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#21
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#22
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In article ,
"Rog'" wrote: Alan S writes: Displaying my ignorance here. Would some of the experts here please explain in words of one syllable (suitable for a travelling-laptop-illiterate) how best to travel the world with a portable computer. There are books on this subject, like the Internet for Dummies. Expecting someone here to write off the cuff is a bit much. Why not visit a library, a bookstore, or www.amazon.com . =R= Here's an overview. http://www.thetravelinsider.info/roa...tconnecting.ht m They seem to have articles on other travel technology, like cell phones. |
#23
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In article ,
Alan S wrote: That's why I come here instead of just reading LP, or Rough Guide, or tourist web-sites etc for other travel tips. Okay a quick swag. More and more laptops have wireless access built in these days. Wireless laptops are in all price ranges so you're not going to save a lot of money by not getting one. These will also have ethernet connections and usually a built-in dialup modem, so most connection options will be covered. I've browsed around hotels and if you check the amenities listed at sites like Expedia, some will list complementary or paid broadband. These could be wireless or they could be ethernet connections. Then finally most hotels will at least have dataports or just a telephone line to connect to a local ISP. Some people who rent apartments to tourists will also have cable or DSL connections. Main concern with wireless is security. At a public hotspot (either free or paid), when you check email, your password will be sent in the clear unless your email account provider (usually the ISP) provides SSL, which encrypts or scrambles your email password. If you're connected with an ethernet cable or even a dialup, security is less of a concern but these days, most ISPs should provide POP email accounts with SSL. Alternative is web email accounts like Yahoo or Gmail, where you can use an encrypted web page to authenticate (the little lock icon when you use a secure page). Some ISPs also have web email access too. Incidentally, if you check your bank web site or say buy something on Amazon, usually these are encrypted so entering passwords and credit card numbers should be less of a concern, whether on a wireless or wired connection. Beyond that, you of course have to worry about the physical security of your laptop, if you leave it at unfamiliar places. You can buy cable locks which attach to the laptop but these won't stop professional thieves. Of course hotels offer safes, including some in hotel rooms. Then there are insurance policies to protect against theft, like www.safeware.com. But people are also concerned about losing their data. Macs come with an ability to encrypt key directory containing user data with the OS. Not sure if Windows does but there are surely security products which will also encrypt or password-protect the entire contents of the hard drive. |
#24
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In article ,
jcoulter wrote: I use my PDA though because it is my office, as a travel agent I can do business almost anywhere if I can get connected. So with a quad band phone, an international roaming sim, and a PDA that connect either to the wifi hot spot or through data dial up and bluetooth I am ready to go. I've looked at PDAs, which are kind of being displaced by the PDA/phone combos like the Treos. Standalone PDAs can get expensive, sometimes over $500. At that point, you're encroaching on laptop territory when it comes to price. Sure you can't beat the weight. But if you want something that you plan to use at home, not just for travel, then a laptop offers more capabilities and certainly utility. Except for the weight of course. |
#25
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poldy wrote: In article , jcoulter wrote: I use my PDA though because it is my office, as a travel agent I can do business almost anywhere if I can get connected. So with a quad band phone, an international roaming sim, and a PDA that connect either to the wifi hot spot or through data dial up and bluetooth I am ready to go. I've looked at PDAs, which are kind of being displaced by the PDA/phone combos like the Treos. Standalone PDAs can get expensive, sometimes over $500. At that point, you're encroaching on laptop territory when it comes to price. Sure you can't beat the weight. But if you want something that you plan to use at home, not just for travel, then a laptop offers more capabilities and certainly utility. Except for the weight of course. take a look at the new Sony Vaio with a 10 inch screen, weighs bugger all (2kg), but not cheap in Europe, so combine a trip to the states or hong kong for the purchase. About Euro 2000. |
#26
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Here is the trick to always having free WI-FI everywhe
Get yourself a wardriving cantenna and a PCMCIA card with an external antenna port. Information on Cantennas can be found all over the net, higher-end version can be purchased on E-Bay for well below $100, including a proper PCMCIA card. They are small enough that they can be checked into your luggage. When you get to your hotel, in Europe or anywhere else in the world, hook up your cantenna and run a free program called netstumbler, available at www.netstumbler.com. It will locate all access points near by and tell you if they are encrypted or not. While you have the AP located, move the antenna until you get the best reading and there you are; Free Wi-fi. I live in a small town and there are 3 access points I can connect to at my house if I needed to. In a real city or an apartment, hotel or neighborhood, you will be amazed. Warning: I am not advocating doing something illegal, check the laws before you start "wardriving" or "Netstumbling". |
#27
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#29
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poldy wrote: In article .com, wrote: poldy wrote: In article , jcoulter wrote: I use my PDA though because it is my office, as a travel agent I can do business almost anywhere if I can get connected. So with a quad band phone, an international roaming sim, and a PDA that connect either to the wifi hot spot or through data dial up and bluetooth I am ready to go. I've looked at PDAs, which are kind of being displaced by the PDA/phone combos like the Treos. Standalone PDAs can get expensive, sometimes over $500. At that point, you're encroaching on laptop territory when it comes to price. Sure you can't beat the weight. But if you want something that you plan to use at home, not just for travel, then a laptop offers more capabilities and certainly utility. Except for the weight of course. take a look at the new Sony Vaio with a 10 inch screen, weighs bugger all (2kg), but not cheap in Europe, so combine a trip to the states or hong kong for the purchase. About Euro 2000. Sony Vaios have a certain reputation for bad service and reliability. The designs are sleek and undeniably sexy but they charge a premium at every price point. Their ultra-small models are really expensive. I have a Toshiba bought in January 2005, it already needs a new hibernation switch, my girlfriend has a HP from a few months earlier that has already had a new back light. I will let you know if the vaio breaks down. |
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