A question for old 95lx/100lx/200LX owners and users.

[Omicron]

Hi guys,  
 
I have been a long time 200LX owner (still have one actually) and have receently took the (deep) plunge and moved over to the Sharp C860, which is just an amazing machine.  I think hte C860 is for today what HP 200LX was when it came out (it terms of features, etc).
 
However, the thing I miss the most is the old database, and I known that  R. Sierra wrote J200LX (which is much further along than something I was working on a few years ago).
 
Anyway I just contacted him (no new info on J200lx in sourceforge since 2002) to see if I could work on that project now that i have some free time.  (no word yet).
 
The question I am posing to all of you is...Is anyone interested in the J200LX project as a USER?    I am still not 100% sure of all it\'s features, but it seems to be a Database editor and FTP/sycnronizer all made in Java (therfore running on multiple java platforms)
 
Now I think that would be a quite cool project, for Zaurus and HP 200LX owners alike.  Imagine putting your databases out on the Web in accessable format....or using the tool to migrate to something like the Zaurus (which runs Java fairly fast).
 
Many people have put alot of effort into the DBs and I would hate to see them not be accessable to the world becuase of the limitations of  the development or accessability of a database program.
 
Anyway, please post your thoughts (good and bad).  This is an undertaking, and I would like to know how much interest there is and would like to know in general what you all think of the idea.
 
I am talking about a polished turn-key DB program (just another Rev of J200lx) to run on your PC, Web server, Sharp PDA, etc....bringing all that great 200LX knowledge out from the shadows.  
 
Thoughts?
 

PS( A partial list of the availabel databases can be found at
www.palmtop.net,
but the beuaty is that you can create your own (at the same time cresating a nice GUI front-end.  Eventually I think may do well to have hooks to convert back and forth with Portabse, but I get ahead of myself.)

[sepsep]

Hi LXer,

im using my hp200lx-ds16m(s) more than ten year too.

my $0.2cent:
if db conversion try get a gdbdump from s.u.p.e.r
(it support pdb gdb ndb to .csv format)
in Cx60 Im using portabase (killer DB for zaurus)
http://portabase.sourceforge.net/
create same field structure then import .csv file from gdbdump.
now, im complete using back all my db(s) in zaurus.

PIM function sure is HPLX win.
but nowadays, u can find info about KO/PI
http://www.pi-sync.net/index.html
it is dream pim for us.
(maybe next version arm cpu can make it run
more faster. especially that screen reflash rate)

sepsep

[Omicron]

h

Hi LXer,

im using my hp200lx-ds16m(s) more than ten year too.

my $0.2cent:
if db conversion try get a gdbdump from s.u.p.e.r
(it support pdb gdb ndb to .csv format)
in Cx60 Im using portabase (killer DB for zaurus)
http://portabase.sourceforge.net/
create same field structure then import .csv file from gdbdump.
now, im complete using back all my db(s) in zaurus.

PIM function sure is HPLX win.
but nowadays, u can find info about KO/PI
http://www.pi-sync.net/index.html
it is dream pim for us.
(maybe next version arm cpu can make it run
more faster. especially that screen reflash rate)

sepsep

The thing anout portabase seems that you can create  a nice laypout exactly as you want it...Although I am a portabase newbie.

so please correct if I am wrong.

[Miami_Bob]

Omicron -

 Y. E. S. !! Absolutely!!

One of the things that I miss most in C860 vs HP200LX is the versitility of the old LX database app.

With all due respect to PortaBase, I have found it *very* difficult to get up the curve to designing structures to import my old *db files vis .csv as sepsep suggested. My suggestions for some simple examples were not received with much enthusiasm in a thread on the topic.

Build me a good app to use, maintain, modify, build those old *db files & I\'ll plunk down hard cold cash for a copy!

BTW - I got my first HP95LX in late May off 1991. Had to drive almost half way up the state of FL to find the only HP dealer that knew what they were and had one available. Never regreted the move.


Bob W
Miami FL

[DrWowe]

One of you HP200LX owners should try dumping the ROM to a file.  I\'ve never owned one myself, but I would love to see it running in a PC emulator.

[Miami_Bob]

One of you HP200LX owners should try dumping the ROM to a file.  I\'ve never owned one myself, but I would love to see it running in a PC emulator.

Don\'t think that I\'ve ever seen a utility that could extract the actual ROM from a 200LX. Not in regular \"DOS\" memory space.

There *is* a somewhat limited emulator for PC DOS (also runs under Wind-Hozed OSs up to XP, BTW) called CPACK or APP200. Copyright by HP. It runs the major internal apps & works with the file formats used by those apps (pdb, ndb, gdb, adb). No source sode, of course.


Bob W
Miami FL

[sepsep]

im gave up x86 emu run at arm....
qemu, bozhs, dosbox - now all hv arm bin
available for download but compare my hp200 ds
performance is like a @#$!$%@^#.:roll:

qemu:
- support user mode on arm binaries only.
http://zaurus.zapto.org/zazz/qemu/

bozhs:
- no idea know how to make it run.
http://bochs.sourceforge.net/

dosbox arm:
- for pdax rom only, it 80% work and slowww.
http://dosbox.sourceforge.net/news.php?show_news=1

AFAIK, no any workable emu for x86/QT but i\'ll focus on DosBox.
(pls update to me if any1 find a solution)

about portabase, i\'d note.ndb/phone.pdb sample template created
if anyone need it pls let me know.  maybe i try write some simple
instruction for that when i complete my hostap testing. :shock:

[Miami_Bob]

about portabase, i\'d note.ndb/phone.pdb sample template created if anyone need it pls let me know.  maybe i try write some simple instruction for that when i complete my hostap testing. :shock:

Yes, please, kind sepsep. I would very much appreciate any templates that you would be willing to share.

Should I send you my edress by private message?


Thanks!

Bob W
Miami FL

[sepsep]

about portabase, i\'d note.ndb/phone.pdb sample template created if anyone need it pls let me know.  maybe i try write some simple instruction for that when i complete my hostap testing. :shock:

Yes, please, kind sepsep. I would very much appreciate any templates that you would be willing to share.

Should I send you my edress by private message?


Thanks!

Bob W
Miami FL

Yoda,

yes, sure..
i try post to here later.

may the force be w/you  

[sepsep]

around half&hour backup tape searching... i got my old zip file. :shock:
also, because i did it about 10 month ago.. so pls let me know
if anything is wrong or missing.  

what u need:

1. \"GDBDUMP\" by Steven Roth & Andy Gryc at HP for supplying the information
GDBDUMP is program used to get ASCII formatted data into and
out HP 100/200LX databases. most important it can handle
note fields 100%.
http://www.palmtop.net/super3.html

2. ol2lx \"Microsoft Outlook to HP LX Converter\" by Curtis Cameron
Converts and synchronizes the palmtop\'s PDB and GDB files
with Outlook\'s Contacts, and ADB files with Outlook\'s Calendar and Tasks folders.
(before run ol2lx make sure you hv MSVBVM50.DLL in windows)
http://www.ccdominoes.com/hplx/

3. Portabase by Jeremy Bowman
why Portabase? because it is easy to switch between win/linux
and Export/Import data from CSV, XML
http://portabase.sourceforge.net/

DataBase:

I will install everything in single windows box first.
that let me easy for testing and typing.

1. use gdbdump convert ascii csv file. u can rename *.ndb to *.gdb, actually all
pdb,ndb,gdb is same db format then open a LX database to check a field ordering
for each db.

2. in portabase, create a new file w/same field<->Column structure,
u should add a column one by one & match with LX field ordering.
(pod sample file attached in this thread)

3. import csv

Calendar/Task/phone:

transfer all LX appointment/event/todo/phone to z.
flow: LX ---> outlook ---> Z

1. intellisync for z and outLook installed (sure z sync communication is ready to use)
2. run ol2lx. u should always check the field mapping to make sure things are
going where you want.
3. open outlook check data record or sort your category etc..
4. open intellisync and upload to z
(if some record duplicate. try remap a field.
   first name <==> name
   full name <==> name
5. open a z, check Calendar/Todo List/AddressBook
(all pim data is store in /home/zaurus/Applications/dtm)

if u hv DTM data ready, u can easy switch to other PIM in z. example KOPI

hmmm.. what r miss most for me.. post/lx x-finder?

P.S.
all templates created from Portabase v1.7
but v1.9 with those file work fine for me and no any problem.

more detail portabase csv format try this info
http://portabase.sourceforge.net/portabase.html#import

[Miami_Bob]

sepsep -

Thank you! I have d/l the attachment zip file with the 2 pob templates & will transfer them to my C860 tonight. And thanks for the detailed explanation of how to convert the data. THAT must have taken a LOT of research trial & error to work out.

Will post back after trying to convert some of my old 200LX files.

 << u can rename *.ndb to *.gdb, actually all pdb,ndb,gdb is same db format >>

Now THERE is an excellent example of what made the HP-LX series so great. Using one interchangable database format to fill 3 functions. I wish that some of the old HP staff that worked on the LX development were here with us. I bet that they could turn out some killer apps for the Zs!

 


Thanks again!

Bob W
Miami FL

[Miami_Bob]

But, at the same time, I would still like to see what you can program for the conversion, Omicron!!

[Omicron]

But, at the same time, I would still like to see what you can program for the conversion, Omicron!!

Thanks ...was beginning to think you didn;t need anything new.

Still trying to find R. Sierra to determine which way to start.  I will post here as I find out more...Or start a new thread if it takes a real long time !

(Moderator, of course will try opion one first ;-)

[Miami_Bob]

OK, folks. I\'ve had a little time to play with some HP200LX databases using PortaBase.

Sepsep, with all due regards for your efforts and sincere thanks for your generosity in sharing, I\'m afraid that the results just do not do what I\'m wanting done.

First problem is that GDBDUMP uses some formatting that PortaBase does not work with. For example:

GDBDUMP uses /r & /n for carriage return & new line in notes. PortaBase reads these as literals, so all line formatting is lost & must be manually redone.

Likewise, GDBDUMP seems to use /\" for quotes embedded in text (as opposed to quotes marking column text fields) which sometimes causes the PortaBase import to crash hard with \"too many columns\" error. Again requires manual location & replacement of problem text.


I only used a few simple NDBs, so I am not certain how my more complex (and SOME are *very* complex!) GDBs would work, but the functionality of the HP-LX database engine is largely lost in translation to PortaBase.

Yes, the categories are imported, for example, but as text strings & to *manipulate* them, like the original *DB on an LX, would require rebuilding ALL the infrastructure by hand on PortaBase (if it could even be done, in cases).

Also, many of my more complex GDB files have data entry pages laid out for most efficient use (IMHO ... G). This does not appear to be possible at all with PortaBase.

What I\'m looking for is something that maintains the original layouts & functions of the HP-LX databases. PortaBase just does not seem to be able to do that job.

One other example of the sort of problems that I encounter in trying to learn to use PortaBase. When you first create a database layout on the HP-LX, you get a screen with the column headers & all displayed, even though no actual data have been entered.

The first time that I tried to create a PortaBase database layout, when I was finished, I got a screen saying only \"No Results\". HUH?

So, OK, maybe to someone *else* it would have been IOTTMCO, but *I* expected to see at least SOMETHING. So I saved the file & reopened it. Same thing \"No Results\".

I started reading to find out what I was doing wrong. Never did find an explanation in the docs available. When YOUR templates also said \"No Results\", I almost threw up my hands BUT it *finally* occoured to me that just maybe the author of the program *meant* to say \"no DATA to display\". There *is* quite a bit of difference to the uninitiated newbie <G>.

STILL haven\'t been able to learn what the numeric pick list in the lower left is (it does not *appear* to DO anything) or how the tabs along the bottom are to be used. There are numerous other examples of where a simple FAQ would be very handy that I won\'t bore you with.

PortaBase *is* very obviously a powerful and well written tool, but (IMHO) it simply is not suited for working with the old HP-LX database files in their original formats.

Thank you, again, sepsep, for your efforts and generosity. I *did* learn a lot by working with the materials & instructions you provided.


Sincerely -

Bob W
Miami FL

[padishah_emperor]

Never noticed this thread, I\'m a 10 year 200LXer!  Mine is lovingly cared for despite the hinge crack problem which I fixed.

As for databases, I\'d love to see anything that is 200LX interoperable, but I have only just discovered Portabase and I love it, it\'s just what I need to make a DVD list, I havent had any problems with it so far.

This PC emulator you mentioned Bob, sounds interesting, just imagine a 200LX emulator! But despite my attempt I haven\'t got any DOS emulation working. I know someone made something called PocketDOS or something like that for PPC, I wonder if that person can be bribed into porting it?

I\'m bored so I\'m gonna reflash and reinstall my Z, after that I\'ll start looking into a cross compiler setup to start working on some kind of DOS emulator, even if it takes months it seems to be a needed app for us 200LX old timers.


My dream: A combined PalmOS, EPOC32 and 200LX emulator for the Z....   oh my!