This section has been archived: it is no longer being actively maintained, though I've left it here in case removing it breaks anyone's links.
introduction
Oracle is a generic oracle card program for the Psion Series 3a handheld computer.
The inspiration for this program was a Psion database file of Brian Eno's Oblique Strategies cards which I found on the Pocketinfo web site. These cards have been unavailable for a long time as they were a limited edition, but I have been using a home-made set for several years now, thanks to the text being available on the web. However, I thought an electronic set was a great idea, as there is no chance of losing cards etc.
Having looked at the file I decided that this would make a good first programming project, and that with care I could make a program that could work with other card sets, too.
system requirements
The program was mostly written on and designed for the Psion Series 3a computer. It won't work on the Series 3 Classic. I have no way of knowing if it will work on later Series 3 machines (3c and 3mx): if you try it on one of these and it works, I'd appreciate an email (see feedback section below).
download
Before downloading, please read the disclaimer. Acceptance of the terms of the disclaimer is a prerequisite for using the program. The zipped archive contains the program (ORACLE.OPA), a sample data file (COINFLIP.CRD) and the instructions from this page in plain text format (ORACLE.TXT).
data file format
This has basically followed the format of the Pocketinfo Oblique Strategies file, ie a standard Psion data file, with a single field per record. Each record contains the text of a card.
If you download the Pocketinfo Oblique Strategies file, you will need to delete the final record (number 131) as this is not a card, but a copyright statement. It is because this is copyrighted material and you need to modify the file in this way that it is not included here: you will need to download it separately and make the modification yourself.
I have also successfully run the program with a file created from the Angel Cards set, again not included for copyright reasons, and also a two-record Yes/No file emulating a coin flip. I've included the latter (COINFLIP.CRD) in the program archive as a sample to get you started: you could use this as a template for your own files if you so wish.
Making your own data files is easy: just use the Psion Data application that comes with the machine. Remove all the fields which Data will put into a new blank file, so you only have one left. If you like you can rename the label to "Field1", but it shouldn't affect the workings of the program.
Once you have made your file, rename it with a .CRD extension (rather than the .DBF extension Data will give it), and put it in a directory called CARDS in the root directory of any disk (internal or SSD).
installing the oracle application
- UnZip the archive: you'll probably do this on your desktop machine and copy the files to the Psion using whatever means you normally use for file transfer (eg PsiWin on a PC or ST-S3 on an Atari).
- Copy ORACLE.OPA to the APP directory on any drive (create an APP directory if there isn't one already: it must be in the root of the drive).
- Create a CARDS directory in the root of any drive.
- Copy the COINFLIP.CRD file to the CARDS directory: this is useful for testing the installation even if you delete it later.
- On the system screen, move the highlight to the list to the right of where you want the Oracle list.
- Press Psion-I and select the disk where you put the application. The name of the application should appear in the filename section of the dialog box. If you have other uninstalled applications, you may have to use the arrow keys until ORACLE.OPA shows in the box.
- Press the ENTER key to finish installation.
If all has gone well, there should be a list below the Oracle icon with a single item called Coinflip. If the list shows a single entry called Oracle you have not installed any data files as described above. You will need to do so before the program can run. Use the sample COINFLIP.CRD file from the archive as detailed above.
If you think you have installed a data file and it isn't showing in the list, check the following:
- The file must be in a directory called CARDS in the root of any disk.
- The filename must have a .CRD extension, NOT .DBF.
running the program
On the system screen, move the highlight onto one of the files listed under the Oracle icon (eg Coinflip if you installed the supplied test file), then press the ENTER key.
The program will exit immediately if you try to create a new file from the system screen or if you try to run it without any data files available (ie the icon just has the word "Oracle" under it, unless you have made a data file called ORACLE.CRD).
Otherwise, if all is well, you should see a dialog box saying Shuffling cards: Press ENTER to choose a card. If you decide you don't want to proceed, press ESC. Otherwise press ENTER when you are ready. The card text will now display on screen with a brief reminder to press a key to continue.
To finish, press a key to show the closing dialog, then press a key once more to return to the system screen.
limitations
- You cannot open more than one data file at a time: the system screen will warn you if you try to open a second data file.
- You cannot create or edit data files from within the program: use the built-in Data application as described above.
- You cannot run the program without a data file (not that there would be any point in this anyway!). The program will just abort and return you to the system screen if you try this.
licence
This program is freeware, but I retain copyright in it. You can distribute it freely, but not modify it or reverse translate it.
Before using the program, read the following disclaimer - use of the program implies acceptance of the terms of the disclaimer.
DISCLAIMER: This is my first attempt at programming, so the program is not very complex, but I am not a programming expert. It was written originally for my own use, but is offered in case anyone else should find a use for it: as such, it may contain errors or bugs. You use it at your own risk: I do not accept liability for any loss or damage to you, your computer or your data as a result of its use. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.
feedback
I'd appreciate any feedback you have on the program. In particular I'd appreciate an email if you find it useful, to give me some idea of how many people end up using it.
If you find any bugs etc please let me know. Likewise if you have any suggestions for improvements, though I can't guarantee that I can include them with my limited programming skills!