[PLUG-TALK] Resolved: Wireless (Cellular) Internet

[Richard C. Steffens]

I should probably say Resolved for me.

>> I thought about switching to a TREO so I could have a calendar I could
>> sync with my laptop, but then that doesn't address the need for web access
>> during open houses. <pause while I call the Verizon store> Or then, maybe
>> it does. I'll be stopping in at the store later this afternoon to see how
>> a TREO can be "tethered" to my laptop.

Rich Shepard wrote:

>    There's now a Treo 750p (or 755p), and I have the 700p (the 'p' means
> PalmOS which is the only flavor I use). ...

Alas, the software to replace my lock box key device only runs on the
650, or the 700w using Verizon. I definitely don't want a 700w, and I've
heard from other agents in the office that they don't like their TREOs.
Most are switching to Blackberries and keeping the extra lock box key
device. Their complaints about the TREO are that it hangs, doesn't get
e-mail very well, and has to be rebooted frequently. I don't know if
they are using the 700w model, or which carrier they use.

So, it looks like I'll be using a Blackberry. I can use it as a modem
with a USB cable connected to the laptop. The Verizon guy says I should
expect data rates better than DSL but not as good as cable. I note that
there are some open source projects attempting to support the Blackberry
on Linux. The promised any-browser upgrade to the real estate data base
web site is still a work in progress, so for now I'm stuck with XP. But
when they get that working, I hope to switch to Linux on my laptop.

> ... But, the data plan is an extra cost.

As it is with the Blackberry. At least it's a business expense, and I
get a discount for both the device and the service through a group
purchasing plan run by one of the title companies.

>    The PDA goes beyond calendar. ...

It looks like a lot of those things are also on the Blackberry. I think
I'll have a bit of learning to do.

-- 
Regards,

Dick Steffens