Web clipping applications
Web clipping applications (also known as Palm Query Applications, or PQAs) are special programs originally designed to work with the wireless Palm VII series of devices. With the coming of the Palm Mobile Internet Kit, most Palm computers can now use these special wireless applications. In fact, you can even transfer the Web clipping software directly from a Palm VII to most Palm III and Palm V models by beaming the applications between the devices' infrared ports. This will let you use Web clipping applications without having to purchase the Palm Mobile Internet Kit. Long before the Palm Mobile Internet Kit was available, that's exactly what I did.

There are literally hundreds of Web clipping applications available from the Palm.Net Web site, but I've found I regularly use just a few of them. Here are the Web clipping applications that I've found to be useful.

Continental Airlines
Yes, not only do I carry the Continental DB application on my Palm device, but I also carry the Continental Airlines PQA. This PQA allows me to search flight schedules, but I just use the real-time flight status feature to find out if my upcoming flight is on time or not and what its gate number will be. You can find it at http://www.continental.com/dash/build_dash.asp?tis_06_03.

MapQuest
This PQA is very handy for getting driving directions for my rental car! It's at http://www.mapquest.com/wireless/.

OAGMobile
OAGMobile provides pretty much the same services as the Continental Airlines PQA, but it works for all airlines. In addition, you can have it automatically email your Palm device or cell phone with status information before a flight is scheduled to leave or arrive. It's available at http://beta.palm.net/apps/users/download/1,1051,1727,00.html.

Restaurant Row
This is the best all around Web clipping application I've found for providing me with information on where I can eat. What I particularly like about it is that it seems to cover the entire US, and not just big cities. I fell in love with it when I had to travel to Greenville, SC. I found that it provided me with solid information on dining in that small city. Restaurant Row can be found at http://beta.palm.net/apps/users/download/1,1051,645,00.html.

Weather Channel
Hey, it's always nice to know what the weather is going to be like wherever you are! It's at http://beta.palm.net/apps/users/download/1,1051,1444,00.html.

Conclusion
So does it work? Have I been able to replace my laptop with a Palm?

Well, the answer is yes and no. Most of the time when I travel to a client location, I leave my laptop at home. However, there are still a few times when I need to bring along my laptop.

First of all, if I need to use a high-powered PC-based application like a Computer Aided Software Engineering (CASE) tool for a client assignment, then I need to have my laptop with me. Second, if I need to access secure Web sites that use Windows challenge/response security, I'm also going to need my laptop. Finally, if I need to send or receive email attachments, my laptop is still required.