Re: US Internet Service
- From: Lou@xxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Thu, 13 Jul 2006 13:08:14 GMT
RichC wrote:
"Larry" <noone@xxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:Xns97FF752CB237noonehomecom@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
"RichC" <rcacace@{REMOVE_TO_REPLY}swfla.rr.com> wrote in
news:ybetg.163$Eh7.41@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:
I'm thinking about getting internet service for my laptop for a trip
across the US. How much service can I expect to receive? What is the
minimum plan available? Do I have to sign a long term contract?
Do you need your laptop to run while you are supposed to be driving, or
just when you get to your hotel? Most hotels not also running a tire
shop next door, now provide free wifi to their customers, open to all.
Even if you're not a customer, you can park in their lot and do your
emailing, etc., for free. Many cities, like in downtown Charleston, SC,
now provide free wifi internet to anyone with a laptop so equipped.
Why pay for something that may be free?
Try it in Tampa, Rich. Download Network Stumbler from:
http://www.stumbler.net/ for free.
Install it. It's a network scanner. If you have a GPS you can plug into
the laptop, Net Stumbler will even log lat/long/time and interface with
Google Earth and Google Maps to give you a nice map with all the wifi
hotspots on it across wherever you drive it running on the seat beside
you.
It will tell you which are protected and which are not with an icon on
each connection on the list. I'm overwhelmed with unprotected, free
systems around here. All the hotels above Motel 6 are hotspots, as is
Circuit City, Denny's, Starbucks, etc. Lots of restaurants cater to the
wifi crowd, too.....all free...even Quiznos sub shops.
Ask your reservations clerk about the availability of both wifi and
direct Ethernet connections in your room. You don't need internet
service going 70 mph down the interstate...(c;
Download Skype for that laptop from skype.com, too! No sense running up
the cellphone bill with you having the internet-connected laptop in the
hotel room. Skype In gives you a stable telephone number YOU choose
that's a local call to your people in Tampa, or about anywhere, just like
your cellphone number. When they call that number, your Skype in the
hotel "rings". If you're offline or not available, Skype has a great
voicemail system INCLUDED with Skype In for free. Difference is you can
talk as long as you like without watching timers and minutes-used and
worrying about roaming charge mistakes. Skype In is only $38/YEAR!
Besides, wardriving is just so much FUN!
Thanks Larry, I really don't need wireless internet service other than for
our trip for occasional use & this approach sounds more logical. Do most of
the hotspots have a signal strong enough to log on in their parking lots?
Do not know, but probably not. They want you to come in and buy something like
coffee and a goodie. Even McDonald's has hot spots in many stores.
Perhaps you qualify for their senior coffee / soda:-))
Lou
.
- References:
- US Internet Service
- From: RichC
- Re: US Internet Service
- From: Larry
- Re: US Internet Service
- From: RichC
- US Internet Service
- Prev by Date: Re: Verizon's new UI unreadable to baby boomers?
- Next by Date: Re: best verizon phone?
- Previous by thread: Re: US Internet Service
- Next by thread: Re: US Internet Service
- Index(es):
Relevant Pages
|
