Connecting the cell phone and Palm device
Having either obtained the necessary cabling, or being blessed with an IR-enabled phone, you're ready to wirelessly access the Internet. Here's what you'll need to do.

First, enable data calls on your phone, if needed. Some phones require you to explicitly configure them to enable data transfer mode, while others (like mine) don't. Check your phone's user manual to find out.

Next, attach all needed cables between the phone and the Palm device, or point your Palm's IR port at your phone's IR port.

Configuring your Palm device
Next you'll need to configure your Palm device to allow it to use your cell phone as a wireless modem. This is done as follows.

First, start up the Preferences application on your Palm computer. Open up the Connection preferences screen from the dropdown list in the upper-right hand corner of the screen. Tap on the New button to create a new serial-to-modem connection. Enter the information shown in Figure A.

FIGURE A

Enter this information to define a new connection.

You can set the Name field to whatever value seems appropriate to you. Mine happens to be Sprint PCS. Next, tap on the Details button to bring up a detail form and fill it out as shown in Figure B.

FIGURE B

Specify the connection details.

Tap on the OK button to save your new Connection settings.

Next, you'll need to configure your Palm device's Network settings. Select Network from the dropdown list in the upper-right corner of the Preferences screen. Fill in the information, as shown in Figure C, but substitute your own Service name, User name, Password, and Phone number.

FIGURE C

Here's an example of the Network setup.

Next, tap on the Details button, which should bring up the screen shown in Figure D containing the default settings. In most cases, you won't need to modify this screen.

FIGURE D

Specify the Network details.

This should be sufficient for making a connection to your ISP (Internet Service Provider. In rare cases, you may need to make some entries using the Script screen to specify when to send the user name, password, etc. If you need to enter this information, you should contact your ISP's help desk and have them walk you through this process. It's unlikely that you'll need to do so.

Tap on the OK button to save your new Network settings.

Making the first call
Return to the Network preferences screen and tap the Connect button. You should see the Connection Progress dialog box as the connection to your ISP is established. Pushing the scroll down button on your Palm device will give additional information about the connection process.

With any luck at all, you'll see a connection established between your Palm device and your ISP. At this point, you can start up your email program, browser, or other Internet program and utilize your cell phone to access the Internet. You're now ready to surf the Web wirelessly!

Conclusion
In conclusion, it's not all that difficult to use a data-capable cell phone with a Palm device to access the Internet. It's usually a lot cheaper to do so than buying a cellular modem. Usually the only cost involved will be that for a data cable and a null-modem adapter. The end result is a very flexible solution for wireless Internet access without a big cash outlay. It works for me!