So let's see, where did I leave off?
I went to a number of sites after noodling on Google for a while to find more Windows CE software. A friend informed me that every version of Windows CE, from version 1 to the current 3.0 release, has been re-written from the ground up. Interesting. Also, since there are multiple releases of different hardware specs amongst multiple vendors (owing to the Palm-size PC, Handheld PC, and [newest] Pocket PC monkiers) and different chipsets used by different models (SH-3, MIPS, and ARM), software is not usually all that transparent. I lucked out by finding software tagged for iPAQs, or by looking for "Pocket PC, Windows CE 3.0, ARM" builds. There's also a common sort of app packaging some people do where they wrap all the different builds into a bundled executable and your ActiveSync installer will select the right one to install on your device.
I played pretty extensively with the installed version of Windows Media Player, a WMP Technology Preview (version 6), and Windows Media Player 7 CE. The first and the last seem to be for WMA and MP3 playback only. The Tech Preview version of WMP 6 will let me connect to ASX streams and playback WMV files.
Oh yeah, 802.11. I got that working. Here's the skinny:
The day after I posted the original write-up, I tried 3Com's server again, and still wasn't having any luck. But it at least was feeding me pages from the server saying that the requested item wasn't found, instead of the annoying built-in IE error page. I called 3Com tech support, navigated through their phone prompts to the appropriate representative, waited five minuites, and talked to a human. I explained what I was looking to download, and after checking his available information, the technician got my contact details, put me on hold for three more minuites and returned with confirmation of the issue. Essentially, the driver I wanted included cryptographic features, and as such was cryptographic software and required some verification that any machine requesting it be subjected to a reverse lookup and a form submission of all the normal data for this sort of transaction. While the server that had the downloadable package I wanted was, itself, operational and fine, the machine that served up the form and did the reverse DNS check wasn't. I was advised to wait and try again.
Note that the encryption mentioned is 128-bit support of WEP. Note that WEP is severly borked, as demonstrated by the ISAAC crew. Note, then, that your best choice for a 802.11 card, should you not already have invested in other gear, is a Lucent Orinoco Silver (the only difference between their Silver and Gold cards being that the Gold cards support 128-bit WEP and cost more). Also, Lucent's cards have drivers not only for CE but also Linux (although Linux on the iPAQ isn't ready for primetime at all yet) and they have a decently priced base station.
The next day, I tried again as advised, and succeeded in downloading the driver. After installing it on the iPAQ and some initial configuration (more or less the same as the required info for the Windows 2000 Professional driver for the same card), I was up and running. The first thing I did was check out IE, which worked fine. After downloading a CE version of AIM and third-party IRC and SSH 1.5 clients, I was more than happy, wandering around the office, foisting my gadget euphoria on unsuspecting co-workers, and chatting with friends while posting BBS responses to my previous message (this write-up is straight to web).
So the 3Com AirConnect card work with the in-house 3Com AirConnect 802.11 Wireless LAN (using 3Com base stations), and does so more or less out of the box (assuming you can download the drivers).
I also managed to get the 3Com card working with an Apple AirPort base station at a friend's house, wherein the only setting I changed (beyond the WLAN name [also known as the SSID]) to get a connection was to set the "Diversity" setting in the CE configuration app (under the "WLAN Adapter" tab) from "Diversity on" to "Primary only". Both the in-house and my friend's network use no encryption, but the in-house network requires that the 802.11 cards be registered according to MAC address to the base station. My next minor goal is to get the 3Com card to work internally with our Apple AirPort base stations (something that internally was thought to be impossible, and thus why work purchased 3Com base stations).
Dale Coffing's FAQ at his PocketPCPassion site gave me a solution as to why none of my apps were finding files on my Microdrive in the default "All Folders" open file/find file dialog most of them use: CE expects files in either RAM or on storage cards to be in "My Documents" if they're to be used in apps (meaning MP3s, Pocket Word documents, playlists, etc.) but not program files and other such, which exist in Program Files (itself a folder at the same level of hiearchy as My Documents). The solution is to create a "My Documents" folder on the storage card (in this case, my Microdrive) and then put everything in there, which works. What I haven't tried as of yet is installing apps on to the Microdrive. I wonder if I can even do that.
You know a device is useful when you can use it to help get you out of tight binds. Yesterday, I left the office to get a cup of coffee with a friend, purchase some PlayStation2 games, and look at new DVDs for sale. I didn't know it at the time, but I left my keys on my desk and walked out to meet him, locking myself out of not only the office but also out of my apartment. I brought the iPAQ with me, along with the Microdrive and 802.11 card, mostly to show off my new toy. We ended up going over to his apartment to check out the new game and talk about a new idea/project of his. Again, still no recolletion of my missing keys (this is where I fiddled to get the card working with his completely Mac-centric network using AirPort, and succeeded, as mentioned above). Later that same night, I left and went to meet some (other) friends to attend a house party. Still no idea I was missing keys. Still had all my iPAQ gear. Left the party somewhat early to get some rest and stay on a normal schedule, and in the cab-ride back with a friend, I notice: no keys. I was planning a desperate attempt at trying to get back into the office to retrieve them (this is around 1:30 AM), but said friend offered her couch and I took her up on it.
This morning, I headed over to work to meet up with another friend who I knew was coming into work. I didn't know when, though, and I had no idea if he was already in the office. Some preliminary phone calls to his mobile and desk phones resulted only in me leaving plaintive voice mails. Then my mobile phone battery died. Damn! I got a coffee and waited around a bit outside (it was a beautiful day) when I realized that one of the entrances (which was still locked to me) might be close to one of our base stations. I sat down near the entrance, reconfigured the card, and got it working. I hopped on our company IRC channel, AIM, and sent a few mails. 10 minuites later, my friend let me in the building after getting my email and getting a hold of me on IRC.