As the ever persistent (and addicted) tinkerer, I have been thoroughly tinkering with SprintPCS or PCS Vision specifically and am amazed by the results in performance I have experienced. I have two Vision (i.e. 3G data) devices that I have tested - a Samsung N400 and a Handspring Treo 300. The Treo has become my new favorite true mobile device. I have commented elsewhere that I wish it had a better screen - i.e. similar to the Sony Clie 320x320 screens - but it is definitely sufficient when compared to my other options out on the market today. This commentary is not aimed at the technical side of each device, however - it is aimed at the connectivity issues. Both devices are under an account through Sprint that offers unlimited Data services. (Although, like any good ISP, they want reasonableness when it comes to your unlimited data usage - thus, they can shut off your service if you become a data hog.) The Treo thus far has only been usable as a computing device on its own or as a wireless modem for my PowerBook (Titanium G4). As far as connectivity with my Sony SRX99 goes, I am limited to using it with an external IR adapter or a USB to Serial adapter - and I'm not willing to putz with that combination or buy the cables... On it's own, the Treo does a fantastic job. Browsing with the Blazer web browser is completely acceptable a.** Browsing the web on the PowerBook (using NotifyMail's WirelessModem program) is also great. I get above 56k dialup speeds. Some people have complained that such speeds are less than what they expected of 3G and while I agree, I also recognize as a tinkerer, putzer and network design hobbyist, that thinking 3G would be faster than dialup - i.e. in the range of slow DSL - was a pipe dream. Networks the size and scale of these national cell/pcs networks need testing and lots of real-world use before they will ever get that fast. So, compared to DSL/Cable, it is slow - but it is much faster than dialup and for that 60% of the US population with access only to dialup, it is a welcome addition to my plate of options - remember, competition brings choice, lower prices and eventually better services.
Getting back to my ever fluid thoughtline - I have also done some serious testing with the Samsung and am amazed. While the Treo is great because it combines my phone and PDA, the Samsung is simply fantastic as a relatively inexpensive wireless modem that just happens to be capable of being used as a phone, too! I have been having problems with our dialup at work lately and decided today after tooooo sloooowww of speeds, to hook up the Samsung to the PowerBook and test that out in the office. Suffice it to say that I was very pleased with the performance. I collaberated with a friend in NYC on a web project he is finishing the design work for over AIM, uploaded files to the server, used ssh to work on some files, checked the display of the page, etc... all on a wireless 3G connection that was definitely faster than dialup.
Try PCS Vision, you'll like it... There. That's my endorsement. It doesn't get any better than that (for now).
As for my comment regarding Linus Torvalds... this will be quick. I will formulate my thought in the form of a rhetorical question:
How would you like to be the guy mostly responsible for creating an entire industry revolving around open source software? The man is amazing - and the fact that he still remains relevant years and years after coming up with the Linux paradigm is even more amazing.
Nice blog
Your are not the only one.