A MAC USERUS GUIDE TO WORKING WITH HP PALMTOPS
Version 1.0, July 1994
by Craig de Fasselle

As a long time Macintosh user, there was never any reason to learn DOS commands Q until HP started producing their palmtop PC's. Fortunately, a Mac user does not have to live life from the command line for the HP and Mac to coexist effectively.

Unless otherwise stated, this article will deal with the HP100LX, although many of the procedures work with the HP95LX. I used the 95 with my Macs for two years before switching to the 100.

File Transfers
Although Hewlett Packard offers no Connectivity Package for Mac, there are several transfer options from freeware to commercial programs. Regardless of the software, you need the Mac to HP cable (HP Part No. F1016A).

Using Kermit for File Transfers
For one of the least expensive methods of file transfer, try MacKermit by Frank da Cruz on your Mac. This freely distributed program can be found on most BBS and online services, including America Online (AOL) and CompuServe. Kermit works fine with either the HP95LX and HP100LX, but the following example is based on the 100, using MacKermit 0.99(93).

To use Kermit to back up your HP or transfer individual files, first connect the cable with both units off, then set the HP and MacKermit for the following parameters:

Baud 19,200
Interface: Com1
Parity: None
Data Bits: 8
Stop Bits: 1

The settings order above is as shown on your HP (to get there, launch DataComm by CTRL cc:MAIL, Menu, C, S). Save these settings on the HP. On your Mac, set Kermit to File Defaults of Binary for mode, unattended, and Data for fork.

To use your HP as a server after establishing the settings above, key Menu, C, K and select the "Put HP100LX into server mode" setting. You are now ready to send files from your HP to the Mac.

On the Mac, under the File-Transfer menu, you will find a RGet file from server_S option. A dialog box will pop up asking for the file - simply type the path and file name you want to grab from the HP, click Okay, and the transfer will proceed automatically.

As a Mac user, you may be asking Rwhat does he mean by type the pathS (I did when I started). For Kermit to locate the proper file, you must tell it the directory (labeled as <DIR> under HP Filer Q on the Mac, directories and subdirectories will appear as folders) or subdirectory it is in. This is where some basic DOS commands are needed. For example, to transfer your phonebook file titled MYPHONE from the default _DAT directory on the HP to the Mac, in the MacKermit RGet fileS dialog type:

C:\_DAT\MYPHONE.PDB

The C: identifies the C: drive (if getting a file from a PCMCIA card, use A:), the backslash (\) is used to separate directory names, and the file name includes the extension (.pdb) as displayed in the HP Filer.

For a backup of an entire directory, you would use the Get file from server command on the Mac and type:

C:\*.*

That command will copy all files from your C: drive to the Mac (you better set up some destination folders). Please note that subdirectories must be copied separately, so the C:\_DAT directory will not be copied with the C:\*.* command.

To copy the DAT directory files, use the Get file from server and type:

C:\_DAT\*.*

To send a file, use the Send File command on the Mac, or the Kermit Get under the File menu on the HP DataComm application.

Zterm
Other programs and protocols allow experimenting with higher speeds Q I have used Zterm (by David P. Alverson) successfully for file transfers at 57,600. If you use Zterm, create a HP Connection in the Directory without entering any phone number. Set both the HP and Zterm to:

Baud 57,600
Interface: Com1
Parity: None
Data Bits: 8
Stop Bits: 1

To send files from the HP to the Mac, connect the palmtop and computer with the cable, turn both units on, and launch Zterm on the Mac and Datacomm on the HP. From the Mac, select your HP Connection from the Dial menu. After a moment, you should see RDirect Connect HP100LXS on the Zterm screen. Under ZtermUs File menu, select the RReceive Files... ZmodemS option.

Next, on the HP press Menu, F, P and use the cursor arrows to select RZMODEMS for the HP protocol. Press F10 for okay, and press Menu, F, S to send a file. Use the dialog box to select your file, or check the RSend AllS box to send all files within the given directory. Press F10 for okay, and the files will be transferred to your Mac.

Under the File Menu, Zterm also provides RTransfer ConvertS options for file translation of items such as text files. For non-text files, you should leave the setting to Binary Data. If you want Memo files converted to a program such as Word, you would select Smart MacBinary under the File Menu, and under the Settings MenuUs RGeneral Preference...S you would select the option to convert text documents to Word format.

Other Communications Programs
MacKermit and Zterm are not the only way to transfer files between the desktop and HP. Popular communications programs including the comm module in Microsoft Works, White Knight, and Microphone should all work. The set ups will vary slightly depending on the program, but are similar to using Zterm or Kermit.

File Translation
If you use one of the terminal programs for file translation, you will want some programs to assist with file translations. There are many freeware and shareware programs to convert text files, although DOSWasher 1.0 by N. Jonas England is one of the easiest to use and best. This application will convert text to and from both formats. Simply drag a transferred Memo file from the HP over the DOSWasher icon, and it will convert it to Mac text that can be read by any Mac word processor. If you take any Mac plain text file and drag it over DOSWasher, it will be converted to PC format which the HP Memo application can read.

Lotus 123 files can be imported directly into Excel or Works. Likewise, you can save your Mac spreadsheet as a Lotus WK1 file that can be opened by the HP.

For database import-export, you may use either GDBIO by Craig Payne or DBUTIL by Steve Roth. These import-export utilities are run on your HP to convert HP database to comma or tab delimited text files that can be used on the Mac. The also can convert delimited text files to the HP format per the documentation included with the programs.

Transfers and Translations in One Package
DataViz's MacLinkPlus/HP Palmtop is currently the best commercial answer for both file transfers and translations. While the program does not include Mac desktop versions of the HP programs, it does provide templates and translators for popular Mac programs including Excel, Works, Filemaker Pro, Word, and others.

File transfers are done at 19,200 baud using the desktop application in conjunction with the MacLink communications program on your HP. The Mac application allows you to use the more familiar dialog boxes and Shift-Click procedures for selecting multiple files within a single directory for transfer and/or translation. This alleviates any need for DOS commands. You still must transfer files from each subdirectory separately Q MacLink does not support global backups. Still, I consider the program the easiest and best overall solution for most Mac users with HPUs since it includes the necessary file translation capabilities. You can call DataViz at 203-268-0030 for full information.

File Compression and Decompression
You will find most shareware programs for the HP are compressed with PkZip, which is the most common PC compression format. If you have Stuffit Deluxe 3.0.7 or higher, it includes an unzipper. However, a shareware utility called ZipIt 1.2.6 by Tommy Brown will provide both unzippping and zipping capability. It is an easy to use program, and should be considered a Rmust haveS for a Mac-HP palmtop user. Its operation is intuitive and reliable.

Printing
Both the HP95LX and HP100LX can print directly to a non-AppleTalk Imagewriter I or II using the F1016A cable. Set the HP's serial port to 9600,N,8,1 and select the Epson FX-80 printer driver in Setup. Some Laserwriters may work if they support a straight serial connection. For example, a Personal LaserWriter NT allows you to configure the serial port as a LaserJet. Using the LaserJet driver in the HP palmtop works fine with this printer.

Of course, the greatest printing flexibility can be obtained by transferring the files to your Mac and printing translated files from the Mac. For example, to print your phone or appointment files, first use the Rprint to fileS option on the HP, then transfer that file to your Mac. Run the file thru DOSWasher to convert the text, and use a Mac word processing application to make any desired format changes and to print.

Modems
What about using your HP with a Mac modem? If your modem is a Hayes compatible, it should work without problem. You will need the HP cable for HP to PC transfers (HP Part No. F1015A) and a null modem adapter (included in the HP Adapter Kit, Part No. F1023A). Simply plug the cable into the HP and modem, turn both on, and use either the included HP communications programs or others.

Most of the programs mentioned in this article (except MacLinkPlus) can be found on the commercial online services, including America Online and CompuServe. On AOL, most of the referenced programs can be found in the PDA/Palmtop Forum (keyword Palmtop). While some of the above may sound complicated, the procedures are fairly quick and painless. With a little practice, you will have your HP palmtop and Mac working well together.

Craig de Fasselle

AOL ID: PDA Craig
CompuServe ID: [76500,1440]

Legal Notices

Copyright ) 1994, Craig de Fasselle. All rights reserved. This article may not be posted on other online services or BBSUs without the authorUs written permission. At this time, this file is only available on America Online (in the PDA/Palmtop Forum, keyword PDA) and CompuServe in HP Hand.

If anyone finds any errors or wishes to suggest other methods, please Email the author at pdacraig@aol.com or write him at:

Craig de Fasselle
c/o MEM, Inc.
4702 East 355th St.
Willoughby, OH 44094
