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kianryan / kianryan.github.io

www.kianryan.co.uk
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Psion 5MX - Oh, I've been waiting for this... #66

Open kianryan opened 1 year ago

kianryan commented 1 year ago

Written on 01/08/2021 23:07:21

URL: https://www.kianryan.co.uk/2021-07-14-psion-5mx/

kianryan commented 1 year ago

Comment written by Christer Boräng on 02/08/2021 09:59:07

How does the calendar compare to what was on the Palm? I used DateBk4, and it was easily the best calendar app I've ever used.

kianryan commented 1 year ago

Comment written by Kian Ryan on 02/08/2021 10:11:50

I don't remember using DateBk4. I used the built in Palm app, which was pretty good, and remember having a few third party apps. The 3e was low on internal memory, and had no external expansion, so you had to be a bit selective on what you used.

That said - Agenda works. It's smooth. There's a bunch of keyboard shortcuts that make sense, and it does what you expect it to. It's possibly one of the most intuitive calendar apps I've had my hands on. The todo system has numeric prioritisation *and* due/deadline function. You can maintain task based todo lists, and get actionable day lists in the calendar view. Calendar items are day duration or time specific. Items are searchable. It *all* works from the keyboard. Since it's a disconnected calendar (it's tricky to sync), it makes a pretty good project planning system vs a day-to-day calendar.

I think I prefer it over the Palm one. Based on keyboard alone. I liked my Palm, but being able to sit down with this and just *type* makes all the difference. It helps to think of it less as a PDA and more a mini productivity machine.

kianryan commented 1 year ago

Comment written by Roy on 03/08/2021 12:41:32

The Psion Agenda, like the Psion itself, was brilliant and hasn't been bettered since - but one of the great things as far as I'm concerned is NOT being connected to the internet! No possibility of hackers, no one pestering you, etc. I've never stopped using my Psions, and would hate to be without them. I still use Windows 7 Pro, which has Windows XP Pro running in a window, so I can still backup frequently using PsiWin, as well as use other 32-bit programs such as the Nokia software for backing up my 6310i.

kianryan commented 1 year ago

Comment written by Zoltan Farkas on 22/12/2021 20:09:23

Great article
I absolutely agree. It is a perfect device and still can be very useful. Unfortunately nothing like it on the horizon, not even the planet products(gemini pda, astro slide…)
If they would ad a modern connection option like bluetooth(wifi requires to much energy) it would be still an up to date device for many people for specific tasks.

kianryan commented 1 year ago

Comment written by docpark on 21/01/2022 00:29:57

Used it heavily in the late 90's as a surgical resident -being able to IRDA print to the hospital's available HP printers was a superskill. Eventually I sold it along with now very hard to find accessories such as a fax modem to a journalist in Mexico in the mid 2000's. Nostalgia brought me to purchasing a pair of Ericsson clones of the 5mx on ebay for 80usd, and when one died from the screen cable issue common to it, I've started using the spare. It's wonderful as a focused writing device. I can't manage to get anything bigger than a 512mB drive to work, but given the efficiency of the OS and the miniscule file sizes, it is not a problem. When they make 3000 dollar laptops with unreplaceable batteries meant to last only 3-5 years, this device puts them all to shame.

kianryan commented 1 year ago

Comment written by Kian Ryan on 21/01/2022 15:28:49

Larger drives take a bit of work, but to be honest you're right, 512 is plenty.
They're little focused devices with excellent keyboards and fantastic battery life.

kianryan commented 1 year ago

Comment written by MartinG on 12/08/2022 10:57:33

I used to program Psions back in the day and still have a 5, 5mx, revo, 7book, and netbook. There's an active Psion group on the Facebook that you might be interested in. I recently published an article there on how to get PsiWin to work on a modern, 64-bit Windows 10/11 computer.

Hhvh commented 7 months ago

Thank you for your review. I have been using a Dana Alphasmart as a distraction-free, eyes-friendly device. Have you tried it? I am curious to know how you would compare them. From my point of view, its standard-sized keyboard is definitely better. But of course not so portable as the Psion.

Wonderlucker commented 3 months ago

Thanks for this Kian. When I copy any sis to compact flash, and then double click or try to open on PSION it will not launch. Is there a special trick to this from System menu on the device?

techsurrusr commented 2 months ago

Hi Kian, always fun to read about others who try out old tech and curious if know if anyone have created gerber files to make new Psion ROM cards which would allow to switch language

Robsno commented 2 months ago

Fortunate enough to own an Astro slide designed recently by the Original 5mx designer but still have my 5mx. Worth noting that you can get a CF type 1 adapter on eBay that takes SD cards. This means when used with an SD adaptor and a micro SD card you can even read data from the psion to email text direct from a phone with a micro SD card slot as well as reading direct in a laptop with an SD reader. all you need is to install file conversion software on the Psion.