FAQS! FACTS! FAX! 014 (16/07/96)

PSION OF THE TIMES

I have a Psion 3a pocket organiser and would like to know what is involved in connecting it to a mobile phone, with a view to sending and receiving e-mail and faxes?

D.R.S., Tottenham

A

It should be easy but a good deal of confusion surrounds this particular combination of technologies. It is possible to connect a Psion 3a to a mobile phone however, there’s a few ifs and buts. At the moment it only works with the Nokia 2110 GSM phone (or equivalents from Alcatel and Philips), and it needs to be connected to the Cellnet, Orange or Vodaphone digital network.

This is where it gets a bit complicated... The organiser connects to the phone using PsiMail, which includes comms software a  3-Link serial interface adaptor and cable for a PC card, that’s connected to the Nokia phone. PsiMail is marketed to their corporate customers, and can only be used for accessing PCs or networks running Lotus cc:Mail  and MS Mail. They are in the process of putting together a package for domestic users, that will have Internet mail compatibility. This will enable the Psion to handle e-mail, Internet and bulletin boards and on-line services --  including CompuServe --  and send (but not receive) faxes. Psion tell us they expect to have it ready later this year. The price has yet to be decided but you can find out more, and maybe register your interest by calling their customer service helpline on (0990) 561046.

Psion owners with a Nokia 2110 connected to Vodaphone’s digital network can also send and receive brief text messages, up to 160 characters long, to other GSM phone owners using the Short Message Service (SMS). The Psion and phone are connected together using a device called Telenote Link (£70).

MAC TO BASICS

I want to buy a computer for home use, that can handle PC, (Windows and DOS) applications from work, as well as the Apple Macintosh software my daughter uses at school. What are my options, if any?

A.B.

A

You have two options and they both involve buying a Power Mac. The simplest, (and cheapest...) option is a Mac program called SoftWindows, from Insignia Software. This sells for around £350 and claims to run all DOS and Windows applications on Power Macs. Emulation software has a reputation for slowing down some programs, so it may be a good idea check compatibility with Insigna before you buy, particularly if you’re thinking of using it with processor or memory intensive Windows applications.

The alternative is a hardware upgrade, known as a PC Compatibility Card. Basically this an IBM-compatible PC on a plug-in card, that fits inside the Mac. Apple market two versions, using 586 or 100Hz Pentium processors, they run independently of the MAC, so they’re as fast as a stand-alone PC. It’s possible to switch between Mac and PC, and swap files, at the touch of a key. The 586 card costs £850 and the Pentium a whopping £1000!

Either way it’s expensive. It might even be worthwhile buying a cheaper Mac, like a Performa, or a second-hand model, and a 486 or Pentium for yourself. That way you won’t have compete with your daughter for the keyboard.

Contacts: Apple Computers: 0800 127753, Insignia Software 0131-458 6841.

NET PROVIDER

You recently featured an article which referred to the Internet Service Providers Association. Unfortunately you gave no further details, and Directory Enquiries have never heard of them. I am currently undertaking private research into the Internet and it would be useful for me to be able to contact them. Can you help?

C.R.R., Bexhill On Sea

A

No problem, you can reach them at: ISPA, 14 Tine Cliffe Avenue, Bournemouth, Dorset BH6 3PZ, telephone 01202 292900, or check out their web pages at www.ispa.org.uk