How can you be on the internet while traveling?

Question

I am sooo new to this....If I travel to a relatives home and they don't even own a computer, but I have a laptop, is there anyway I can get on the internet? Please don't laugh at me...like I said I am so new to this...Thnx

Answer 1

There are several ways you can connect to the internet on the road.
1. WiFi - this means Wireless and may be built-in your laptop or may require an additional card. (Cards come in many varieties - some connect via USB and others fit in the long thin slot on the side of your laptop - called PCMCIA or PC Card. Popular brands include Linksys, Netgear & D-Link but there are many other brands that may work just as well).

WiFi has many options - A, B, G, and now N. WiFi requires a nearby internet connection and a wireless router - think of it as a radio or cell tower - you need to be near one to get reception. The difference is that a WiFi router has a much smaller signal so you need to be much closer. Many stores such as Starbucks have Wifi connections. Some require you to pay and some are free. Furthermore, many individuals have Wifi in their homes or offices. However, many people encrypt the connection - which means you need a password (which they set) in order to connect.

Be aware - unencrypted Wifi connections are at risk of eavsdroppers. Skilled computer "hackers" can see the information sent between your computer and the router and can possibly gain access to your laptop to steal personal information which can lead to identity theft.

Summary: WiFi may or may not be available where you are going. It may cost money to connect and it may or may not be secured.

2. Cellular PC Card - Most cell phone carriers (Verizon, Cingular, Sprint/Nextel, etc) sell PC cards that enable you to connect to the internet anywhere they have coverage. This means (in simplified terms) that if your Cingular cell phone has reception you should be able to connect to the internet using one of these cards.

The cards are treated as their own cell line. You can add it to an existing account or sign up for a new account. There are many packages available for various length of contract and prices. Most carriers offer an unlimited package for close to $80/mo.

3. Dial-up - most ISPs (Internet Service Providers) still allow dial-up connections. If your laptop is equipped with a modem (if it is it will have a phone jack somewhere on it. Don't confuse this with an ethernet jack which is used to connect to workplace networks. The ethernet jack is slightly wider than a regular phone jack and has eight pins in it. The modem jack has two or four pins in it).

Dial-up works as follows: You connect a phone wire from your modem to any phone line. Your computer dials a number (which is provided by your ISP). The computers "handshake" (which sounds like a lot of static and beeping). You are then connected to the internet. This is the slowest option. It does require the purchase of an account as well.

You cannot use the phone while this process takes place and for the duration of the connection. Using the phone will cause you to lose you internet connection.

If your laptop is not equipped with a modem you can purchase an external one. Generally you have the same two options as with WiFi - USB or PC Card.

4. Cell Phone Modem - if you have a fancy cell phone you may be able to use it like the cellular PC card. It will use plan data minutes and is only for advanced users. When I say "fancy" I mean a Pocket PC, Treo, Blackberry or similar phone. Remember - you may be charged additional usage charges from your cell phone carrier if your plan does not cover this service.

5. WiMAX, Satellite, others - there are several other options for connecting to the internet on the road, but most are very rare, expensive or impractical. I believe I've covered the most common options.

I hope this helps!

Answer 2

If you don't even WANT to know if WiFi is available in the area, the best way is to buy a Cellular Data Card. Basically, it transmits over the cellphone data bands. Sometimes called GPRS / EDGE (those are speicific standards within the industry), they are faster than dialup, like ISDN speed (not quite DSL yet). They cost about $50 a month, though some still count by the amount of data throughput.

Contact your cellular carrier for information. Verizon sells a lot of these, but it won't do you much good if you are not on a Verizon plan and don't plan to join Verizon. Cingular / AT&T should also have similar services.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
How can you be on the internet while traveling?
I am sooo new to this....If I travel to a relatives home and they don't even own a computer, but I have a laptop, is there anyway I can get on the internet? Please don't laugh at me...like I said I am so new to this...Thnx

Answer 4

if you have WiFi(wireless fidelity) access from network providers you can use the internet... or if you are near a WiFi-zone(called hotspots)

also if your relative has a phone line, you can use dial-up connection but you need a dial-pup connection card from the network provider(of the phone) and then configure your laptop for the connection.


by the way, from what country are you? just asking, it might be that we're from the same country so that i could tell you some specifics about the companies that offer the services you want.

Answer 5

you can get a wireles internet car and plan from varison sprint or cingular and pay for the internet service and neware u have cell phone reseption u have internet conection go to a local bestuy and they can give u more info there it dose work at home to to play live games over an x box or plug it in to a desk top computer if you buy the speacail router fore it

Answer 6

hehehe get a wireless card, or if you have it built in thats even better. it doesnt have to be a mobile broadband card through cell phone companys etc, just a regular wireless card, most newer laptops have this technology built in.

start the wireless connect to a network thingy by clicking the picture of 2 computers on the lower right hand of the screen by the clock.

if anything pops up, CONNECT

boom youre on the internet.

what weve just done is borrowed someone elses wireless access

chances are one of the neighbors has a wireless router for their home network, and you just so happen to be in its range =D have fun!!

Answer 7

its pretty simple go on the sprint website look for sprint mobile broadband link its 50 bucks a month and if you sign a year contract you can get a free px500 broadband card the speed is about that of cable and be used just about everywere in the us theyl send it to you in the mail for free plug it in your labtop run the installation cd and your on the internet its really simple gl

Answer 8

I believe if you get a Broadband Card for laptops, you can get one at a Sprint store I think. Its a Wireless internet that you just put into your laptop and then when ever you want to go online you can

Answer 9

its ok
there are three ways you can conntect.
1. telephone line which through modem in your latop.
2. Through LAN LINE there is a jack in your latop.
3. Wirless card which you can have built IN your laptop or external.
so if you have external wirless card then you can conntect to the wirless router. you don't have that

so you can buy wirless internet from sprit or cingular and then go online,


are u with me or i lost you somwhere. i can help you more just email me if you have more qestion
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Answer 10

You are going to need to get a wireless network broadband card. I would recommend you get one from either Sprint or Verizon.