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is compatible with Linux. I use it with my laptop. It doesn't require any special software. Just use kppp, and adjust the settings per the Sprint documentation or the on-phone tech. It was a PAIN in the ass trying to get the -597 to work, and both Best Buy AND Sprint earlier claimed the 597 was compatible, but, IIRC, Sierra did not make that claim.

http://www.myrateplan.com/cool_phones/2283/sprint/sierra_598_usb_modem/

http://www.sierrawireless.com/product/USB598.aspx

i use this because, tho i *could* piggyback on Feeva in the Union Square area, i think i'd rather have reasonably reliable AND mobile access. Besides, there *might* be more personal privacy/security going via mobile wireless through a cell carrier than a lesser-protected wi-fi signal. Now, of course, if anyone near me is scanning RF or my laptop emissions specifically, then, yeh, i know almost all bets are off...

You're right, it was Congress, not the FCC, who passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996 which by law allows a renter to install an antenna (satellite or terrestrial) in an outdoor area which they have exclusive use of.

http://www.myrateplan.com/sat/condos.php

1) Cell phone use by passengers saved the White House on September 11th. Passengers were able to learn what happened at the World Trade Center, and correctly deduced that the plane was going to be used as a weapon.

Well, thank God that when this new technology is available we can go back in time and save the White House again. A quick google search on the topic raises more questions than answers.

Cell phones in the hands of passengers is the best chance that NORAD has of learning that a plane has been hijacked before it can be used to hit anything.

If this is anywhere remotely true, I think we should demand our tax money back for anything spent on defense. If the folks at NORAD have no existing technology besides the hope of a civilian telephoning them about a hijacked plane.... WTF, I'm pretty sure that NORAD has things like realtime satellite images, realtime feeds from air traffic controllers, or at least a damn cable modem like I have at my house so they can use that internet thing to go to websites like this one (NOTE: you have to replace the XXX with the letter 'a'. I guess the lameness filter or something will not allow urls to "tracker.php" because of torrents or something???).

In the 21st Century, the only way to be safe is to build a plane that is immune to cell phone interference.

Who moderated this as Interesting and Insightful??? Besides the NORAD statement, this is a pretty silly statement. I have heard nothing about there being serious issues from current planes not being immune to cell phone interference. Yes, some planes can get interference. Commercial airplanes have a myriad of electronics on them that are as old as the 60s and 70s. Also, the interrerence is most likely from analog "cell" phones, not the newer digital (non "cell" ones).

Anything less is delusional folly.

I'm not even going to comment on this.

Question: Is there some way to have a more professional version of slashdot? I love this site, but sometimes I find the insight, experience, and knowledge of highschool and college kids to be a little lacking in at least experience and knowledge. I'm not trying to be harsh here. I have friends in college. I was once a knowitall teenager and a knowmorethanall 20something, but now I'm a little more mature (not much, but a little). It would really be nice to have something beyond friends and foes, something more like "peers" and "not peers", or something to keep a post like this getting modded up to +5 Interesting (with Insightful as well).

While most apartment complexes "ban" satellite dishes for their tenants, there is an interesting law explained here that in most cases does allow you to have a dish as long as your apartment is facing the right direction and there aren't trees in the way.

As for markets forcing change, with so few entities, all content providers (satellite and cable) look very much alike. Not until the bar to entry is lowered will the invisible hand force change.

http://www.myrateplan.com

Most consumers do not have the time, expertise or desire to do the leg work necessary to ensure that they are getting the best value from the services they use everyday. MyRatePlan offers a comprehensive, unbiased online information resource to help consumers "cut thru the fine print", and locate the best price for the exact amount of service they need.