I thought that Wifi hotspots were all over the place. I figured that carrying around my PDA would mean access to email and the internet from almost anywhere. I guess this isn't so.
So how do you find hotspots? How do you know if it's free or not?
When you open the Wifi utility it will show you the available wifi in range.
If it has a little Lock symbol then it has some sort of security enabled, so unless you know the password or code necessary you wont be able to connect to that.
If it doesn't have a lock then you can try connecting to it.
If it is free you will be able to use it.
If it's not free you will probably be redirected to a login page when you open IE.
If you are able to connect to an open network be aware that you technically may not be allowed to. This is a subject that has been discussed many times on here. (whether it is right or wrong to connect to someone elses wlan without permission)
You can also get applications that help you find hotspots, Wififofum springs to mind.
Hope this helps a bit.
I switch my x51v on, turn on wireless, see what is offered and voila I connect or not. That is simple. So, I am wondering why I need Wififofum. What does it do for me? Will it help me connect easier, cheaper or faster? Or even at all? Sorry, not being facetious, just wondering if it is worth installing and taking up space on my PDA.
There are lists of hotspots but I'm not sure how up-to-date these are kept.
There are some 'certain' places you will find WiFi - Starbucks and Borders are nearly all served by T-Mobile (subscription or hourly fee required). The best known retail chain with free WiFi are Panera Bread bakery-cafes but many (maybe even most at this point) coffee shops have WiFi and some of them are free for customers (check at the counter for details). I would say your best bet for free public hotspots are libraries.
All airports have WiFi and some members here have claimed that the ones they come across are usually free. I don't know where these users are flying because I have yet to see a free hotspot at an airport.
__________________ -Ike-
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I've found that free wifi is getting harder to come by, once people realized that they could make a buck by charging for it.
Also, I know some independent coffee shops in my city who used to offer free Wifi until they realized the place filled up with "customers" who would fire up their laptops and take over a booth or table, nursing a $2 coffee for five hours while they played an online game or IM'd their friends or whatever. They've either started charging for it or just dropped it altogether to get rid of the freeloaders who were just taking up space.
So my advice, if you need regular, dependable Wifi access on your Axim, get a T-Mobile account, which you can use at Starbucks (in most cities there's one of these practically on every corner).
...which you can use at Starbucks (in most cities there's one of these practically on every corner)....
"in [LA], there's a starbucks so huge, that in the far corner, there's a starbucks!" (joke stolen from craig furgason(sp?))
If you surf around the 'net, there are sites that offer maps of free hotspots. Some places do it by accident (I have 1 of those here) some do it bc they are catoring to long-staying customers, such as hotels (of 3 here, only Days Inn has it), and some are individuals who have no clue what they're doing and dont enable encryption.
As an important note, it was ruled that even if it's an accidentally accessable network, this is NOT theft of services! if there is no encryption, it is ruled a public service! (as per an old, article on zeropaid.com)
On that note, I do use WiFiFoFum, mainly because I plan on eventually getting a GPS and mapping all the local hotspots. I also sometimes use Retina WiFi Scanner, and on my laptop, Cain and Able (please, no flames, I'm a Sysop and I use it legitimately)
__________________
"There is a differance between living and existing. Existing is sitting, waiting patiently for death. Living is meeting thantos' scythe with your own blade" --- Original
Blackberry 7510 + operamini + $10 boost mobile = unlimited internet on BB w/o $40 BIS plan! (no email though)
All airports have WiFi and some members here have claimed that the ones they come across are usually free. I don't know where these users are flying because I have yet to see a free hotspot at an airport.
The only "free" WiFi I have ever found in an airport is in the Airline Clubs (which cost money to join). I've never found free access in any public terminal.
Most truck stops have Wifi for the drivers. I have rolled through one with my laptop, grabbed email, rolled through the next one to send replies. Wififofum finds many in the area but few that I can actually connect with.
Same in the UK. There aren't many free Wifi hot spots and vitually everyone who's got one charges places like McDonalds, Starbucks, most pubs. The occasional Hotel I stumble accross has free access which is a big plus :approve: if I'm away from my home PC for days
there not many free wi-fi hot spots here in the uk. I'm using one now from my office but only because someone seems to have forgotten to enable encryption on there router. long may it continue
If you are tootling around Turkey - I do a lot for work - you'll get free access at airports thanks to TAV (Turksih Airports Authority)
And yes Dan, wireless in a tent seems a little bizarre.
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