Hyperterminal

[Apollyon67]

Just wondering if I can use my Treo 700w to access computer controled HVAC systems over the net, and if so, where do I start? We dial in a phone numer using the modem on the comp with Hyperterminal. We use Siemans, Johnson Control, and Trane Tracer.

[hvactalker]

If the PC you use to access your DDC systems can access the internet, you may be able to use your Treo 700w to access your DDC systems wirelessly if you subscribe to a data service for the handheld.

If your handheld was a Pocket PC then I'd say yes for sure, as I have done this very thing from a Verizon phone store a couple years ago. My PC has been a GotomyPC host for several years, and GotomyPC works with wireless internet connected PocketPC remotes as well as regular internet connected PCs.

However, since Treo 700w is a Palm based phone instead of Pocket PC, you can't use the GotomyPC service. There are various remote control services out there, and one may work with Palm phones. LogMeIn and others exist besides Gotomypc. It was cool operating a DOS DDC program on a cell phone.

I don't think the Microsoft SmartPhones work with Gotomypc though. GotomyPC has to have mouse-like access with the touch pen, not just arrow keys like the MS Smart phone.

I'm waiting for WiFi to be introduced to our buildings before doing anything further using wireless handhelds as the platform, so we won't deal with the exhorbitant cell phone data charges and service limitations. It's great to walk up to a piece of equipment and manipulate it with a handheld wireless device. I've done this with laptop and cell phone connect via USB, but it's been slow and cumbersome, but sometimes has been effective and helpful, saving a lot of running all over the building or having a 2nd person and radio during DDC setup/testing.

With WiFi in the bldgs a lot of things could change. Good luck.

[Apollyon67]

The Treo 700w uses Windows Mobile 5. It uses as pen and touch screen. I have a wireless card for it but we don't have wireless in the bdg. My boss wants me to be able to change things when I am on the road, but doesn't want to set a laptop up for it unless we have to. I have Terminal Services on the phone, but figured I would ask before trying stuff over the net at the price of data service. Thanks, Rob.

[hvactalker]

You're right. Treo 700w is a PocketPC operating system based phone, yet says "Palm" on it. I think there was some news not long ago about Palm using Microsoft operation systems... I'm not that up on PDAs or PDA/phones in the last couple years.

So.... IF you have an affordable and hopefully speedy way to connect to the internet with your Treo and your PC you should be ready to do what your boss needs. You'd need to check with competing remote control services such as LogMeIn.com to see if they support PocketPC PDAs to know if there are competing services you could use.

With Gotomypc remote control service, you download and install the host software on your DDC desktop, and get your trial account activated, and then try a test from any PC connected to the internet to login to your host PC following the instructions. Be aware if Sun JAVA isn't installed on your remote PC there is an extra applet to download each time you login. I don't rememeber, but I think you may need to install Sun JAVA on your host PC.

If your first test desktop to desktop works, then I'd get online with your PDA or PDA/phone and go to www.gotomypc.com and login to your account and then to your host PC. The applet down loads to your PDA and starts from within your browser. From there, you should be able to anything on your PDA that you can do as if you were sitting at your desktop PC, only slower on a little tiny screen.

If you use a trial account on a paid service such as Gotomypc, be aware that if you want to quit using the trial, have to cancel the account or they start billing you the monthly billing after the end of the trial period. I've heard about some gripes and misunderstanding about that policy, but I've never had any problems with Gotomypc. I'm still getting the same special $7/month rate I got when I started with them.

You don't need wifi in your buildings if what you need is occasional remote connections to your DDC controls while your are on the road.

And if your PDA can use WiFi, you don't even need the cell phone data service, as it much better and faster to login with your laptop or PDA to a public wifi at a motel with wifi or in the parkiing lot of a motel with wifi.

It takes some experimenting, and it would be better to use wifi than cell phone data service for speed and expense, but doable with either connection method...

[lonboy]

I've got a terminal application running on my Sidekick3 that allows me to run Telnet and access all my i.LON100 sites. Pretty handy to be able to verify IP connectivity from your cellphone.
Cheers,
lb