[jewelsg627]

Hello Everyone!!

So, I was just accepted to SFSU BSN program (WooHOO!) and I bought a Palm TX because 1.) I've always wanted one and 2.) It seems to be consensus that it's extremely helpful for nursing school and in general. It hasn't arrived yet, but I super excited. One question, though:

I am very "lacking" when it comes to how these things work. With the TX it says that you get WiFi and Bluetooth with it for internet access. But how does that work?? What other accessories do I have to buy to get this? (I imagine you can't go to Starbucks and BOOM! your online....there's a catch, right?

Hope this question makes sense. Any help would be much appreciated!!!

[OldPhatMC]

I have a Palm TX, and I'm using it every day in the clinical environment. It rocks not filling the lab coat pockets with three or four pocket guides; I now have room for tape and saline flushes.

The Wi-Fi feature is almost as easy as you described. You walk in to Starbucky's, get yourself coffee, turn on the Palm, pull up the web browser and it will prompt you to sign up with T-Mobile. Fill in the billing stuff and enter el credit cardo... and you're in. Problem with the 'bucks is that T-mobile charges.

Do the same stuff at Panera Bread and you get online after agreeing to the terms of use. They don't charge for access. Or if you have wi-fi at home, or school library, or even some hospitals. The software figures out most of the details for a public connection. If you're at home or a friend's place where they lock down the Wi-fi, it will requires a password to log in.

Heck, my car dealer has free wi-fi and I can check email while getting the oil changed. Blackboard doesn't work well, so I couldn't do any of my quizzes on the Palm.

Be warned, not every web site is particularly usable or readable on the Palm, but you can Google your heart out, do most of the cool stuff you'd normally do, and even update your software if you're using any of the Skyscape nursing references.

It's an excellent investment and my Palm TX is reliable as all get out. I've found that Pocket PC units get junked up and cranky, just like their Microsoft Windows cousins.

Enjoy

[jewelsg627]

Originally Posted by OldPhatMC

The Wi-Fi feature is almost as easy as you described. You walk in to Starbucky's, get yourself coffee, turn on the Palm, pull up the web browser and it will prompt you to sign up with T-Mobile. Fill in the billing stuff and enter el credit cardo... and you're in. Problem with the 'bucks is that T-mobile charges.

Do the same stuff at Panera Bread and you get online after agreeing to the terms of use. They don't charge for access. Or if you have wi-fi at home, or school library, or even some hospitals. The software figures out most of the details for a public connection. If you're at home or a friend's place where they lock down the Wi-fi, it will requires a password to log in.

Thank you SO much for responding, OldPhat. So, for Bucky's (I like you nickname, by the way) how much does it cost to sign up with T-Mobile?

Do I have to purchase WiFi @ home to have it work @ home?

Again - thanks for the info --- very helpful!!!

[lc3]

I also just bought a Palm TX. I was browsing through it and found ADDIT-which gives an option of adding extra security to your PDA for 19.99. Does anyone else have this?

And do you need a anti-virus on your PDA?

[jewelsg627]

So I am still feeling kinda stupid:

Why, if WiFi uis free and I don't need buy anything to use it, does it say (under the comparison chart for the PDA's on Palm.com)

"Requires proximity to Wi-Fi access point, sold separately. May also require additional service plans, sold separately"

????

What does that mean?!?!?!

Also - someone at my work said I needed a WiFI account to be able to connect to the internet via my Palm. True??

[fishchick72]

I have the palm TX, we have wireless internet at my house & I can check email (love the versa mail program for this!) & browse the web too. At starbucks you have to sign up with Tmobile & pay to use it there. At panera I was unable to get on, I assumed it was like starbucks & gave up. But there are other businesses out there with free wireless internet, some don't advertise it though, just give it a try. I love my palm Tx & would be lost without it at this point. I got it for Christmas from my husband!

[tyRN2007]

I'm also interested in purchasing the Palm TX. In the review on cnet.com, it says that the battery is not user-replaceable. What does that mean?? I know I can probably charge the Palm everyday when the battery is low, but does that mean when the battery dies out eventually, the Palm TX is no longer usable??
Thanks!

[laurainri]

I have a palm TX also. When I go to Panera they have free wifi which you can hook up to for free. That is why i spend a lot of time there studying. Also a lot of the local libraries have free wifi also. all you have to do is enable to bluetooth. have a good day

[fishchick72]

It's my understanding that wi-fi & blue tooth are two different things--my tx can do either one, but they are different..........

[omni]

Actually Wi-Fi or WLAN is not the same as Bluetooth. They are both wireless ways to connect to other devices or the internet though.
WiFi is the system that is most often used with Wireless access points in shops and restaurants and bluetooth is more often used as a wireless bridge between your PDA and cellphone or computer. WiFi is better with speed and number of people that can connect at the same time, but it also demands more power and drains your battery fast. The range of a WiFI node is also better than with bluetooth. about 100 meters for WiFi and 10-30 meters for BT.

Different companies deliver different connection methods for WifI on PDA's. Some nets are totally open for everyone, some are encrypted so you need an access key, and some are both encrypted and demand an account so you can pay to use it.

The first thing you need to do is enable WiFi on the PDA and search for access points, if you find any you can try and connect, if there is a key next to the access points you find on the PDA this most often means you have to get an access key and probably pay for the service. If not you are free to use it (Free of charge).

Hope this clarifies a little bit about the differences and how you connect.