What is Homeport?
A: Homeport is a wireless subscription service that allows licensed Realtors to access all MLS® listings through a wireless handheld device, anytime, anywhere. Benefits include:

• Convenient, instant access to all MLS® listings - full MLS® data on all residential listings at your fingertips;
  
  
• Save time and money - less trips to your office/home computer for fact finding means lower gas mileage and expenses. You can be more efficient with more time selling and less time researching;
  
  
• Improved customer service - respond to questions instantly, anywhere. No need to carry around out-of-date MLS® books;
  
  
• Quick CMA - lists of active and sold listings, min/max averages by search criteria;
  
  
• Easy to use - nothing to install, nothing to synchronize on your handheld device.

Q: What PDAs will Homeport work on?
A: You access Homeport via wireless Pocket PC/Windows Mobile®, the PALM OS®, the Blackberry^TM. It also works on cell phones with web browsing capability. All you need is Internet access with your PDA, commonly known as a data access plan.

»To top of page

Q: What do I get once I register?
A: When you register, you choose your own username and password. Then once you register, use the browser on your wireless PDA and go to pdalistings.com and log in with the username and password you specified when you registered.

You'll have full access to all property listing information and everything that Homeport offers, which includes:

My Listings
New Listings
New Prices
New Sales
Search
MLS Number
Street Name
Contact Roster
Office Roster
Resources

Those items contain:
My Listings: Active, Sold, Sold - 3 Months, Sold - 6 Months, Sold - Year, All. These links all refer to status of the listing and presents a summary. Combine that with the ability to email a listing or summary of listings, let's say you get a phone call about a particular listing. You log in to Homeport, click on 'My Listings' to bring up your particular listing, and email it to the caller, all in a brief moment.

New Listings: These are new listings from today and yesterday broken down into districts/map areas. There is a summary count for each districts/map area.

New Prices: These are price changes from today and yesterday broken down into districts/map areas. There is a summary count for each district/map area.

New Sales: These are new sales from today and yesterday broken down into district/map areas. There is a summary count for each district/map area.

Search: On the search page you are able to search by district/map area, class, minimum and maximum price, minimum and maximum number of bedrooms, minimum and maximum number of bathrooms and status.

MLS Number: You can look up a property by specific MLS Number.

Street Name: You can look up a listing by specific address. You can also look up listings by block. All with a choice of status variable.

Contact Roster: With phone, fax, email and street addresses for all salespeople, plus listings categorized as Active, Sold, Sold - 3 Months, Sold - 6 Months, Sold - Year, All. These links all refer to status of the listing and presents a summary.

Office Roster: With phone, fax, email and street addresses for all offices and salespeople.

Resources: Mortgage calculator, Imperial to metric conversion tools and more!

From each individual listing you view, you can view additional photos (if supplied), email the listing or summary of listings, find a map, and link to the mortgage calculator.

»To top of page

Will Homeport work on my handheld device?
A:Homeport works on a wireless device that supports Internet browsing. This includes the PALM OS®, the Blackberry^TM and the Pocket PC/Windows Mobile®. To test your handheld device, open up the Internet browser on your device and go to homeportlistings.com/test/ and you should see a message stating whether or not your device supports Homeport.

»To top of page

Q: How do I access Homeport from my device?
A:This depends on your handheld device and model. Generally, open up your browser and navigate to http://homeportlistings.com. The browser may look like:

Note that there may be more than one type of browser on your device. Be sure to use the HTML/Internet browser, as opposed to the WAP browser.

»To top of page

Q: What do I need to install on my handheld device?
A: Nothing. You don't need to install anything on your handheld device in order to use Homeport. All you need is wireless Internet access with your device, commonly known as a data access plan.

»To top of page

Q: What are your set-up fees?
A: We don't have set-up fees, just a simple yearly subscription.

»To top of page

Q: What are your monthly fees?
A: We don't have monthly fees, just a simple yearly subscription.

»To top of page

Q: How long will it take before I can use Homeport?
A: It takes a few minutes to register, and then after twenty minutes you can log in and access all MLS data on Homeport. Click to register now.

»To top of page

Q: How do I set the start page on my PDA (PocketPC, Audiovox) to the start page of Homeport?
A: On your PDA open up your Internet Explorer browser.

1. If you cannot see the Address bar near the top, then at the bottom of the window, click on 'View' and if there is no checkmark beside 'Address Bar' then click on 'Address Bar' so it will appear.
2. In the Address bar (it may say something like: file://\windows\default.htm) change it to http://homeportlistings.com and click the little curved arrow to the right.
3. The webpage of http://homeportlistings.com should load, and you'll see
   Home
   Username________
   Password________
   
4. At the bottom of the window, click on 'Tools' and then on 'Options'.
5. Under 'Home page' click on 'Use Current'.
6. Click Ok in the top right corner.
7. To hide the address bar (as in #2 above) click on 'View' and then on 'Address Bar'

»To top of page

Q: How do I set the start page on my Treo running Palm OS® to the start page of Homeport?
A: Your home page is the web page that appears when you first open the Web Browser. You can change your home page to any web address. NOTE: Your service provider has the option to disable this choice. If the choice is disabled, your changes have no effect.

1. Open the Web browser from the Applications menu.
2. Open the menus by selecting the Menu button.
3. Select Options, and then select Preferences.
4. Depending on your unit either:
   
   a) Select Page.
   b) Tap the Home Page field and write the URL you want to have as a home page. For example: http://homeport.mobi
   
   OR
   
   a) Tap Default.
   b) Do one of the following:
   - Enter the address of the new home page.
   - Tap Current URL to make the page currently displayed in Web Browser Pro your home page.
   - Use the drop down list to choose one of the last five home pages you've used as your home page.
   
   
5. Tap OK.

»To top of page

Q: How do I set the start page of my Blackberry to the start page of Homeport?
A: To make Homeport your start page on an 8700 Blackberry, here is how to do it. These instructions are specific to the Blackberry 8700, but the process is similar for most Blackberries. Please note that there may be some differences in your Blackberry.

1. On your Blackberry, open up the Internet Browser (not the WAP Browser)
2. Click the track wheel and select 'Go To...'
3. type in: homeport.mobi
   so it looks like: Go To: http://homeport.mobi
4. Click the track wheel and select Ok
   This will bring you to the Homeport start page
5. Click the track wheel and select 'Add Bookmark'. A page should open with:
   Add Bookmark
   Name: Homeport
6. You should ensure that 'Available Offline' is unchecked
7. Click the track wheel and select 'Add'
8. Click the track wheel and scroll down to select 'Options'
9. Click on 'Browser Configuration'
10. Below 'Home Page Address' there should be a button which says 'Use Current'. Use the track wheel to roll to this button and click 'Use Current'

1. On your Blackberry, from the main screen go to 'Options'
2. Select 'Screen/Keyboard'
3. Scroll down to either of 'Front Convenience Key Opens:' or 'Side Convenience Key Opens:
4. Select the program indicated, click the track wheel and select 'Change Option' and choose 'Browser'
5. Click the track wheel and select 'Save'
6. Now when you click that button, Homeport should launch.

»To top of page

Q: How do I bookmark a web page for later reference?
A: Bookmarks let you instantly access a Web page, without needing to enter the address every time.

1. Go to the page you want to bookmark.
2. Open the menus by selecting the Menu button.
3. Select Add Bookmark from the Page menu.
4. (Optional) Change the Name and Description on the New Bookmark screen.
5. Select OK, and then select OK.

»To top of page

Q: Do I need to synchronize my PDA with my desktop computer?
A: No, there is nothing to synchronize. You do not need to connect your PDA to your desktop computer. In fact, you don't even need a desktop computer.

»To top of page

Q: What is a PDA?
A: In this case, PDA stands for Personal Digital Assistant, also known as Handheld Computers, are handheld devices that were originally designed as personal organizers, but became much more versatile over the years. A basic PDA usually includes a clock, date book, address book, task list, memo pad, and a simple calculator. Newer PDAs can also be used a cell phones, pagers, web browsers and email readers. Some include radios, mp3 players, digital cameras, bar code scanners and more.

»To top of page

Q: I want to buy a PDA. Do you sell them?
A: We don't sell PDAs, and recommend you visit your local computer retailer, or local cellular telephone provider, such as Rogers, Telus, Bell, TAC, Alberta Wireless, etc. For product reviews, we suggest cnet.com

»To top of page

Q: Do you sell data access plans?
A: No. Check with a local cellular telephone provider such as Rogers, Telus, Bell, Alberta Wireless, Fido etc.

»To top of page

Q: I use a Blackberry 7250 through Telus. Can I still use Homeport?
A: Yes, but you may need to update your software. From the Home screen, click Options > About. The third line shows the handheld software version ( i.e. v4.0.0.160).

If you are using: Handheld software 4.0:

• From the Home screen, click Options > Host Routing Table
• Click the track wheel to display the screen menu.
• Click Register Now.
  
  

If you are using: Handheld software 3.71:

• From the Home screen, click Options > Network.
• Click the track wheel to display the screen menu.
• Click Register Now.
  
  

Once the update is downloaded, a new globe icon Internet Browser will appear. You'll see one of the following depending on your software version:

	Version 4.0 handheld software
	Version 3.7 handheld software

Then navigate to pdalistings.com via the new icon, enter your username and password.

If you require any assistance please contact us.

»To top of page

Q: My old PDA went in the toilet, so I just bought a new PDA. Will it cost anything to get Homeport on it?
A: No. Simply go to pdalistings.com with your PDA and sign in with your username and password.

»To top of page

Q: I don't use a credit card, can I still use Homeport?
A: Yes, simply print out the form on our registration page, fill it out, attach a cheque for $199.95 plus tax ($213.95 in BC, $213.95 in Alta), and send it to the address on our contact page. After we receive your cheque, we will register you, and contact you when it is done.

»To top of page

Q: Do you have a synchronized version of Homeport?
A: No, we do not have a synchronized version of Homeport, and at this time, none is being planned.

»To top of page

Q: Is Homeport available in my area?
A: Homeport is currently available in Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Victoria, Edmonton and Calgary. If there is a strong interest expressed by Realtors in other cities, then we may be able to offer Homeport in these areas. If you are interested in Homeport in your area, please email us (info7@homeportlistings.com), and let us know your geographic location and real estate board.

Q: Why can't I have Homeport in my area?
A: Once enough Realtors in a geographic area express an interest in our Homeport product, we work with their local real estate board to get their permission to access the property listing data. If you are interested in having Homeport in your area, have as many Realtors from your Board contact us as you can: info7@homeportlistings.com.

»To top of page

Q: Why don't I just access my regular MLS system, such as MLXchange or Ambiance or on my wireless handheld??
A: Those desktop MLS systems are not designed to be displayed on wireless handhelds. They are designed to be displayed on full size desktop computers, with their larger monitors and high speed connections. Homeport is specifically designed to display MLS data on the smaller display screens found on wireless handheld devices.

»To top of page

Q: I am in the market to buy a PDA. Which PDA works best with your system. Blackberry, Treo or Audiovox?
A: They all work nearly the same. It is actually a matter of preference: function, speed of the unit and connection, operating system.

Between the team at Radar Hill we use the IPAQ, Audiovox, Blackberry, and Tréo, and enjoy them all.

»To top of page

Q: I heard that Bell and Telus are faster than Rogers. Is this true? If so, is it noticeably faster?
A: Well, they all claim to be the quickest. In some areas there is the advantage of network overlap with Fido and Rogers. Here is an article from strategis.ic.gc.ca on the companies are and who their consumers are. It does not have a direct comparison as to which is quicker but does lend some light as to the market, and the offerings.

»To top of page

Q: Is it true that the Audiovox has a bigger screen and therefore works better, or does your system adjust to the smaller screen size of say, the Blackberry? If so, is the type and picture smaller, or do you just have to scroll more to see the same amount of information?
A: Our system adjusts to any screen. The height of the Blackberry is the shortest of all compared. That said, the easy thumb navigation easily takes that negative out. For product reviews, we suggest cnet.com.

»To top of page

Q: How do I refresh a page I am looking at?
A: Ensure that you are looking at current content by refreshing the main page of Homeport:
PocketPC - there is a icon at the bottom of the display with two green arrows. Tap this icon to refresh the page.
Palm - there is an 'X' at the bottom left of the iSilo document. Tap it to close the document and then re-open the Homeport document.
Blackberry - Click the wheel and choose 'Refresh' from the menu that appears, and click.

»To top of page

Q: I have a FIDO cell phone, and a Blackberry without a data package. How can I use Homeport?
A: FIDO units do not have user agents (browsers), but they do have GPRS access to the Internet.
One suggestion we've heard, and not one we think will work very well, is to use FIDO to get on the Internet, then through Bluetooth/infrared connection from your FIDO to your Blackberry, use the browser on your Blackberry to access Homeport. It would be much easier to get a data package with the Blackberry.

»To top of page

Q: I've started using the Blackberry 8700 and am having trouble accessing Homeport. What can I do?
A: If you are having trouble accessing our service through the Blackberry 8700, it may be because the data connection is not complete. Take a look at the screen on your Blackberry. Look for the word 'edge'. If 'edge' is in lower case, that is not good. You will need to do a hard reset. To do that, turn off the Blackberry and remove the battery from the back for a moment. Then put it back in and turn it on. The word EDGE should now be in upper case letters.

»To top of page

Q: What is it really going to cost me in bandwidth?
A: Here are the figures on HomePort files sizes:

2k per listing - without picture
8-10k per listing - with picture
listing summaries are limited to a maximum of 4k per.

Kilo (k) = 1,024 bytes
Mega (meg) = 1,048,576 bytes

2k listing without a picture = 2,048 bytes
1,048,576 / 2,048 = 512 listings

10k listing with a picture = 10,240 bytes
1,048,576 / 16,384 bytes = 102 listings

4k listings summary
1,048,576 / 4,096 bytes = 256 summaries

Doing some simple math:
- 512 listings without picture
- 102 listings with picture
- 256 summaries
----------------------------
3 meg

So a Realtor in a single month who uses Homeport to look up 512 listings without a picture, and 102 listings with a picture, and 256 listing summaries, will only use 3 megabytes of data, which is way below most data access plans. Therefore Homeport won't cause you to have excessive bandwidth charges on your PDA.

»To top of page

Q: How much data usage? Do I get charged for data the entire time I am logged in to Homeport?
A: Charges are based on the amount of data transmitted. As data is only charged when sending or receiving, every click to a new page is a download, so there would be a charge. But once the page loads, there is no additional charge. You could leave a listing on your PDA for 10 hours and not be charged another dime for data until you load a different page.

»To top of page