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Reviews For: CS Online 2.20 for PalmOS devices

Category: Ham Software/Apps - Other than logging

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Review Summary For : CS Online 2.20 for PalmOS devices
Reviews: 1MSRP: 35
Description:
VT100/ANSI/Telnet Emulator, Data Recorder
Product is in production
More Info: http://www.conklinsystems.com/palm/online.php
# last 180 days Avg. Rating last 180 days Total reviews Avg. overall rating
0015
W2RS Rating: 2001-11-24
The latest version of Online is 1.6d5. Time Owned: 6 to 12 months.
The latest version of Online is 1.6d5, available for free download from www.markspace.com/online.html. Although labeled as a demo, the program is fully functional without time limit.

Online 1.6d5 contains a few "bells and whistles" not found in 1.6d3, such as Log to DOC file, but preserves the functionality for packet radio with the Handspring Visor that I found so helpful in the earlier version.

For more information, see my review of Online 1.6d3 in eHam.net, and the Online FAQ on www.markspace.com/online.html.

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Earlier 5-star review posted by W2RS on 2001-07-15

Online is a full-featured communications program for PalmOS devices. It is primarily designed for telephone modem and Internet applications, but for packet radio it is also convenient and easy to use.

For packet radio applications, the PalmOS device interfaces with the TNC through its HotSync port. Previous versions of Online worked well on true Palm Pilots, but would not work on packet radio with my Handspring Visor. (It worked OK for a telephone modem plugged into the Springboard port, but not for packet.) The bug responsible for this problem has been fixed in Online 1.6d3, which is available for download in a public beta version from http://www.markspace.com/online.html.

Please note that, since the Visor's Hotsync port is not a true serial port, a special cable is required to interface with the RS-232C port of the TNC (see my review of the MarkSpace DCH-M9 cable). In addition, Online must be set to software handshaking, with handshaking in the Visor's Prefs function set to automatic.

MarkSpace's tech support is great, with developer Brian Hall responding to queries personally within a day or two at most.

When used with a small TNC such as the AOR AR-210 and a handheld radio, the Visor with Online provides true pocket packet. Now you don't have to miss your DX PacketCluster, even when you're away from home or in the field. I've even used it to "ping" the International Space Station!