Go fax yourself!
If no printer is available and you need a hard copy, use the useful traveler's standby of faxing a document from your Palm III to yourself in your hotel.

Modem add-ons
If you plan to send email from your Palm device, you will probably be using a Pilot Modem. This modem will do you very little good if you cannot plug it in to an outlet in your hotel room or when you are in non data-friendly airports. Frequent travelers should consider getting themselves a device called an acoustic coupler. An acoustic coupler uses the telephone handset to connect a computer with a network. An acoustic coupler connection is not as reliable a normal modular telephone connection but in a situation where you cannot plug a modem in directly to a phone line it is very useful. The Telefast Plus acoustic coupler from Teleadapt, shown in Figure A, also contains a handset so that you can make sure you are dialing correctly. Email driven road and jet plane warriors should make a point of checking out Teleadapt's US or UK site for a range of products to assist with connectivity in around the world.

FIGURE A

Here's a picture of the Teleadapt coupler. Click picture for a larger image.

With an acoustic coupler you also need not worry about plugging your unit into digital phone systems, which are capable of frying your analog Palm modem. In addition, you can use it to connect from almost any phone that you will come across while traveling. I have successfully used one to download my email from a hotel room in Shanghai and a public pay phone in Canton (Guangzhou), China. Although you may attract some attention as you strap the device onto whichever phone you have chosen, what is connectivity worth to you? The acoustic coupler is also another fun addition to your James Bond toy set.

Keyboard
A traveler with an external Palm keyboard may be able to leave the heavy laptop at the office. Landware's GoType keyboard (shown in Figure B) which should be out this month, is a wonderfully compact solution. I had a sneak peak at the other day and a chance to take it for a test drive recently and now I can't wait to get my own. Although a fuller review will be available in PalmPower soon, I can tell you that the GoType keyboard is quite impressive. It even includes a shortcut key on the keyboard and a holder for the stylus. It is slightly smaller than a standard or Newton keyboard and had a good, sturdy feel when I typed on it . The optional leather case holds a keyboard, a Palm device, and the modem. Slick!

FIGURE B

Type on the go with the GoType keyboard. Click picture for a larger image.

Why should you bring a keyboard with you? With a keyboard you will be able to wordprocess, as well as connect to email. You can type directly into the Memo Pad and later transfer your documents to Word or any other word processor. Documents which exceed the length Memo Pad can handle can be typed into one of many add-on applications like the QED large document editor. When I don't have a keyboard with me, I tend to limit the length of my emails or other documents that I create. With a keyboard, I can type comfortably for as long as I need.