>What about the 5300? It's got one too and I don't have the least idea what >it might be good for. > >Best, >Victoria
Victoria, Yes, using "IRTalk" you can network two (or more) 5300s just as if they were connected via localtalk (but without the cable). However, you can't synch your handhelds with the 5300 since they don't speak the same language. (2400/3400 and later all do IrDA, which the Newtons, Palms, and various other handhelds also use for "beaming" information back and forth. Additionally, IrDA is IP-based, whereas IRTalk is AppleTalk based (though you can encapsulate IP traffic in AppleTalk) IIRC, IrDA is a little faster, too - approaching 1.2Mbps?? IRTalk tops out around 230Kbps.) In my not so humble opinion, IRTalk has no benefits over localtalk (except the cable clutter, I guess). They are the same speed, and IRTalk has several drawbacks - it's finicky, your books have to be placed no more than 5 feet apart with the IR windows facing each other (usually inconvenient unless you are at a conference table or something), and there's at least one extra software setup-step over traditional LocalTalk. It's not quick-and-dirty, by any means, and shouldn't be used as a long-term solution for file sharing. As a last resort (or if you want to be covert - say in a meeting while the boss is giving a presentation and you want to play Super Maze Wars with your buddy on the other side of the table...) it works ok, but it's nothing to write home about. Peace, Drew -- <http://homepage.mac.com/alk/> "There are of course many problems connected with life, of which some of the most popular are `Why are people born?' `Why do they die?' `Why do they spend so much of the intervening time wearing digital watches?'" -- Douglas Adams' "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." -- PowerBooks is sponsored by <http://lowendmac.com/> and... Small Dog Electronics http://www.smalldog.com | Enter To Win A | -- Canon PowerShot Digital Cameras start at $299 | Free iBook! | Support Low End Mac <http://lowendmac.com/lists/support.html> PowerBooks list info: <http://lowendmac.com/lists/powerbooks.shtml> --> AOL users, remove "mailto:"; Send list messages to: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To unsubscribe, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> For digest mode, email: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Subscription questions: <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Archive: <http://www.mail-archive.com/powerbooks%40mail.maclaunch.com/> Using a Mac? Free email & more at Applelinks! http://www.applelinks.com
