Super newbie here needs some answers ^_^

OptimisticOne · 01-03-03, 02:47 AM

Hi, I haven't purchased the Dell Axim X5 yet but I have some questions.

1) How exactly does the wireless internet work? Like, my house that I'm living in has a cable network so when I go to school will my axim X5 be able to enter the network from my school? And if so what kind of equipment would I need? And how would I be able to do it?

2) I still have no idea what the difference is between CF and SD memory. CAn someone tell me more specific differences between CF and SD besides price? Also what are some good brands?

Thanks for your help everyone ^_^

Rock_Steady · 01-03-03, 09:58 AM

Question #1. You will need to have a wireless access point at home, ususally a router made by linksys or some other company. If you have that, you need a wireless ethernet card for your PPC, and lots of places make those. Total between those two pieces of hardware is roughly $220, on sale. If you have wireless ethernet at school, all you need is a wireless card and whether you have to use a proxy server to get online. You can set up different connections for PocketPc 2002, so you can get online at both places.

As for CF and SD memory, CF is made for both high-speed memory and I/O capabilities for your machine, like the ethernet card I wrote about above. The SD is a newer standard and safeguards your data, with encryption. If you order a 32mb SD card, some of the space will be sued for this encryption and you won't be able to put as much on it. It's a small amount of memory you lose, but that's the price of security. It may also be a bit slower. MMC cards also fit in this slot, and are a bit faster but not secure.

Is your head spinning? Mine is.

did that help? did it make any sense? Am I right? *crickets chirping*

brian · 01-03-03, 10:21 AM

*Just to help ya out, you can find very cheap priced routers and cards if your on a low budget. Some places you can find a wireless cf card for only $50. The router usually ranges from $80-$120, I prefer linksys.

OptimisticOne · 01-03-03, 05:36 PM

Yea that helped a lot Rock Steady and Brian. So basically the only difference between the SD and CF card is that the SD card has some sort of security function with it? What would you recommend? I think I'm probably just gonna use the card for like mp3's and text documents for school that's bout it. So, which card would be better? Also money is no problem, just want the one that would suit me best for school.
Also back to the question about wireless connection. I don't know bout the connection at school, but I have a cable network running at home. If I leave my house to school which is about 2 miles away will I still be able to access the cable network from there?
Thanks for your help guys.

aximalator · 01-03-03, 06:41 PM

A basic wireless setup is only going to give you wireless access in and around your home (a few hundred feet at best). You can buy antennas to extend your range but how far will depend on the landscape, solid objects block the signal. Dlink has come out with a variety of antennas for their products, an outdoor yagi antenna has something like a 3 mile range, but it will cost you $250.00 and they suggest that you have a professional installer since high gain antennas can cause health hazards if not installed in proper locations :o

Mizar · 01-03-03, 06:48 PM

My two cents' on the memory card issue:

If you're going to have a wireless card in your Axim, it'll be a CF card. Best to get a SD memory card, so that you can have your wireless without sacrificing storage space. Else you'll be swapping between CF memory and your wireless card.

-Bill, Ottawa, ON

OptimisticOne · 01-04-03, 01:57 AM

Ah, cool I understand now guys. I think I will go ahead and purchase a SD card. I just ordered my Axim and their delivering it on Jan. 13th. I wish it was sooner but oh well, I already ordered screen protectors. Anyways, I dont' think I will purchase a wireless card for my home networkcause I mostly wanted to use it for when I'm in school. I guess though it's too far away to be used and I don't think I wanna deal with antennas and stuff. Is there any other options for wireless internet?

01-04-03, 04:16 AM

If you have a data capable cell phone you can get access thru it. If you dont wanna phone you can buy a Wireless card from a cell provider. I have ATT Service and a Nokia bluetooth capable phone and a Bluetooth CF card to wirelessly connect the Axim to the Phone. It works great. It sounds like Sprint has the fastest Internet access available in most markets. You will have to research your Market. There are also wired (Teathered) CF cards that run a Cable between the Axim and Cell Phone. I can also use IR connection, but that is not really mobile unless you have three hands. (i.e. you need to set Axim and phone back to back on a table IR is a "line of site" connection)

Hope that helps.

Frankie B)