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-- @ctiveLink review (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=8416)

Discuss James' review of the @ctiveLink here.

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James Hromadka
Old Friend

Glenayre @ctivelink is HUGE!

I got to play around with one today at Oracle Openworld (not at a Glenayre booth, but at some wireless provider whose name I don't remember). Let me just say that the module is HUGE! Most springboard modules are smaller than their non-springboard counterparts, and some are significantly smaller (the SoundsGood and VisorPhone modules come to mind)
On the other hand, I wouldn't be surprised if the Glenayre @ctivelink has close to the same volume as the normal Glenayre pagers -- it sticks out of the back more than the Handspring modem, and is much taller.

Just a warning -- if form factor matters to you, the @ctivelink is probably not the best solution.

Another option to consider...

I have the Glenayre AccessLink II pager, which is available from Skytel (NOW) for $195. Using the IR port, you can do both the InfoBeam and Beamlink functions found with the @ctivelink module. The software for InfoBeam is a free download, and Beamlink runs an additional $40 (or there abouts).

Although it isn't a springboard, it does allow me to use my Visor in a very cool way, and it also functions separate from the unit (comes with a belt clip holster too). The pager takes only 1 AA that lasts me 1 month on average (on all the time).

The best part is you can choose different service plans from Skytel to suit your needs. The Sky messenger service has worked well for me with 500 (100 character) messages, email, fax, and message alerts, a toll free number, voice mail and caller ID. This runs me $35 a month, and has been very reliable.

Its not a springboard, but offers: the same functionality, does not clog up your port, probably is smaller in size, and is available now.

In my opinion, its worth a look if you are considering the @ctivelink.

Laura

I had some questions after reading James' (excellent) review. Maybe James can answer them, or maybe someone else who has the thing can.

1. Just out of curiousity, does the "sheilded" Visor seem any different than the regular model? Is it heavier, denser, whatever?

2. When they first announced this thing, they said you would be able to get at your regular email account behind a corporate firewall - like the RIM Blackberry. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, the RIM comes with software you install on your system that automatically directs a copy of all the email going into your inbox to the pager-type unit. When you reply to the message, it goes back through the server wirelessly.

Does the @ctiveling come with similar software? That would be very useful to me. I've got a modem for my Visor, but I can only access my personal POP account, not my work account. Forwarding messages from there to my POP account is not entirely satisfactory.

quote:

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Originally posted by VTL
I had some questions after reading James' (excellent) review. Maybe James can answer them, or maybe someone else who has the thing can.

1. Just out of curiousity, does the "sheilded" Visor seem any different than the regular model? Is it heavier, denser, whatever?

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quote:

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2. When they first announced this thing, they said you would be able to get at your regular email account behind a corporate firewall - like the RIM Blackberry. For those of you who aren't familiar with it, the RIM comes with software you install on your system that automatically directs a copy of all the email going into your inbox to the pager-type unit. When you reply to the message, it goes back through the server wirelessly.

Does the @ctiveling come with similar software? That would be very useful to me. I've got a modem for my Visor, but I can only access my personal POP account, not my work account. Forwarding messages from there to my POP account is not entirely satisfactory.

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James Hromadka
Old Friend

Nope, @ctivelink. In your 8/23/2000 @ctivelink preview article, you mentioned "Remotelook, a PC desktop client that allows secure access to your Microsoft Outlook Information."

I vaguely recall a mention of the same piece of software on Glenayre's original website.

Remotelook is not referenced in either your review or on Glenayre's current website. What email address did you use with the unit?

quote:

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Originally posted by VTL
Nope, @ctivelink. In your 8/23/2000 @ctivelink preview article, you mentioned "Remotelook, a PC desktop client that allows secure access to your Microsoft Outlook Information."

I vaguely recall a mention of the same piece of software on Glenayre's original website.

Remotelook is not referenced in either your review or on Glenayre's current website. What email address did you use with the unit?

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James Hromadka
Old Friend

Well, that settles that. If it just lets me get email from yet another new account (albeit wirelessly), I don't see the reason to buy it.

Not that I was falling over myself anyway - the shielding issue irritates me. Not so much that the problem came up (although that's irritating too), but the rather clumsy way they have handled it in terms of explaining the problem, as set forth in other threads.

Getting mail directly from PC to handsprig

Glenayre now sells symmetry software that automatically sychronizes you Microsoft Outlook with activelink pager. Similar software should be coming for visor shortly. Not only will get your e-mail, but schedules and other goodies.
Check it out.
http://www.glenayre.net/getsymmetry/
Make sure you try the demo. It is very cool.
If you cannot find the link, here it is...

http://www.glenayre.net/getsymmetry/product_demos.asp
As mentioned here, you can use this device, and infrared port to transfer info.
Demag
Disclaimer
Not an employee or professional. Just an investor. All IMO.

Unbundling of @ctivelink

Looks like the concern of many posters has been addressed...
http://www.glenayre.com/releases/pr491.asp

If I were to get this module, would I be able to sync avantgo, vindigo etc...

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tuffy