Hi Gang
Have any of you ever used a cellphone with a Pismo (or any other
Powerbook) to go online out in the wilds whether there's no
wireless, phone jack or LAN point? If so, please let me know how
it's done. What phones, software and connections between the two did
you use?
I have both 10.3.9 and 9.1 on my Pismo.
Long message, that will (hopefully) demystify things...
As others have said, this is definitely possible, and an EXCELLENT use
of technology that cell phone providers have thus far provided dismal
support for.
Almost any cell phone can connect to the computer and will interface as
a modem device. Bluetooth is the new rage, but USB connectors work too
(and I prefer, because often they will provide power to the phone as
well, so it doesn't run down the battery while online). This
compatibility will be dictated by high-level USB architecture, which OS
9.1 does pretty well. People make a big deal about modem scripts and
seem to have a lot of trouble with them. In reality, the digital
chipsets in these phones are all made by a few manufacturers, and they
are all based on standard AT command interface (with some cell phone
command extensions) from days of yore. So don't worry about scripts
not being compatible either. So from that standpoint I wouldn't worry
about Mac compatibility. To answer your question, you shouldn't need
ANY EXTRA SOFTWARE, apart from a simple text file connection script. A
good source for cables is www.boxwave.com.
Primarily there is the CDMA and GSM network in the US. Both have their
respective "slow" connections, roughly equivalent to 14.4kbps, "fast"
connections, somewhere around 100kbps (depending on cell load), both
available almost anywhere you get a digital signal, and "faster"
connections that rival WiFi speeds, being deployed these days. I have
only used CDMA equipment with Verizon (also the network used by
Sprint), so I'm not too familiar with the GSM terms. For CDMA, the
specification for "fast" connection capability is 1xRTT or what is
termed "National Access". "Faster" is EVDO or "Broadband Access",
which only the newest phones have. I believe on the GSM side
(Cingular) they call it EDGE. You never have to worry about a separate
ISP, because the connection that's made is a special data connection,
and your phone's service provider acts as the ISP. To answer your
question, any modern phone, even a few years old, will do the trick.
Look for the buzzwords.
Now, here's the part you're not going to like--the data access (at
least anything faster than the slowest form) is not cheap. It can cost
you upwards of $40 nowadays. I added the option to my account with
Verizon a long time ago, so it doesn't cost extra, and just comes out
of voice minutes. Great on nights and weekends ;). If you're
persuasive enough, maybe you can find some loophole. It's kind of sad,
really, that wireless companies seek to make so much money on these
data connections, which in fact require less bandwidth on average than
voice; text-messaging not withstanding! But I digress...
Anyhow, do you have a phone already? Odds are it will work. You can
verify this, and then start by finding a cheap cable to connect to your
laptop. If you are looking for a new phone, pick a provider you like
(Cingular is probably cheapest), and find a phone you like. Double
check that it is data capable. Ask if they sell a USB "sync" cable for
that particular manufacturer (often, several phones of one manufacturer
will share the same connector). Ask about the data plan. I believe
there is a 30 day trial period so you can exchange the thing in the
rare case that it's incompatible.
I've been connecting online with my Lombard like this for almost two
and a half years now. Great while traveling. Airports, hotels, in the
car on the highway, you name it. Can fax too, with the proper setup.
Free printing at hotels ;)
Keep in touch with your progress and any difficulties. It really is
convenient once you get it working.
Phil
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