I have been an advocate of Alternative Computing for some time now, tired of having to change your PC everytime a nice little new piece of Micro$oft software comes out. Psion palmtops provide all the computing power I need, and heartily promote people with these little wonders to push them to the limit.
Alternative computing in my mind is using computers for Word processing, databasing, email and internet access without using the ipsofacto standards (mainly Micro$oft), getting your PC/Mac or any other computing device to work how you want it, your way. Following the "flock" and conforming to normal computing methods, does not expand the mind, nor progress the technology we have at our fingertips. Other sites share this view. There is a lot of people not giving their systems a chance (Psions only being used as Agendas, PC's clogged up with unnecessary programs).
This site supports the Convergence and Any Browser campaigns. These sites give users alternatives to using the "Wintel" (Windows/Intel) standard. Making your pages so that they can be read by many people ranther than just a few IE or NetScape users. Alternative Operating systems include Linux, OS2, even DOS and lower forms of Windows are sometime more perferable to get peformance and ease o use out of your system. Alternative browsers are Opera, Lynx, Surf Monkey, and Psimail Browser, Websurf, MessageSuite browser and HTMLViewer for the Psion
You have spent a lot of money on getting your Psion, and it is a pity to waste it.
So many people think that a Psion 3c is just an organiser, and a lot of people use it as such, but it is so much more. Getting the right programs for it and organising it to maxmise its potential does take some time, but well worth it.
Word Proccesing and Notes
The Psion of course come with Word. This can either be a text editor or full Word Processing package capable in writing in its own native WRD format or Rich Text Format (which is compatible with any PC/Mac based WP program too.
In Text editor mode it can write in standard ASCII format, Ideal for editting text files, batch files, and even HTML documents like this. There is a spell checker built in so that your documents are correct. From here you can Print (explained below) or fax using Fax software - Faxit (Shareware) of Psifax (Commercial) would suit all your fax sending needs
There is a Jotter on the newer Versions (3c,3mx) which you can use as a quick note program.
Spreadsheet
Again one of the important programs - using it's own format or Lotus 123, which is again compatible with most PC Applications.
Database
This is a very powerful free-form database. All the labels are editable to whatever you want. The files can be saved as it's own native dbf format or saved in a text delimited file for PC/Macs
Agenda
Probably one of the things you specifically bought the Psion for. A strong program with a multitude of features.
Other Programs
Psizip (Shareware)- an invaluable utility that does exactly the same job as winzip or pkzip on the pc/mac. An important package to have
An accounts package, not too big, something like Bankplus (Shareware)or RMRbank (Shareware, compatible with Psion's Money and Pc's Quicken)
Psimail Internet - a commercial progam for web browsing and email collection, nowadays a very important part of computing
A Game or two - to relieve the long hours on a train - Solitare (Freeware) I have found the best, with 6 different games built in.
Nowadays, people are reading more and more on their Psions.An etext reader (Reader, or etxtread) can complement your machine by reading those important readme files, or even books
Another program which some people use is MS Project - Plan on the other hand is a Psion based app which does practically the same, with both native and MS Project format files.
CAD Packages are again used in the office and Vector can do just that - using DXF to transfer between Psion and PC/MAC
Once you have all this in place, then your Psion is what you want it to be - A true computing device. Your PC might even feel jealous especially as you will only use it for backing up and the odd print.