Wi-Fi while traveling (Was: Re: Atlanta Roadgeek Meet Trip Report: KY-VA-TN-NC)

On Sat, 12 Jan 2008 07:36:39 -0800 (PST), JimKG@xxxxxxx wrote:

Many high-end hotels charge $8-10 for internet usage, while it's
usually free at a budget or mid-range hotel/motel, go figure!

I've seen quite a few posts on this topic in the last couple of days so I figure
I'll hit the high spots here.

When I went to Washington DC on business a few years ago, the hotel had wired
high-speed for which a extra 10 bucks a day was charged. I wasn't paying the
bill so I sprung for it.

I first started using Hampton Inn because they had free high-speed Internet,
although the one in Steubenville, Ohio had wired instead of wireless (that's why
I always carry an Ethernet cable, just in case). I've become a fan of Microtel
because of their reasonable rates, free wi-fi and MicroPass program where if you
stay 9 nights, you get one free (I redeemed a free night at Franklin, NC on my
way to Atlanta). Microtel doesn't have the saturation of other chains, but
they're growing.

I had problems with my connection in Franklin. I got a better wi-fi signal from
the Arby's next door than I did the hotel's server. Plus the hotel's provider
actually had a content filter and it blocked some sites. First time I've ever
come across that; even KY state parks offer unfiltered access while we state
workers don't have access to a lot of sites.

The slowest wi-fi I've ever had was at the Galt House in Louisville.

I've only paid once -- Red Roof advertises wi-fi but they sell you a short-term
T-mobile Hot Spot pass. You can add more time to it anytime you're traveling
near a T-mobile Hot Spot. I sprung for it when I was in Youngstown, Ohio last
fall. The Microtel was booked up and they referred me to the Red Roof next door,
which had a room. (Turns out after I checked in, I called Microtel on a lark and
found out they had vacancies after all but I didn't know if I could get a refund
from Red Roof or not after checking in and using the restroom in the room).

As for using wi-fi from open routers, I'm not sure how that would be a crime
unless you have to click through a page that states the service is only
available to registered guests or paying customers or some such. I know states
differ in their treatment of computer crimes, Kentucky has a law about
"unauthorized access to a computer" but that's used to deal more with hacking
(such as the case in Louisville where a couple of students broke into their
school's network and changed their grades, or some outsiders had hacked into
KYTC's servers a few years ago and were storing movies and MP3s for download). I
have been known to park in a parking lot of a hotel with wi-fi if I needed to
check e-mail or anything temporarily. But I've noticed a lot more places
offering Hot Spots, like McDonald's or other restaurants.

Very rarely have I had to use a password to get on a hotel's network. Hampton
Inns do it as a matter of course with all the ones I've stayed at, but only one
Microtel has, the one in Grove City, Ohio. I've stayed there twice and got the
same password both times.

I have an iPhone but it is not the perfect wireless Internet solution. It
handles email in, IMHO, a clunky fashion. It will use a wi-fi network when
available and AT&T's Edge network otherwise.

On my regular cellphone, I have the $19.99 MEdiaNet unlimited plan which was
purchased back before they expressly prohibited "tethering," the act of
connecting to the Internet via computer through the cellphone. I routinely use
this through a Bluetooth connection and some third-party Motorola modem scripts
to connect my MacBook to the Internet anywhere I can get an AT&T Edge signal.
Speeds are slow but they're functional for e-mail, rudimentary Web surfing and
streaming audio (great for someone who works in radio wasteland.) You can't
comfortably watch YouTube videos or download big attachments on such slow
speeds, but that's OK.


--
To reply by e-mail, remove the "restrictor plate"
.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: 8525 - Is FREE Wi-Fi Possible With This Condition?
    ... Internet Web sites? ... and change both options to "My Work Network" save it and reboot. ... I can access neighborhood Wi-Fi Access Points, ... and re-select "Cingular" for that 1st menu. ...
    (alt.cellular.cingular)
  • Pioneering WikFi City Sees Startup Woes
    ... told them he'd have free Internet access through this city's new Wi-Fi ... country's first free citywide Wi-Fi network, ... City transit worker. ...
    (comp.dcom.telecom)
  • The Case of the Stolen Wi-Fi
    ... The Case of the Stolen Wi-Fi ... Whether you're unwittingly sharing your wireless LAN or poaching, ... there are real dangers if your network plays host to strangers. ... Internet connection via an unprotected wireless LAN: ...
    (alt.2600)
  • Re: Wi-Fi (Hotspot) Internet Connection on Pocket PC
    ... Except that if you don't need a VPN then configuring the WORK setting correctly allows both internet ... local network access and wireless ActiveSync without changing anything... ... but the wi-fi connection at a cybercafe? ...
    (microsoft.public.pocketpc.wireless)
  • Re: Wi-Fi while traveling (Was: Re: Atlanta Roadgeek Meet Trip Report: KY-VA-TN-NC)
    ... I'll hit the high spots here. ... I've become a fan of Microtel ... free wi-fi and MicroPass program where if you ... to connect my MacBook to the Internet anywhere I can get an AT&T Edge signal. ...
    (misc.transport.road)
Loading