Re: Wireless LANs - WARNING, LONG :)

["Mark McCall" <mark@xxxxxxx>]

I think IR is a non-starter.

BlueTooth devices are available now or soon for iPAQ too.  I believe these
are slower and have even smaller range than wireless LAN cards though.

Suppose it depends if you want to us it in one area or walking round the
house.

M.


----- Original Message -----
From: "Des Gibbons" <des@xxxxxxx>
To: <ukha_d@xxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, January 11, 2001 2:30 AM
Subject: RE: [ukha_d] Wireless LANs - WARNING, LONG :)


>
> If people are getting fed up of this thread, speak up ;)
>
> OK, I have been doing some browsing/research/thinking about my 'ideal'
> solution to a personal terminal or whatever term you want to use.
>
> An ipaq with the pcmcia caddy and a wirless lan card, will do exactly
what
I
> want. But, 1. it is too expensive, and 2. it is a bit bulky :)
>
> So I sat down and worked out what I really need/want.
>
> 1. handheld device
> 2. wireless connection to the network
> 3. touchscreen with backlight
> 4. rechargeable battery ( pref. lithion or better)
> 5. Infrared (IrDA/consumer)
> 6. enough memory (very subjective, you can never have too much memory
;)
> 7. fast enough cpu (see 6 :)
>
>
> And what I want to use it for :-
>
> icq (preset replies are fine)
> email (reading is fine)
> ability to write custom programs for network monitoring/data
> manipulation/X10/misc-HA
> web browsing
> streaming video (a would like, not a must have)
>
> I have listed below the solutions that I have found, If anyone else
knows
of
> anything available, or in progress, jump in :)
>
> Compaq ipaq with pcmcia sleeve, wireless Lan pcmcia card, and wirelees
lan
> connection to the network.
>
> If price was not a concern, the ipaq would be my current choice as a
> solution. But at nearly a grand, its just that bit too far out of
reach.
>
>
> Handspring Visor with Bluetooth radio module or wirelesslan, plus
> wirelesslan/bluetooth connection to the network
> www.handspring.com
> http://208.184.159.138/Products/software_devel_kit_blueconnect.asp
> http://www.xircom.com/cda/page/1,1298,0-0-1_704-704,00.html
>
> The handspring solution is probably a year away from being available,
best
> guess. Cost should be less than the ipaq solution. (spec on the
handspring
> is no where near the ipaq :/ )
>
>
> Casio E-125 with a CF card wireless/bluetooth solution. No idea on
> availability of CF solution. No idea on cost, but probably similar to
the
> ipaq.
>
http://www.casio.com/personalpcs/product.cfm?section=19&product=3553&display
> =10&cid=3897
>
>
> Ones to look out for in the future, the PD-600C from palmax
> http://www.palmaxtech.com/specsp6c.htm
>
> or possibly their webpad http://www.palmaxtech.com/specswp.htm
>
> Both of these look like perfect solutions, although they will be a
neater
> package than the ipaq, it will probably be more expensive :/
>
>
> _IR solutions_
>
> Now IR isn't the ideal solution, but it is wireless, Still can't
decide if
I
> will be able to put up with the line of sight problems. If I can
though,
> this would be the cheapest solution, probably less than ?200 all in.
>
> Using an agenda running linux, www.agendacomputing.com with an IR
> transmission system from one or possibly more locations to the machine
room.
> As the total cost for this solution is so much less than the others,
and
all
> available now, I think I will give it a go, unless someone has some
better
> ideas ? :))
>
> Nearly all PDA's have IrDA these days, so this solution might be worth
> evaluating, as nearly all PDA's can run linux of one flavour or
another.
>  If you don't like linux don't panic, it is just my preference as I
will
> have to develop applications for the chosen PDA, and WinCE isn't as
cheap
to
> develop for :)
>
> Another alternative, but maybe a bit too out there, is to make a
custom
> device, maybe using this http://www.uclinux.org/ucsimm/ ,
only as a last
> resort though :)
>
> Anyone else interested in such a solution, or is it just me that wants
all
> this in my hand. To me, a pronto is great, but I need more. A handheld
> device that links in to my home network to allow me to do all the
things a
> pronto can do, plus everything else that I have listed above is
exactly
what
> I want :)
>
> Although I havn't mentioned it before, the ability to have a handset
per
> person is crucial, hence my constant worrying about cost :) I don't
want
to
> read my wifes email, and I am sure she doesn't want to read mine, and
we'll
> not even mention icq :) Hmmm, is there an opportunity to expand the
handheld
> terminal into a who/where system, as others have been talking about?
>
> Anyway, Its' way too late to go on, if anyone has read this far,
thanks
and
> I look forward to comments, positive and negative :)
>
> DesG
>
> PS, yes, there is more :) http://www.pocketlinux.com/devcenter/screens.xsl
> is really worth a look, the pictures of the ipaq running pocketlinux
would
> make me consider putting a few quid on the lottery this week ;)
>
>
>
>
>