Today I bought an iPod Touch and installed Traveler on my 8.5.1 Domino mail server. It was so easy as to be shocking, and works perfectly. I thought I'd give a run down on it in very quick and dirty terms for those of you who, like me, aren't really Apple fans and don't have an iPhone to play with -- but are getting requests from your users for this functionality.

First of all, understand that I've never owned an iPod Touch or iPhone -- and while my kids and wife have iPods, I don't. I don't use a Mac, and generally don't do Apple stuff. I came at this completely cold. I had to ask some other PB's I know where to go get started and find the Traveler software and installation instructions. Really, I started cold. The documentation is a little TOO complete. It makes the process look much more complex that it is for most people. Here's what I did.

1. I opened and synced my new iPod Touch with my music and audio book library, and got it set up on my local area wireless network.

2. Downloaded the "Traveler 8.5.1" install kit for my Lotus Domino 8.5.1 server. It's on Passport Advantage if you need it.

3. Shut down the Domino server, and ran the Traveler installation program. It asked me two or three very very simple questions, which I took the default answer to in each case.

4. Started the Domino Server back up.

5. Using the browser on the iPod Touch, I navigated to "http://myserver/servlet/traveler" and logged in.

6. Selected the link to configure my iPod/iPhone -- this caused a small file to be downloaded to the phone, which then required authorization to make my "Profile". It's sounds scary, but it's simple as hell.

7. Re-entered my http password into the newly setup Profile.

8. Opened the mail icon on my iPod Touch, and I could immediately see all my inbox. I can open the other folders as well as send messages. My address book contacts are there for me to send to, my calendar entries are visible via the calendar icon on my iPod etc.

So, non-Mac admins -- don't sweat this one. It's the easiest thing you'll ever have to do, that will make your iPhone users incredibly happy.