Use An Sl-c3k As A Sidekick?!

[piku]

This sounds like an interesting idea, something I've had in the back of my mind for a long while except that I was thinking of using WiFi as there's a network everywhere here at uni.

Okay, couple things here.  First of all, Wifi draws a significant amount of power compared to bluetooth.  I think the low range bluetooth cards draw something like 17ma and many of the wifi cards IDLE at 250ma, and draw a lot more during send/receive.  Needless to say, I get around 4 hours of battery life with wifi enabled, not to mention the wifi card and the zaurus gets particularly hot.  Not good for my pocket   So, IMHO wifi is no good for always on.  Another comment was why the need for always on.  The answer is because there is no server component to aim.  If I could run a server that would queue my aim messages and then relay them to my zaurus whenever the zaurus signed on to check for messages, the system would be perfect.  But for aim to work properly the system must always be on and connected.  This is an interesting need though, and I wonder if a protocol plugin for gaim could be made that - well... connects to itself (running on your desktop at home).  Of course turning on to check your email once every 1-2 minutes would be fine.  

My primary gripe honestly, is how simple GPRS is compared to Wifi.  You turn it on, and it's ready to go.  wifi, you have to futz around with finding an AP, then hoping it connects right.  Then choosing the right AP based on distance, etc.  Then there's the question of whether or not the moronic owner who left it unencrypted would be likely to be mad about you using their AP, etc.  I always thought Wifi would be a decent solution, and it is for rural areas (astoundingly), but not in the city where every single AP is a pay AP (I refuse).

My main interest is in having an always ready internet connection so if for some reason I feel like looking up directions on mapquest or something, it's a hop skip and a jump kind of thing.  And having my zaurus randomly yell at me to let me know it has email or something is cool

[lardman]

So, IMHO wifi is no good for always on.

Yes I agree with this, it's just another method, but as I said I'm interested by the idea of switching on for a short time, looking for messages, etc. and then switching back to low power mode.

Another comment was why the need for always on. The answer is because there is no server component to aim.

Ah, I see now why you'd need this.

But if your Z is in your pocket, do you/whomever you're talking to expect real-time conversation? I'd be willing to wait for a minute for my messages to be delivered (a bit like chatting with SMS or Email), and then using Gaim when I'm sat down and want to chat in real-time.

If I could run a server that would queue my aim messages and then relay them to my zaurus whenever the zaurus signed on to check for messages, the system would be perfect. But for aim to work properly the system must always be on and connected. This is an interesting need though, and I wonder if a protocol plugin for gaim could be made that - well... connects to itself (running on your desktop at home).

Yes that sounds like an interesting idea.

My primary gripe honestly, is how simple GPRS is compared to Wifi. You turn it on, and it's ready to go. wifi, you have to futz around with finding an AP, then hoping it connects right. Then choosing the right AP based on distance, etc. Then there's the question of whether or not the moronic owner who left it unencrypted would be likely to be mad about you using their AP, etc. I always thought Wifi would be a decent solution, and it is for rural areas (astoundingly), but not in the city where every single AP is a pay AP (I refuse).

For me it's the other way around - I pay for GPRS, but WiFi access is free (at least at uni where I spend most of the day).

And having my zaurus randomly yell at me to let me know it has email or something is cool

 yep.


Si

[cybernetseraph]

For the guy who was looking for a gaim plugin which would connect to itself. I know this isn't exactly what you were looking for. However, if you use irssi, and bitlbee (an irc - im gateway). Irssi has a proxy mode that enables what you were looking for. I use irssi for all my messaging needs. and it's fantastic. I've yet to play around with it on the zaurus yet!

However, if you care about seeing smileys as images (custom smileys don't work on gaim anyhoo), filetransfers (use ftp or email ) and seeing buddy pics (there's a patch for that which saves them to your harddrive, works well i find). Then it's likely not for you.

Just trying to help mate.


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