I have tested a couple of the newer builds and it seems that Verizonguy's build is the only one with working USB. RNDIS/Bluetooth/IRDA are not options for people working in secure environments where such things are disabled by network policy or physically removed/disconnected. I just want to make sure that the team working on the kitchen is aware of this issue and the fact that Verizonguy managed to fix it. USB support has worked with the kitchen (HELMI_Apache_3.5_KITCHEN_PPC-GEEKS_r1.2-pre2.rar) for 2 or 3 weeks now. What are you using? So this will allow you to disable the advanced functionality and use plain old USB serial using the USB to PC utility? I was unable to use serial mode until I added the USB Cable in the registry.
See my post here: /fully-working-helmi-aku-3-5-kitchen-ppcgeeks-revision-t2801,start,270.html (sorry they won't let me post links). I'm now able to use ActiveSync over USB without dropping my VPN connection.
This was a must for syncing a 40MB mailbox. It was just too slow over bluetooth. The only problem I still have is that I sometime still get an 'unknown device' error on one of my machine unless I power off the PDA, put it in the cradle, and then turn on the power.