Kind of a long note, but read on, you won't be disappointed.
I had purchased a used MegaHertz AllPoints wireless modem, the same
discussed on the wwww.go2mac.com page a few days ago; apparently O'Grady
forgot these ever supported the Mac!. This is now sold by RIM, and
described at http://www.rim.net/products/pc_card/m-pccard.html; the nice
thing is the used modem is available for under $100, and the service
through GoAmerica or BellSouth has a decent "basic" fee of $10 per month
for occasional e-mail. This modem is no speed demon - it uses the
MOBITEX pager network, at speeds under 14.4 - slow but still usable.
Presently, according to the RIM page above and BellSouth (who ARE the
MOBITEX network http://www.data-mobile.com/Megahertz.html) both clearly
state that supported operating systems/platforms include the Macintosh
and Newton.
I found out you had to get and install a product called WyndMail, from
Wynd Communications (This software was pre-installed on a PB3400). Wynd
no longer sells it, but I was able to "find" and install WyndMail for
the Newton and WyndMail Mac. Both support the AllPoints card: I can see
the signal strength and battery indicators, and input all user profile
info. However, there does not appear to be any response from the
Network. I can request a user profile, and wait for an hour. I can
neither send nor receive e-mail.
I initially verified operation on the Win95 laptop. But unfortunately
the Mac and Newton software don't work, as this MOBITEX network doesn't
really (or didn't when WyndMail was written) use IP addresses. Instead
each modem has a MAN number, as does the server. Unfortunately the
MOBITEX network dropped MAN support apparently last year, so you have to
use a "real" IP address and domain name. The Mac version of WyndMail
don't allow this.
I should parenthetically add that the Newton software is compatible with
an MP2100, and was written for the 130, so it should work on MP2000
models and eMates. The Mac software (which includes an extension and
control strip module) was apparently well-written, as it evokes no
crashes on a "Wall Street bronze" running OS 9.0.4.
WyndMail is a potentially a good piece of software, as it allows large
messages to be forwarded somewhere else, and can send a text message to
a pager and send wireless FAXes.
There could be a fix, as both versions of WyndMail (Mac AND Newton!)
were written by Infowave Wireless, formerly GDT(!) of Mac printer driver
fame.
BUT THE GOOD NEWS...
Just recently, GoAmerica and Wynd announced they were merging! (Go to
http://www.wynd.net/ and click "about the merger).
Everyone who uses a PowerBook above OS 7.5 and a Newton (130,
MP2000/2100 & eMate) and is interested in this wireless possibility
should politely e-mail:
Wynd at merger@wynd.com
and GoAmerica at marketing@goamerica.net
A suggested message would be:
------
I am writing to find out if the merger of Wynd and GoAmerica will allow
you to re-release WyndMail for the (Macintosh or Apple Newton or both,
you choose)?
I would be interested in subscribing to your wireless service if an
updated version of WyndMail were again made available.
Sincerely,
------
Let's go for it!
Mark Rollins
mark@mrollins.com
www.mrollins.com
***************************************
NewtonTalk brought to you by:
EVOTE.COM -- the ESPN of politics on the Internet! All the players, all the news, and the hottest analysis and features (plus 'toons!) anywhere.... visit http://www.evote.com today!
***************************************
Need Subscribe/Unsubscribe info?
Visit the NewtonTalk section at http://www.planetnewton.com
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b29 : Sat Jul 01 2000 - 00:00:05 CDT