, allowing me to view and transfer images from my digital camera.

Prices: Psion 56k Gold Card modems go for around 25-30 UKP on eBay UK - much more expensive bought new. CF adapters are about 7-10 UKP. SM adapter was 25 UKP.

Back to software - MBMView for viewing the jpegs from the digital camera! I think that answers a question that you posted elsewhere, Grant.

Julie

[Calbrit]

Great! I have also seen talk here about IBM Microdrives. What are the main benefits of having one of these compared to flash cards?

[WolfUK]

The Microdrive is cheaper per MB than CompactFlash. On the down-side there are moving parts in a Microdrive and there is a small delay whilst the disk spins up to speed. However, I believe, that once up to speed the data transfer rates can be as fast as, if not faster than, CF.

I personally perfer CF since I feel that it is more robust and less likely to fail if I drop it.

[markdeppe]

1. Goldcard modem
2. Pamtech hard/soft case
3. RMRZIP software
4. Phoneman software from Zenobyte
5. CF Card reader to plug into PC (or Mac though there are problems with a MAC)

Large CF cards cheap and chearful 128mb £39.99 + VAT and postage 7dayshop.com mine seems fast and works well

[netBookBabe]

Well done, Mark - for being the only one to answer the question in the format Grant asked for - i.e. top 5! ;) :D

As for microdrives, Grant, I have some detailed first hand opinions from someone who uses one - he's not completely impressed. I can pass some of that on to you by e-mail if you wish.

Julie

[Calbrit]

Mark, why the CF reader? Presumably, the phoneman software is for use with a cell phone? I'm now in the USA and still to sort out cell phone/e-mail/web use (have finally sorted out land line/e-mail/web use with 5mx thanks to a new cheap national ISP!).

Grant

[Peter Walker]

Hi,
if you plan to use the Recorder App to record sound on a Compact Flash, you have to be careful which make of Compact Flash card to use as you will otherwise have a clicking noise in all your recordings.

I have tested a number of different cards and only those with an Hitachi controller work correctly.

Hitachi, SimpleTech and Casio make such cards. However, I found that even 512MB cards from SimpleTech gave problems. I do know that the 128MB card from SimpleTech works fine and I hope to test a 256MB card in about a week.

Can anyone here positively confirm that the SimpleTech 256MB card works well with the Netbook (Recorder App). I believe I tested one at Photokina, but I am not 100% sure.

For more details, click here (http://www.pdastreet.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=2321)

Regards

Peter

[wanman]

Calbrit,

The CF Reader is for your Compact Flash Card. It plugs into your PC rather than your Psion usually via USB. This enables you to copy to and from the CF card alot quicker than you would be able to using the Psion Serial connector.

If you are going for a large CF Card (anything bigger than 64mb) and you intend to use this space, a CF Reader will enable you to backup your card in minutes rather than hours.

If you have a laptop rather than desktop PC, you can get hold of a CF PC Card adapter which will enable you to insert your CF Card into one of the PC Card slots on the side (and also enables you to run an additional CF card in the netbook PC Card slot aswell !!) If you are running Win2k or XP you won't even need drivers for this as they are provided.

Regards

Si

[tomas]

There goes my TOP-5 for netBook: (in order of usage...)

(1.) 32MB RAM xpansion. 64MB total is definitely worth it.
(2.) Goldcard ethernet(w/modem). It's great to plug in LAN and surf !
(3.) 1GB Microdrive + CF PC reader. Room enough for any data you need and great for data interchange.
(4.) Reliable cell phone with GPRS. Yo can be connected wherever you go. Ericson T39 is still great netbook's companion. Reliable, durable and almost indestructable (tested :-) !
(5.) Extra powerpack for your netbook. If you often work without power source, quick battery swap gives you next 7 hours !

[Calbrit]

Thanks. Si, can you convert files from PC to Psion using a CF reader when in conjunction with a PC or do you have to convert them once on board using 3rd party software?

Thanks.

[Peter Walker]

Originally posted by Calbrit
Thanks. Si, can you convert files from PC to Psion using a CF reader when in conjunction with a PC or do you have to convert them once on board using 3rd party software?

Thanks.

You can use the "Convert Files" application, that was installed with PsiWin, to convert files copied to your PC via CF-Reader.

I would also like to make you aware of a small issue that affects everyone, BUT those living in the GMT timezone!

The date and time for files stored on your Psion is always stored in GMT no matter which timezone your Psion is set to. The date and time displayed on the screen is then recalculated to the local time on your Psion. This same calculation is also done when transferring files to your PC when copying via PsiWin.

For example, you are currently on the European continent (GMT+1) and have your Psion set accordingly (ie Home=Paris).

You then make a sound recording at 9:00 AM local time on your Psion. Using the file properties setting from the system screen, the time correctly shows the recording time as 9:00 AM. Now change your home setting to London and look at file properties again. You will see that the time displayed has changed to 8:00 AM. If you copy or backup the file using PsiWin and the Paris home setting, the PC file will be stored at a time of 9:00 AM. If your home setting was London, it will be stored as 8:00 AM!

If you use a CF card reader, the respective file time on the CF-Card will always be 08:00 AM (in this example) irrespective of your timezone and home setting. In other words, it will always be GMT.

That is why PsiWin ALWAYS does a complete backup after a Summer-time change as the times seen by the PC suddenly shift one hour.

I hope I could make the problem, understood!

Regards

Peter

[Calbrit]

Thanks Tomas. please can you expand on your 2nd point which read:

"2.) Goldcard ethernet(w/modem). It's great to plug in LAN and surf !"

I'm still trying to understand the whole ethernet/LAN/modem thing. I thought LAN's were solely in office type environments. I work for myself and it's unlikely that I will need a LAN. Am I missing something here? Is it to do with Broadband/high speed connections?

Thanks,

Grant

[markdeppe]

[QUOTE]Mark, why the CF reader?

It is the answer / alternative to loads of hassle and time with psiwin as an way of backing up to a PC, or if like me you use a mac and thus no good alternative. It is also a good way of getting software onto the netbook via downloading using the mac and the just copying to the CF.

Quote: Presumably, the phoneman software is for use with a cell phone?

Yes makes phonebook management and SMS management a joy and a good way of keeping a backup in case you ever lose the phone. All works via infrared lovely.

All the best, it will be the beginning of a fine romance I am sure, very few gadgets (essential peices of life enhanceing electronics) have produced such enduring love as a netbook.

[markdeppe]

Thanks for those tips Peter the one about the time zone is facinating, i have never heard that before, I think I followed the explanation, for me the solution is always backup using a CF card, FWIW I use the software "backup" by Ralph Sprenger, I know there are ways round it like copy disk and use macro 5 cron tab to set daily backups etc, but I am happy to be a registered user of this program it works really well, and I have found him most helpful and good to communicate with. The program takes all the hassle out of the process and keeps logs etc etc it is great runs in the background and I hardly ever think about it.

Also peter for your info on cards that work with record I use a 128MB integral CF and it has the noise you describe, but it reads and writes fast. I also have a danelec 64mb and advise against it, for some reason it is deathly slow to use.

Sorry for repeating your explanation Si it was a strange thing, I clicked on my email link saying Grant had replied to my posting and when it opened the forum site there were no other replies then after I clicked submit and it returned me to the thread there were 5 or so peoples posts ahead of mine, no idea why that was.

[tomas]

Originally posted by Calbrit
Thanks Tomas. please can you expand on your 2nd point which read:

"2.) Goldcard ethernet(w/modem). It's great to plug in LAN and surf !"




It depends where you usually work. If you visit places with LAN network from time to time (office, school, conferences...) , It's great just to plug in and to be on-line. But if you work only at home and "on the way", then Ethernet is probably useless for you - you will need modem for home connection and GPRS for mobile connection.

[wanman]

Hi Calbrit,

I also use the Psion CombineIT 10/100 LAN & 56k Modem card. The reason for this is that it saves on swapping cards when I am at work/home. At work I use the modem but I have now got broadband at home which I distibute using a router. This means I can connect at a full 1mb connection rather than 56k at work (or even 9600 on my mobile !!). You will find that a lot of Psioneers on PDAStreet are now experimenting with wireless LAN connections at home, which mean they can get access to their broadband/ADSL connection anywhere in the house without the hassel of plugging in cables!!

If you need any other info or are considering broadband, just post your queries in the relevant place.

Regards

Si

[diem]

Originally posted by Calbrit
I work for myself and it's unlikely that I will need a LAN. Am I missing something here? Is it to do with Broadband/high speed connections?

Kind of. In general, a LAN gives you a fast method for connecting computing devices together. Where Psion's are concerned however, CF cards are undoubtedly a more convenient way to transfer files between Psion and PC (I do this myself). I'd also echo what mark deppe said about Ralph Sprenger's Backup - its a fast, simple, convenient way to back up your machine no matter how far you are from a PC!

Back to LANs. If you have a broadband connection at home, setting up a LAN will allow you to share all that lovely bandwidth with your netBook, and save the cost of connecting via a separate modem. Move to a wireless LAN and you'll get that fast connectivity anywhere in your house :) Once you've tried it, you never want to go back....

Oh, and for completeness:

1) Good quality CF card (you get what you pay for...) at around the 128MB size. Too big and it will be slow to do directory listings when it gets full etc.
2) Backup (or equivalent - check my FAQ for a list) plus a second, smaller CF (64MB) that has a copy of the OS, a complete machine backup and Backup installed. With this simple setup, you can safely hard reset and completely restore your machine anywhere in the world :D
3) LAN card (wireless if possible). Fast internet access suddenly makes this my prime home computer. My PC just burns CDs!
4) Macro5. Difficult to describe why this is so insanely great - it just 'fills in all the gaps' in the Psion's functionality.
5) SafePlace. Freeware encrypted database to store all my passwords.
6) DreamConnect. Shareware contacts manager that massively enhances the onboard system (categories, smart find..)
7) EBook for EPOC. Shareware for reading ebooks.
8) Find 1.1 - freeware that allows searching for text in files.

[WolfUK]

My top items are:

1. A Gold Card modem.

2. A 256 meg CF card and PC Card Adaptor to allow the C-Drive and my D-Drive to be backed up whilst on the move. I can then remove the backup CF card and keep it safe (which also protects my data in event of theft). I use FlashBack for this.

3. EncryptIT to ensure that my personal documents (including passwords, software registration details, etc) are secure.

4. EpocSync to allow me to sync my files between my Desktop, netBook and 5mx.

5. Frotz for playing my old Infocom games.

[Peter Walker]

Hi,
another invaluable accessory is a sheet of transparency film, of the kind used for plain paper copiers, cut to 13 x 18.5cm

This can then be slotted over the Netbook's colour screen and wedged in on the top and bottom.

The touchscreen works fine through this and this extra film protects your screen from scratches, dirt, etc.

When this sheet gets dirty or scratched, just pull it out and replace it with a new one! Much cheaper than buying a new screen!!!

A very inexpensive and invaluable addition to your Netbook!

Regards

Peter

[Crazed_Monkfish]

For me:

1) Wireless network card and access point. Being able to browse the internet / check email etc via my adsl connection without having to get out of bed and turning my computer on is worth every penny. As well as that my department at college has a wireless connection, and the psion is invaluable there. Thanks to some work I did over the summer I've also got access to a rack of servers running citrix, seeing as there is a nice client for epoc I can run windows apps etc on the psion as well - sometimes very useful.... (I believe there is a vnc client out there too, which I'll have to get my hands on)

2)PDF+ seeing as a lot of notes etc I get are all in pdf format... Anybody know any good PS viewers as well??

2)PLBeam - actually makes the psions infrared connection useful, e.g. I can connect to pcs without using psiwin, and can transfer files to and from my phone (a nokia 7650 - having the gprs is brilliant when travelling)

3)PQI muilti type flash adaptor, cost me about £15 from ebuyer, reads not just compact flash but just about everything else as well, is very small and just works really well - great for large file copying, or for instance working on documents I'm writing on the psion (just plug in the disk and keep working on the same document)

4)Z80 emulator , C64 emulator (frodo) - keeps me entertained on trains and during lectures - so many fantastic games that take up very little space and all run pretty well in colour (full screen for the z80 emulator). Frodo is a little picky as to what games will work however ....

5)Phone with GPRS - I don't always have access to a wireless network for the internet, but don't want to lose email / web access etc. Good tip - turn off images in opera if you do browse via gprs, seeing as you pay per byte generally it can save a fortune....

[Calbrit]

Wow! - CM you really know your stuff! I am a mere beginner in the realms of wireless connectivity! Also I'm not sure where the US is up to on GPRS - I will investigate.

Peter - what a great idea, presumably one has to make sure the screen is absolutely clean before fitting the sheet in case any harmful dust particles are trapped between the screen and the sheet.

[markdeppe]

Funny how I take for granted things so simple, Yes Peters suggestion about screen protection is great, I forgot I use it, and they seem to last for ages, to add to it, instead of plain transparency film I use the OHP type (might be slightly thicker, but still works perfectly) which has one surface which is slightly rough / raised ridges and it supposedy also doubles as an anti-glare feature, all for a few pence (I took this suggestion off a site, can't remember where, so am not sure how effective the antiglare property is and maybe its all placebo but I am happy with it).

Remembered another thing I take for granted is an IR printer pod, excellent device for about £20 now saves constantly opening the little rubber RS232 port thinging on the side and fiddling with cables, and just has a really good smile factor or pointing and printing. While on the printing subject essential software addition is Andrew Johnsons Printer drivers ( http://www.aps.anl.gov/~anj/bjc80/ ), Bless you Andrew saved me buying a new printer and loads of other hassles.

[netBookBabe]

The digression on to CF card compatibility issues has been moved to a new thread of its own:

http://www.pdastreet.com/forums//showthread.php?s=&threadid=5255

Discussion on that topic to be continued there, please.

Julie