missc

There has been a lot of posts about connecting to the Internet wirelessly with the Axim. Please offer a brief description of how you connect: bluetooth, cell phone, modem, etc... and the pros and cons. I want to connect to my computer at home and also be able to connect when out in public.

Thanks,

__________________
Quote - The more we know, the more we forgive.



---MissC---

Iceman

I work in environments where there are wireless LANs available, so I just bought a wireless CF card. It's been working great for me, I can access the internet and network servers without a problem. :)

jda5id

With cell modem data service you will be able to pull over anywhere (where there is cell service of course) and download. The advantage is that you never have to leave your car and you can do it almost anywhere. The disadvantage is going to be slower speeds and the costs/reliability of the service and the equipment. The speed may not be an issue if you are only talking small numbers of emails without attachments. I can't talk directly to the reliability of the services but I have heard that data service can be even spottier in some places than the regular voice cell service is (and in some places this is pretty deplorable). As to price, it seems that the prices range anywhere from $40 on up, but that is for a fixed amount of downloads. If you are a very active user, some of these services can quickly ring up bills over and above $100/month. I also recall seeing that some of the equipment to do this can be pricey and non-standard (if you switch to a different provider you may need new equipment).

WiFi is becoming more of an option for this thanks to the ever-increasing profliferation of hotspots. Starbucks is one place that is driving this by providing T-Mobile hotspots in over 1000 locations. The T-Mobile service ranges from $30 for a local area plan to $50 for a national plan. This includes 500MB of data transfer which is far more than I recall seeing that cell providers include in their plans. Also keep in mind that there are a growing number of free hotspots in many areas as well. Where I live we have a number of local chains as well as small cafes and lunchspots that are providing free WiFi access. The advantage of WiFi is that it is far faster than any cell service you can get. It is also standardized in that the WiFi card you use to access service at Starbucks, will work anywhere - other stores, airports, within your house if you setup your own hotspot. The equipment is also cheap, ~$50-100 for a CompactFlash WiFi card. Of course, the disadvantage to WiFi is that it is not nearly as mobile as a cell connection. You won't be able to just pull over anywhere and have access to the network - you will have to find a hotspot. Now if you live in a Metro area, this might not be an issue since there is a Starbucks seemingly on every corner - not to mention the other potential places to find WiFi access. If you are in a more rural area however, this will be far more of a challenge and potential inconvenience.

As for me...it is WiFi all the way.

thianchai

For Iceman: I'm working in wireless lan available too, how do I set my wifi card (Netgear)and axim?
Do I have to get permission from admin. before this?

For jda5id: I'm interest in Free hotspot. How can I set my device?

Thanks,

jda5id

Different businesses will have different instructions for accessing their hotspots. These will vary, especially between free access and paid access (like at Starbucks). Anyplace that offers this type of service will typically have some sort of instructions around that says what you need to do to access it. Here is an example of one place that offers free access. It is a national chain, but they are based here in Austin and have free WiFi in their Austin locations (as well as some other cities I guess)

http://www.schlotzskys.com/wireless.html

imarollingstone

I connect via my Cell Phone. I purchased a CF modem from Socket that connects the Axim to the Cell Phone. I have a national plan with Verizon so I can use it anywhere and they have no extra charge for using the service. You just use up your minutes. (Verizon calls this the Mobile Office)

I always have the cell phone with me and the CF card is very compact, so it is a pretty nice setup and reasonably inexpensive (Free, assuming I don't go over the minutes on my plan).

The connection speed is only 14.4, but I've found that adequate for doing what I want to do. I recently took the setup on a business trip and was pleased to be able to connect in the airport and at my hotel room. It will work as long as I am able to get a digital signal on the Verizon network.

This works really well since neither of my other ISPs have a way to connect (AOL or ATT broadband). AOL doesn't have the software to support PPC 2002 and ATT is cable.

I live in a smaller city and WiFi is not very available so this is a good choice for me.

You can check cell providers in your area, some may provide a higher speed connection for a monthly fee. It seems to be mostly in urban areas where this type of service is available.

missc

imarollingstone,

What kind of cell phone are you using? I also have Verizon and I was seriously thinking going this route but I need to upgrade my phone and I need to find one that is compatible with a CF Socket card. I was looking at a Audiovox 9500 but I didn't see a card that worked with that particular phone. Any infomation you could give me would be helpful ;) Also did you order your CFSocket card online? I live in Seattle where there is 2 Starbucks on every corner but you must still subscribe to TMobile I understand, to use the Wi-FI in their stores. That would be another monthly charge I don't want to have

Thanks

__________________
Quote - The more we know, the more we forgive.



---MissC---

imarollingstone

I've got a StarTac 7868 (It's a bit old, but it does support data).
Here is the URL for Socket, they have a good cross reference between phones and cards.

Socket DPC

I actually ordered mine through Dell, I was lucky enough to find one for my phone. It was about $5.00 cheaper than Socket with free shipping.

Here is the link to the user guide from Socket.

Socket User Guide

I couldn't find the Verizon User guide on their web site, but I had downloaded it. You'll find it attached. Between the two, I was up an running in less than an hour.

Hope this helps.

Iceman

Quote:

Originally posted by thianchai@Feb 2 2003, 01:08 PM For Iceman: I'm working in wireless lan available too, how do I set my wifi card (Netgear)and axim? Do I have to get permission from admin. before this? For jda5id: I'm interest in Free hotspot. How can I set my device? Thanks,

thianchai - Sorry I didn't respond sooner, but I forgot to reply last time.
Basically, you will need permission from your admin and then the SSID of your wireless network. Like jda5id mentioned, it also depends on your corporate policy. I'm the network administrator, so it was real easy for me! I'm slowly registering all the authorized wireless devices' ethernet addresses so I can have the APs allow only those devices to work on the WLAN and reject all others.

hoagieslapper

One thing to keep in mind is what hardware you have available. Since I work for a WISP as a wireless technician, I am getting an 802.11b card. But since we have dozens of PCMCIA wireless cards around I am just going to get a CF -> PCMCIA converter. The converter will come in handy since we also have several PCMCIA ethernet cards and modems.

Someone on this board gave me the following link to a converter.
CF 2 PCMCIA Converter (Thanks Fritz).

Leeklight1

The CF2 --> PCMCIA converter sounds great to me. I have a d-link wireless network at home and have an extra pcmcia card sitting around. Should work right? Haven't gotten my axim yet, ordered it yesterday. But just been reading and figuring out what to get, what to do, etc beforehand. =)