Original article is at www.compuferra.ru I did not discover America if I say that now on the PDA market competing three platforms - Palm, Psion and Windows CE. And yet, I remind you that the first PDA (personal digital assistant) was the Newton Message Pad from Apple. He has long remained a unique product, while at the scene did not come out Palm Pilot (some call it degraded "Newton"). Newton was introduced in 1993 at the exhibition «MacWorld» in Boston, and the first 5000 copies of this revolutionary device broke in just two hours and costs $ 800. Was released eight models, while in early 1998, Apple does not officially turned in this direction. The reasons for such an action goes a lot of legends, right up to the fact that Gates bought from Jobs' PDA market for half a billion dollars, but significantly it is not known.
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My personal acquaintance with the "Newton" came quite by accident. Once seen online ad to sell Newton 120, out of pure curiosity, I contacted the seller, and to his own surprise, agreed to buy this "gadget". In general, I had no plans to purchase the handheld, but the price at which we agreed ($ 50) contributed to the satisfaction of my curiosity. So, agreeing, I climbed into the Internet to find out what it is I bought. I assumed that the "Newton" - it is something archaic, large, limited in scope, not very comfortable, exotic and "Mac-oriented. As I found out as we learn, and subsequently using the "Newton", for the most part it is not so, but first things first. Information about the "Newton" in the Russian press and Runet disappointingly small, and because of this over three years now "dead" platform is still available new and updated old software, written drivers, system updates, and even beyond the new "Iron"! Done it all, not only by enthusiasts, many of which, but commercial firms (of course, Apple itself this is no longer involved). Users "Newton" Worldwide, there are several hundred thousand, and many had to try Palm, Pocket PC, Psion and still returned to the "abandoned" the platform, as could not find in other devices desired functionality and / or convenience. In hardware "Newton" is similar to any modern PDA, which is not surprising, since he was the first - all others with this or that only successfully adopted the architectural features of such devices. The first generation of "Newton" is called MP (Message Pad) 1x0, he is treated models 100, 110, 120 and 130. The second generation - MP 2x00, or MP 2k, it's Newton 2000 and 2100. Of special note is eMate 300, which in architecture is more similar to the MP 2k, but it's easier and has a built-in keyboard. The main difference between these two generations is that the MP 2x00 is "just more": a faster processor (161 MHz, already!), Bigger screen, more memory, more expansion slots and, therefore, slightly larger sizes (for details see table).
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Any "Newton" has two kinds of memory: SRAM, which is powered by batteries, and non-volatile flash memory. SRAM used by the system and the user is unavailable and the user data and programs stored in flash. Therefore, the chance of losing information stored in the "Newton" is very difficult: even if you take out the main and backup batteries, data in flash memory are saved. The only thing you can lose with such dietary manipulation - is some of the settings and system updates, if they are installed. Memory expandable with PC-Card (up to 32 MB), but, unfortunately, "Newton" can only use the linear flash memory, which is uncommon and quite expensive.
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For the middle of the last decade, there is nothing unusual in that to communicate with the outside world - with a desktop computer (for data synchronization, import and export documents, the installation program), the output to a printer, external modem, keyboard and other devices (eg, GPS receiver) - "Newton" was equipped with a serial port. Infrared same port at the time was the best solution: it can be used to transmit data between the two "Newton" or the print on some printers that support the protocol IrDA (only MP 2x00 and eMate). Communication with the computer via an infrared port in the ability to "Newton" is not included, and although there are programs that implement this feature, they are inconvenient. In addition, there is a program that allows "Newton" to communicate over the IR port Palm-cars and a number of other devices. For connecting modems, network cards, etc. used slot PCMCIA Type II, in the MP 2x00 such slots or two. But the main thing, "Newton" is not "iron", which by today's standards is really outdated, and the operating system. Here also is the division into two generations - Newton OS 1.x and 2.x (see the same table). Functional differences between the systems are expressed mainly in improving the quality of handwriting recognition and support for Internet protocols. In addition, improved built-in applications: planner, address book, etc., and also established them more closely interact with each other. Newton OS 2.x runs noticeably faster than the first version, especially on the same recognition. Describing the functions of the system I will mainly rely on a second version of the OS, as it was with her I had an affair. The operating system and embedded applications in all the "Newton" are in the ROM-chip on the motherboard, so the software update system can not (at the time Apple «upgrade" of certain models fresh OS, but it was necessary to send them a "Newton", and vice versa He returned the superseding ROM chip). However, small updates the system with bug fixes and some new features (for example, support for more internal memory) can be installed into the internal SRAM memory. Newton OS was very progressive for its time. Firstly, it is completely "Unicode", ie supports fonts and text format only Unicode. Theoretically, this should facilitate the localization of the product, but in fact only complicate it, mainly because of inadequate support for Unicode standard operating systems for "large" computers (like Windows, and Mac OS). Second, the programming language for the Newton OS - Newton Script - like in Java, that is, programs for the "Newton" (including the built-in) are compiled into machine code by the Newton OS at the moment of execution. So in theory when porting Newton OS to another hardware platform (eg processor from Motorola) all the old programs will be successful in her work without any modifications. Programmers also praised the language and environment Newton Script Developer Newton ToolKit for ease and convenience. This is probably why a variety of programs and utilities for the "Newton" vast.
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| Extras, an analog of the file manager |
File system as such in the "Newton" is not, and it is somewhat unusual since conventional computers. Instead the file system operates Newton object-oriented database. About the same as your e-mail client contains all messages in one file, but you see them just as individual messages, and you can delete, add, or group them into folders.Newton OS operates two types of objects - Packages »(packages), which are read-only (as a rule they contain software or Newton-book) and soups» (soups, in the sense I would have moved more like a "team Salsola "), in which the system or application may write data. Typically, each application has its own "Soup» (notes soup, names soup), in which it keeps its documents. These documents are only visible to the user of the program that created them, or others who may read it "soup." For the convenience of a Newton OS support "folders" into which you can lay out the programs or documents. They are purely decorative, and the OS is still in a folder stored particular program - you can easily shift any systematic expansion of «Extensions» to any folder and it will still retain its functionality. You can create 12 "global", that is visible to all applications, folders, and 12 local-only one application. There are utilities that remove this restriction and allow you to create an extensive system of multi-level subfolders, but in my opinion, for PDA twelve folders is enough. Organization in the form of a database allows for very tight integration of applications in the system among themselves. For example, a planner or a mailer can use the "soup" address book, or a graphics program to import / export figures from the notebook. All data and programs in memory, "Newton" is compressed on the fly, thus saving space in memory.
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Newton OS interface is very simple and logical, however, enable numerous functions without cluttering the screen at the same time. Here, in fact, nothing to describe, just very comfortable and ergonomically, it is clear that every detail was designed specifically for use on the PDA, and not just stupidly transferred from the "big" OS. Moreover, if you do not like some aspects of the interface is very much possible to amend or supplement with a variety of tools (usually free).
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| Handwriting text using ink text |
Huge head, inscribed in the history of Apple handheld computers - to enter information via touch screen. The most famous method, which first appeared in the Newton OS, - ink. Technology, handwriting recognition, based on the use of the dictionary (the dictionary in different models vary - from 10 thousand words in the first Message Pad to 93 thousand in Newton 2x00), was developed by the Russian firm "paragraph". The first model was criticized for inadequate recognition, Apple threw a considerable force to its improvement and in the last models made great strides. In the Newton OS 2.x introduced the letter by letter recognition, it is slightly slower but more reliable, especially in the missing words in the dictionary. You write on paper, anywhere on the screen and the words are added at the cursor. In general, it is the most natural way to enter text in PDA, and "Newton" automatically learns to recognize your handwriting features. When my doodles are themselves converted into typed text, I had a sense of wonder. Unfortunately, so you can write only in English (it was released as several localized "Newton": German, Japanese, but the Russian was not among them). Onscreen keyboard - this is an extreme case, too inconvenient and slow. If you need something quick to note, but you do not want to wait until the "Newton" recognizes your text (the old model of coping with it very slowly), you can resort to the regime of ink text (see screenshot).Such an input method, to my knowledge, is unique and very useful for quick notes. To draw in two different ways. First - «shapes» - recognize that you have drawn (circle, square, line) and makes the shape of the patch level. This figure, then you can reduce, enlarge, change the aspect ratio and thickness of the line, as well as the editor for vector graphics such as Corel Draw. The second mode, called «sketches» allows you to draw "free": what and where in the paint, and then appear.
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Alternative (not built into the OS) ways to enter text quite a lot: First of all, it's graffiti, well accustomed to the platform, Palm. Firm "paragraph" has released the FreeStyle, it provides a handwritten letter by letter input method, I will tell about it later. Still, there are several programs I characters (Chinese, Japanese). Moreover, the text can be entered using a special handheld "Newton" keyboard, acceding to the serial port with a desktop keyboard, which is connected to "Newton", and using an adapter to the "Newton", you can connect an ordinary PC or Mac keyboard. The latter solution is not very convenient, since it requires additional power the keyboard. For communication with the desktop computer Apple has released a number of programs, the most powerful of which is the Newton Connection Utilities (NCU). All communications programs from Apple issued simultaneously in versions for Macintosh and Windows, in addition, there are programs from the third party to communicate with the "Newton" platforms Unix, Linux, Amiga and Atari (the latter less likely than the software from Apple, but they at least provide a setting for "Newton" programs). You can still install a terminal program and use it to communicate with virtually any computer, the benefit of terminal emulators are made for virtually every conceivable platform. Exchange texts and installing software can also e-mail, WWW or FTP. So that the "Newton" is a truly krossplatformnym PDA (unlike, say, Windows CE), moreover, among its owners, users of Windows, even more than "makintoshnikov. Newton Connection Utilities except to install software lets you do a full "backup" memory "Newton", and import and export documents to and from the PDA (with the possible export of Notes to RTF while preserving all formatting and graphics), and synchronize with your desktop computer. "Newton" can synchronize your task and address book programs Claris Organiser, Lotus Organiser, MS Outlook and Entourage (Outlook for "Mac»), Palm Desktop and others. Unfortunately, the exchange of information with a desktop computer pops up a number of problems associated with the "unicode" "Newton". To work with non-Romance languages before sending the text information on a computer, must be translated into one of the 8-bit encodings (Windows-1251, MacCyrillic, KOI-8R). Otherwise, you will see boxes instead of text or a question, as Newton Connection Utilities unaware of the existence of the Russian language and simply discards the unfamiliar symbols in Unicode encoding. In connection with this is very disappointing that the "Newton" rested just at a time when Unicode began to be widely used in operating systems and applications for "large" computers. Survive it at least another year, I'm sure Apple would provide a full import / export Unicode-texts. Physically connect the computer to "Newton" may occur either through a serial port or over Ethernet (if you installed the PCMCIA Ethernet-card, this is only possible in the MP 2x00 and eMate). Connection over Ethernet is a very fast, but is available only for computers Macintosh, since it uses standard AppleTalk. If you still want to use the fastest type of connection to a computer running Windows or Linux, you can run on your PC WWW, e-mail or FTP server to exchange information on the Ethernet.
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| Outbox - a single "box" outgoing messages for all applications (built into the Newton OS) |
In principle, communication capabilities, "Newton" were initially of no small importance (if not the key) the task for developers. He was even initially planned to call the Note Pad, but then changed their name to the Message Pad, emphasizing precisely the possibility of communication. From any application, any text or object you touch will be sent by fax, e-mail, print, forward to another "Newton" via infrared or transfer by other means, are included in the system with additional software. And you can do it from the editing window, so the list of documents of the program (in the latter case, you can select multiple). In the Newton OS was originally envisaged InBox and OutBox, and they are the same for any object (faxes, letters, etc.), and all communication programs use these built-in system of "boxes". All this greatly simplifies the communication problem and relieves the user interface. As I mentioned, applications for the "Newton" There are vast. Not all are compatible with the machines of the first generation, but the MP 2k can do almost the same as on the desktop (of course, with some limitations, it nevertheless PDA). For office needs, Apple released a package NewtWorks, containing a word processor, spreadsheet (compatible with relevant products from Microsoft), graphics editor and a "scientific" calculator. To work with the Internet have a web browsers, email programs, nyusrider, clients for FTP, IRC, ICQ, and WAP. In addition, by using the Newton Personal Data Sharing «Newton" may even be a web server! (You can find the addresses of several websites maintained by these computers, at 130.126.50.66/tracker.cgi.) For the old surfing is theoretically possible, but the browser works oh-oh-oh-very slowly, for tasks such 20-megahertz processor is not enough . By the way, Newt's Cape browser and email client Simple Mail (both are still supported by the manufacturer, and periodically new versions) to cope with a variety of encodings of our great and mighty.
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In addition to standard office and internet programs have so many others, and you will surely find what you need for you. On the "Newton" You can make presentations, slide shows, play videos, MOD and MIDI files, record audio (with a dictaphone quality), to plan their personal finances (Pocket Money program and several others), focus on areas with a special GPS-receiver and maps, control household appliances via infrared, to scan bar codes and much, much more. There is even an HTML-editor and program for 3D modeling. In addition, the "Newton" can import photos from some digital cameras and act as a graphics tablet or keyboard for a desktop computer. Quite a few games, mostly "pasyansnogo or Lines of type, but not only. Moreover, many works of art at the time of commercial and shareware-programs are now officially free of charge, which is very nice, do not spend money or to violate the law. So in the "abandonment" platform has its positive qualities.
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| Newton-book. Such books are done on a desktop computer from a text file and loaded into the "Newton". In the book, you can do multiple bookmarks, and even handwritten notes |
Another great opportunity, "Newton" is the e-books.Already in the first version of the operating system provides a possibility of reading Newton Books. These books are made for the "big" computer programs or Newton Press Newton Book Maker, and then loaded on a "Newton" as a "package". Source for books may be simple text or RTF files and MS Word documents and other text editors. Possible to make books and straight into the "Newton", with the help of Newt's Cape, which converts HTML (the Internet, documents stored on the "Newton" or on a desktop computer) in Newton Book. The book, besides the text itself, can contain images, hyperlinks (to other pages in the same book), tiered content, have complex formatting (different fonts, the header on each page, columns and other design elements). On the "Newton" in the book can go to any arbitrary page, bookmark and even make handwritten notes. When reading fiction special need in the tabs there, because every time a book is opened to the page where you closed it last time. In addition, the book can be printed or faxed. Having learned all this about my purchase, I waited impatiently the moment when, finally, I could feel her own hands. After securing, the coveted instrument, I proceeded to its development. It was rather shabby copy of 1995 issue, with pretty scratched screen, but is still working properly, and even partially Russified. "Newton" was indeed a pretty big thing, but it is surprisingly comfortable in the hand, and even many hours of communion with him does not tire nor hands nor eyes (though I could well assume that the "Newton" will be too big for some fragile Ladies' handles). This ergonomic, apparently provided by center of gravity down, there is still the battery compartment. In the pocket "Newton" climbs with difficulty, and it too heavy for "underwear" to wear, so it is assumed that you'll wear it in the bag. Me personally, it does not bother: "Newton" found a place in my waist pouch, which is very convenient. Total external impression from him that I would describe the English phrase, «Built like a Tank», from the "Newton" breathes some puleneprobivaemostyu or something. This is, in general, it is not surprising, given that he at one time was worth about $ 800, and for the money the buyer wanted to get something that will not break after a couple of years. The first thing I began to test the recognition of English handwriting (recognition programs for the Russian language at the time I was not there, about it a little below). After a brief training, during which I tried to write neatly, and "Newton" studied the features of my doodles, the recognition quality was quite acceptable. However, this method I have one serious drawback - recognition is pretty slow. Therefore, for some quick notes (for example, record dictated by telephone address) then I prefer to use ink text. I tried as recognition using the built-in dictionary and letter by letter, as a result stopped at last, although it is somewhat slower. But there are no problems with non-standard words, such as names of companies or products (Apple in the dictionary, of course, there is, but Linux is already there) that I basically enter and Latin. Embedded software is fairly standard, the interface is simple and easy to use, largely based on the chart. For example, to set up a meeting planner, you are simply having a line from the start time to end, then there is a new record, and you can pay back the details. Program Notes allows you to use simple formatting (underline, font size) to the selected text, and after minor modifications (by tools, I added back the function Select all and Find / Replace) is completely replaced my simple text editor. The size of one "note" in the Notes is limited to 8 KB, but this is again removed the special utility. In Notes, there are three built-in template - the actual Note, plain text, Outline - a hierarchical list, and Checklist. The latter is the same as the previous pattern, just in front of each item has a Checkbox (do not know how to call it in Russian), in which you can tick off.I really liked the pattern Checklist with useful, for example, make lists for shopping or to-do list.
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Very convenient built-in program Formulas. It allows you to convert units of measurement: measure temperature, weight, length, and God knows what each other. In the same function is available, transfer of one currency into another (the rate you set for yourself), it is very convenient Date Calculator (specify two dates, and shows you how many days in between) and computation of long-term credit (well, for our country is not really relevant) . Unfortunately, the user can not set their own formulas in this program, but there are several utilities that extend the functionality of Formulas, such as the periodic table. Of the built-worthy program Time Zones, which shows current time in your chosen city (but time still dial codes and the distance to Moscow). Exciting features Assist. At first I did not pay her attention, thought it was something like a fashion now "wizards", but when the experiment with it, I realized all of its charm. For example, you need to find someone's phone number, say, Vladimir. To do this, open the address book, find it there, Vladimir - in general, the task requires some time, especially if you have a lot of records. Assist using everything much easier. You press a button Assist, and in the resulting window, write «call vladimir» (can be used as the name and last name) and you are given the desired number, and yes even offered to collect it (via modem or via touchtone speaker). Or, being in a notebook, write «fax vladimir», and a note will be sent to Vladimir by fax or e-mail (instead of «fax» need to type «email»). Likewise, you can print out, find time in the desired time zone (command «time London»), add events to the scheduler and ToDo List. In addition, some programs may add their own unique features in the Assist. Russify "Newton" to fame (as far as I understand it is an achievement of the three companies - "paragraph", "Paragon" and "Mack Center): implemented, not only display and entry of the Russian text - completely Russified system messages, and even some of the functions and names coded in the program memory. When choosing a package of Russification, remember that it is different for each model, so that the Russification MP 130 or so more than 2000 will not come to me, "Newton." An important feature of the package Russification "Newton" is their modularity, that is, if you do not need, say, the system messages in Russian or Russian bookmarks in the address book, you can not install them, thus saving resources of the machine.
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| Handwriting Russian text by using the FreeStyle |
We would like to tell you about the program FreeStyle. In the "Newton" with systems 1.x input Russian text was only possible using on-screen keyboard that will agree, is quite inconvenient and slow. For Newton OS 2.x ParaGraph in 1995 developed a program letterwise handwriting FreeStyle. In principle, the program allows entry of any character, not only of Cyrillic, I just had to deal with a version for the Russian language. After installing the software necessary to train your handwriting. For this we need to write dozens of suggested words containing all the letters of the alphabet, plus numbers and special characters. I initially reacted to this problem is negligent, eager to quickly try FreeStyle in action, and the result was rather disappointing - correctly identify less than half the letters. I already had decided to remove the program has disappointed me, but still decided to give it another chance, and the second time went to learning more carefully, a little rein in his clumsy handwriting and more carefully selecting the mark of some similar letters.After that, the quality of recognition was beyond praise: makes it comfortable enough to introduce large amounts of text (by the way, nearly half of this article was written directly on the "Newton"). If after training some of the letters still recognized correctly, it can be corrected more tweaking, the possibility of such a configuration is very large and can achieve nearly flawless recognition. In FreeStyle provides the use of macros, ie, in response to specific, user-defined symbol is entered once the whole word or phrase. Entering text using the FreeStyle, certainly slower than the keyboard, but this is offset by the possibility of prolonged operation (really long, I think that one set of batteries my "Newton" can not stop to work somewhere day, if not more so) in places far from power outlets and a work desk, for example in the train or on the beach (especially when it was saved in the July heat, when it is, much less work in unconditioned space was simply impossible). Struck by the speed of the FreeStyle. It seemed to me that it works even faster than the built-in Newton OS «raspoznavalki, at least, no discomfort from the speed of the program I did not have - even if it did not have time to recognize all the characters, you can continue to write, and as soon as you pause to think about the next sentence, the program will have time to translate everything into typed text. To enter large amounts of text FreeStyle seemed to me preferable to the built-in operating system input, but to fill the fields in your address book or scheduler standard "raspoznavalka" Yet it is more convenient because you do not write in the box, like FreeStyle, but right on the target line.
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| Send mail using Simple Mail |
After the Russification I decided to try e-mail. Once you install the Simple Mail and Newton Internet Enabler (TCP-IP stack for the "Newton"), I tried to send and receive several letters, using an external modem. There is nothing to tell, send and receive, with Russian encoding all right, though it all happened rather slowly (generally something Apple does not guarantee the Newton Internet Enabler at MP 120 - he has too little system memory, the minimum machine for the Internet is MP 130 so that the slow work quite natural). It's amazing that the amount of just over 200 KB Simple-mail can sort incoming messages into folders, display HTML-messages and graphics, which came into enclosure and handle multiple mailboxes. In this case, the interface for Simple Mail as such, no letters are written in Notes, use the built-in address book and information about your e-mail an account written in your personal data (also built into the OS). This approach is initially disconcerting - Install the program, and like to run and there is nothing, but after the uptake is the point, it becomes very convenient. For me, a very important property, "Newton" proved Newton-book. At first, I was able to do only with the Latin alphabet, but soon learned to do and in Russian (manufacturer Newton Book in Russian, I will not describe here, this is pretty trivial procedure, more reminiscent of shamanic dances with a tambourine, but the important thing is that it is possible). In addition to the actual literature (from date of purchase, "Newton" I became a regular visitor Lib.ru) in the form of books is convenient to issue a Web page or lengthy digests of mail lists that are too busy to read at home - it can do on the road (or lounging on the couch where the computer does not drag). In general, the "Newton" He delivered me from the incredible amount of paper. There is no need, for example, to print the location map to the office where you go, enough "drive" it in the Notes or made into a Newton Book (if there's a picture). Not to mention the numerous note, telephone, address, who, after accumulating a critical mass began to spread throughout the house (and can not erase - when something important).Well, on paper books, of course, no longer need to carry a thick binders, all sitting on my green friend. In all operating systems is the so-called "Easter eggs» (Easter Eggs), surprises inherent programmers, and the Newton OS, in this sense is no exception. I'm not really a fan of digging up these surprises, but one of these "favorites" manifested itself, and without my participation. June 23, I turned on my "Newton", and instead of glowing light bulbs (regular saver when you turn) saw a white circle, which is gradually obscured by the second black circle. At first I thought, "Newton told a long time to live, or is it some kind of a cunning virus (only later I found out that viruses Newton OS does not exist). However, after the final darkening of the white circle "Newton" is normally enabled and earned. Then I was relieved to learn that this "Easter Egg", and there are circles only during solar eclipses (in June it was somewhere in Africa). Towards the end I want to reiterate that, despite everything, the platform Newton is alive. In programs developed for it recently (literally in the last two months) it should be noted Waba (a Java for PDA devices), ATA driver to allow use of the "Newton" cheap and bulk memory (even IBM Microdrive) and driver for wireless Ethernet standard ISO 802.11b (AirPort in the terminology of Apple). These products are still in beta stage, but the final release is not far off. If you are going to purchase a PDA, not relieve it from the accounts - maybe it's just what you need ("Newton" is still quite often come at points of sale of used equipment for reasonable money). Sources, Materials: