to our work and personallives is more important than ever. While the Internet has madethis easier, wireless communication is fast becomingthe ultimate way to stay in touch. Research forecasts the number of wireless subscribers in the United States will increase by 73 percent annually, from five million in 2000 to more than 84 million in 2005". Leading Internet companies, such as EarthLink, are already makingit easier for people to communicate using e-mail through Internet-connected wireless devices. While you’re away from home or the office—chauffeuring the kids, taking a business trip, running errands or enjoying a family vacation—it’s possible to stay in touch with friends and family through your main e-mail address; you don’t even need to be tied to a computer. Here’s a quick quiz to see where you fit in the realm of Internet connectivity and whether you should consider wireless email noworin the future: 1. On average, how many emails do you get a day? a) 0 to 10. b) 11 to 40. c) more than 40. 2. Your idea of a remoteoffice is: a) Talking on a cell phone while in thecar. b) Using a dedicated phone/fax line, laptop and dial up/broadband connection. c) Tapping into a corporate wireless network with secure remote access, a PDA and a two- way pager. 3. At what point do you start panicking when you haven’t checked your e-mail? a) a few days. ‘International Data Corporation With wireless technology, it’s easy to stay in touch with both homeandoffice. b) an afternoon. c) two hoursorless. 4. While you’re waiting in line at the grocery store, you have a few minutes to: a) Skim the headlines of the tabloids. b) Check your e-mail on your wireless e-mail device. c) Browse eBay’s Elvis auction deals on your Internet-enabled phone. 5. You’re on a business trip and have a three-hour delay at the airport. It’s time to: a) Go shopping. b) Sip a latte and read the day’s headlines on your wireless pager. c) Answer “b”plus: wirelessly email your spouse a friendly reminder to pick the kids up from soccer practice. 6. You are traveling and arrive at your hotel room. You: a) Turn on the TV and avoid the Internet altogether—they can just call you if they need you. b) Call the hotel ahead of time to make sure they have a T1 connection. c) Pull your Blackberry out of yourbriefcase and click away. Scoring Add up your points to see how well traveled you are within today’s wireless world. Give yourself one point for each A, two for each B and three for each C. 15 to 18—Ultimate Mobile Mover (& Shaker): Congratulations! You’re a true mobile speed racer with enough wireless connectivity to short circuit the neighborhood. You travel in a wireless world where through your wireless habits you’re more productive and connected 24/7. You long for the simplicity of one e-mail address across all of your Internet-connected devices to spend hours every day communicating with your friends, family, colleagues and heck, even strangers! 10 to 14—Highway-Only Adventurer: You’re on the right track, but you're a little pedal shy. You may enjoy using the Internet for work and/or online shopping, but that’s about it. If you’re tired of missing your daughter’s soccer practice because you’ve misplaced the e-mail schedule her coach sent you, now is the time to take the plunge. Try www.earthlink.net/ mobile for the latest wireless email devices, no dinner interruptions and more peace of mind. 6 to 9—Driving Miss Daisy: Okay, so you may have an Internet connection at home, but you don’t know what else you’re missing. You’ve yet to take advantage of the benefits that wireless Internet devices have to offer. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what some of these devices can actually do for you and how they can keep you connected.
