Here is updated Omnigo 100 FAQ
Ronald D. Pike
Summary: This posting concerns the Hewlett Packard Omnigo 100
Organizer Plus palmtop computer. It should be read by
anyone who wishes to post a OmniGo 100 related question
to any newsgroup.
Expires: Fri, 3 May 1996 00:00:00 GMT
Supersedes: 1.01
Archive-name: /hp/omnigo100-faq
Posting-Frequency: monthly
Last-modified: 1996/02/12
Version: 1.02
URL: http://www.aa.net/~desmoine/omnigo/omnistrt.htm
Comments, suggestions, or corrections to this posting are very much
welcomed!
______________________________________________________________________
Hewlett Packard OmniGo 100 Organizer Plus -- Frequently Asked
Questions : Apr-3-96
______________________________________________________________________
Q1: What is the OmniGo 100 Organizer Plus?
Q2: How does the OmniGo 100 compare to other portable electronic
devices?
Q3: What hardware expansion possibilities are available for the OmniGo
100?
Q4: What operating system does the OmniGo 100 use?
Q4.5: What memory management issues are there with the OmniGo 100?
Q5: What battery management issues are there with the OmniGo 100?
Q5.5: What is the future of GEOS based electronic devices?
Q6: What will the next version of the OmniGo 100 look like?
Q7: Where can I find more information on the OmniGo 100?
______________________________________________________________________
Q1: What is the OmniGo 100 Organizer Plus?
The OmniGo 100 is a small hinged rectangular portable electronic
information storage and calculation device. The top half folds up to
reveal a square non-backlit black and white screen. The other half of
the device contains a small standard PC keyboard with a top row that
includes five function keys. Unlike several other similar hinged
organizers the OmniGo 100's screen is pen (stylus)-sensitive, so data
entry on the device can be through pressing the plastic stylus on the
small screen to create "electronic ink" notes or by using the stylus
to write specific character forms which can be recognized by the built
in "Grafitti" text recognition application.
The OmniGo 100 keyboard can fold in back of the screen so that the
device can be held and used solely for pen input just like the Apple
Newton and Casio Zoomer. The OmniGo 100 is more in the category of
devices such as the Sharp Zaurus, but also competes somewhat with the
Casio Zoomer, Apple Newton, Sony Magic Link, Psion 3a, and Hewlett
Packard's 200LX.
Q2: How does the OmniGo 100 compare to other portable electronic
devices?
Within the Hewlett Packard family of palmtops the OmniGo 100 is
positioned below the HP 200LX, although is difficult to compare the
OmniGo 100 with other currently sold portable devices, in that it does
have a unique combination of pen and keyboard input, several built in
applications, and a relatively open (but unfamiliar to most people)
operating system -- all at a very competitive price (as low as US$309
mail order).
A generalization about the OmniGo 100 might be "people who are not
computer hobbyists tend to like the OmniGo 100, but people who enjoy
fussing with computers are more likely to enjoy the greater
flexibility of a pure DOS palmtop like the HP 200LX." (Nonetheless a
fair amount of OmniGo 100 tweaking, customizing and modest hacking is
going on!)
Some possible drawbacks of the device are a limited amount of built in
random access memory storage for applications and data, no infrared
data port, best battery performance is with disposable lithium
batteries and there is no external power plug, two somewhat expensive
proprietary desktop PC connectivity options, and no online service
applications available at launch of the product.
The size and contrast the OmniGo 100 screen has been the major
complaint concerning the device so far -- most users find the screen
perfectly fine in daylight, office cubicles and other brightly lit
workplaces, but find it difficult to view in living rooms, dens, and
places like dark hotel lobbies.
Historically the Hewlett Packard palmtop family has an excellent
reputation for durability. Users report the screen seems tough and has
good writing texture, although like any plastic it can scratch. There
has been a report of new OmniGo 100 styluses being of faulty
manufacture -- having a non blunt point (caused by plastic casting
flash) which scratched the screen.
Q3: What hardware expansion possibilities are available for the OmniGo
100?
The OmniGo 100 has a serial port that can be used for connecting a
modem, printer or a another computer -- cable kits are available that
accommodate all three hardware types. The OmniGo 100 has a type II PC
card slot for static random access memory storage (SRAM) cards, modems
and other PC card hardware. It appears the OmniGo 100 does not
generate enough power to the PC card slot, to safely use most flash
RAM cards but one supplier (MagicRAM) has designed flash RAM cards
specifically for the OmniGo 100.
New 512K, 1 megabyte, and 2 megabyte SRAM cards are available from
various sources starting at US$89 for a 512K card. A supplier of used
2 megabyte SRAM cards (US$80) recently reported they do work in the
OmniGo 100 although Mark Walsh of Notebook Supply Warehouse has stated
some SRAM cards do not work properly on the Omnigo 100. Your best bet
for finding compatible SRAM cards is to read all available online
forums for posts relating to other users experience with specific SRAM
brands and models, and asking the PC card supplier if the card has
been tested on the OmniGo 100. One trick that has been reported as
occasionally successful for SRAM cards that initially refuse to work
in the OmniGo 100, is to remove the SRAM card's battery for 24 or more
hours, replace it, and then reformat the card. The SRAM's
non-removable internal "bridge battery" apparently sometimes needs to
fully discharged before a reformat of the card can succeed.
There are now two simple freeware/shareware communications programs
for the OmniGo 100 -- Ray Schuler's OgComm (
http://users.aol.com/RcsAdmin/ ) and John Feras' communications
program that uses his IZL runtime environment (
http://www.netaxs.com/~jferas/izl.htm ). There also have been reports
of successful PC card modem use with the OmniGo 100, but some PC card
modems may not function in the OmniGo's PC card slot because of the
high level of power required by the modem. The PC card modems most
likely to work with the OmniGo 100 are those that draw the least
amount of power (for more information visit Chris De Herrara's modem
power FAQ at http://members.aol.com/pdcchrisd/ ). Some battery or
transformer powered "pocket" modems will work with the OmniGo 100 and
have the benefit of not drawing down the Omnigo 100's internal
batteries. The OmniGo has been advertised as being capable of wireless
email and two way paging but until recently neither was available.
Wyndmail has now released its wireless email service in the US and
trial software is available on their website. Two way paging in the
US via the Skytel service does not appear to be available yet.
Q4: What operating system does the OmniGo 100 use?
The OmniGo uses version 2.1 of the Geos operating system. Geos was an
early (but technically more efficient) competitor to Microsoft
Windows, and like Windows, Geos runs with DOS and uses DOS file
management functions. The OmniGo 100 uses DOS to allow Geos to boot
and create the Geos file system. If the DOS program requires output to
a screen then the DOS program will not work on the OmniGo 100. Simple
DOS batch files will work if they involve file copies, directory
creation, or checking the existence of a file. For example, "if exist
geoworks goto afterGeo" and "copy a:\dos\autoexec.ram b:\autoexec.bat"
will work within a DOS batch file. There are also some device drivers
that might work on the OmniGo 100, as Geos uses a CONFIG.SYS file to
start up the PC Card device drivers.
Version 3.0 of Geos is close to release and will include among other
changes "a universal mailbox facility for processing electronic mail,
voice, paging and fax messages" and TCP/IP via PPP or SLIP. The OmniGo
100 does not include a socketed system ROM for upgrading to Geos
version 3.0.
The major difference between the OmniGo 100 and previous Hewlett
Packard palmtops is that all applications built into, and running on,
the 200LX and older Hewlett Packard palmtops are DOS based, whereas on
the OmniGo 100 all built in and running applications are written for
Geos. Hewlett Packard designed all the OmniGo's built in Geos
applications, except "Graffiti" by Palm Computing Inc. Palm Computing
also designed the optional Connectivity Pack software that runs on a
PC and synchronizes schedule, appointment and other data over a serial
cable to the OmniGo 100. The "Connectivity Pack" has had a patch
released for it, as it initially had problems synchronizing to-do
items. Steve Mann's Macintosh to OmniGo 100 file transfer program is
available at http://www.cdpubs.com/ .
Data can be exported to the OmniGo 100's database application by use
of Craig Payne's freeware GDBIO.EXE database utility originally
designed for the HP200LX - thus the OmniGo 100's database engine is
closely related to the 200LX's .
Casio's Zoomer device also uses the Geos operating system and has sold
worldwide since late 1993. Several Zoomer applications will run on the
OmniGo 100, as well as many applications written for the PC "desktop"
version of the Geos operating system.
Q4.5: What memory management issues are there with the OmniGo 100?
State files are used by the Geos operating system to keep track of
where you were in all of the applications you've opened since last
resetting the OmniGo 100. State files are what make it possible to
return to exactly the same spot in a game of solitaire, maintaining
"local" cities in the international clock, and leaving you where you
left off in a notebook note. However, state files do use substantial
amounts of memory, which you may need from time to time. You can
delete state files by holding down the shift and power on key and
pressing the "next" key which will soft reboot the OmniGo 100.
Applications for which you've deleted the state files will open in the
default screen for that application.
The following note from Mitsu Hadeishi describes how built in
applications can store their data on SRAM PC cards and not just in the
OmniGo 100's internal RAM: "You CAN have the built-in apps store their
data on external cards. You have to use the IZL transfer program
(Omnicom) or a file manager application of some kind. First, close the
application (save your data from all apps by selecting each and
closing them, then doing a soft reboot to clear the state files should
do the trick. You could also just save the data, close the
application, and manually delete the state file for the app from
\GEOWORKS\PRIVDATA\STATE.) Copy the data file from the
\geoworks\documents directory on the internal RAM disk to a
\geoworks\documents directory on the card, and then delete the file
from the internal RAM disk. When you launch the application, it will
look for the data file first on the RAM disk, and when it doesn't find
it there, it will look on the card. When it finds it on the card, it
will continue to use the card for storing the file. Note: if you take
the SRAM card out and try to run the application, when it doesn't find
the file on the SRAM card it will create a new, empty file on the
internal RAM disk. So if you remove the SRAM card for data transfer,
do not run the application with the data on the card until you have
put the SRAM card back in your unit. If you make a mistake, of course,
it's no big deal; you just have to delete the file from the internal
RAM disk again."
Although the OmniGo 100 has a "1 MB RAM" label on it, when you first
check the amount of available RAM in the Setup application you will
find a "System Storage" number below 412Kbytes. Steve Main from
Geoworks explains, "The 1mb of RAM (in the OmniGo 100) is used this
way: 576k for "heap" space -- where the programs run, 32k for video
memory and 416k for RAMdisk... where you store your documents and
add-on files. Because the built-in software runs directly from ROM,
the heap space allows you to run up to 9 apps at once, which makes
switching apps very quick. And the way GEOS uses state files reduces
the size of document files substantially, so you can fit quite a bit
in the 416k. Many users will want to add an SRAM card for more
storage, too."
Q5: What battery management issues are there with the OmniGo 100?
A detailed battery meter is available the in OmniGo 100's diagnostic
or BIOS mode --if you soft reboot the device by holding down the
"shift", "on" and "next" keys and then releasing the "shift" and "on"
keys while continuing to hold down the "next" key, a diagnostic menu
screen will appear.
Moderate use of the OmniGo 100 will allow for approximately 4 and ˝
weeks of use on one pair of alkaline batteries --with the same level
of use, lithium batteries could be expected to last 8 weeks. Heavy
users of the device report 2 weeks on alkalines, and one month on
lithiums. Modem and serial port use seem to significantly shorten
battery life as well. One user reported using a 120 volt to 3 volt
wall outlet power adapter and alligator clips for desktop use
(although presumably such a jury rig would void the warrantee).
Q5: What is the future of GEOS based electronic devices?
There are several other small and efficient operating systems designed
for portable electronic devices, Apple's Newton operating system,
General Magic's Magic Cap, lean DOS (HP LX) and DOS like (Psion)
operating systems, and now even Sun's "Java" is discussed as a
possible future operating system for wireless portable devices.
In 1994 Microsoft ended its attempt to create a portable operating
system called "Winpad" but in 1995 Microsoft renewed its research and
development of a compact operating system called "Pegasus." Like
desktop operating systems, portable operating systems will continue to
be developed and compete for market share. In Geos' favor there is a
small but fanatical group of Geos desktop users and perhaps more
importantly, an installed base of Casio Zoomers. Geoworks also has
financial or legal partnerships with Hewlett Packard, Nokia, Sharp,
Toshiba, Canon, Casio, Novell, and Brother. There also appears to be
great early interest in the OmniGo 100 by at least the computer savvy
crowds at Comdex, and some reports of relatively high retail demand.
At this time there is obviously nowhere near the level of Geos/OmniGo
100 software that there exists for the Apple Newton or the Hewlett
Packard 200LX. Geoworks $99 software development kit for Geos and the
OmniGo 100 requires two computers, one host and one target (the target
can be an older PC), and Borland C, as well as an OmniGo 100 to test
developed applications on. It is unclear if it is easier to develop
for other competing portable operating systems, or how Geoworks
developer support compares to other operating system manufacturers.
Geoworks offers for the hobbyist or occasional developer the "Bindery"
content development software for $29 (until June 31,1996). Bindery is
oriented to non-programmers and allows development of interactive
documents that can be read by the OmniGo 100's ROM based "Bookreader"
application. In December 1995 Geoworks released the freely available
"Installer" software which allows any OmniGo 100 owner with a PC and
an OmniGo 100 compatible serial cable to easily install Bookreader
books, and other Geos software into their OmniGo from their PC.
Several OmniGo 100 electronic texts are now available on the internet
and on commercial online services.
Another existing application development tool is "IZL" by John Feras.
"IZL" is an interpreted scripting language developed initially for the
Casio Zoomer's Geos environment. A OmniGo 100 shareware version of IZL
was made available in December of 1995, and includes the only
non-Hewlett Packard or Geoworks file transfer utility which is
described as "a communications program that can run on any DOS based
PC and allow you to transfer files to and from your OmniGo via serial
cable. This will also install IZL on the OmniGo." It is easy to use
IZL's Omnicom utility to make a backup of your OmniGo 100 data by
copying several of the files in the \GEOWORKS\DOCUMENT\ subdirectory
to your PC - key files to backup would include MASTER.MDB,
NOTEPAD.NDB, PHONE.PDB, and APPT.ADB.
Nathan Field of Blue Marsh Softworks now offers a file manager
specifically for the OmniGo 100 that can manipulate files in the
OmniGo's ROMdisk, built in RAMdisk, and SRAM card memory, but does not
move files back and forth from a PC to the OmniGo via a serial cable.
Blue Marsh Softworks also offers a text editor for the OmniGo 100. Ray
Schuler also has created an OmniGo 100 text editor. Recent requests
for new OmniGo 100 applications include email connectivity or full
access to online services such as America Online and Compuserve (there
is a Zoomer version of an America Online client, but a port to the
OmniGo 100 has not been accomplished), a telecommunications program
with terminal emulation, an outliner program, a more flexible and open
database program, and chess or backgammon programs.
Q6: What will the next version of the OmniGo 100 look like?
Future OmniGo's may have more RAM, slightly larger screens, integrated
modems and/or cellular phones, better desktop and internet
connectivity and longer battery life. Note that the HP OmniGo 700
recently released in Europe is not a Geos based device, but a cellular
phone enabled/cellular phone integrated, update of the 200LX DOS based
palmtop.
Q7: Where can I find more information on the OmniGo 100?
Tim Edwards has established an OmniGo 100 internet mailing list - send
email to majo...@lifelike.com with "subscribe ogo" in the body of
the message. Internet discussion groups include comp.sys.palmtops ,
comp.sys.handhelds , and comp.os.geos. America Online also has a well
supported and visited Hewlett Packard handheld area including an
OmniGo 100 specific area - use keyword "omnigo" or "hphand." AOL also
has a nicely supported but less busy Geoworks area -- use keyword
"geoworks." On Compuserve use "go omnigo".
World Wide Web sites include: http://www.geoworks.com ,
http://members.aol.com/nfiedler/ ,
http://www.happypuppy.com/digitale/omnigo/ ,
http://www.grot.com/zoomer ,
http://hpcvbbs.external.hp.com/palmtops/omnigo/,
http://www.ace-tech.com/omnigo/ ,
http://www.netaxs.com/~jferas/izl.htm , http://www.callamer.com/wynd/
, http:// www.axxis.com/~mfine/finebind.com http://www.airnote.net/ ,
the November 1995 issue of the "mobilis" online magazine at
http://www.volksware.com/mobilis/november.95/omnigo1.htm , and
http://www.volksware.com/mobilis/january.96/develop1.htm .
Volume 4, Number 6 of "The HP Palmtop Paper" includes an article about
the OmniGo 100 and the same publisher (Thaddeus Computing Inc.) has
just published the first issue of a quarterly periodical devoted
exclusively to the OmniGo 100 called HP OmniGo World (email
hal_go...@thaddeus.com for additional information).
______________________________________________________________________
This article is provided as is without any express or implied
warranties. While every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy
of the information contained in this article, the author assumes no
responsibility for errors or omissions, or for damages resulting from
the use of the information contained herein.
______________________________________________________________________
Copyright (c) 1995 by Ronald D. Pike, all rights reserved. This FAQ
may be posted to any USENET newsgroup, on-line service, or BBS as long
as it is posted in its entirety and includes this copyright statement.
This FAQ may not be distributed for financial gain.
This FAQ may not be included in commercial collections or compilations
without express permission from the author.
Albert Yeung
which machine is more suitalbe for me with the following needs:-
1.spreadsheet function
2.appointment book functions
3.phone book functions
4.email capability
5.fax send/receive capability
6.connectivity to an PC(window based)for file transfer
In understand that OmniGo100 is the latest development of HP, but wonder
if the HP200LX (cheaper than OmniGo in Hong Kong) is even more powerful.
To me, pen-based computing is not a must though looks more stylish, but
certainly more costly.
Moreover, I "think" there must be more add-ons for HP200LX palmtop than
the OmniGo, but will the latter be developed to replace the HP200LX?
Please tell me. I need to secure my investment (at least for 3-5 years).
Thanks a lot & look forward to receiving reply very soon.
Rgds,
Albert Yeung
Steven M. W. Kwan
>In understand that OmniGo100 is the latest development of HP, but wonder
>if the HP200LX (cheaper than OmniGo in Hong Kong) is even more powerful.
>To me, pen-based computing is not a must though looks more stylish, but
>certainly more costly.
HP200LX is certainly not cheaper than OmniGo in Hong Kong. The price
of a 2MB HP200LX in Hong Kong is more than HK$4,000 (i.e. about
US$510). In terms of features, HP200LX is certainly more powerful.
>Moreover, I "think" there must be more add-ons for HP200LX palmtop than
>the OmniGo, but will the latter be developed to replace the HP200LX?
>Please tell me. I need to secure my investment (at least for 3-5 years).
No, OmniGo is not developed to replace 200LX. Remember that OmniGo is
only a high-end digital diary while 200LX is actually an XT computer.
+++++ Steven Kwan +++++
stmw...@hk.super.net
10026...@compuserve.com
++++++ Hong Kong ++++++