Once the software installation has completed, a setup dialog will appear which will need to be configured, as seen in Figure B.

FIGURE B


Basejet's configuration screens are pretty easy to navigate and use. Roll over picture for a larger image.

Select Outlook if you're an Exchange user, or select Notes if you're a Domino user. For POP3/IMAP4 users, you must properly configure Outlook or Notes to receive mail in order to use this product. Finally, if you're a Notes user, you'll need to enter your password to unlock your Notes user id.

Finally, you enter your cellular/mobile phone number and select your wireless carrier. This is used by Basejet to send an SMS (Short Message Service) alert to the device, notifying it that it should begin an unattended wireless synchronization with the desktop.

If you don't yet have one of the supported converged devices, you can still use the Basejet conduit when connected through a desktop cradle. You can also manually synchronize if you have a wireless modem connected to your Palm OS device.

A key component of Basejet's offering is their functionally rich on-device email client. It provides a great user experience that has more in common with Microsoft Outlook than with typical Palm OS mail applications. The application makes it easy to search and manage your mail file on the device in addition to your desktop. Strong use of graphical buttons and icons, as well as Windows-like features such as popup menus and context sensitive help make it easy to manage a sizeable mail file on the device.

Basejet's email software is shown on the client in Figure C.

FIGURE C

Basejet's email software on the client is powerful and colorful

One great feature of the product is that it also translates Word documents and Excel on the fly in your email inbox. When files are attached to inbound messages, Basejet will convert those documents to text when possible and place the text at the bottom of your messages.

With support for popup menus (accessed by holding down the stylus for about one second), it's easy to file, delete, or reply to any email. Because of its SMS heritage, popup menus can also provide quick-response popup entries that allow you to let someone know that you're in a meeting without having to type a single word.

Support
Currently, Basejet offers free customer support through email, as well as a discussion database on their Web site. Product documentation (Windows Help File and installation "readme") are limited in the current release; Basejet really needs to address this issue in a future release. That having been said, I got the product up and running with the current materials.

Strengths, weaknesses, and improvements
Basejet's strengths include very easy installation, the client only solution doesn't require IT involvement or support, rich email client (compared to other Palm OS solutions), and supports for both Lotus Notes and Outlook.

Its weaknesses include weak documentation and lack of filtering options.

I'd like to see improved filtering for email (only synchronize high priority e-mail), server based solution availability (coming soon), and better support for folders.