Newton Newbie Info v0.6

Contents:

1. The Newton family
2. Is it possible to ...
3. Software
4. Hardware
5. Programming
6. Help me, ...
7. Misc
8. Webpages
9. OK, lets buy one

1.) The Newton family

Hardware Overview

Newton	RAM	ROM	CPU	Newton OS Version	Peripherie	Fax ability	Screen	Sound
OMP	640K	4MB	ARM 610 20MHz	1.3	one PC-Card, one serial, IR (ASK)	send only	336x240	speeker
MP 110	1MB	4MB	ARM 610 20MHz	1.3	one PC-Card, one serial, IR (ASK)	send only	320x240	speeker
MP 110	1MB	4MB	ARM 610 20MHz	1.3	one PC-Card, one serial, IR (ASK)	send only	320x240	speeker
MP 120a	1MB	8MB	ARM 610 20MHz	2.0	one PC-Card, one serial, IR (ASK)	send and recive	320x240	speeker
MP 120a	2MB	8MB	ARM 610 20MHz	2.0	one PC-Card, one serial, IR (ASK)	send and recive	320x240	speeker
MP 130	2,5MB	8MB	ARM 610 20MHz	2.0	one PC-Card, one serial, IR (ASK)	send and recive	320x240 back light	speeker
eMate 300	3MB	8MB	ARM 710 25MHz	2.1	one PC-Card, one serial, IR (IrDA)	send and recive	480x320 back light 16 grey	speeker, headphone jack
MP 2000	5MB	8MB	Strong ARM 162MHz	2.1	two PC-Card, one serial, IR (IrDA)	send and recive	480x320 back light 16 grey	speeker, headphone jack

The Newton OS version shows the latest possible verion for every newton device.

There are also some other newton devices that were licenced from Apple, but i have no infos on them. So you might want to send my everything you know about them.

2.) Is it possible to...

• ... get 3rd party software for the newton?

  Yes, (see the software section for further details).

• ... connect a modem to the Newton?

  Yes, but for some reason not all modems work with the newton. Check the modem compatibly list.

• ... send and recive faxes?

  System version 2.x: Yes (no additional software is required).
  System version 1.x: No, send faxes only)

• ... backup my data to a desktop?

  Yes, using the Newton Backup Utility you can make backups on the MAC and PC (it comes with your mp130)

• ... transfere data from/to my desktop?

  Yes, (see the software section for further details).

• ... accsess the internet?

  Yes, (see the software section for further details).

• ... to write programs for the newton?

  Yes, (see the software section for further details).

• ... to use a LAN PC-Card?

  No, not yet, but there are some companys working on it.

• ... to connect the newton to a GPS?

  Yes, (see the hardware section for further details).

3.) Software

There is so much software for the newton that i can hardly keep track of it in this text. But here you find a list of really goot websites.

The Newton solution guide: (commercial software for the newton)
http://www.jointsolutions.com/newton_3/html/company.html

The Newton Reference: (everything you might be looking for)
http://www.panix.com/~clay/newton/

Arizona Macintosh Users Group: (a huge software archive)
ftp://ftp.amug.org

and finaly there is a software search engine that supports the newton family
http://www.filez.com

File Format

Usually you find the packages you can install in a format like this. foobar.sit.hqx or foobar.hqx.
These files are in the BinHex format. To get the package format foobar.pkg you need for the newton you have to get a program like the Suffit expander from Aladdin Systems at http://www.aladdinsys.com/consumer/expander1.html to extract the .pkg file from the BinHex file. When you use a PC you have to make sure that in the options menu the cross platform settings are both times on 'never'.
That has to do something with the MAC file format were you have two files with the same name.

Installing Software:

To install software on you Newton you have to use one of the following programs. There might be more, but this are the only one i know about.

NBU
The Newton Backup Utility. It shoulb come with your Newton and is good for making backups and installing new packages.

NCU
The Newton Connection Utility. It comes with older newtons and the 2000er.

NTK
The Newton Toolkit. It is a development package for PC or MAC that is now free for everyone. It is used to write applications for newton devices, or can be "missused" for installing new packages.

DataTransfere:

To transfere data between the message pad and your desktop computer you need one (ore more) of the fllowing programs.

• NCU
• NBU
• WinLynx
• Xport
• Slurpee

eBooks:

There is a large varaity of electronic books for the newton. You will find most of them at Project Newtberg at http://www.aa.net/~robwest or on every amug mirror.

You can also make your own books with Newton Press, PaperBack or Newtscape. This way you can get all books from project gutenberg on your newton.

Internet:

To access the internet via ppp you need to install the Newton Internet Enabler (NIE) and a MP130 or higher. It also should be possible with a MP120, but might be a little tricky there.

Now you just have to look for any net applications you want.

There are a lot email clients (Luna Mail, Go Fetch, Eudora, eNotes, Simple Mail) some web browser (Newtscape, Nethopper, and PocketWeb), some Newsreader (Paperboy, Newtspaper and Ink Spot), a FTP client, a IRC client (Chat Buddy) and for telnet you might check PT100.

Or you just use lynx through a terminal program like TermLimit, PocketCall and PT100.

There is also a web server out there. Yes, a web SERVER for the newton.

4.) Hardware

Modems:

First of all, not every modem works with the newton. But there is a list of modems that have been testet. It can be found at

http:XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXxx

And if you don't find your modem in this list, just give it a try. If it won't work, you can try to modify the modem setup using the Modem Modifier. If it still won't work, get a new modem.

Upgrades:

There is an Speed Up Kit availble that will make you newton more than 20% faster, but it has some sideeffects and end your warranty.

You can find infos at

http://www.pixsolution.com/

GPS:

There is really a mass of gps devices and software for the newton. just look at these few web pages.

http://...
http://...
http://...

Accessories:

• Keyboard
• Pens
• Screen protectrors
• carrying cases
• battery packs
• recharging stations
• power supply
• car adapter
• t-shirts
• coffee cups

And again you might check

The Newton Reference:
http://www.panix.com/~clay/newton/

and

The Ultimate Newton:
http://shell.rmi.net/~rbruce/index.html

5.) Programming

1st of all there is the Newton Development Kit from Apple. You can get the demo version for PC or MAC from ftp...

Then there is Newt from Steve Weyer a shareware programm that will let you programm direct on your newton.

I also heard of an extension that makes this on visual

These two programs work with Newton Script, a object orienteted programming language.

You will also find a lot of documentation about programming with Newton Script and NTK on the Apple server in PDF format. http://dev2.info.apple.com/newton/techinfo/docs.pdf.html

Sorry, but there is no pdf reader for the newton yet.

And Finaly there is NS Basic from ... For this one you don't have to learn Newton Script. Its just basic.

6.) Help me, ...

• ... "@e-world" is added to the end of the e-mail addresses.

  When you add an email address to a name card and you don't specify any service (AOL, Compuserve, Internet) you get "@eWorld.com" appended by default. Setting the address to 'Internet' fixes this problem.

• ... i broke the screen of my newton. What can i do?

  Call 1-800 SOSAPPL(e). You can have your screen replaced.

• ... what ROM version does my MP have ?

  Extra -> i -> memory info

• ... the Newton locks up during phase. Seems like some program I installed won't work.
  • Reset your Newton.
  • Hold your stylus in the upper right hand of the screen.
  • Instead of activating packages, the newton will ask you to activate the packages.
  • Tap No.

• ... recently i had a closer look on my MessagePad 130 and found out that was not black, but dark green. Is my Newton sick?

  Your Newton is not sick, he just looks like the MP130 and 120 of everybody else.

• ... my MP130 makes a high pitched noise. It is even worse with backlight on.

  Don't worry, you just can hear him thinking. Every MP130 does this.

• ... i forgot my PIN!

  Do a hard reset. So you will loose all your data. Then restore your last backup.
  You did make a backup lately, right ?

  Or go and search some newton ftp sites for Newton Unlock have it installed on a Memory Card. This will bypass the PIN. (use the newton of a friend for the installing)

7.)Misc

• Is it true that my MP130 wakes up every night at 3:00am and does a little housekeeping and then goes to sleep again.

  Yes, he moves any unchecked to-do's to the next day.

• What does CE stand for anyway?

  It stands for "Crippled Edition" or "Crippled Environment"

There are a lot of eggs hidden in the newton rom. many of them vary on the system version and the language of the rom. So not everything you find must work on you message pad

Here is a short list of some of them. A much longer list can be found at
http://www.eggs.com/

• This morning (October 12, 1996) I started up my Newton MP130, instead of the normal lightbulb screen appearing, a lunar eclipse the screen very slowly, casting a shadow on my name.
  This is a known egg that occurs whenever there is a partial ortotal

• Write "EGG FRECKLES" highlight it and tap on assist.

• Write "neat bong" highlight it and tap on assist.

• Write "about Newton" highlight it and tap assist.

• Go to the time map. Select AREA 51 or Groom Lake or what ever strange name you find near Las Vegas. Then check your dates again.

• Reset the newton, then turn it on and tap on "undo". Then tap on the overview button, now select the first error, there tap on the little info symbol. Now its just the question what happend on tha date and why it is supposed to be an error?

• In the Notepad, using the printed (Rosetta) recognizer, write... Rosetta! Rosetta! Rosetta!

On the MP 110 and earlier there should be some other eggs:

• Tap on the little clock symbol and hold the pen down. first you will see the time and the battery power, after a while it will also display the temperature in the battery compartment.

• Write "find elvis" then tap on assist.

• Change your country to "Graceland". (personal info) (then there will be a problem when autodialing)

But i never had a change to test one of these. I would really apreciate if you could send me some more easter eggs.

8.) Webpages

The official newton wep page is located at:
http://www.newton-inc.com/

Anything you may need for the newton:
http://www.panix.com/~clay/newton/

A list of modems that work together with the newton:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Newton Doctor:
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

The Ultimate Newton:
http://shell.rmi.net/~rbruce/index.html

Project Newtberg:
http://www.aa.net/~robwest

9.) OK, Lets buy one

Here you can find some mail order stores that sell message pads.

• PDA Direct

• Send-A-Mac

Apple, the Apple logo, Newton, the light bulb logo, and MessagePad are registered trademarks of Apple Computer