A little while ago I became interested in a way to send and retrieve e-mail inexpensively while travelling. I send out a request for info on some boaters lists and arrived at a workable solution. Since quite a number of people requested that I copy them on my findings, I decided to post this message on two lists: TWL and Liveaboard. It should also be noted that I am Canadian, live on a boat in Lake Ontario and my notes reflect this situation. I decided the best system for me would be PocketMail with the Sharp TM-20 for hardware. The TM-20 is a very small battery operated device that, via an acoustic coupler, connects to any personal-, business- or pay-phone. It will also work most of the time with analog cellphones (I use a dualmode Sony). It will not function with digital cellphones. PocketMail is the complimentary software system, operated out of California and provides two 800 numbers in the U.S. and Canada (Long Distance elsewhere) with unlimited access from wherever a phone can be found. Using the system is quite simple: One composes messages for e-mail correspondents on the TM-20 and dials up one of the 800 numbers. A recorded voice message prompts one to hold the device to the telephone receiver and push the connect button. The system takes care of everything from thereon. It reads the e-mail messages you, the sender, have composed and then sends whatever e-mail it has previously received and stored for you, the recipient. When it is finished, it advises you with a distinct beep tone. One then opens the TM-20, reads all e-mail and forwards, replies or deletes messages as desired. Cost of the system is as follows: Approx. $100.- for the Sharp TM-20 (plus shipping) and another $100.- per year for using the PocketMail software. In Canada one needs to add sales tax but no customs duty. Use of the 800 numbers is free in Canada and the U.S. (You even get your quarter back from the payphone!). You can make as many calls as you wish and beep away as long as you need to. Addresses to purchase the Sharp TM-20 are found on the website for PocketMail or Sharp A source in Canada is ronandbev@pocketmail.com , Kingston, Ontario. If you or your mate is a member of the magazine "Women Aboard, they offer a special package price. Call 1-888-213-5919; ask for Vicki. I bought mine via mail order from sales@pygmy.com in Miami, FL (delivered to Toronto, Canada within three days) All information to sign-on and get your own e-mail address from PocketMail are printed within the instructions for the hardware. I got mine arranged by phone, using MasterCard and it took about one hour. Happy Communicating - George Geist scaramouche1@pocketmail.com Send me a message if youd like to try it out, but beware - I set my system to truncate longwinded transmissions mercilessly (another neat feature of PocketMail) Disclaimer: I have no connection nor commercial interest in the above - but I am a satisfied customer (and still learning all the extra features).