Question Re: Using Free Wireless Internet

[K8-EEE]

Hey question for one of you high tech types -- once you locate a "hotspot" in your area, how do you go about connecting to it -- do you need a special kind of software or something? I've never done it and my DSL is giving me fits, we have to send a large file & getting DESPERATE!

Thanks!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

1. I only know about Macs -- if you have a fairly new one, it should have

an installed AirPort card. So if you are in a hotspot, the wi-fi icon should appear in the menu bar on the right side, and if it's free access, that's all you need. Couldn't tell you about PCs, though.

[K8-EEE]

4. Thanks You SOOOO Much!

My hub is in frothing-at-the-mouth computer frustration mode....I should have specified, it is a Mac, and a fairly new one, and one we are just sorting of becoming aquainted. He did some drawings that he has to send and my DSL is off and the horrid back up dialup keeps cutting off before attaching all the files, arrrgh!!!

[K8-EEE]

5. THANKS SO MUCH OMG YOU GUYS ARE LIFESAVERS!

He is off to try that right now...oh man as wonderful as computer are, when they are in an evil nothings-gonna-work mode they can make you want to throw them right out the window (without opening the window.)

DUers ARE THE BEST!!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

6. Good luck!

Your screen should look like this. If the wifi icon (red arrow, added by me) is all black, you have a good signal. If you click on that icon, you will get more information about the signal strength, and it will also let you know whether the access to the wifi connection is open (that is, not password protected).

[flvegan]

2. What are yer specs?

Chip, etc...

[Guy Fawkes]

3. In windows....

you can either search for the network & connect using the windows built in network util. by double-clicking your wifi notification in the lower right hand corner...

Or you can NetStumbler, which is great and free:
http://www.netstumbler.com/