Laptop Question

[Pegasus928]

Here's one for all you computer experts out there - especially anyone with a laptop.

We are staying in a villa which has wireless access and plan to take our laptop so we are 'good to go'

Are we being naive in thinking that it is just a simple case of waiting for our laptop to find the wireless connection or do we need to add some software from the company providing the broadband.

Also, has anyone tried tapping in to one of those hotspots that we hear so much about - as this could be an option if we struggle in the villa.

Many thanks

Pegasus

[pieman790]

You will have to search for the network which is very simple. Click onto control panel then onto network connections and click onto seach for available wireless networks.
When the required one appears click onto it and it may ask for a security code which the owners should provide to you.
You can do the same by clicking onto the icon in the task bar and searching for wireless connections
It is very easy.

[KevinT]

Hi Pegasus,
As Pieman says it's very easy to search for the wireless router with your laptop and log in using the code provided by the owner. There are also a growing number of hotels and businesses providing wireless hotspots (either free or on pay per use).
As I often use my laptop in areas which do not have wireless I also have a dialup connection in readiness (just in case!). I use Budget Dialup and have set up a manual internet connection so I can just connect to them via any phone line (Slower but better than none at all !!) Each time I go to Florida I just top up the minimum required on my BDU account (think it's about $5.95 for 10 hours) and I know I can still connect if I can't get a wireless option.

Have a great time when you go.

[GrahamC]

We have wireless broadband in our villa. We just give our guests the access code and it works with no problems. As said, your laptop will automatically find the network.

[Pegasus928]

Thanks for the speedy replies - sounds like it's not going to be as much trouble as I feared it would be.

Pegasus

[orlandobabe]

Kevin-do budget do a monthly charge.
I use coppernet which was pretty good-but you are charged per month which if no-one is using it it is a bit of a waste.
I'd like to know a bit more about how it works.

[Sharon Denyer]

Hi Kevin,

That goes for me as well. Would appreciate the information as well.

Thanks

Sharon

[kaysvacationvilla]

Budget Dial up is pay as you go which is why I like it. No monthly fees.[msnsmile2]

[KevinT]

Hi Alison and Sharon,

As Kay says , there is no monthly charge with BDU. You simply pay for the time you wish to use.
As I only use mine as a back up for when I can't get wireless connection, I find the 10 or 20 hour package good (I think the charge is $5.95 for 10 hours and $9.95 for 20 hours)and the time is valid for 365 days, so if you have some left over, you just top it up next visit. [msnsmile2]

DM me if you have other questions.

[njstringer]

Hi Pegasus
As for hot spots for wi-fi we found that Orlando airport has free wireless internet. Just turn on your laptop and it should automatically seek out available signals.
Also when we were out at Christmas, the local news said that the whole of St Cloud had gone free wireless.