I spend a lot of my time driving on country roads. My constant companion is my personal data assistant, the Sidekick II.For an initial investment of $199, my Sidekick II PDA allows me to get my email, browse on the internet, and keep track of my contacts. It even has an integrated camera and cell phone.Although my Sidekick II is always with me, when I drive down country roads it is not likely to connect. It works best in larger cities with strong economies. It does not work well in many small towns.My Sidekick's ability to connect is a great indicator of how the economy of the nation is divided. The large cities and better heeled communities have good wireless access, the poorer counties do not.The Sidekick is the most important business tool I own. It allows me to receive and respond to emails all day. I use it to keep up with breaking news and search for information on the internet. I can return phone calls. I can do anything I need to do in an office. It completely changed how I do business.Many of my friends have the Blackberry, which is more expensive and does not have as many features as a Sidekick II. They also agree that the wireless connection changed their business.I've never met a Sidekick owner who gave one up voluntarily. Personal data assistants are more addictive than crack cocaine. Once you have one, it changes your world.I know what a high quality wireless connection has done for my business and what it could do in other industries. Shop keepers and craftspeople can sell their wares anywhere in the world. You can contact the best specialist in a medical or business field and get the exact answer you want. Expertise can always be available.Even if your expert is driving home on a country road.Don McNay is President of McNay Settlement Group in Richmond where we want people to connect with us. He is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists. You can email him at don@mcnay.com or read other things he has written at www.donmcnay.com