Handhelds, PDAs in Ukraine anyone?

[Quasimoto]

I have an Jornada 680 Handheld PC. I guess it would be pretty much like a PDA except that it has a miniturized (76%) keyboard. I am going to try to Russify it with ParaWin CE and PROMT translation software. I am doing this for two reasons, but I am leary of the 2nd, and feel a little lost technically.

1) This is so Tanya and I can discuss some issues when there is not an interpreter around. She speaks English, but not well enough for in-depth conversations.

2) The second reason is so she can send me emails. Like all the modern PDAs, this one has a built in 56k V.90 modem. I understand that I can get a conversion piece to connect the US Xjack (I believe it is called) to the Ukrainian wire system.

However, I am wondering if anyone knows of other issues such as compatibility with our modem cards, and if some other downloading has to take place over there for it to work.

Any suggestions to the rookie would be helpful.

Steve

[Del]

... in response to Handhelds, PDAs in Ukraine anyone?, posted by Quasimoto on Apr 4, 2002

to 'be the answer'.  Has anyone tried it?

http://www.net-roamer.com/main.htm

[Dan]

... in response to NetRoamer claims..., posted by Del on Apr 5, 2002

Sounds like all they offer is a large number of access points to their network. In fact, they have a smaller network than the one I use for dial-up (they have 14,000 and I believe my ISP has almost 30,000). Problem is that even the largest access provider cannot provide local numbers in all cities in all countries. In spite of the fact that my provider has a large number of access points, they have none (yet) in Ukraine.

Don't get me wrong, NetRoamer sounds pretty good - and they do claim to have an access point in Ukraine - so maybe it resolves the ISP access problem for people traveling to Ukraine - but you probably need to look deeper to see if they have coverage in the city you plan to visit. I can almost guarantee they will not have a local line in Kremenchug (Olya's hometown), hence the problem persists - for me anyway.

- Dan

[BubbaGump]

... in response to Handhelds, PDAs in Ukraine anyone?, posted by Quasimoto on Apr 4, 2002

The quality of the phone lines may be the biggest problem for you.  It would limit the connection speed.  Modems fall back to lower speed modes when the higher speeds don't work.  

You can probably get an adapter to use for the phone jack in Ukraine at Fry's Electronics or you can get a few tools and change her phone jack to an American style connector.  Phones lines here and in several other countries have only 2 wires and some like England have as many as 4 wires.  You still only need 2 wires because the other wires are for other functions.  Most European countries use 3 wires and you don't need that 3rd wire. It's an earth wire used to flash the central office.  I would think Ukraine only has 2 wires anyway.  

I hope that HP Jornada has a compact flash slot so she can plug in the pictures she took with that digital camera you got her.  You did get her one didn't you?

[Quasimoto]

... in response to Re: Handhelds, PDAs in Ukraine anyone?, posted by BubbaGump on Apr 5, 2002

Not yet! Now rub it in, as I have wanted to, and I have been thinking about it.

Steve

[wsbill]

... in response to Re: Handhelds, PDAs in Ukraine anyone?, posted by BubbaGump on Apr 5, 2002

Hope she's some what computer literate for file/picture transfers... It would be very wise if you did get her a digital camera to set it on a very low resolution for smaller file sizes...quicker uploads.

My Uncle got a digital camera and was taking 900k files, picture quality was great but uploading as a attachment file.  Only one picture at a time could be uploaded.

With my Nikon 950 (digital camera), I normally capture pictures at about 150-180k per picture and I don't have problems with picture quality resolution.

My Uncle just didn't know.  They had a 8MB CF card...
I have a 160MB (750 pictures).

Also, the current models of Videocameras with digital camera built in it, have awful (as in bad horrible) resolution.  I'm very disappointed in it.  (Canon ZR30).
(uses a MMC/SD card)

[Quasimoto]

... in response to Re: Re:  They sell a PCMIA adaper for CF..., posted by wsbill on Apr 5, 2002

Same experience Bill.

Steve

[wsbill]

... in response to Handhelds, PDAs in Ukraine anyone?, posted by Quasimoto on Apr 4, 2002

This might be what you need.
www.handspring.com

[Quasimoto]

... in response to Re: Check out the new Handspring Treo 18..., posted by wsbill on Apr 4, 2002

Thank wsbill,

But I can't afford any new toys! Too many family responsibilities now you see! But I will check it out.

Steve

[wsbill]

... in response to Re: Re: Check out the new Handspring Tre..., posted by Quasimoto on Apr 4, 2002

Of Ukraine.

[Dan]

... in response to Re:  where is Dan he's a knows the telec..., posted by wsbill on Apr 4, 2002

The Treo is a US-standard GSM system (read: incompatible with European frequencies), and to the best of my knowledge, none of the Ukrainian wireless operators are yet implementing technologies to make use of wireless PDA's.

Once again (and as always --smile--), I could be wrong on this - and if someone knows something more current - please step in and correct me - but since SMS is only now getting to be mainstream in Ukraine - and since wireless PDA's are lightyears more advanced that SMS - AND - since I haven't heard of or seen any operators announcing their fancy new wireless PDA support, I am pretty sure it's not yet available - at least, not in operational mode.

- Dan

[wsbill]

... in response to I'm Here - But You Guys Are Pressing The..., posted by Dan on Apr 4, 2002

For a country that has flash memory telephone booth cards, they do seem a bit advance in my opinion.

[Dan]

... in response to What kind of system do they have CDMA ?, posted by wsbill on Apr 4, 2002

They now have Wireless Local Loop (WLL) in some places using CDMA, and I understand they have some older TDMA networks in a few locations.

However, GSM here in America operates at different frequencies than in Europe and Asia (Ukraine included), hence, there is an inherent incompatibility.

- Dan

[Quasimoto]

... in response to Predominantly GSM at 900 and 1800 Mhz, B..., posted by Dan on Apr 4, 2002

I am going to be using the basic telephone wire at the interent cafe, or hopefully i can get access into their house out in Gora.

Steve

[Dan]

... in response to Re: Well what about good old hard copper..., posted by Quasimoto on Apr 4, 2002

Steve,

Many apartments are already wired for US-style modular telephone connectors. In that instance, you should only need a telephone line between your modem and the wall jack. Certainly the internet cafes will be wired with US-style connector jacks.

If the telephone jack at your girl's aparment has not been converted to a modern jack, ask anyone at the local computer shop and they can help you with a minor re-wiring project to accomplish the conversion.

As for the modem itself - most manufacturers claim conformance to regional standards only - and there is a greater cost for modems that meet broad international standards. In practical terms, however, I have never had a modem fail to connect when used in India, Indonesia, Korea, Ukraine and Poland (and others). Some countries are a bit more difficult to make work than others - owing to dial-tone differences and such - but all eventually functioned just fine. In other words, I doubt the veracity of claims that you need to go out and purchase an ultra-expensive modem that conforms to international standards. Just about any old modem should be satisfactory.

I don't know if that answers all your questions - or puts your mind at ease - so ask if you still have questions.

- Dan