Cool infrared modem that works with my SJ

[cdavidhess]

When I had a Palm IIIc I would check my e-mail with it when I was traveling. One of my disappointments with my SJ30 has been that Sony does not provide a modem for it.

I just got a Pegasus III infrared modem. It is as slick as can be. I can now sync AvantGo with it and check my e-mail when I am traveling.

The older version of AOLMail for Palm which I had did not support IR modems. I was happy to find that AOL does provide a newer version with IR modem support.

You can find out more information and purchase the modem at http://www.pocketirmodem.com/

There is a good review of the modem at
http://www.pdabuyersguide.com/tips/enrtech_modem.htm

[Lil Viper]

I've never used a modem with my Clie or my old Pilot...I'm guessing you use it to dial in to your home computer? In which case you need a modem setup to answer at home <which I have>...

Is there anything else I could use it for with an SL-10? Or is synch-ing the only thing it can be used for with mine.

[OcellNuri]

Lil Viper, it just dails your ISP. You don't dail back to your computer. It acts as a stand alone modem.

[Lil Viper]

Okay...that makes more sense. I think back in the day when my old Pilot 1000 was the bomb <yes, 128K was a TON of memory back then :P>, the modems were made so you could dial your home/office PC and hotsync that way.

Is there any sort of minimal web browsing that could be done with that?

[bgreschke]

Originally posted by Lil Viper
I've never used a modem with my Clie or my old Pilot...I'm guessing you use it to dial in to your home computer? In which case you need a modem setup to answer at home <which I have>...

Is there anything else I could use it for with an SL-10? Or is synch-ing the only thing it can be used for with mine.

Oh no. You use the modem to dial into your ISP, just like you would your desktop/laptop, and surf the Internet...OK, maybe just wade around the Internet. :)

Once connected you can use an email program on your PDA to download and read, and send, email, for example. I use my Psion IR modem to connect to the net and and program called SDSNetTime to set my Clie's clock with a time server. I think I tried surfing once on my HandEra, but the screens are so small that... They are almost too small for really doing a lot of emailing too. I might try that stuff again now that I have a color machine and hi-res.

Bob

[palmgeek]

Yep, Sony needs to get their act together and offer some accessories.

I used my Palm IIIxe w/ Palm modem to pull POP mail from my ISP. Worked great when away from home.

[mcheatham]

Just bought the Pegasus. I mised the dialing in with my Visor Edge and now I have to go get the latest AOL 3.1 and get ready.

cdavidhess
Was the set up straight forward.. how sensitive to positioning is it.. ?

[cdavidhess]

I found the setup to be very straight forward. I position them quite close together--within 3 or 4 inches.

Actually, I haven't done much traveling lately. So the only time I have used the modem thus far was the day I set it up and tried it out. It will be quite useful when I am away on vacation this summer.

[eric2002]

are there any drivers we need to use the IR pegasus modem?? or does it work straight out of the box???
thanks,

[blinks]

whats the point of loading your email on to your palm when you have to waithfor it in front of your computer , or am i missunderstanding something

[eric2002]

blinks, huh???

you connect the IR modem to a phone outlet then point your Palm at the modem then recieve your email,etc.. The modem is used when you go somewhere where you don't have computer access (only a phone line and Clie) but need to check email.

does anyone know if we need a driver for the Pegasus IR modem?

[cdavidhess]

You don't need a driver for the Pegasus IR modem. The Palm OS has the only driver you need.

[blinks]

sorry eric 2002, i missunderstood the way a ir modem worked, so you dial your email adress on the clie, how does that work, dont you need an isp? i guess i never tryed getting my mail from anywhere other than a "free internet access" point. i really just am learning allot of this from this and other sites like this. if their are any good books that can get me understanding the way computers; and clies work, let me know.

[palmgeek]

Yes, you do need an ISP, typically with a POP mail server. I used to frequently get my mail remotely when I had my Palm IIIxe w/ Palm modem. You just dial your ISP, and pull down your mail. Some support programs let you preview the headers, so you don't waste time pulling down junk mail. It's a beautiful thing!

I just can't justify the pricetag of the Sony-compatible modems (including the IR one being discussed here). I'd rather lug my laptop than fork over another $100 for a modem.

[blinks]

well if you only had a desktop and a clie a 100$ modem would be the way to go,. What is POP an acranim for, and what is it, yes i am that lame. dont look at me with pitty, i must learn.

[mcheatham]

Post Office Protocol. What is it... well there are much smarter people than me to explain

[bgreschke]

Originally posted by blinks
well if you only had a desktop and a clie a 100$ modem would be the way to go,. What is POP an acranim for, and what is it, yes i am that lame. dont look at me with pitty, i must learn.

Post Office Protocol. It's how computers talk email to each other.

[palmgeek]

POP stands for "Post Office Protocol" or something like that. Tells you a lot, huh?

Most ISP's have POP mail servers for incoming mail. They usually use SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol" for outgoing mail. Additionally, many offer some sort of web-based access too.

My ISP, for instance (Localnet.com), costs me under $10 per month. I get 5 POP email accounts, and unlimited internet access for that one price. I can pull my email using Outlook (on my desktop PC) or (assuming I still had a modem that would work with my Clie) from my handheld. In addition, I could also read my mail from a friend's PC (or my own) via a web browser.

It's great stuff! Don't worry about not knowing everything. Everybody has to start somewhere, and no one person knows everything (though some may think they do...)!

[GeekGod]

Sony used to have modems for the Clie. They didn't sell well. I still have a few of the modems for the N series (N710/760, etc.) in stock.

Brando offers a modem cable that allows you to hook a Clie to an external PC serial modem. Hmmm... I have a serial cable around here somewhere. Should be the same thing, 'cept for the connector gender. I should try that with my old serial modem...

[palmgeek]

Ah...

Don't think N series will work with SJ's though. As for a serial modem, the size of the clip-on modems was what made them so useful. I'd rather lug my laptop than pack a serial modem with brick and all.

BTW, what's the weather like there? I'm in upstate NY, and I don't think winter is EVER going to end!

[blinks]

WOW palmgeek, that is the way to answer a Q. it adds to what i kinda thought it was. i was a little worried about asking what i thought was a lam-o Q. i thought that my insecurities were showing through, and you realy hooked me up with the info. thanks alot!!