"Wherever I am, my laptop is with me, and if it's turned on, it's on the Net unless I'm out of WiFi range. It has an excellent screen for looking at pictures and is a fine music box."

This simple truth is at the heart of XML pioneer Tim Bray's personal decision to steer clear of PDAs or the Blackberry. (The italics are ours.)

"Of course," he blogged on Tuesday, "there are lots of times when the computer isn't on: when I'm walking, or in a car, or shopping. Of course, I'd still like to be connected some of those times. To be precise, I'd like to be connected by voice; what I need is a good old-fashioned telephone."

Bray continues:

"What I Need, and Don't

So, I need a mobile device that is a phone, and I also always have a camera so if the two were one, that would be OK. It would be nice to be able to see my calendar while I'm on the phone. I don't particularly need mobile e-mail or web access or picture-viewing or music-listening, beyond what the computer gives me.

Bluetooth? I think it hits the sweet spot for me. I'd totally love one of the hot new phones with high-speed flat-rate data that I can leave in my bag. Then I stick a Bluetooth headset over one ear, and then have my computer connect through it so I'm really on the Net all the time.

But... iPod? Blackberry? Texting? Not for me, thanks; at the moment anyhow. Are there others like me?"

Well, are there? Doubtless readers will let us know in the appropriate fashion. The feedback link below is all yours!