Just for fun, I installed ICQ for Palm (at http://www.geocities.com/rowlandcutler_mobile/icqfor.htm) as well, and I quickly discovered that what is a minor nuisance on my desktop is indispensable on my Visor handheld. While chasing my son around, I can quickly whip the device out of my pocket and dash off a quick message to my spouse before the kid gets out of my sight.

While I didn't test it, the SpringPort module supports the WiFi security options, including access control and encryption. Sadly, WiFi has received a lot of unjustified negative press regarding the network's security recently. Critics would do well to recall that WiFi's security is designed only to provide security equivalent to in-building cabling, which isn't very secure unless you keep everything under lock and key.

Conclusion
A product this expensive (at $299.99) deserves consideration before you buy. If you already have a wireless network, it's really quite reasonable, especially given that the price includes about $40 worth of software and a $34.95 charger. These goodies make the effective price something like $230, only a little more than many standalone WiFi interface cards. If, on the other hand, you don't have a WiFi network in place, expect to pay at least another $150 or so to get a WiFi base station, making the solution more expensive than the Visor handheld you use with it.

For businesses considering wireless networks for mobile workers, it's a no-brainer: the product will save employees time finding places to synchronize throughout the day. For home or office use, it might be a little harder to justify. I don't, however, think this reflects poorly on Xircom. Rather, it's an observation about the economics of today's wireless networks.

The Xircom SpringPort Wireless Ethernet Module is more than worth the wait. With excellent industrial design, ample software to let you plug-and-play, and sound engineering, it's a first-rate product.

Ray Rischpater is a freelance author entranced by mobile devices, having published several books and articles on the topic, including Palm Enterprise Applications: A Wireless Tech Brief, from John Wiley and Sons. He lives near Santa Cruz, CA with his wife and son.