From: jjd@bbn.com (James J Dempsey)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.palmtops
Subject: Re: Want review of ACE's myREMOTE software for HP-95
Date: 13 Nov 1992 19:04:03 GMT
NNTP-Posting-Host: bbn.com

In article <1992Nov13.161408.10054@nntpd.lkg.dec.com>, edp@math.zk3.dec.com (Eric Postpischil) writes:

> Is the ACE Remote program for the HP-95 a universal remote (it knows
> codes for lots of devices by various manufacturers) or a learning remote
> (it reads and remembers signals from other remotes)?
> 
> How easy is it to use with multiple devices?  Can you:
> 
> 	o place codes for two different devices on the keyboard at one time?

Yes.

> 	o shift the keyboard to codes for a different device with a single key?

Yes.  The default keymaps provided by ACE have macros assigned to
ALT-T to switch to the "TV" device, ALT-V to switch to "VCR" device, etc.

> 	o create combination sequences for multiple devices that are
> 	   activated with a single key?

Yes.

In article <crooks.721668266@crooks>, crooks@crooks.b11.ingr.com (Steve Crooks) writes:
> Anybody out there tried the myREMOTE software yet?  If you have, how
> about posting a few words about it?  Specifically, I am interested in
> knowing the following information:
> 
>     a)  What's the approximate size of the executable?

The beta version I have (v1.0b) is 14252 bytes.

>     b)  Is it System Manager compliant?

No.  I launch it from Filer and everything else must be closed.

>     c)  How good do you think the user interface is?

I think it is quite good considering the problems you have writing
such an application.  You can assign (just about) any key on the
keyboard to any command.  It displays two columns of definitions (key
and description) for the current device and you can use
Cntrl-RIGHT-ARROW and Cntrl-LEFT-ARROW to scroll to see the other
descriptions for this device.  "Device" in this case is a logical word
meaning "a file of definitions".  You can actually have multiple
physical devices be defined in one file.

>     d)  What's the actual working range of the infrared transmitter?

I haven't done any specific range tests, but it seems to work as well
as my Sony remotes in terms of range.  From my bed to my bedroom TV is
about 16 feet and that works fine.

> (For those of you who don't know, myREMOTE is a software package for the
> HP-95 that allows you use it as a learning remote control.  The cost is
> $29 from ACE.)

One important point is that they don't claim that it will work with
all remotes.  When I first received it I found that I couldn't use it
with my Sony or JVC or Philips remotes.

After finding symptoms which made me think this was a software bug and
not an incompatibility, I corresponded with ACE and they were able to
convert my symptoms into a bug fix.  They sent me a slightly newer
release and now I don't have any problems with any of my remotes.

I think it is worth the $29.

		--Jim Dempsey--
		jjd@bbn.com


P.S. to edp:  I can't send you internet mail to the address listed
in your signature.  I get the following mailer error back from the
daemon at crl.dec.com:

   ----- Transcript of session follows -----
550 rusure.enet.dec.com (tcp)... 550 Host unknown
554 <edp@rusure.enet.dec.com>... 550 Host unknown (Valid name but no A or MX)

   ----- Recipients of this delivery -----
Bounced, cannot deliver:
   <edp@rusure.enet.dec.com>
Newsgroups: comp.sys.palmtops