newton reference/utilities


	© Copyright 1996, Clay Irving Last Update: Thursday, 09-Jan-1997 07:11:54 EST

AppMan
AppMan is similar to the Application menu on a Macintosh. It places a small button in the corner of your Newton which, when tapped, pops up a list of all running applications, as well as three frequently access apps (Notes, Styles, and Connection).
Assist Todos
Using the Assist feature of the Newton is a great time saver except when Assist takes longer to figure out what to do with the phrase than it would take for you to enter it yourself. Assist Todos makes using Assist with todo fun again. No more waiting for Assist to process a phrase, to tell you it can't interpret the phrase, or that the phrase is too long.
Backdrop Plus
Backdrop Plus is an alternative to the NotePad as the backdrop, or background, application for the Newton. With the NotePad closed, you save as much as 10k in heap (similar to RAM on a desktop machine.) This means that you can have more extensions and applications loaded at once, and you will get fewer memory-related problems and restarts.
Note: With Backdrop Plus, you can press and hold the Extras icon to put the Newton into sleep mode. Press and hold the Rotate icon to reset the Newton.
Data Rescue
Experience tragically shows that the most vulnerable part of your beloved Newton MessagePad is its display. In the case of a damaged display it is not possible to write anything on it anymore. You cannot even get your data back! This little package does nothing but automatically open the Connection slip and wait for your desktop machine to get into contact. You will then be able to back up your data from the desktop using the Newton Backup Utilities or similar software.
Expansion 1.0 (4K Zip) or Expansion 1.0 (7K BinHex)
The builtin word expansion is a cool idea which is built into the Newton OS, but the process of adding new word expansions is long. Expansion speeds this process up. Expansion also allows you to bypass the built-in 30 character limit and create expansion phrases of unlimited length. Requires 2.0.
ButtonPkg 1.1
ButtonPkg consists of 5 buttons, each having its own purpose. The buttons are picture buttons, which look nicer and take up less space than text buttons:
- Calc. Adds a button to the backdrop application. Pressing the button opens the Calculator.
- Style. Adds a button to Notepad. Pressing the button opens the Styles palette.
- Rotate. Adds a button to the backdrop application. Pressing the button rotates the screen.
- Dates. Overrides the built-in Dates button (so it is invisible.) Pressing the button opens Notepad instead of Dates. If Notepad is already in front, however, Dates is opened. (This is especially useful if Dates is your backdrop application.)
- Notes. Adds a button to the backdrop application. Pressing the button opens the Notepad application.
Control Panel
Control Panel lets you set five features of your Newton according to the time of day and power source:
- Alarms - You can set as many alarms as you need. Alarms will open any application you want when they go off.
- Sleep Delay - Set the Newton to go to sleep after a certain amount of time based on whether it is plugged in or not and what time of day it is.
- Open Applications - Automatically open application depending on the time and worksite.
- Backlighting - Backlighting can be turned on at night, when you are plugged in, when you are on the road, or always.
- Worksites - Depending on the time of day and power source Control Panel can automatically choose your worksite.
DKLocale 2.1
DKLocale 2.1 is Danish locale settings for Newton 2.0 for Danish users who think that:
- weeks start on Mondays
- week number should be shown i Dates
- distances are measured in kilometers
- the decimal point is a comma
- the thousands separator is a period
- dates are shown as dd/mm/yy
- amounts are preceded with "kr."
- persons are styled "fr.", "frk." og "hr."
Flash
Flash is a Newton program that helps you improve your reading rate & comprehension. Flash provides a variety of exercises that users can use to improve their reading habits. Flash includes on-line help which explains speed reading concepts and how to use the program.
FolderInfo 1.0b2
An informational Folder utility for the Newton. It was written primarily to inform users about how much storage space is consumed by Notes, Names, and packages stored inside Global folders in the Newton 2.0 operating system. It also allows these items to quickly be deleted on a folder-by-folder basis and can be used in landscape mode.
Freeze Utilities
Freeze Utilities allow you to take advantage of the built in freezing option on the Newton, as well as providing a few enhancments.
GDTPrintDriver.Pkg
Print drivers for most major PC and Mac printers available.

Use the HP Mac Adapter (Part number C3279A), a serial to parallel cable for $39, with the print drivers.
Gestalt for Newton OS 2.0
Show System Infomation.
GestureLaunch/Script
GestureLaunch and GestureScript are ICS's answer to button bars and package launchers. Now you can assign up to four actions to each built-in button for a total of 24 different actions that are always available and don't take up as much heap or screen space as a button bar.
HideEworld (27K BinHex)
This package hides Eworld/Newton Mail functionality on Newton PDA devices running Newton OS 2.0.
HyperNames 1.0
HyperNames allows you to create links between address cards that both show additional information and allow easy one-touch navigation.
i++
With i++ you can extent/customize the menu shown when tapping an "i-Button". Menu items can be included to open applications (without opening the extras drawer) or to invoke other special actions (like changing the screen orientation). Those info buttons are present in most Newton(tm)2.0 applications, since it is a standard component of the 2.0 user interface. So "your" special purpose menu will be reachable in most situations without getting in your way when you do not need it.
Isaac's Names
A Names utility.
KwikMenu
Cut most actions down to a couple of taps.
LightsOn
A small freeWare app that automatically turns on the backlighting on a Newton when the unit is turned on. Tapping its icon in the extras drawer will toggle the light on and off. This is most useful for those people who keep the extras drawer as their backdrop app.
MagicApp 1.1 (BinHex) or MagicApp 1.1 (Zip)
The original package mover and copier program for the Newton. MagicApp allows you to move programs from the internal memory to a storage card or vice versa. It also allows you to copy a program from a card to another card.
More Folders
More Folders serves three purposes:
- It speeds up filing by doing away with the standard filing slip and replacing it with a popup menu.
- It eliminates the built in limit of 12 folders
- It allows you to have hierarchical folders (folders within folders).
NewtCase 3.0
The Ultimate Newton Utility Suite. The NewtCase Package Manager give you the power to:
- Display more packages
- Freeze (deactivate) and thaw groups of packages
- Control which packages are included in backups
- Easily select groups of packages
- Get info on a package's install date, memory usage, and more!
Newt Tools
Essential utilities for your Newton -- Includes ButtonBar, PackTool, MemTool, SoupTool, and SoupEditor. Demo versions of Newt Tools v.1.5 for Newton OS 2.0 are available:
- Newt Tools Demo for OS 2.0 (BinHex)
- Newt Tools Demo for OS 2.0 (Zip)
Newton's Reflex
Newton's Reflex makes all your Newton tasks easy! Save time - every time you use your Newton. Tasks and applications are instantly at your fingertips. Newton's Reflex turns otherwise arduous tasks into a one-step, one-tap process, and introduces up to 3 powerful and customizable menus.
NoteThing
A Newton package and Macintosh Fat Binary application that allows you to easily transfer text based notes from your Newton to your desktop computer. NoteThing can extract the text from all types of notes, including any stationary that supports text transfers. Basically, if your stationary can email text, NoteThing can transfer it to your Mac.
NotepadXtensions^TM
A collection of 8 extensions (stationary) for your notepad. One of the extensions, Voice Mail, features "call back" alarm. This alarm will remind you to call a person at a pre-set time. You can also add the call to your Todo list and the Calls app as well as add the person to your Names app.
Off PowerOff
Disable PowerOff button.
Patchwork
Patchwork 1.1 is a small package which solves two problems in Newton 2.0 during restarts occuring after a reset:
1. Restoration of the previously selected remote city in TimeZones.
2. Restoration of the previously selected view in Dates.
Normally, Newton sets the remote city to Tokyo, Japan, and the view in Dates to "Day" regardless of your previous selection. This information is stored in Patchwork then applied to the Newton restart.
Person To Co (17K BinHex)
For those of you who've migrated their names file over from a 1.X Newton, you may have noticed the inability to change a Person's name card into a Company card, and vice versa. In addition, you may have created a name card and decided to change it into the other type. Person <-> Co. solves this problem. It provides a list of all the names in your names file, with an iconic representation of their type to the left of the name. You can tap on the icon to pop up a list of available types (currently only "Person" and "Company") and choose a new type. Tapping on the name itself will open the card file to that name. Requires Newton Operating System 2.0.
Plain Jane 1.0 (5K BinHex) or Plaine Jane 1.0 (2K Zip)
Plain Jane makes one entry screen out of three thereby speeding data entry. The address, email and notes screen are combined into Plain Jane. How To - Install Plain Jane.pkg, Open Names, Tap New can to create a new person card, Tap Add and select Plain Jane.
PopExtras
PopExtras 2.0 - consists of two parts, the first being a button which is attached to the status bar of the background application (eg Notepad). Tapping this button will present you with a pop-up menu containing a user definable list of apps installed on the Newton. Tapping an app name will open that app! The second part of PopExtras is the utility that is used to select which apps will be displayed in the popup button. This utility consists of a scrolling list which contains the apps installed on the Newton. Tapping on an item in the list will place a check to the left of the app name, tapping again will remove the check. Simple. There is also a Clear button which will uncheck all items. It should also be noted that this version of PopExtras will only run on Newton 2.0 devices.
Power Preferences (7K BinHex)
This package adds a panel to the Prefs application under Newton 2.0 to allow access to some hidden options that aren't normally available (including Freeze)
Power Pref 2.0
This package adds a panel to the Prefs application under Newton 2.0 to allow access to some hidden options that aren't normally available (only works under Newton OS 2.0):
1. Tell the backlight on a MP130 to turn on automatically on power up.
PrintEnv
PrintEnv displays a small window in which you write the name and address of the person receiving the letter, and prints a standard business envelope when you tap "Print". PrintEnv 1.0 allows you to print a standard business envelope with your return address on an HP-compatible printer. Written in NS Basic, PrinEnv requires: NOS 2.0, a serial connection to the printer, and the NS Basic runtime file. Freeware.
Ragout 2.1
Ragout - is the ultimate soup tool, designed for Newton developers, consultants, and power users. It includes a comprehensive feature set not found in any other soup tool. Incorporating an intuitive, easy-to-use interface that displays all essential soup information, Ragout lets you: Create, delete, copy, and move soups; Add and remove soup indices; Create, delete, copy, move, view, and edit soup entries, and change slot data types; Delete all entries in a soup or index; Create multiple copies of a soup entry, a feature that is particularly useful for sizing potential soup structures. Fax and print soup information and entry contents for documentation purposes; and Beam soup entries to other Newtons.
sayonara-eworld.pkg.sit
A small package to kill all references to the now defunct Eworld.
Morgan Creek Medical Software
Jack Starmer's freeware utilities for NOS 2.0
- Connection
  A button for use in your background application (as long as the background app supports Auxiliary Buttons). Tapping the button opens the "Connection" application.
- E-Z Access 1.2
  A pop-up button for use in your background application (as long as the background app supports auxiliary Buttons). Tapping the button pops up a list of the applications on your Message Pad. Tapping an application opens it. Now supports Newton Books.
- Styles
  A button for use in the Note Pad application. Tapping the button opens the "Styles" application.
- Super NotePad
  Super NotePad is a collection of enhancements to the built in NotePad application on your Newton.
- ToDo!
  A button for use in your background application (as long as the background app supports Auxiliary Buttons). Tapping the button opens a To Do slip.
ShopList 2.30E (English version)
shopList software (sL) is a shopping list manager. sL helps you keep track of items you need to purchase at various stores. Especially helpful with groceries.
Startup Screen 0.1a3
Change your Newton's StartupScreen. Requires PICT2PKG.
Super Caps
Super Caps places a button in the NotePad's status bar or in one of the corners of the Newton which, when tapped, 'corrects' the capilization of selected text. Text can be selected by highlighting it, or if nothing is highlighted, Super Caps will correct the topmost note. There is a preference window which you can open by tapping and holding the Super Caps button.

TapBar
A multi-purpose button manager. With it, you can set up button bars made up of your favorite selection in your own order and layout. It also allows you to add buttons into status bar of Notes (or your selected backdrop applet). Also, for programmers, TapBar has an open API that allows you to write your own buttons and even create your own commercial button suite!

Plug-In Modules for TapBar 0.5
Includes:

BatteryButton:Battery Capacity

ConnectButton:Connection Window

ExtrasButton:Extras List Button

LanchButton:Applet Lancher

LightButton:BackLight ON/OFF (Only MP130)

PowerButton:To PowerOff by tapping, To Reboot by holding 3 secs.
PrefButton:Preference Window
StylesButton:Styles Window
SoundButton:Set Sound Volume
ToolboxButton:Toolbox window open for NTK user

Toggler
Toggler adds a popup button to the status bar, which allows you to toggle preferences for a number of features:
- Turn backlighting on and off
- Turn sound on and off
- Store Internally / Store on Card
- Use Password / Turn Password Off
- Turn Alarm On / Turn Alarm Off
TrackIt
Use TrackIt to record and graph any set of numbers. The data set can be time based or just a sequential set of numbers. If the data set is time based the X axis will graph the points spaced to reflect the time between points.
- data sets can be time based or evenly spaced points
- expand/shrink the scale on the graphs x axis
TrashPak 3.11
Formerly known as RemoveIt, TrashPak lets you quickly remove Packages and Soups from the internal or PCMCIA card. Also, TrashPak lets you remove entries from the System and Directory soups (can be fatal if you remove the wrong entry, so be careful). The system soup is where preferences for various packages are stored. The Directory soup is where MetaData is stored. MetaData is the data that the NCK uses to display soups for editting. WARNING - While the remove button gives you an chance to change your mind (there is a confim dialog _ONLY_ if you check the "Confirm?" checkbox in the preferences), undo is NOT supported. If you remove it, it is gone!
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a popup menu editor, with complete support for nearly a dozen different menus. Using Vitamin A, you can create menus that popup when you tap the bottom portion of any of the silk screen buttons, you can place buttons in the four corners of the screen, and you can completely customize the caret menu. For example, if there is a character or two that you frequently have to open the keyboard to type in, you can place it directly into the caret menu, and access it with just a tap. Alternatively, if you find yourself toggling through keyboards often, you may wish to add the various keyboards to the popup menu, giving one-tap access to them as well.
++Volume
++Volume (tm) is a small program (extension) to increase the volume when you dial phone numbers. It does this by patching the O/S and overriding the standard touch tone generation routine. It also uses it's own set of touch tone sounds as the ones in ROM don't sound so good when the volume in increased.

[ table of contents | add information ]