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- Communications (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=20)
-- Wireless internet with IRdA phone (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=10323)

Hi,

I have a Siemens S35i which has an irda port.
What is the cheapest way to browse the web or make telnet connections with a palm or visor ?
I don't want only 2 megs of memory, cause it really seems to be worth the money buying an 8 mb PDA.
If I just buy a VDX, what software do I need ?
I read that I can use avantgo to browse the web, but what do I need to connect to the internet ?
Someone mentioned a program called IRlink from IScomplete. Does it depend on the version of PalmOS if I need IRlink ? Or do I need that program no matter what OS version I'm using ?
And is it the only software I need ?

I know I'm asking a lot of questions, but I don't want to find out later that I spent a lot of money on something that isn't capable of doing what I bought it for

Thanks for all your advice and opinions.

Hans Allis

I just got through trying to do what you are. I have a Nokia IRda capable phone that I tried to connect wireless web with my VDX using Voicestream as my carrier and ATTworldnett as my ISP. After lots of money and time I come to find out that Voicestream charges an extra $30/month for data service. So make sure your wireless service inlcudes data capability.
Any palm unit that has the new OS will be able to link via infrared to a cell phone without additional software. This means you will have to buy a Visor Platinum or Prism or a Palm 3xe. There may be others, I'm not sure, but the Visor Deluxe has OS 3.1H which requires additional software like IRlink($20) or Beamsync (free).

$30 a month ? That's a lot of money... Overhere, in the Netherlands, I pay only $5 a month and can call 3 hours each month for free and it includes data capability, because I can connect to the internet through my phone using my laptop.

But about the visors: If I buy a platinum version, I can connect to the web without any extra software, right ?
And with a VDX I can connect to the web using IRlink or BeamSync and I can do about the same on the web as with a visor platinum ?
I think I'll go for the VDX then...
And are there freeware programs to make telnet connections ? Or is this a default feature of the PalmOS ?
I'm not too familiar with PDA's. I'm sorry if this is a silly question

Hans Allis

Unless you can get the VDX substantially cheaper than a Platinum, I would just get the Platinum. Its faster, has an updated OS and may be more reliable for linking via infrared. Beamsync will let you do that on the Visor deluxe for free but its not as reliable as IRlink which costs about $20 US. I have had no problems using Beamsync but some people have reported problems. Beamsync has another small, maybe insignificant disadvantage...you have to turn on/off the infrared vs cradle syncing via the preference tab. Minor inconvenience but may be annoying for some especially if you Hotsync on your cradle frequently. In the US I can get a Platinum for nearly the same price as a VDX with a $50 coupon automatically issued by Amazon.com.
In regards to your second question, you will not need any further software to connect to the web via your infrared port.
To reiterate, you do not need IR link or Beamsync with Visor Platinum because the OS allows for that already. Check out the discussion threads on this subject by searching for "nokia and VDX"....lots of info.
By the way, I have a VDX with Beam sync. I connect to web using a Thinmodem springboard. If my cell phone company gives me free data service I will then try to connect via my Infrared port, but for now landline is my only choice.

I've also got an S35 and I'm having problems communicating with my Visor. I get a modem command error. if you have now bought your PDA, are you having any problems?

John

Siemens S35

I have a siemens S35, Visor edge and Blazer. Connecting to my normal ISP fails to connect, connection to the WAP services ISP connects, but a message then states that the connection has failed and the page cannot load, even though the link is maintained Any ideas?