OVER 2 YOU, 006 (23/11/00)

SECRET PSIONS

I wish to use my Psion 5mx rather like an organiser but I have not been able to find a way to password protect 'Contacts' or 'Data' entries (e.g. for PIN numbers other financial details). I use a password to open the Psion but there doesn’t seem to be any way to use a password on individual files.

Geoff Todd,

I suggest that Geoff Todd uses 'SafePlace' which is freeware and can be downloaded from www.palmtopsoftware.com. SafePlace is a secure database application, which uses encryption techniques to keep your information protected. More than one file may be created and each is protected by a compulsory password. May I also suggest that Mr Todd subscribes to the Palmtop Magazine, a bimonthly devoted solely to Psion palmtops. See www.palmtop.co.uk. Version 1.1 of SafePlace was reviewed two issues ago (Issue 24).
Antony Owen,

My solution was to create a word file (a spreadsheet file would also do), store the relevant pins and account numbers in that and password protect the file. I have also set the file attributes to "read only" to ensure the data cannot be changed accidentally.
Laurie Goldberg

I have the following suggestion. Open the "Data" application and create a new entry. Enter non-sensitive information into the usual fields for names and phone numbers. Next, click on the "Object" button and select "Insert Object".Then select the appropriate program from the list supplied. The "Word" and "Sheet" applications are both capable of being password protected. Now a "Word" or "Sheet" Object in "Data" screen appears. Type or copy your sensitive information into this screen then press the "Menu" button. From the "File" drop down menu select "Password" and enter/confirm your password. Press the "Done" button and save the "Data" record.

When the "Data" record is now accessed, a "Word" or "Sheet" icon will show in the record. Double-click on the icon and you will be prompted for the password. The inserted object now opens in a "Read Only" mode. To modify or delete the inserted object it is necessary to access the object via the "Edit entry" function of the "Data" application. Using the above method Geoff will be able to protect his sensitive information in his Contacts database and will still be able to search for records using the non-sensitive fields.
Douglas J Anderson

DRIVE WAYS

Does anyone know of a utility, which will allow me to create a list of the contents of multiple removable discs, Zip discs, CD-ROMs, floppies, etc., as well as the stuff on the hard-drive?  I know I could create a database and do it the hard way, but surely someone has already done it?
Chris Hepden,

 I found a very useful shareware cataloguer called Diskcat by Rob Vonk in the Netherlands. Try the ZNet download site (http://hotfiles.zdnet.com/cgi-bin/texis/swlib/hotfiles/info)
David Clark,

I am sure that the program SuperCat will fit the bill. It is versatile, easy to use, and compiles a catalogue of contents from the CD or disk itself. Searching is thorough and efficient too. Version 4.1 is available as shareware at
http://no-nonsense-software.com.
Mike Massheder,

I've used Darkap Disks 98 V3 for a couple of years. It's powerful, fast, and reliable and the index occupies very little space on the HDD. What's more, it's freeware! You can find it at: http://members.tripod.com/~darkap/disks.htm
Ian J Gillis,

Atlast! File Notes Organiser www.filenotes.com is an easy to use file management and database application for writing notes against any files on disks, CD-ROMs, removable media, over networks and even within compressed ZIP files. It can be set up to prompt you for notes as new files are created and downloaded. Very useful if you have a lot of files to manage over a variety of media and within zip files.
Chris Lane,

Go to DOS (Run - Command) and type at the c:\ prompt dir d: (or whatever your removable drive is called) >myfiles.txt it will look like this: dir d:>myfiles.txt.    
Repeat this for all the CDs using different names of course. You will wind up with as many .txt files as you have disks. Load the new .txt files sequentially into Excel or similar for your instant tasty database.

D. StJohn Wallis,

TYPE APPROVAL

I am not the world's best typist and apparently the keys make a lot of noise when I punch them. My husband finds this very stressful. I have tried to find a "silent" keyboard, so far without success. Do they exist and if so, where can I find one?

Ineke Ely

As the Inland Revenue's ergonomics adviser, I get to experiment with lots of different designs of keyboards, including soft-touch ones. The closest thing to a silent keyboard I have found is the Sejin Mini-thin, sold by The Keyboard Company (07000.102105), model number KBC 1525.  This has a laptop layout and a good quality quiet key action.  It doesn't have a numeric pad, but these can be bought separately and plugged in-line between the keyboard and base unit.

But the more important point to make here is that people who regularly hit their keyboards too hard may harm themselves. Scientific research has shown that keying hard can cause repetitive strain type injuries in the hand, wrist or forearm.  So although the keyboard may help, Ineke should try to learn to tap the keys lightly rather than "punching" them.

Bob Connell,

CAN YOU HELP?

I am 60 years old and have a Macintosh Performa 6400/200 computer on which I enjoy writing things and e-mailing friends and playing around with a scanner. What I really want to do is fly! I don't care what I fly but it must not be too difficult. Can you recommend software that will get me up in the air?

David J. Hartshorn,

I am a maths teacher trying to make out quite a few worksheets for class use. While they can be done using MS Word, it's a difficult task at best due to the diagrams and mathematical symbols. Are there any programs out there that would make the job easier?

Jim Catterson,

I am looking for an application, which would assist me in the management, and scheduling of a staffing roster of volunteers. The roster is required to cover the staffing of 20 different duties/locations for a 5-week month and a 7-day week. The staff pool would comprise approximately 80 persons, mostly part time, and usually on a regular day or days of the week. The program must be able to take into account scheduled leave, that certain staff may be able to cover only certain duties, provide a rotation of persons to duties and a short list of reserve staff who might provide cover on any day in an emergency, such as illness.

Scott Baker,

I have recently bought a laptop, which I intend using when on holiday either in Europe, the States or in the Far East. Can readers suggest the best way of accessing the Internet in these parts of the world? Initial investigations with the big providers suggest outrageous surcharges.
Chris Allen,