Important Links
Six Newton-themed Websites that should be in your Favorites / Bookmarks:
UNNA (United Network of Newton Archives)--its value to the Newton community cannot be overstated. UNNA “keeps the largest single repository of Newton-related programs, files, and documentaion [sic] anywhere. The entire archive is mirrored on five servers across the planet for redundancy and to provide fast access for people around the world”.
The NewtonTalk Network--a forum that is truly global, with more than 1200 members worldwide...if you need to ask a question or find a solution, there’s a good chance you’ll find it here.
40Hz.org--Newton users can thank Eckhart Kӧppen for authoring (along with many other things) a patch that squashed an OS glitch (the Y2010 bug) that threatened to render their devices nearly useless.
PDA-Soft--amongst other subjects, Frank Gruendel provides step-by-step guides for both eMate and Newton disassembly...as well as instructions for recelling battery packs for both machines (and general knowledge/advice on things Newton).
http://www.pda-soft.de/index.html
Newton Research--Simon Bell is perhaps best known as the creator of email software SimpleMail and Mail V...and NCX, the generally accepted standard for connecting one’s Newton to OSX-based Macintosh machines.
http://homepage.mac.com/simonbell/
Kallisys--this site’s creator is Paul Guyot, another Newton legend who has had his hand in many other Newton projects as a collaborator and/or contributor. This site features some of his best work, including the Einstein project he originated (runs the Newton OS on a PC/Mac/iPhone/iPad--these last two with some modifications required).
Links to Software Sites (most if not all also available on UNNA):
Avi’s Newton Stuff--Avi Drissman’s site, including the popular “Avi’s Backdrop” and more.
http://www.drissman.com/avi/newton/
Catamount Software--home of Pocket Money (financial accounting software) and MPG (automobile maintenance & costs log book), and many others...all now available at a greatly reduced cost!
http://www.catamount.com/NewtonApps/index.html
Chuma.org--at one time Chuma was a site full of useful Newton information...now, trying to access it as www.chuma.org brings up a completely unrelated site. (Ahhhh, that’s the trick...it’s OLDchuma.org. Hmmpf.)
DejaVu Software--home of Deep Space Newt, a Star Trek-like game (think Apple Trek--for those that remember). There’s a few more games listed, haven’t tried ‘em.
http://www.dejavusoftware.com/dsn/index.html
Nemesys Software--site for NewtGrocery (a shopping utility) and GeekSafe (a password-protected repository for sensitive information).
http://nemesys2.dyndns.org:8080/NewtSoft_EN.html
Stand Alone Inc.--all Newton software (including the acclaimed DateMan) is now only $10.
http://standalone.com/newtonos/
Softwarebϋro Mϋeller--German site featuring some interesting utility and application packages, as well as the excellent SBM Utilities. Prices listed here are from 2004, so they could be subject to change...also, there’s a good chance that any package downloaded could be in German.
http://www.softwarebueromueller.de/englisch/newton/index.htm
Software Archives--there’s a lot of the previous site’s listings (above) found on here--and listed as freeware (there is also much listed as Shareware or Commercial). Also, any packages downloaded/purchased could be in a language other than English.
http://www.softwarearchives.com/pda/index.cfm?Cat=3&SubCat=13
Steve Weyer’s Software Releases--known primarily as the creator of Newt’s Cape, Weyer still keeps a watchful eye on this site, and is generally responsive to site activity--such as a user purchasing and registering a copy of Newt’s Cape--or any difficulty activating it.
http://saweyer.freehostia.com/newton/index.htm#Register
Tactile Systems--software offered for download includes ”Battery Buddy” (reports on battery status), “Chat Buddy” (IRC Chat client), some interesting sound files and medical applications.
http://www.tactile.com/downloads.html
Tek-Ed.com--Ed Kummel’s download site is full of Newton packages seemingly collected from all over. It’s deliberately not flashy or complex to allow online access from the Newton.
Other Download Sites:
The Newton Library--boasting over 200 books converted into Newton Book format and available for free download, head librarian Eric W. Brown says the site is back up and running after a “lengthy hiatus”. He says submissions are welcome of both converted existing works as well as one’s own original material--he suggests you email him for more information. While some of the site’s features are temporarily disabled, there looks to be many more good things to come.
http://www.newtonslibrary.org/
Newton-Themed Weblogs (still active...likely, an incomplete list):
My Apple Newton , Newton Poetry--two otherwise unrelated / unconnected weblogs that still feature semi-regular postings about (mostly) topical Newton-related subjects. And when I say, “semi-regular”, I don’t mean once or twice a month...I mean, at least several times (on average) a week. Pretty good for a device that was officially discontinued more than ten years ago.
Tony’s site (My Apple Newton) features a huge list of relevant Newton links along its sidebar.
http://myapplenewton.blogspot.com/ (by Tony Kan)
http://newtonpoetry.com/ (by David Lawrence)
Hardware/Accessories For Sale:
GEM Enterprises--While I’m pretty sure the bulk of their business is made up of more recent devices, they do still have a “Newton” tab that leads to an excellent selection of parts and accessories...as well as complete Newton MP 2000s and 2100s!
http://www.gementerprises.com/
Newton Sales--based in Sweden, this long-standing website offers both new and refurbished Newtons--as well as parts, supplies, accessories and repair services for Newton devices. What really sets this site apart, however, is the continued and further development of new technology for those devices--recent offerings for the MP2x00 include a USB Charging Station and a USB Board, both at reasonable cost.
NuShield--offers inexpensive screen protectors for all sorts of touch-display devices...yes, even the Newton! Click on“PDA” on the right side, and there you are.
Hardware Modifications:
Planet Stephanie--covers (among other things) a simple DIY Newton Overclock project that increases the CPU speed of the MP 2x00 from 162 MHz to 220MHz (about a 36% increase in CPU/clock speed). Fully switchable and great for most applications...but not all.
http://planetstephanie.net/hi-tech-fun/newton/mp2x00-overclock/
Reference sites (no downloads):
iFixit--rich in detail-packed photos but (unlike Frank Gruendel’s site pda-soft, listed at the top) not as rich in text detail or instruction, the Newton MessagePad 2x00 teardown was meant as an April Fool’s joke. Apple was preparing to release its first iPad tablet computers just a few days later, and many were very anxious to see one as the subject of an iFixit teardown (Apple had been very secretive as to its internal components). The staff decided to oblige...but with a teardown of the company’s original tablet device instead.
(Its value really comes through after you’ve taken your Newton apart a few times and now only need large clear sharp photos as an aid to help guide you on the journey.)
http://www.ifixit.com/Teardown/Apple-Tablet-Teardown/2153/
The Newton Museum--Walter Smith, new owner and curator of this site, promises that not only will this grand collection of photographs stay online, but that he’s got some yet-to-be-revealed plans for it. It’s already very valuable as a reference source--you can peruse the photos for clues on obsolete and no-longer-available hardware and software, and get a better idea if what you found at the second-hand store or on that auction site is the real deal or a repackaged imitation. The wealth of material collected here is amazing.
Splorp Newton Glossary--assembled and administered by Grant Hutchinson (also the “List Dad” for the NewtonTalk Mailing List)....”The almost definitive guide to Newton-related terms and definitions”.
http://www.splorp.com/newton/glossary/
DISCLAIMER:
Neither myself nor the Newton Phoenix website receives or has received any compensation from any of the websites or individuals listed herein...and does not expressly or otherwise recommend any products or services mentioned, beyond my own personal experience...if any.
“YMMV.”