What can I expect with wi-fi net access?

[jumpyg]

Hi,

I'm going to be purchasing a new Clie when the new batch of wi-fi clies come out in the next couple months.

The question is, what kind of Internet experience can I expect? I want to connect it to my wireless (broadband) home network.

A. What is the surfing speed like?
B. Are there some web sites that I won't be able to view?
C. Can I surf and post to discussion boards like this?
D. Is surfing in portrait mode really that bad? I've heard that landscape is much better.
E. Any other hints?

Thanks for the input!

[dwig]

No single, solid answers are possible but here are some generalities:

A - speed is slightly slower as the file system on Palm devices is slower (Flash RAM is slower that Static RAM and fast HDs) and the browsers need to create cache files, particularily for images. Actual data transfer speeds are basically the same as other 802.11b devices but the compact PDA bodies and small batteries don't allow for high-power radios so WiFi transfer speeds will slow down with distance from the AP more quickly that most full sized notebooks.

B. - PalmOS browsers can't display some types of embedded grahics (Flash SWF in particular). This sometimes just causes an image to be missing and sometimes prevents navigation. Also, PalmOS browsers can have only a single window open at a time which prevents some site login mechinisms to fail.

C. - In general, yes, unless the site uses some tricks that fail as per B, above.

D. - "Bad" is too much of a personal value judgement to answer for you. IMHO, landscape is much better; you get more pixels across the screen and most sites are designed for the landscape displays that are all but universal on desktop personal computers.

[jmg_NX21]

The battery drains MUCH faster...

I prefer PDA optimized websites... I don't expect to go to full-fledged websites.

Netfront is OK, AIM & AOL cool.

[jumpyg]

Thanks for the responses.

Is there a search engine or other directory of PDA-friendly sites?

I'm also wondering if I will really use the new Clie to surf the web from my couch or kitchen table, like I envision, or if I will soon get tired of it. I'm thinking it would be quite useful to look up scores and stats when I'm watching football or basketball, or check the weather forecast in the morning, etc.

[dwig]

I don't know of any reliable, constantly maintained site which indexes "small screen compatible" sites. Here is one site that has a reasonable list:

http://www.shorecom.com/palmsites.html

Many of these are "old style Palm" sites, no graphics and designed for 160x160 screens. The UX, and other modern Hi-Res PalmOS5 devices, can navigate many standard sites well. Some providers, like the BBC, actualy provide 3 sites; a high-graphics "standard" site, a low-graphics site (for slow connections and great for Clies), and a text-only site that works with antique 160x160 Palms and current phones.
http://news.bbc.co.uk - std. page
http://news.bbc.co.uk/text_only.stm - low-graphics page
http://news.bbc.co.uk/low/english/pda/default.htm - true text-only page
you can access these with any standard browser to get a feel for how they are setup. I generally use the low-graphics page for bandwidth reasons.

[benjam-n]

are there any good web brosers that support landscape mode b/c i sure would like to download it. thanks

[amoon]

My 2 cents,
I have found that the speed is the same as a 56K modem on your desktop (connected to Wi-Fi, BT is slower) and like you i mainly use it to email, check Cliesource, movie times etc.

Browser. I use the installed NetFront (UX50) which seems to cope with most sites, (large web pages can be a problem) it has a zoom feature that generally fits the screen in nicely (depends on the user).

Search Engine. I use the standard Google as it resizes to fit into the UX's screen size (probably NetFront calculates it).

All in all it works well, it also allows you to download files to store in your MS.

[The Croc]

In responsw to your question about surfing on the couch, I think the novelty will wear off very soon. I virtually live on my NZ90 and connect through BT/T610 and WIFI both at home and while out and about (WIFI - Starbucks, etc). I tend to use pda optimised sites like right now (Cliesource France's mobile edition). There are many available and I recommend doing a Google "palm optimized sites" and/or "pda optimized sites" search and you will come up with numerous directories for pda optimised sites. I regularly use geek.com's and pda news24/7 mobile sites as well as BBC.

[greengoblin]

If you're able to configure your wifi connection up and working, consider yourself lucky. Worry about performance later.

[biblord]

In my opinion wifi is usable, It will never compare to surfing with your laptop, but it does the job.

here's another page that shows mobile versions of some websites:
http://pdaportal.us/

You can also use an html MSN messenger (it is free and works fine, except for not being able to open several windows.
http://e-messenger.net

[WaryCary]

I haven't checked it in awhile, but you could try http://www.danzfamily.com/palm.htm

I agree that the Clie won't replace the laptop, but for quickly checking my email, or the weather, or even this forum, for example, I can usually do it and log off before the laptop spins up and is ready to go. (Damn Trojans/Worms/Viruses; soon my firewall & anti-virus apps will be bigger than Windows!)

Some people have had problems configuring the WiFi, but mine was totally painless from day one. It has a lot to do with which router you're using.

Good luck - I think you'll enjoy it as a way to avoid getting up from the couch. ;)

[cosFFM]

I feel Wifi is the best addition yet. Surfing is ok, I follow a few forums every night in bed ;-) But I mainly use it to check my email during the day using the autofetch feature.

A big plus is to be able to do wireless hot syncs; just back up whenever you feel like it and your PC is turned on.

Also I have a old Linux machine with a Samba share configured which I use as a files and MP3 storage. Using SMBMate to connect to this share I download different music onto my memorystick on a daily basis.

IM on the couch is nice, too :-)

[WaryCary]

Originally posted by cosFFM
I feel Wifi is the best addition yet. Surfing is ok, I follow a few forums every night in bed ;-) But I mainly use it to check my email during the day using the autofetch feature.

A big plus is to be able to do wireless hot syncs; just back up whenever you feel like it and your PC is turned on.

Also I have a old Linux machine with a Samba share configured which I use as a files and MP3 storage. Using SMBMate to connect to this share I download different music onto my memorystick on a daily basis.

IM on the couch is nice, too :-) VERY true - I've never used the USB port at all on the UX; WiFi hotsync from day one. Likewise the more frequent hotsyncs, the file trasfers, and the bedtime browsing!

On the NX, WiFi is pretty zippy for many things, especially email. (I use Snapper mail.)

The UX is slower, and the WiFi range is not as good. It might be the variable processor, though I can't discount the fact that the WiFi card is external and has a bigger "antenna".

And the bigger screen on the NX would be nicer for surfing, if it were landscape.

I've been using Wii for quite awhile, and the "novelty" hasn't worn off. I find that I use the desktop/laptop less often, and of course, I can email, etc., when I'm not at my desk. Coupled with Bluetooth, it's made my Clie even more indespensible.

[donoman]

Ooh share your files ... I would buy an old laptop just for that purpose, since it takes up less power. I can't imagine having my 400W desktop burning oil the whole day!

[FETT]

Interesting. Does anybody know if the upcoming TH55 comes with WiFi. I'd like to publish some 480x320 optimized pages just for fun.

[UXxx50]

I must say I wasn really positively surprised of the Wifi speed with my UX50. I did not expect much, and while it does not replace the laptop (the screen size limits the surfing-fun), it is an awsome way to get information on the go. If I had to choose from a laptop with dial-up and an UX50 with WiFi I would go with the latter.

[jumpyg]

SMBMate sounds great, but they took it off the market! I couldn't find a copy with Google.

Thanks again everyone for the great suggestions. I'm really looking forward to syncing and emailing, etc. with my new Clie.

[amoon]

i have it hear if you want to download it.
http://members.optusnet.com.au/~apmoon1/smbmate/

[jumpyg]

Got it, thanks!

[amoon]

welcome jumpyg

[jumpyg]

What about printing?

Can I somehow send files to my printer? Do I need a print server? Any experiences?

[dach95]

I wish I would use my clie w/ wifi more...but I usually end up on my laptop or desktop. Though there are a few time I had experimented with browsing casually with it, it just not ready heavy use. Netfront is the most versatile broswer imho, but there are others available.

As for landscape browsing...I'm heard Opera for Palm is currently being developed that can possibly do so...currently unless you have UX or other landscape capable, you probably won't be able to get landscape web. Also, note that landcape 480 across is still not enough to view a standard webpage... Netfront might help a big since they shrink image and layout a bit to fit.