IP: New toy and DSL observations

[Dave Farber <farber () cis upenn edu>]

The new tou is the Omnisky wireless modem for the Palm Vx (and V). It uses 
ATT CPDP and offers access to up to 6 email pop servers and web clipping 
AND full internet access to any web site. ATT has a roaming agreement that 
lets it work most anywhere that has CPDP. The device is thinish and the 
battery , rechargeable,  lasts about 12 hrs. (looks very conservative to me 
right now. Flat rate $35 ish per month and through the summer credit for 
1/2 the modem price credited for to service after 6 months so the modem 
will cost $150 ish).

Works very well and the service people at Omnisky are knowledgeable and 
answer their phone.

Lots smoother and more useful than the Palm 7 and with 8 megs of memory in 
the Vx. Downside , not much if you live or travel in major cities. Needs an 
additional charger from the main palm (it is small)

DSL is a dream when it works which is most of the time. However I have had 
two outages over the weekends and while the people contacted to get it back 
were great, there has to be a lot more management system support before I 
could use it in a real always on application. Someone needs to monitor my 
service and some one needs to develop a multicompany trouble ticketing 
system fast else the visions of what we can do with a an always connected 
home/business will have to become almost always connected and that is a lot 
different.

Dave