19 Sep
2010
19 Sep
'10
2:30 p.m.
On 19/09/10 20:21, Michael Kerpan wrote:
IIRC, most SIBO programming was done in OPL rather
than in C. I'm not
sure how much better performance native C offers over OPL, but I'd
certain think it would be worth trying out before you go crazy looking
for some long-gone C compiler...
Yeah, the attraction of C was basically that I already know the
language, so I just have to learn the API. In theory, that shouldn't be
hard with all the Psion SDK docs and some example code to play with.
And I'm lazy. If I don't have to learn a new language, I won't :)
Oh, and the Sibo SDK should (in theory) produce code which would work on
my Acorn Pocketbook (the Mk1, not the Mk2, but I do have the serial
cable and PSU). Said machine does *not* have OPL... :(
Anyways, congratulations on the Workabout. I wish that
there were
still PDAs on the market that had the combo of super-readable screens,
excellent keyboards and long battery life that Psion had back in the
early 90s...
Heh, funny story. Another guy was arguing with the seller on price...
"I figure it's worth at least a tenner!"
"Are you mad, the batteries aren't charged. And there isn't even a
serial cable with it!"
At this point I spot the Psion badge and pick the thing up... and
realise what it is (in short: a Sibo organiser in a ruggedised case, but
with standard ports). Serial port is straight RS232, with a TTL port
next to it, IRDA on the bottom and a Psion LIF port next to that. Two AA
Nicads to run the organiser (Psion seem to like those) and a CR1620
Lithium to do RAM backup. At this point the other guy is still haggling.
I figured ten quid was worth it, even if it was only good for parts value...
"What about two quid?"
"That's a bloody insult!"
"I'll take it for a tenner."
"Bah, you're mad! It'll never work!"
The AAs were already on my shelf (I keep a few charged Eneloops and
several boxes of Duracell ProCell AAs and PP3s and Extralife Lithium
PP3s on standby for multimeters, clocks and TV remotes) and the CR1620s
didn't cost me a thing -- struck a deal with another seller for two 9Ah
12V VRLA batteries, and he threw in a pack of 1620s for free.
That and the CCTV cameras makes this a pretty fun day. Always wanted to
have a play with machine vision, now I have some cameras and just need a
few C or CS-mount lenses... (seriously, half a dozen cameras at 50p
each, there was no reason *not* to take the whole box).
Cheers,
--
Phil.
classiccmp at philpem.me.uk
http://www.philpem.me.uk/