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Tools to connect... Until now I've found four native solutions to connect a Psion to an OS/2 or eCS based computer. I've tried each of them for a longer period of time. On this page I will give you an overview about these solutions. There is a 'details'-link for each program that gives you more information. Each of the programs is given a 1-to-5 rating based on my own experience (using a Psion 5MX). The best of them deserves the title 'Psion to OS/2 favorite' Program Direct link using HyperAccess Lite for OS/2 and Psion Comms Author HyperAccess Lite: Hilgreave Comms: Psion Description You can set up a link between your OS/2 computer and a Psion PDA using standard terminal software that is supplied on both platforms. For OS/2 this is Hilgreave's HyperAccess Lite for OS/2 which is suplied as part of the Bonuspak. On the Psion-side you can use the Comms application. Both applications can use a direct cable link between both computers using the serial cable supplied with your Psion. Pros A working solution to exchange files without the need for dedicated software. Cons Functionality is limited to the exchange of files The need to operate both machines at a the same time No real integration with the OS/2 Workplace Shell Extra utilities needed for file conversion Rating Details More about this direct link Program PSI Utilities Author Erik Huelsman Description Erik Huelsman was the first one to create a dedicated link between Psion PDA's and computers running OS/2. The most recent version 0.30b was released in 1998. Although there is a website to support this project I haven't seen any updates during the last year. It works, but functionality is limited. Pros It works... Cons Limited functionality Server software on Psion needed No integration with the OS/2 Workplace Shell Extra utilities needed for file conversion Rating Details More about the PSI Utilities Program PsiFTP Author Andrei A. Porodko Description An easy to use set of utilities for almost any Psion PDA available. Lots of features including backup and restore utilities and a REXX-interface that allows you to automate tasks the way you want it. Most recent version 1.5 features partial reconnection to your Psion (if the Psion is turned on again reconnection will take place whenever you PsiFTP needs access to the PDA). This version was posted on the web in march 2002. Pros Anything you need to manipulate files Easy to use backup and restore utilities Cons No integration with the OS/2 Workplace Shell Extra utilities needed for file conversion (PsiConv 0.8.1 is part of the PsiFTP distribution) Rating Details More about PsiFTP Program Netdrive (with Psion plug-in) Author Blueprint Software (Psion plug-in by Andrei A. Porodko) Description Netdrive offers facilities to connect Psion PDA's, FTP-sites and local resources to your OS/2 computer as if they were networkdrives. This approach gives you full integration to the OS/2 workplace shell. You can use standard OS/2 drive objects or your own filemanager etc. to manipulate directories and files as if the Psion were part of your desktop computer. 'Drag and drop' is fully supported. Current version 2.0 is the first version of Netdrive that supports third party plug-ins. The upgrade from Netdrive 1.x is free for registerd users. The unregistered shareware version is fully functional for 30 days. The latest version of the Psion Plugin (march 2002) features improved performance, identifies Psion file types with it's own icons and will do partial reconnection to your Psion whenever it's turned on again . Pros Fully integrated with the OS/2 Workplace Shell Manipulate files on your Psion as if they were on your harddisk Connects more resources than Psion PDA's alone Cons Extra utilities needed for file conversion Rating 'Psion to OS/2 favorite' Details More about Netdrive

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