[NTLK] NewtonTalk Digest, Vol 78, Issue 1

Mon Jun 1 12:31:52 EDT 2020

Ok, thanks guys. I got all the documentation and am reading furiously!

I figured out how to change the background so now I’m nearly an amateur (not a newbie) at using the Messagepad.

I got two pkgs from one of you. Now I have to figure out what to do with them.  

I’m also going to try checkout the fonts to see if that will make a difference.  Lots of experimenting to do.

Another question. Didn’t I see something about a pkg that would allow the Messagepad to be set to the current year (2020).  Or am I just expecting too much?

Again, thanks for all the help.  I really appreciate it.

Jim C.

> On Jun 1, 2020, at 11:00 AM, newtontalk-request at newtontalk.net wrote:
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> Today's Topics:
> 
>   1. "Old" Newbie to the Newton (Jim C.)
>   2. Re: "Old" Newbie to the Newton (Pawel Piotrowski)
>   3. Re: "Old" Newbie to the Newton (B)
>   4. Re: "Old" Newbie to the Newton (Grant Hutchinson)
> 
> From: "Jim C." <guardsix6 at gmail.com>
> Subject: [NTLK] "Old" Newbie to the Newton
> Date: May 31, 2020 at 11:30:10 AM CDT
> To: newtontalk at newtontalk.net
> 
> 
> I just got my Messagepad 2100 plus keyboard from a seller on Ebay.  The unit came with lots of documentation, well, some documentation, but none of it very explanatory!
> 
> My biggest problem is my old eyes can’t read the Newton screen very well. Even with the backlight going, I just can’t make out the text.  If I hold it under a strong overhead light, I can see the screen somewhat better.  My question: Is this typical of the MessagePad in that the screen is just hard to read?  
> 
> Also, ah, I seemed to have hit the wrong button and made the “Extras” screen my background.  How do I change that?
> 
> And finally, could someone point me to a good website for detailed documentation on how the MessagePad works.  I assume there is such a site and I have found many, but nothing with a simple, “this is how it works” explanation.
> 
> Many thanks as I wonder through this interesting vintage technology.
> 
> Jim C.
> 
> 
> 
> From: Pawel Piotrowski <newton at indigi.co.uk>
> Subject: Re: [NTLK] "Old" Newbie to the Newton
> Date: May 31, 2020 at 12:16:29 PM CDT
> To: NewtonTalk Mailin List <newtontalk at newtontalk.net>
> 
> 
> Hi Jim,
> 
>> I just got my Messagepad 2100 plus keyboard from a seller on Ebay.  The unit came with lots of documentation, well, some documentation, but none of it very explanatory!
> 
>> My biggest problem is my old eyes can’t read the Newton screen very well. Even with the backlight going, I just can’t make out the text.  If I hold it under a strong overhead light, I can see the screen somewhat better.  My question: Is this typical of the MessagePad in that the screen is just hard to read?
> 
> This is quite old technology. The screen is old fashion LCD. It is working like that. You can try experiment with different lamps and angles.
> 
>> Also, ah, I seemed to have hit the wrong button and made the “Extras” screen my background.  How do I change that?
> 
> You need to open app or just Extras, and then take ‘Make as Backdrop’ from menu (envelope, right-bottom corner).
> 
>> And finally, could someone point me to a good website for detailed documentation on how the MessagePad works.  I assume there is such a site and I have found many, but nothing with a simple, “this is how it works” explanation.
> 
> You should have Manual in the box. If not try to find electronic version on http://unna.org
> 
> The good start is also Newton FAQ: https://splorp.github.io/newton-faq//index.html <https://splorp.github.io/newton-faq//index.html>
> 
> 
> Best regards,
> Pawel Piotrowski
> 
> Worldwide Apple Newton Users Map: http://user-map.applenewton.co.uk <http://user-map.applenewton.co.uk/>
> 
> NPDS Server: http://newton1.applenewton.co.uk:8079 <http://newton1.applenewton.co.uk:8079/> (powered by Newton 2100)
> NPDS Tracker Server: http://tracker.applenewton.co.uk:3680 <http://tracker.applenewton.co.uk:3680/> (powered by Raspberry Pi)
> 
> Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/applenewtonfan/ <https://www.facebook.com/applenewtonfan/> 
> Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/AppleNewtonFan/ <https://www.instagram.com/indigi_newton/>
> Twitter: https://twitter.com/AppleNewtonFan/ <https://twitter.com/indigi_newton/>
> 
> 
> 
> From: B <kosmicdollop at saber.net>
> Subject: Re: [NTLK] "Old" Newbie to the Newton
> Date: May 31, 2020 at 6:16:12 PM CDT
> To: newtontalk at newtontalk.net
> 
> 
> you wrote:
>> My biggest problem is my old eyes can’t read the Newton screen very well.
> 
> Some fonts are easier to see than others. I found Casual the best overall.
> 
>> “Extras” screen my background.  How do I change that?
> 
> Choose another app to set as background.
> 
> Avi’s BackDrop is a simple way to avoid having any other app as background. I can send you a copy if needed.
> 
>> could someone point me to a good website for detailed documentation on how the MessagePad works.
> 
> I’m sending you Apple’s manual off list.
> 
> B
> 
> 
> 
> From: Grant Hutchinson <newtontalkmessages at gmail.com>
> Subject: Re: [NTLK] "Old" Newbie to the Newton
> Date: June 1, 2020 at 10:13:51 AM CDT
> To: NewtonTalk List <newtontalk at newtontalk.net>
> 
> 
> 
>> On May 31, 2020, at 10:30 AM, Jim C. <guardsix6 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> And finally, could someone point me to a good website for detailed documentation on how the MessagePad works. 
> 
> Hi, Jim.
> 
> Welcome to the community!
> 
> Here are PDF versions of the MessagePad 2000 Getting Started guide and User’s Manual. These documents will apply to the 2100 model as well.
> 
> http://newted.org/download/manuals/0306224AMP2000GS.PDF
> http://newted.org/download/manuals/0306251AMP2000UM.PDF
> 
> These will provide answers to a lot of your questions.
> 
> Grant
> 
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> Grant Hutchinson
> NewtonTalk List Dad & Interweb Custodian
> 
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