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Have Your PDA call my PDA, We'll do Launch

© Chris Brown

Without going into a lengthy explanation of my extended absence.... Ah, who am I kidding? I'm going to tell you exactly why I've been gone so long. I have to, because the actual meat of my article today doesn't take too long to explain (But that sure is a nifty title, isn't it?)

I've attempted to write a new article for about two weeks now, however due to one frozen computer after another, and an overactive browser or two, I have always been thwarted in some way. It's become almost a ritual: Sit down, think up a topic, start typing, restart computer. And these have been good articles too, folks. I mean, we're talking Pulitzer prize stuff (which would be great if someone read anything I write). I think someone put a curse on me or something... or maybe it's just my own fault for not doing what I should have done in the first place and use a good old fashioned word processor. Which I'm doing now, and saving after ever paragraph.

OK, so far so good. Now I figured that since Suite 101 has been nice enough to change my account to bi-monthly, and give me a chance to get back on my feet, I figured it would be nice to return the favor and actually write an article... or five. So without further complaining, here we go.

I'm sure most of you know what a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) is. It's a small handheld device used for scheduling activities, recording addresses, and, of course, playing solitaire and Tetris. But even Toys 'R' Us (Someone want to tell me how to make that backwards 'R'?) has toys that can do that much. So why are we paying $200 and up for a cool looking gadget if all it is is a glorified Rolodex?

Of course most PDAs are capable of much more that your average electronic organizer. Some are capable of using programs such as MS Word, Powerpoint (business presentation software), Adobe Acrobat, etc. Some of the newer models have color screens, and some may even offer limited Internet capabilities. Ah, now we're getting there.

Recently several of the bigger players in the wireless communications industry have announced that they have begin testing a new form of high-speed wireless Internet access that will allow us to use devices such as Cell Phones and PDAs to access the Internet at any place, and any time. These access speeds may reach upwards of two Megabytes per second, which is plenty for almost anyone.