wi-fi hotspots

[kevdg]

Hi im really new to all this wireless stuff so im sure this is gonna be an easy question for most of ya, i was jus wondering about these wi-fi hotspots u get in hotels n airports etc. I was doing a searc on the hotspot list to find out where a few were and it gives a network provider on there. Can you only use the ones which are the same provider as yours or can you connect up on any? - sorry if i sound stupid. appreciate any help u can give.. Thanks

[get.Mos]

hi kevdg:

these aren't stupid questions... ;) and it's way kewl that you're trying to stay on top of wifi hotspots. i think there'll be more and more of these in the future.

802.11 is an IEEE (http://www.ieee.org/portal/index.jsp) standard for wireless connectivity. what this means is that you don't have to buy your router, wireless pcmcia card/pci card/usb adapter, or access point from any one manufacturer. so, for example, you can buy a netgear router and a linksys network interface card, and they will work together.

under this same concept (as is the case with that great network we use called the internet), you can use any wireless hotspot you want to, so long as you have a wireless card that is 802.11 compliant (which is basically what you'd find in your local electronics or computer store).

now, not all wireless hotspots work the same. some are free; others are fee. (perfect example: any t-mobile hotspots at a starbucks are FEE) more and more FREE hotspots are popping up. why? because they are easier, more convenient, and becoming the de facto for hotspots.

most hotspots, or i should say, the ones that function seamlessly, work such that, once your laptop is booted up, your wifi card will find the network. there is no configuration on your part. just turn on your computer and wait until your card finds the network. then open your favorite browser (internet explorer, mozilla, opera, netscape) and off you surf.

coincidentally, i went out today and went to a rather unfriendly hotspot: unfriendly in the sense that, in order to use the hotspot, i was required to install some software on my system. :mad: i left without a second thought and drove about ten minutes away to a public library with a hotspot that just works the right way.

hope this makes sense. welcome to the wireless world.