I decided to write a short sumary for my PSION Organiser II tryings. So
here it is.
1. Devices
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At the moment I do have these models:
* P* (16kB RAM, 2-line LCD): SW must be modified first!
* CM (8kB RAM, 2-line LCD): too limited to many software
* XP (16kB RAM, 2-line LCD): much better but still limited
* LZ (32kB RAM, 4-line LCD): had sound issues, now works OK
* LZ (32kB RAM, 4-line LCD): weared off but works OK
I often used the XP one because I do have several software pack for
2-line units (it looks ugly on 4-line devices). Bu 16kB of RAM often
runs out when I co coding and so. So I returned to the LZ models for
coding and so. They also have better build-in software (the calendar,
the note-taking app).
Now I use the last device in the list above. I actually got it recently
(I thought that my main LZ has issues so I wanted to replace it). It
has a lot of scratches, some buttons lost their labels and so. But it
works perfectly. The other LZ (which is in almost perfect cosmetic
condition) I now use much less. I still have to convert the P* model
(and industrial one which is designed to boot from a dedicated data
pack instead of use the standard OS) to a normal one. The it should
behave as a XP model.
It is good to remember that all the models differ in the LCD type
(2-line or 4-line one), RAM size and in build-in software only. The CPU
is always 0.9MHz one, the serial port on the top is always present and
they have two data pack slots.
2. Batteries
------------
All Organisers use common brick-shaped 9V battery. These batteries are
easy to obtain but re-chargeables of this type are much less common. I
have got two GP branded ones and two Philips ones. The charger for them
was also more expensive than an usual AA/AAA charger. One 9V battery is
placed in the PSION 3a keyboard adapter so I do have 3 batteries for
Organiser II devices. Thus I keep 2 ready (one for coding and one for
shopping during emergency state) and one battery in reserve.
3. Software
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During the time I have got some software packaged, for example:
* the Travel Pack (basic dictionary, converter and so)
* the Spelling Checker
* the Spreadsheet (bot 2-line and 4-line version)
* some software for barcode reader, the card reader and the data logger
From these packages I use only the Spreadsheet more frequently. It is
relatively simple and sometimes it is not so easy to use it on a 4-line
screen (not mentioning the 2-line version). T don't use the Travel Pack
now (for obvious reasons). I have a temperature sensor (and a humidity
one, I thing) for the data logger but so far I haven't enough time to
play with it.
4. Accessories
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I have got during time:
* the barcode reader (I should write software for it)
* the magnetic card reader (got it only recently)
* the data logger fit a few sensors
* the PSION Printer (2 of them)
* the Comms Link (a serial cable for Organiser)
* the USB Comms Link (a moder conversion)
From these I have used just the Comms Link. Now I use the original
CL.EXE (an original software for MS-DOS). It should be also possible to
transfer files with the XMODEM protocol but I find this one easier (it
does some data conversion automatically), even if I have had to run it
under the DOSbox. But it runs well even on the Linux of POWER (with the
DOSbox, of course). If you have the DOSbox on your SGI workstation then
I may inform you that it runs perfectly here, too.
The printer is an another story: I got two on the eBay before many
years (I was bidding in two parallel auctions and won both). One of
them was dead, the second one worked. Then I abandon both of them for
long time and renewed my attempt to use the printer only recently. I
you may read I have managed to make it somewhat work. The printer is a
thermo-printer (as it is used in many cashier machines) and uses
relatively narrow paper format but it is OK for print of OPL program
listing or addresses or similar stuff. The printer is capable of
printing of 80 characters in line (but they are tiny, of course) so
some text can be also printed. The OPL has the LPRINT command for print
of text lines, by the way.
5. Data storage
---------------
The organiser uses its RAM to store data and programs (the A: drive).
It has also a pair of slots for so-called datapacks. They are similar
of the SSD drives of Series 3 devices (but they are not compatible with
them, of course). They are almost brick-shaped and they came in two
types: a RAM pack (in has a battery-backed RAM) and a flash one.
The RAM ones are easy to use: they can be formatted, data ban be added
or deleted so they behave as normal PC-style hard disks. But they
require some electricity all time (from the device or from their own
batteries). And they are very fast - both reading and writing of data
is almost instant. The flash ones don't require any energy to keep
data. But the data cannot be easily deleted - they can only be added.
To free space on such disk it must be formatted. But such formatting
has to be done with a special ultra-violet lamp. It cannot be done in
device. Many flash datapacks also require a lot of energy for writing a
reading (their use can shorten battery life considerably). And they are
much slower than the RAM ones (both for reading and writing).
There are different sizes: the 16kB are probably the most common but
32, 64 and 128kB ones also exist. There are modern creations of sizes
up to 256kB (I have one but it does not work for me - my devices have
issues with it).
I actually use a 64kB RAM pack. The other datapacks I use just for
permanent storage of data (I have put a 16kB "low power" to the
outdoors LZ to store some data - but programs and other stuff is stored
in the RAM of this device - so on the "A: drive").
6. Cases
--------
I have several cases for them: a plastic, canvas-like one; the
RealLeather one with the handstrap (not one but both the black and gray
variants); a simple black thin leather one. And an industrial hardshell
case.
At home I store the LZ in the later leather one. It is very thin and
comfortable to use. The Real Leather cases are very massive and have
very interesting but very impractical design of top part of the case
which makes the device hard to use when it is in the case. By the way -
the Organiser II has keyboard cover which can be detached if necessary.
The cases usually require that this cover must be inserted to them.
The industrial case is more interesting. It covers the device from all
sides and it is waterproof. But the device can be used when it is in
the case: the screen is visible (but protected by layer of organic
glass), the keys are accessible (the case has its own keyboard which
mechanically transfers key presses to the Organiser's own keyboard).
The only inaccessible thing is the screen contrast thing. And, of
course, the serial port is covered and it is not accessible at all. The
case is a bit bulky and looks, well, as an industrial computer. But it
is ideal for shopping these days: the device is well protected and
after use it can be easily and safely cleaned and disinfected (the
device is in so case can be washed before it is opened). With such
thing in hands one also looks strange to other shoppers. So they
usually go away and allow me to shop more easily...
7. Desktop software
-------------------
I actually use just a few pieces: The Comms Link software for MS-DOS,
the CL.EXE (in the DOSbox where the DOSbox works). And the IDE (with an
integrated Organiser II emulator), the ORG2.EXE (the DOSbox is handy
here, too). The IDE runs on my PSION MC600 laptop natively, too.
More stuff exist, of course. ne can find a Windows-based
synchronisation tool or and on-line device emulator. And some data and
program conversion tools, too.
8. Use
------
I have two main uses for my Organisers:
1. Learning the OPL (Organiser Programming Language). I have written
several short programs for my work (well, I can do it in any other
language on my workstation but I have wanted to have them on the
Organiser, too) and I'm going to write some others. I'm thinking about
making of some program which will use my barcode reader (to scan ISBN
codes of my books and to process them, for example).
I must say that programming on the Organiser II is more pleasant than
programming on the Palms or Zauri. There are several reasons:
* the hardware keyboard (with big distances between keys).
* simplicity of device. No GUI mess is needed to wrote usable program
* simplicity of language. I don't like some of its keywords, though.
* availability of clean and simple emulator
2. Shopping. There is still state of emergency and new COVID-19 cases
are still very common (it's constantly about 20 cases per day and it is
not improving) so cleaning of everything is still very important. So a
washable shopping list device is of good use. I used the Palm (III or
T|W) for this task but they cannot be cleaned so easily so I decided to
keep them at home now.
