Ordered a T40, will be getting wireless mPCI card...now explain hotspots!

[PSUlion01]

So i've heard all about the wireless hotspots for folks with the Centrino setups. Can someone explain how they work? Do I need to pay for service, or just plop the laptop within range an bingo, i'm online. Any good websites that explain wireless in general?

Thx
Mike

 

[Soybomb]

Centrino is the name for intel's bundle including a pentium m cpu, a certain bridge chipset, and their wireless card so hotspots aren't just for them. Hotspots are just open wireless access points. You might find them in libraries, schools, coffee shops, meeting rooms, etc. Usually you just connect and go. A word of warning though, many people have poorly configured access points too and let everyone on their network without them knowing it. Connecting to a network you don't have permission to use would be illegal, so you should make sure the owner wants you to use their bandwidth really. Have fun, wireless is great stuff.

 

[PSUlion01]

understood...i'm not looking to hack or rip anyone off...just want to know what the capabilities of wireless are and how common the access points are. anything special required to connect (i.e. software to run, specific network settings, etc)?

 

[wjsulliv]

In WinXP (which your T40 should have), configuration should be easy. Some places might require some sort of passwording/registration to get onto the network.

Some places are free to all (some libraries), some places are free to all customers (some Starbucks), some places are free for a certain amount of time with qualified purchase (some McDonald's in New York, San Francisco, and Chicago).

 

[PSUlion01]

cool...how do i know where it's available? do they usually have signs up or anything? seems like such a cool concept...

 

[wjsulliv]

As far as public places like libraries, there should be signs.

As far as businesses, it will vary from place to place. Almost every Starbucks around the country has it, but none of them that I have been to advertise it or have any signs up. The McDonald's that have it have signs.

 

[ojai00]

Originally posted by: wjsulliv
As far as public places like libraries, there should be signs.

As far as businesses, it will vary from place to place. Almost every Starbucks around the country has it, but none of them that I have been to advertise it or have any signs up. The McDonald's that have it have signs.

You need to have a T-Mobile subscription in order to access those hot spots. They have advertisements for T-Mobile