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MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) hardware1 Codeman got a new toy. Need I say more? http://www.linux-hacker.net/ Inside pics coming soon. Everything seems to be on the flash memory, and it is surface mounted to the board. Codeman has access to surface mount removal equipment, he's a dangerous man with a soldering iron! 04-09-2000 21:28:30

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) Bill G I would love to have one if it connected to my own ISP and got e-mail. 8K is a bit of a limit, when I travel set it to leave the mail on the server if it has that setting, but I like the keyboard. Linux or not, it would be useful. Does anyone know when the next $99 sale will be and where? I am not going to wait like last time and miss out because they are backordered. 04-10-2000 11:03:50

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) drewman If you have a Fry's Electronics nearby, they are selling there for $99... drewman 04-10-2000 19:01:24

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) mail bug http://www.mailbug.com/ Interesting. 04-12-2000 00:17:49

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) John Passaniti So, does the MailStation use a processor supported by some port of Linux, and is the motherboard standards-based? 04-13-2000 09:31:23

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) John Passaniti Adding to my last post, will I be able to hack it? please Codeman teach us how. Um did I say Codeman?? I meant Ken Seigler. 04-14-2000 00:58:35

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) John Passaniti If you're going to use my name, at least write like I do to enhance confusion. Ken's last name is spelled "Segler" not "Seigler". And no, I don't want Ken to "teach us how." I want Ken (or someone who has a MailStation) to simply post the processor and if the motherboard appears to be standards-based. That's all that's necessary here. 04-14-2000 08:06:51

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) hardware1 Codeman told me the processor doesn't have a number on it at all. When and if he ever gets around to removing the flash ROMs and sticks them into a programmer, we will know more. Linux has been made to run on 16 bit machines, so it is possible that a cut down version will run on this box. Since the device does e-mail already, and if all you want to do is use it to get e-mail, linux may not be necessary. Plus their software writes to the screen already. This device looks a lot like something he saw used to get "corporate" e-mail for sales forces. This is why he thought it might be fun to mess with. If you look at the picture it's on the set up screen and it looks like normal POP protocol stuff. Go to compUSA and press "new user" and you will see what I mean. Anyone else out there messing with this thing? 04-14-2000 17:32:52

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) ratster I have a MailStation, and I actually think it's a pretty cool device (it looks like it does a good job delivering on its advertised promises. This thing is so simple my cats could probably figure it out. Well, maybe not the black and white one, but the spotted one for sure). What I'd like to know -- Linux aside -- is if anyone's figured out a way to change the POP3 and SMTP server designations, or figured a way to get around them otherwise. The Gadgeteer (Julie) reviewed the MailStation and said she got it to work fine with Mindspring, but no further detail was offered. 04-14-2000 21:28:58

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) NoNo Their site, under the "product" link, says the mailstation is $149.95 and their email service is $9.95 a month. OR, you can get the mailstation for $99.95 IF you also prepay for 12 months of email service. Further down, it says that the mailstation can check email from ANY internet mail server as long as it follows "internet standards". I take it to mean POP3, possiby IMAP servers but not web-based email services like hotmail. I am very tempted, but will wait to see what sort of reviews this message board gives. 04-15-2000 01:36:17

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) mail man Where did you see that? Here's from the FAQ: "Q: Will it work with my ISP? A: No. The MailStation was designed to work with MailStation's E-mail service. However, you can forward your E-mail from your other accounts to your MailStation." http://www.mymailstation.com/ There is a clue though: "Net Abuse Policy - PSI Net, Net Abuse Policies - GTE" (two links) meaning that there can be two ISP's that they connect to. At compusa it is 129 but has a 30 rebate. "30 day money back guarantee" if its not hackable? 04-15-2000 02:25:36

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) ratster Having played with a MailStation first hand, I can say with authority that you can not directly manipulate the POP3 or SMTP server designations using any clearly available methods. The user account configuration screen lists them, but the cursor jumps over them when you scroll down. They seem stuck at mailstation.com addresses. There HAS to be a way... I'll keep trying. 04-15-2000 11:35:32

Car MP3 display? (modified 0 times) kd_4 I wonder if the display could be used as an alternative to the smaller and more expensive serial displays used in some mp3 car setups. More lines of resolution sure would be great. I didn't read anything about it being backlit though. On the other hand, the mailbug does offer backlighting, and function buttons, but the display seems more tightly integrated in the package (looks like a solid molded piece of plastic unlike the movable display of the mailstation). Any input from owners of this unit would be great. 04-17-2000 21:25:03

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) Jaak Profile Here is what I see as the main features of each: Mailstation has no backlit display, but it has a 33.6kbps fax modem (but no mention of a fax application), it also has a 20,000 word spell checker (which is really slow and non-expandable). Printer support (most common printers), 5 separate email accounts, address book holds 1000 addresses, and it has 400k of storage. Max message size is 8k. Mailbug does have a backlit display, but only has a 2400bps modem, only supports 1 email account, 120k of storage. Address book only supports 100 addresses, no printer option, but it does have Caller ID. Max message size is 16k. Looks like Mailstation is the leader in features, now if only it had a backlight (and you didn't need to subscribe to their service!). IMAP4 support would make it really rock. 04-17-2000 22:03:02

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) jura Check these out: http://www.flat-panel.com/serial_lcd_terminal.htm Since I am not a hardware guy, I have yet to play with them, but, I got the two for $99 deal... I thought I would spread word to the 'i-opener' community to see if anything can be done with these... they seem similar to the mail stations... Here's whats on them: Interactive Network Terminal Contents List 5/11/99 Rev 1.0 1 - 15 Foot 4 Wire Phone Cord 1 - Single to Double RJ-11 Adapter 1 - AC Adapter 120 VAC 60 Hz 12W - Output 9 Volts 500 ma Terminal Unit Contents 1 - LCD 240 x 64 EL Backlit by Sharp Electronics P/N LM24014H (Uses Toshiba T6963 Controller) 1 - SC11016 300 /1200 Bits Per Second Modem 1 - Dallas Semiconductor DS5003FP (?8051 Compatible Microcontroller) 6 - 5M55256BFP-12LL (192k low power static memory) 1 - Infared Receiver (and maybe transmitter) 1 - 4 “C” Cell Nicad Battery Pack by Saft America 1 - 30” Black Finish Telescopic Antenna 1 - Black Frame LCD Bezel 1 - QWERTY Chicklet Keyboard 1 - Resistive Touch Switch 6” x ½” 1 - ON/OFF Switch 1 - Backlight ON/OFF Switch 1 - LCD Contrast Control and, a quote from their page: "We Want Help. The first person to develop code to re-program this machine through the external serial port (without taking the unit apart) gets 101 free units a $10,000 value!" ---- jura jura@geekpitlabs.NOSPAM.com 04-28-2000 22:17:16

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) Jaak They've been trying to dump those things for a long time now. AFAIK no one has gotten very far with them. Funny thing is that the person who wrote the initial disassembly doc is named "Ken Segler" - I wonder if there's any relation? :) 04-28-2000 23:39:56

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) this sucks when are the pictures of the inside coming in? 05-19-2000 18:52:30

RE:MailStation, here we go again! (modified 0 times) sirjay the cpu in the mailstation is reported to be a 16bit version of the z80 (z380 maybe?) running at 27mhz, was there ever a version for the z80? 06-30-2000 20:53:15

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