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Portable freight management program

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 1:14 pm
by ge_rik
Some of you might be aware that I have written a computer program to generate freight movements on the PLR. However, that requires me to run the program on my laptop, generate the freight movements, print out the manifests and then use the print-outs to guide the movements whilst out in the garden.

Recently, I stumbled across my old Psion palmtop computer tucked away in an old computer bag at the back of the cupboard under the stairs.
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Remarkably, after inserting a couple of AA batteries, it sprang into life. I loved (and still do) my little Psion which, for the uninitiated, has a rubberised keyboard, a small LED screen and built-in word processor, spreadsheet, database, agenda, clock and world time apps. It also has a very accessible programming language based on OPL. So, I dusted off my OPL programming knowledge and decided to write a version of my freight handling program for the Psion. This means I can now take the computer in my pocket out into the garden and manage freight movements on the fly.

I suppose this is a case of retrotech in action.

More info on my blog - https://riksrailway.blogspot.com/2019/0 ... ogram.html

Rik

Re: Portable freight management program

Posted: Wed Aug 14, 2019 5:16 pm
by idlemarvel
Nice piece of reuse Rik. I had a Psion, it was okay but the LCD screen was hard to read in daylight.

Re: Portable freight management program

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 1:41 pm
by DonW
Perhas you could do an App for a smart phone as I suspect working Psions are fairly rare.

Don

Re: Portable freight management program

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 4:31 pm
by ge_rik
DonW wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 1:41 pm Perhas you could do an App for a smart phone as I suspect working Psions are fairly rare.
Don
Not yet worked out how to write apps. Maybe one day in the future...... :scratch:

Rik

Re: Portable freight management program

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 5:31 pm
by DonW
Me neither Rik and I doubt I shall learn now, back in the days of DOS I used to run a software develoment team. I used to enjoy using assembler code I keep thinking I should be fiddling with aduinos or rasberry pies but I have no need.

Don

Re: Portable freight management program

Posted: Thu Aug 15, 2019 7:16 pm
by idlemarvel
DonW wrote: Thu Aug 15, 2019 5:31 pm ...I used to enjoy using assembler code I keep thinking I should be fiddling with aduinos or rasberry pies but I have no need.

Don
The only raspberry pies I fiddle with have a dollop of cream on top :)