Of those with the Wifi card, do you feel it's worth it?

[rldunn]

I realize this is a question that really depends on individual circumstances, but given that, for those that purchased the Wifi card, would you do it again after using it for awhile? It puts a bigger hit on battery life, but offers you the flexibility of doing wireless stuff whereever you can get access. Please post the reason for your vote here in the comments. Thanks!!

[mshaf]

No..in fact I wish they made the nx without the cf slot to save space. I am very dissappointed that nothing else has come about for the slot. So useless!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jedix]

It's a great gadget, and I enjoy having it. Yes, I am glad I bought it, but I do not find it as a useful tool, just as a great toy. What I mean is, I use my Clie a lot for work, but the wifi I only use at home to have some fun. BTW, extra thickness doesn't bother me at all, but I do keep it in the front pocket of my pants.

[rldunn]

jedix, do you have Wifi access at work? If so, have you ever used it there, or is it too much of a pain? I work in a place that has Wifi everywhere, so I'm especially interested in business uses of it.

[jedix]

No wifi at work, just at home. Sorry....for me.

[palmsolo]

I find it quite useful, especially since I can use it on multiple PDAs (my Pocket PC devices). I have a home WiFi and my wife spends time using the desktop computer at night for her PartyLite candle business. I am able to have my daughters in my lap and watch TV while I check email, hotsync, and do a little surfing. My work does not have a WiFi network, but there is a Starbucks across the street that I may try using.

I use NetFront with the mymobilestuff and Mazingo channels and rarely get any page errors. I love the huge screen and won't switch until another browser supports it. Is there a WiFi sniffer program for the NX?

[itommy]

I love the WiFi. I use it both at work and at home. Mostly for email as I run around the office. And at home for alittle surfing and email. Lately i have been bring it to bed and checking the weather for the next day and using it as an alarm clock. Wake up check email, check weather while in the can. It is great.

[dirtmerchant]

So to summarize this thread: neat toy, nothing practical about it.

[kmf]

Does anyone know if there is a PCMCIA adapter (to use in laptop) available for this thing? Would justify the purchase a little bit more (at least for me)...

[palmsolo]

As I said, I have been using it in my Pocket PC with the Intel Pro 2011bCF driver. They also have drivers for PCs so it should work with a PCMCIA adapter on your laptop. The fact that I could use the card elsewhere made the purchase much easier. I heard that this Sony/Intel card gets great range for a CF card and much better than other low cost cards from LinkSys, D-Link, etc. I'll take my work laptop home this weekend and try it out.

[contempt]

There's something satisfying when you're waiting or killing time to just go to a Starbucks, sit, and surf the web. It blew all the people around me away when they saw that.

Or to just lie in bed, too lazy to get up and read the news sites.

[reggae]

I disagree with dirtmechant and mshaf. Mshaf, I wish I knew how you felt before I bought my nx, i would have bought an nr and swapped with you ;-).

I use wifi for email, synching and web access at both home, work (while roaming around) and any hotspots in between... YES there ARE clueless people that haven't locked down their access points. Here in SF people have left their APs open so I can browse the web and send emails as if i'm using a blackberry. I've even configured a conduit through my firewall at home so that I can sync when I want on the road.

I think my only wish is that sync traffic can be done encrypted. The best solution is if I can find a VPN client for Palm, then I'm ALL smiles!

[Unregistered]

How do you do that?

"I've even configured a conduit through my firewall at home so that I can sync when I want on the road. "

[lightninja]

I used to read magazines while on the can, but now I surf the web and chat with friends. :D

[reggae]

1) open ports 14237 and 14238 on your firewall and configure a conduit to your machine that has hotsync loaded with the network conduit. for the record conduit in firewall speak means almost the same thing but i was speaking with respect to the firewall.

2) if you have a static dsl or cable modem address then register your network with a domain name using dotster or register.com make sure to configure a cname record that points all machines at your firewall/router for *.yourdomain.com. if you DONT have a static address (most of us dont) use www.dyndns.org (it's the sh*t).

3) under "Primary PC Name" in your hotsync config, set it to yourhostpc.yourdomain.com and remove the primary pc address (when you're syncing from someplace outside of your home network)

4) you MAY need to be running dns internally at home. i do. if you don't i'm pretty sure you can just add an entry for a host on your domain with your private address (on dotster, register or whatever) and it should still work.

for the record, i'm so geeky that i run dns, exchange, and a webserver from my network at home.

[CrakerZ]

WiFi isn't just for playing anymore!

I use WiFi on three laptops at home/work (same thing :D ), and the NX fits right in. The battery lasts for about 2-1/2 hours of continuous connection (better than my Dell Latitude LS!), and that's plenty. I'm not talking about just HotSyncing (which I do), but using my intranet and the internet.

I've just started using a program that Larry the Ham told me about: Win-Hand (www.win-hand.com) which allows you to view/interact with any computer as if you were there looking at the screen and typing on the keyboard. I am currently only using this on my LAN, but it can easily be used via any connection outside that has Internet access. THe standard version is free, and the secure version costs about $40. At home, I don't need security.

I can not only look at and manipulate files, but I can surf the net or look at/send emails without using up tons of my PDA's RAM (only 200K). Another cool thing I can do is load up files into the installer, or even Docs2Go, and then HotSync via WiFi. This is best late at night, when I'm at the far end of the house, warm in bed, and I don't want to go out into the cold (he-he). I can change my MP3 tracks without my love ever waking up. She's happy, I'm happier.

So, I guess my answer is, I am glad I bought it.

[clieZilla2]

I had it for a few days but returned it... i'm not sure i ever felt it was worth the money. my connection was sporadic... that being said - when there are more "hot spots" around, i will probably buy it again :)

[rldunn]

Well, it seems overwhelming so far. What price have these things gotten down to. There's a few deals out there right now where it sells for $130. Have they gotten much lower than that?

[wellsjs]

Had one with my Visor Prism which I just sold. Honestly, once I had satisfied my desire to be able to say I had done it, my next realization was, so what! If my workplace had it that would be different, and students on campuses that have it is cool, but at home my choice was, limited screen with limited websites, or 19" monitor with cable modem speed.

Doing emails wirelessly is nice, but I'd rather do that by cabling my PDA to a cell phone ($50) and doing it almost everywhere rather than where I can "steal onto" someone's network. Very limited! Wi-Fi may mature in the future and make it worth having, but for now, I'll wait awhile before I Wi-Fi my next PDA. ;)

[rldunn]

Originally posted by wellsjs
Had one with my Visor Prism which I just sold. Honestly, once I had satisfied my desire to be able to say I had done it, my next realization was, so what!That's exactly what I'm worried about. On my old N610, I had the cell phone cable, and it was really cool at first, but then I realized it killed my battery, was really slow, and web sites were not fun to view on such a small screen. At least with Wifi on an NX, I would have a larger screen, and theoretically, it shouldn't be slow. But I still wonder how much I would use it after the wow factor wore off, especially since I don't have Wifi at home.

[thesmith]

go to http://www.80211hotspots.com/ there are plenty here in the NYC/NJ area
between work, home and roaming about it is very useful. Soon tmobile will setup in hotels and large public areas like malls and stadiums like it did in Starbucks.. it can only get better... my repeater puts my signal out about two blocks I love reading email and surfing while the car warms up :p so do my neighbors ;)....

[wellsjs]

Originally posted by thesmith
go to http://www.80211hotspots.com/ there are plenty here in the NYC/NJ areaYea, but there aren't many "where the deer and the antelope roam!" :D No, really, even in mid-size towns the opportunities are limited.

Intel, Microsoft, and AT&T are colaborating on delivering 10,000 hotspots in the public market place over the next several years. But they will be over several ISP networks. In a couple of years, you'll walk into a restaurant and see a small sign saying "XYZ Wi-Fi available here," perhaps. There will be a monthly subscriber fee to get on that network. My guess is $9.95/mo.

Two things need to mature to make Wi-Fi "worth it (this thread dealing with Wi-Fi via PDAs and not desktops/laptops). More websites need to become compatible, and more public legal access points need to become available.

[reggae]

wellsjs, i'm missing your thought pattern when you say more websites need to become compatible... os 5.2 carries a fully compliant http/html browser. even netfront is LIGHTYEARS ahead of what i used to be able to access on CE2.11. the thinking should be more BROWSERS should become more compatible. and they are.

rldunn, the fact that i can get 2.5 hours (and thats on max screen power) on my pda *without* the use of the phone is a total attraction... perhaps THE attraction. i've done the cable thing... LAME! carrying around a cable... attaching the pda in your hand to a cell phone on your hip. makes someone look like they're a borg drone. not being able to take calls... and then when you're done surfing, emailing, syncing your PDA at like what? 14400 bps max? your nx AND cel phone batteries are drained.

[reggae]

oh... and i forgot to mention that since i have a cf sleeve (from my microdrive) i have a THIRD wifi card that i can use with all the machines i have on my network at home...

ok i don't have a third laptop, but friends come over... ;-)

[wellsjs]

Originally posted by reggae
the thinking should be more BROWSERS should become more compatible. Both our thought patterns are partially correct. You are correct that browers need to and are improving. But too many sites look horrible and loose their continuity if they have to be strung down the narrow PDA screen, often out of order of that intended. Pages that are designed for PDAs are much nicer. Faster processors, main board bus speeds, and better video circuitry is also needed to take advantage of the Wi-Fi bandwidth.

[eichin]

even cliesource is kind of painful on a clie (though I have posted here over 802.11 from NetFront before.) There was a thread (perhaps lost?) with a lot of pda-convenient sites, it is worth looking for.

I use mine at home and at work, and at friends houses (there's a *big* difference between hauling out the laptop and just poking at the pda, when (for example) you want to look something up in IMDB or on google...) Not just for surfing/posting, I also use cliemail to send nx70v snapshots with comments to a little homebrew (50 lines of sh! :-) photoblog. Compose something riding in on the subway from commuter parking, send it when I get to the office [or a couple of other places on the 10 minute walk there].

[derecho80]

Originally posted by reggae
<snip>

I think my only wish is that sync traffic can be done encrypted. The best solution is if I can find a VPN client for Palm, then I'm ALL smiles!


I use it all the time (well, sometimes). PalmVNC:

http://www.palmgear.com/software/showsoftware.cfm?prodID=7778

Weird. I just posted to someone else and I see you asking about VNC. The URL was still in my clipboard.

Enjoy.

Oh yeah - the WiFi was the main reason I finally bought the NX70V. I wanted to be able to read news etc anywhere in my house without the bulk of a laptop. I do use it all of the time.

[reggae]

vnc is not encrypted, secure traffic... someon can install a hub and a spoof and intercept my traffic. i'm talking like a checkpoint or cisco vpn client... THEN i can run vnc inside it. ;-)

[pdagal]

I use it all the time, both at work and at home. Also at a cafe nearby that offers free WiFi. I particularly like checking my email w/o waiting for a machine to boot when at home (I use GopherKing). If there are a signif # of important emails, I then turn on a notebook or desktop for replies, but most of the time, no need :) .

I think the card is a bit pricy at $150, but in some ways it's not a bad deal, if you have use for a WiFi card in your notebook or (don't hit me, Pocket PC). I've used the Intel Pro/Wireless drivers for Pocket PC (I run a PDA site that caters to both Palm and Pocket PC) on a few Pocket PCs and the WL100 works well. I've also tried it on a Wintel notebook and it works great. So it's a versatile card for the bucks.

[Mr. Thompson]

My wife and I both have WiFi cards for our NXs. Very convenient. Surfing in bed, checking email on the can in the morning, when you don’t have time to wait three and a half minutes for the SCSI RAID card in your workstation to boot; checking the Asian markets when you wake up in the middle of the night without getting out of bed; etc. I should also note for those on dialup, Web Pro is as fast as IE6. Given this, for text based news, I prefer the NX and my recliner to the 20” LCD in my workstation.

Also, while I carry an Ambicom modem, WiFi allows me to check my email at various locations while I am out and about during the day. It’s surprising to note how many offices have WiFi networks you can use.

I believe the PDA friendly site mentioned earlier was Brian's PDA Links. (http://209.197.79.154/palm/links.html)

[birick]

WiFi was one of the things I was looking for when deciding to upgrade. I use it a lot at home and traveling and think I got my moneys worth.

[n2ifp]

Absolutely, although like anyone else, it would have been even nicer if it were cheaper and easier to configure and install :) !

[rldunn]

This has turned into a great thread!! Thanks for all the useful information. I have one last question. What's the cheapest price that anyone has ever seen on these? I'm assuming they're like Memory Sticks, where every month or two, a fantastic deal comes out, but normally the prices don't approach that level. I'm wondering what price I should jump on.

[wellsjs]

Yes, I got a "special" on my Springboard Xircom module. It was around $92 including shipping.

I don't disagree with those who feel that surfing and emailing 50' from their workstation is worth the cost. That's a very subjective decision. I would do it as well when I can check off several of these:

PDA browsers get better.
Processors, bus speeds, and video circuitry get better
My workplace becomes Wi-Fi
Some places besides the Hilton and Marriot hotels where I live offer hotspots! I really don't want to use anyone's network illegally, even though ignorance makes it possible. :eek:

[Tekken]

Hi, Ridunn,

I think you should go to Ebay and look at some auctions. I just got mine plus a brand new clie game controller for $119 total. Good deal. IF you are not in a hurry, try Ebay.

Tekken

[CrakerZ]

Originally posted by reggae
vnc is not encrypted, secure traffic... someon can install a hub and a spoof and intercept my traffic. i'm talking like a checkpoint or cisco vpn client... THEN i can run vnc inside it. ;-)

reggae
Larry suggested another program called Win-hand (www.win-hand.com) that offers a secure setup for about $40, or free for non-secure. I've been playing with it for several days now, and I love it. One hint: Win-hand uses some of the internal modem settings, even with the WiFi. Make sure the connection is set to the maximum speed to take full advantage.

[Trident/Delta]

I havn't had ANY of the problems that I read about here. My WiFi card went in, software loaded up and 'voila, I was surfin'the net without any difficulty. I use it for Email and checking specific websites. Ihave no complaints or problems. But then again, I am not a frustrated bit-twiddler that has to mess with everything to see what makes it tick.

[bucalo9]

I have Verichat on at work, all day so I can keep touch with friends and family, and my favorite IT support guy-one state away. Now that I have POP3 mail setup, I will be snapping pictures in the lab and e-mailing jpegs on the spot, instead of getting back to my office and syncing.

At home I check personal mail and a few sites too, but not much more. Since I have a Mac and PC laptop-with at least one on all the time-Its easier to surf on a real computer.

I'd really like to figure how to get at my Work email. I was just given web portal access-inotes. But for some reason I can't get passed the loggin on my Clie. The upper right has a lock icon showing, and when I click it, certificate information is revealed-like when I'm on the PC. Does anyone know why/what? Is Netfront considered not secure enough for access, even though its a web portal?:confused:

[bucalo9]

Originally posted by Trident/Delta
I havn't had ANY of the problems that I read about here. My WiFi card went in, software loaded up and 'voila, I was surfin'the net without any difficulty. I use it for Email and checking specific websites. Ihave no complaints or problems. But then again, I am not a frustrated bit-twiddler that has to mess with everything to see what makes it tick.

I'd like to use this term of endearment. Is it royalty free?

[reggae]

bucalo9... i don't think netfront is ssl capable... i could be wrong.... i have been before. also, most corporate email systems frown on pop3 email access which is why they'd put up a web portal that they can lock down with ssl. it keeps the mail from travelling across the wire unencrypted and there for readable. ;-)

[n2ifp]

Originally posted by bucalo9


I'd like to use this term of endearment. Is it royalty free?

Very good, I really liked that&nbsp;:D !

[bucalo9]

Originally posted by reggae
bucalo9... i don't think netfront is ssl capable... i could be wrong.... i have been before. also, most corporate email systems frown on pop3 email access which is why they'd put up a web portal that they can lock down with ssl. it keeps the mail from travelling across the wire unencrypted and there for readable. ;-)
...so Neftront is smart enough to recognize this ssl but considered not safe enough by my company web portal? Netfront can see the cert info. Is the lock icon generic or specific to ssl? Maybe this level of security is on the way. OS related? OS 6?

[stevejohnson460]

I voted option three.

Not because I like to vote in polls, though. I like to see the RESULTS of polls, and voting is the only way I know at this site.