cstxqhh@warwick.ac.uk (RouE) (02/17/90)
As far as I can tell, this is not a general interest group, but a specialised group for owners of handheld Hewlet Packard computers, so why not call it something more appropriate like comp.sys.hph (hewlet packard handhelds), or comp.sys.hp28 (pretty obvious). Actually, my real complaint is the lack of postings about other handheld computers. Maybe the hp28 is the only one worth getting. If you think this, would you email me explaining the virtues of the hp28, or indeed any other hp handheld? Please include details of what programming languages are available... Many thanks, Jason L. Saunders. PS These are purely my own opinions.
mwebb@maths.tcd.ie (Mark Webb) (02/19/90)
In article <401@clover.warwick.ac.uk> cstxqhh@cu.warwick.ac.uk (RouE) writes: > As far as I can tell, this is not a general interest group, > but a specialised group for owners of handheld Hewlet Packard > computers, .... Maybe a new group could be set up, but occasionally, others are mentioned. > Actually, my real complaint is the lack of postings about other > handheld computers. Maybe the hp28 is the only one worth getting. > If you think this, would you email me explaining the virtues of > the hp28, or indeed any other hp handheld? Please include details > of what programming languages are available... I work for a small company in Dublin (with a new office in the UK) which uses Epson Handheld computers. It is a true computer (based on a Z80 CPU) with many memory configurations including BCR port, RS232 and extras: integral printer, magnetic card reader high security EEPROM (128 Mbit). Languages available: BASIC (built in interpreter), Pascal, C. It main selling point is that it has a touch sensitive pad for input which prevents end user input error. It is called an Epson EHT-10 here and in the UK but has a different name in Japan. -Mark Webb mwebb@maths.tcd.ie I work for CoMMology International Ltd., Unit 1d, Sandyford Ind.Est., Dublin 18. (An Epson support centre).
news@udenva.cair.du.edu (netnews) (02/19/90)
In article <401@clover.warwick.ac.uk> cstxqhh@cu.warwick.ac.uk (RouE) writes: > > As far as I can tell, this is not a general interest group, > but a specialised group for owners of handheld Hewlet Packard > computers, so why not call it something more appropriate like > > comp.sys.hph (hewlet packard handhelds), > > or comp.sys.hp28 (pretty obvious). > I agree!
Jake-S@cup.portal.com (Jake G Schwartz) (02/20/90)
As for the use of this newsgroup, I must wholeheartedly disagree with the ones who have posted so far. The only reason that HP messages have monopolize the airwaves here is because the others haven't posted any messages. At no time has any poster who had a non-HP message been flamed for changing the subject. What happened to the folks who were posting about the Atari Port- folio for several days in a row? I don't feel that non-HP messages here were ever unwelcome, and I sincerely hope that people are not intimidated by the number of HP posters. Although I'm interested in HP machines, I'd personally like to hear from those who own handheld computers (like the Pocqet PC) and get their ideas as well. Nobody should feel like their input is irrelevant. Jake Schwartz
karl@haddock.ima.isc.com (Karl Heuer) (02/22/90)
In article <401@clover.warwick.ac.uk> cstxqhh@cu.warwick.ac.uk (RouE) writes: >[Nothing here but hp28 discussions] (a) There's no need for a group split; the traffic here is quite low. (b) If there were to be a split, the logical name for a new group would be "comp.sys.handhelds.hp28". (c) As others have already mentioned, the correct way to generate discussion about other calculators is to post something about them. (My own interest is in the hp41; I posted some neat hacks several months ago.) (d) My own gripe about this newsgroup: I certainly have no objections to people talking about the hp28, but since this *is* a general-purpose group for handhelds, it would be nice if the subject line would contain the string "hp28" so that we of the minority can filter them out quickly. It's annoying to start reading a thread entitled "Bessel functions" and not know the machine type until I see the "<<". Karl Heuer karl@haddock.ima.isc.com rutgers!harvard!ima!hadddock!karl
nlim@lennon.austek.oz (Nathaniel Lim) (02/23/90)
From postnews Thu Feb 22 11:26:18 1990 Subject: Re: Name of this user group Newsgroups: comp.sys.handhelds Keywords: Hewlet Packard, HP28, Handheld, etc... Summary: Some other handhelds References: <5764@blake.acs.washington.edu> <5787@blake.acs.washington.edu> <401@clover.warwick.ac.uk> In article <401@clover.warwick.ac.uk>, cstxqhh@warwick.ac.uk (RouE) writes: > Actually, my real complaint is the lack of postings about other > handheld computers. Maybe the hp28 is the only one worth getting. > If you think this, would you email me explaining the virtues of > the hp28, or indeed any other hp handheld? Please include details > of what programming languages are available... I am new to this newsgroup, and have seen the past 50 postings prior to the one above, and indeed, over 90% of the discussions were on the HP28. Nobody seems to be heeding the above complaint, so I am putting out a posting of my own regarding a handheld computer which I find to be very useful and worth mentioning -- the PSION ORGANIZER. I hope to be able to generate some discussions on the use of this. I am especially interested in application areas for this handheld computer. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ It is currently sold in two models -- MODEL II and III, The main difference is that the later has 4 X 16 characters in its LCD display and the former has 2 X 16 characters only. SPECS SUMMARY Dimension: 142 x 78 x 29 mm ( with protective sliding case closed) Weight: 250g Processor: 8-bit CMOS Hitachi 6303X 80 pin surface mounted. clock speed -- 10 MHz Display: LCD, provides an 80 character set from keyboard, 8 graphic user defined characters. Total of 232 characters accessible using built-in OPL programming language (including foreign characters and Japanese Kana characters). Keyboard: For these two models, none qwerty, 36 multifunctional keys provide 26 upper and lower case alpha keys, 10 numeric, 16 operator and punctuation keys and 4 cursor keys. Audio "click" and tactile mobile feedback. Auto-repeat after 1 second continuous depression. Internal Memory: ROM: 32K, containing operating system, OPL language and application software. RAM: 64K used for personal data storage, diary appointments and programs. 1K can store 1024 characters. Mass Storage Drives: 2 "solid state drives" built-in which take DATAPACKS or PROGRAM PACKS ( Datapacks with software recorded on them). Mass Storage Datapacks : DATAPACKS are solid-state plug-in memory units Maximum capacity 128K. Up to two can be present on a PSION ORGANIZER at the same time. They consist of read/write EPROM with an access speed of 100K/sec. Available with capacities of 16K, 32K, 64K and 128K. Interface: 16 pin slot accepts the COMMS-LINK interface to give RS232 communications at up to 9,600 baud, the AC adaptor, the Bar Code Reader Interface and Magnetic Card Reader Interface. Also capable of parallel communications up to 100K/sec. Also, a lightweight battery powered mini printer can be included as an option. Audio: sound capability of 11Hz to 10KHz freq, with 1 msec to 30 sec duration from OPL. Power: Standard 9 volt long life alkaline battery will give 2-6 months life typically. Optional external AC adaptor available. Power consumption varies from 50 uA to 100 mA depending on operating mode. Operating Temp: 0-50 deg. C Software(Standard in ROM) -- Diary, Filing , List, Search, Time/Alarm, Calculator, Editor ( all with Main Menu) Also built into the PSION organizer is an Operating system and programming language (OPL) designed to enable individuals and companies to find solutions to their specific problems. This high-level structured programming language is essentially drawn from BASIC but developed further using modern structured programming concepts. Procedure-based, the language was designed to be easy, comprehensive and very fast. It includes integer handling, real arithmetic, variables and strings and numeric arrays. It also has data handling capabilities, the language includes full database facilities w/c allow the creation of files, the definition of fields and records, searching etc. I tried a trial run of obtaining the first 100 prime nos., OPL obtained the results 3 times faster than the same procedure written in BASICA on an IBM PC. Also, PSION has on disk, an ORGANIZER DEVELOPER program which allows one to develop his programs on a PC before being transfered to the Organizer. This development system allows one to edit the OPL procedures on a full PC screen and with a wide range of additional editing and debugging facilities. Some additional software available on Datapacks are: Spreadsheets, finance packs, maths pack, spell checker, formulator, diary link and games (like chess for example). Also, numerous 3rd party software are being developed for various applications. Now the interesting part, how the PSION organizer has been used. Some interesting application areas are listed below: 1) Traffic counting -- enables traffic engineers not only to capture data quickly, but process the data 'on the spot' . 2) Cartography -- a data logging system has been designed which makes the organizer an aid in surveying and civil eng'g work. Data can be captured on the field and analyzed on the spot, or transferred to a PC later for further analysis. 3) Access Control system -- Employees in a company are given a magnetic badge, individually coded, to display on their clothing or carry in a pocket. On the wall, at the entry point to the building is a control box w/c scans the badge. The control badge is linked to the PSION ORGANIZER which acts as a terminal and programs the interrogator to accept or reject the signal from the reading head. 4) Health care -- District nurses, midwives, paramedics, psychiatric nurses had until now, carried out the planning of community care on an 'ad-hoc' basis, because papaer systems produce errors and the data appears too late. with the ORGANIZER, they can carry it to the patient's residence, record the details that would normally appear have been entered on 'activity forms' as well as their own mileage and expense forms. Rather than these forms then having to be re-keyed into the health district's central computer system, the Datapacks are simply handed in and downloaded directly to the computer (typically DEC or ICL). 5) On the spot insurance policies -- to provide clients with on-the spot quotations to overcome the problem of customers who, on receipt of a written quote, frequently want to know the implications of a lower premium, or similar " What if .." questions. This takes up time, and can mean repeated customer calls. During sales calls, client info is stored on a 32K datapack, back at the office, sales people can download this data to PC's via the PSION comms link. 6) Police work -- PSIONS are being linked to walkie-talkies in order to speed up identification of offending vehicles. The officer on the beat simply enters the plate no. into the ORGANIZER and a computer at HQ automatically radios back the vehicle and owner details. 7) etc. The applications are diverse ( as long as data needs to be collected and processed on the field) and are limited by one's imagination. Now, how about some postings on other applications of handheld computers ? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ (not necessarilly limited to PSION). I'm sure there are very enterprising people out there willing to share their experiences ? cheers, Nathaniel Lim