Computers, workflow, calendars
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I am  thinking about updating my  current computer setup. I  don't mean
that  I  need  newer/faster/cooler  stuff but  a  better  compatibility
between my devices cannot hurt. Also,  there have been some issues with
my devices which I should address.

Most importantly, my GPD Pocked have  probably died. Now it does always
powers off after  a few minutes of  run. No matter if  its connected to
the power outlet or  not. This have become a problem as  it was my main
(and the fastest) x86-compatible device which I used in cases when some
software was unable to run on my OpenPOWER desktop for any reason.

For example,  I wanted to use  my eRadionica [1] e-paper  tablet as the
e-book  reader. It's  (sort of)  Arduiono  based so  Arduino Studio  is
needed. And it  refuse to work on  my OpenPOWER but worked  on the GPD.
There have been some tools for dealing with retro hardware (Linux-based
Palms are now  "retro", too - I think...) which  are only available for
x86, too.

Actually, at the moment I use these devices (less or more) daily:

- the work computer (the x86_64 with Windows),
- the laptop at work (the Lenovo x61s with Linux),
- the home desktop (the Raptor Blackbird; ppc64le with Linux),
- the secondary home desktop (SGI O2; MIPS with IRIX)
- the desktop at cottage (SGI Indigo; MIPS with IRIX)
- the PSION Organiser II LZ as an alarm clock and notetaker
- the PSION MC600 (for writing and interfacing the Organiser)
- the Palm IIIx (mostly for some older notes and other PIM stuff)
- the Punk MP01 phone

I  recently encountered  the problem  that I  have several  independent
calendars. At work I use the OwnCLoud  based one. It is easy to get the
data from  it to  mobile devices  (except the Punkt  which has  no data
connection) or at least to modern Linux and Windows computers (both the
Thunderbird and the Remind are OK here).

But  I cannot  easily transfer  the calendars  to the  Palm (this  is a
reason why I use it mostly for  many tasks except for storing my events
and plans) nor the Organiser II. If  I want to have the calendar here I
have to retype it  on the device (or on the desktop as  I still use the
J-Pilot program for synchronisation with the Palm).

I have  made a script to convert  Remind files to  something acceptable
with  the  pilot-link  tools but  it  is  too  basic  (sometimes  makes
wrong  times, cannot  handle duplicate  events and  so). Moreover,  the
ICS->Remind conversion works only in  this direction so I cannot change
my .reminders file and send the changes to the OwnCloud (or elsewhere).

It is probably possible to convert the output of the Reminder to a text
file acceptable by Organiser II  communication program (and vice versa)
but I  have not started the  writing of such tool,  yet. Something like
that can be  possible done for the Palm, too  (something existed but as
there still are traces on the Internet but not the actual code).

Thus I am thinking that I should solve two issues:

- the x86  laptop (desktop?) replacement (the x61s  is also approaching
end of its life so I should not  rely on it). Would there be a reliable
(and fairly efficient) x86 emulation for the ppc64le I will need no x86
device, I thing. But such thing don't exists.

- a final selection of a daily PDA device for daily use


In my opinion the key for the  PDA issue is the calendar program. I use
the OwnCloud-based solution  because it can be used by  many devices. I
am thinking  by replacing it by  the .reminders file at  the S.D.F. (or
elsewhere). If I will be able to use this thing then it will make sense
to spend time to write a Remind<->PSION conversion tool (and to migrate
other stuff to the PSION Organiser II).  The SGI O2 can run the Remind,
too. So there would be no problem  with most of my desktops. I used the
Remind easily  (and happily) when  I only  had Linux and  IRIX machines
(even at work) and my only  actual PDA was the Qi Hardware's NanoNote.

But many things changed from these times, unfortunately.

But I think I should try...


References:

[1] https://e-radionica.com/en/