All this talk about wireless devices, and you're stuck with an older PDA that doesn't have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or GSM/GPRS. All you have is that lousy infrared port.

Corsoft feels your pain, my friend.

The company recently launched Plug2Net, a package that includes Palm OS software, Windows desktop software and a portable hardware adapter that lets users of PDAs without wireless access connect to the Internet.

Basically, a user installs the desktop software onto an Internet connected PC, then connects the hardware adapter to the PC's USB port. The adapter includes an infrared port, which then beams the connection to the PDA, providing Internet access to that PDA.

A similar connection can be created by a smart phone with a high-speed wireless connection (GSM/GPRS or CDMA 1x, for example) and the PDA, as long as both devices have the infrared port.

For workers who are somewhat mobile but don't want to spend hundreds of dollars on a wireless connection, this provides an alternative that's easier on the wallet. Road warriors with older devices (the software works on Palm OS 4 or higher) don't necessarily have to upgrade to the wireless connection to get Internet connectivity.

Now I know what you're thinking - "Hey Keith, if I already have an Internet connection through my PC or notebook, why would I need to then connect to the PDA?" Here are a few scenarios:

First - Road warriors who don't travel with a notebook, and can use Internet-connected PCs at kiosks or other public locations. The desktop software is a free download (go to http://www.corsoft.com), and once the desktop software is installed the user just connects his adapter cord to the USB port, and downloads the e-mail via the infrared connection. Of course, you have to make sure you can download stuff to the Internet-connected PC (or just do it and don't tell anyone).

Second - Those people who bring along their notebooks, but want to download their e-mail onto the device for later viewing. Once you download the e-mail, you can leave the notebook in the hotel room (secured, of course) and then read your e-mail while you wait for the taxicab.

Third - There's the smartphone connection to the PDA option, so users with really tiny smartphone screens can use their PDA and its somewhat larger screen to view their e-mails.