Saturday Night Stupid Question Numero Uno

[Birmingham Rain]

Got a question that I'm ashamed to ask, but hope surely that someone has had to ask it before.

I need to be able to access the Internet on my laptop at all times while traveling ... without driving around the airport or some hotel at weird hours.

How do I go about doing it? I've looked at Cingular's site since I use them as my cell 'phone carrier and believe I'm reading it correctly in that they offer the service; however and conversely, what I found in pricing I'd have to prep myself for kidney removal. Any suggestions? And what terminology do I use in searching for the service? And is it (the service) extremely limited and everywhere so highly priced?

[mom4kittys]

Sprint Mobile Broadband Card about $50-$60 a month unlimited usage. It doesn't matter what cell carrier you use.

[mom4kittys]

http://www.sprint.com/business/products/products/wirelessHighSpeedData_tabA.html

[politicalwit]

Is this something you could use? http://www.wifi411.com

[Birmingham Rain]

Thanks for the reply, m4k. Your response pretty much answers my questions in total. I was hoping for a way to get the service cheaper, however, but the 50-60$ runs comparative to Cingular.

Thanks again, and here's wishing you a great evening.

[Birmingham Rain]

Well, heck yesss! Thanks a bundle. (They can remove Embassy Suites, though, because it's a no-go after 15 seconds.)

[freedomlover]

Really really long ethernet cable

[freedomlover]

Frankly I have always wondered about hooking up the computer to a cell phone with unlimited minutes (at least at night). Does anyone have any experience on this?

I mean isn't a cell connection (eg the Verizon thing) a cell connection?

[Birmingham Rain]

Now we're speaking my language. There's gotta be a cheaper way.

[politicalwit]

There are devices out there called WIFI Finders....they look for wifi signals. Most are relatively inexpensive ($15.00 to $80.00)....try doing a search using the phrase "wifi finder".

[rockrr]

I'm using a Cingular HSDPA right now. You're right - they're spendy, but the rate is going down almost as quickly as the speeds go up. And the coverage is getting better every day.

Given the independence they offer from crappy motel phone lines and piggy-backing off of "public" wireless access points, they are truly habit forming! Even if you don't think you can swing it right now, don't rule them out all together.

[Birmingham Rain]

Hey, thanks Rockrr for your response.

Not sure what HSDPA is, but assume it's none cheaper than what I've been quoted thus far.

As you stated, and I'm sure of, the price will come down. As it is, most of us pay for home cable, internet, telephone, then cell phone. It's ridiculous, me sitting and thinking about it, how tied I am to people I don't know, never will, etc., and having to have info at the speed of light.

On the other hand, what heck would I do without it all?

[Welsh Rabbit]

As long as we're asking stupid questions; what's the big deal with blu-rays? It appears to me to be just another way to put movies on a disc. Do I need a HD TV to understand?

[rockrr]

When talking about "wireless" technologies, it's important to differentiate between the different types of wireless that are currently available.

The simplest wireless devices are Infrared. IRDA is so slow and limited in range that they are virtually dinosaurs in the industry.

Wi-Fi is the 802.1X technology. Many laptops come with integral Wi-Fi cards now. When people talk of coffee shop "hotspots", they are referring to the Access Points where they can receive and send wireless signals. This is also the technology that is associated with home wireless networks. The effective range is limited to about 150 feet and the speeds are similar to (a little faster than) dial-up.

HSDPA is another in the evolving series of broadband wireless technologies. Also referred to as "3G" the basic technology is similar to cell phones with an effective range is about ten miles and some services allowing speeds up to 8mps (Megabytes per second).

This technology allows viewing full-frame video, large-scale file transfers, and a close to "in the office" experience. Obviously, it's also the most expensive.

Remember, time is money and the time I save by being able to work "on the fly" easily pays for the service.

Besides....I like toys ;'}

[Birmingham Rain]

any info on how to connect with cell phone would be GREATLY appreciated. thank you for your informative response, Yehuda.

[Birmingham Rain]

Hey, Rockrr.

Thanks very much for spending the time to teach me about the different types of wireless.

Very informative and I learnt alot from your response.

B'ham Rain

[rockrr]

You're right, of course. My post was meant as an introductory...a sort of overview. I've found that, like RMS rating standards for audio output, the advertised theoretic limits are seldom seen in the real world.

Given limitations of distance, obstructions, errant RF, etc, the practical throughput can easily drop to a fraction of the published standards.

Let's see...what other backpedaling can I do?! Oh yea..."Please refer to your owners manual; Your mileage may differ; Objects in your mirror may be closer than they appear" ;'}