[VAC] Pocketmail

["Terry Tyler" <Tylerbears@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

After reading Lashway's comments, we agree
wholeheartedly. 

A few months ago, Sandie got one of these new 
electronic tools as a way of improving access 
to family email. The neat part about her 
Sharp TM-20 Emailer is there are no wires when 
connecting to the 800 number and it can be 
used at almost any telephone booth. 

We purchased one of the instruments during an 
RVers Seminar in January 2000 at the SKP Park in 
Zolfo Springs where the leader told us about the  
device's features. It can send and receive email,
it has a scheduler capability, a memo feature, 
a telephone directory and other features. 

As part of the seminar, we were given personal 
hands-on tutoring in how to use the device 
immediately. The leader assisted us in signing up 
with the company, registering our password, 
activating the device and step by step instruction 
in how to use it. Before letting us go on our own, 
he had us send and receive email. Later that 
afternoon when we tried it by ourselves. It 
worked exactly as before and still does. Both 
Sandie and I are delighted with it. 

It may not sound like big deal, but the part about
being wireless and accessing our email from almost 
any pay phone (Interstate Rest Areas, Restaurants, 
Campgrounds, Hospital Waiting Rooms, Gas Stations) 
is a significant convenience for us. Since getting it, 
we converse daily with many family members.

Sandie types paragraphs with the Emailer in her lap 
anywhere, even in the Van. Our son commented that 
he has had more email conversations with his mother 
on a daily basis during the last few months since she  
began using pocketmail than in the last year. And we 
have been carrying a computer with us in the Airstream 
for 10 years and had several in the house for 10 years 
before that. 

Checking for email twice a day and sending replies 
takes about 5 minutes. That doesn't interfere 
with anything we might be doing. One improvement
we decided on was a padded camera case (with 
belt loop) from WalMart for $8 to make carrying 
it safer while riding a bike to the campground 
pay phone.

When Sandie instigated this technology leap into 
2000, little did we know what a dramatic 
difference it would make for  conveniently and 
economically staying in touch with family members
in the states and elsewhere in the world. 

To read more about Pocketmail, try these sites:
custserv@pocketmail.com
www.pocketmail.com

To talk with the man who sold us our unit, 
email him at: ronmcd@pocketmail.com

Try it, you might like it,
Terry & Sandie