Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (
More info?)
On 18 Oct 2004 18:04:09 -0700, "PreferACuddle" <lisacasey@gmail.com>
wrote:
>I am a total beginner when it comes to the world of wireless and neeed
>help!
>
>I am travelling to the US next year for about 3 months and would like
>to take a laptop with me mainly for Internet Access and photos etc... I
>know I need to have a laptop with wireless capability
Careful with the selection of wireless device. The rules for wireless
are different in many countries. Your foreign 802.11 device may not
work in the US.
>but do I need to
>get a service provider?
Maybe. There are many free wireless hot spots that require nothing
more than a working laptop and wireless device. Some require that you
purchase something in the coffee shop. Others offer paid subscription
services through a variety of billing services such as Boingo,
T-Mobile, Wayport, iPass, STSN, etc. It really depends upon where you
connect.
>or is it easy enough to use the hotel access?
Hotel access is usually not free. They issue an account and charge
for the service. Most hotel have unintelligible printed setup
instructions.
>Do many hotels have free wireless internet? I am travelling both East
>and West Coast as well as the South.
No. Most hotels charge for the service. You'll find the signal
through the doors to often be marginal and only work with the hallway
door open. However, the better (i.e. more expensive) hotels also have
ethernet jacks that do the same thing as wireless. Bring a long CAT5
cable and just plug in if the signal is marginal inside the hotel.
For example, Marriott Hotels:
http://www.wirelessmarriott.com
I just looked up the Santa Clara CA Marriott Hotel. It shows wireless
only in the public areas and meeting rooms. The hotel rooms have
wired ethernet jacks. Charges are per minutes connect time (yech).
Typical is 10 to 25 cents per minute or $10 per day. What you should
do it browse the web sites of your planned hotels and see what
facilities they offer.
http://www.forbes.com/lists/2004/04/29/cx_cv_0429feat.html
--
# Jeff Liebermann 150 Felker St #D Santa Cruz CA 95060
# 831.336.2558 voice
http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
# jeffl@comix.santa-cruz.ca.us
# 831.421.6491 digital_pager jeffl@cruzio.com AE6KS
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