what is the deal with wifi hot spots? Are they free?
143168
some are and some are not.  when you get to one it should indicate if you need a subscription or to make a payment. if you can access a website...ex. yahoo, then it's free and you are all set.\n\ngood luck!
775943
It is generally considered theft and more people are getting arrested/prosecuted for it.  As for open networks, in my experiences most people are unaware as to how to (or even the need for) protected wifi networks.  The article below gives an account of
1089242
The idea of these hotspots is to have guests sit in the restaurant and use it while eating/drinking/etc. They're purposely designed to have very short range. A different NIC with a bigger antenna might be able to pick up the signal better.
196807
Any public library will let you use their computers. at times, you may have to go to the circulation desk and regester as a guest patron (some libraries have agreements where patrons from one library district/system can go to the circultion desk of another, have their card scanned and be granted full privilages, but this usually only applies to libraries in the same state). Also if you have a laptop with wi-fi T-mobile hotspots cost $6.00 for the first hour and $0.60 for each additional 10 minutes, these can be found at almost any starbucks, Kinkos, Borders books, many airports and many other locations. Another option is a computer store, many (such as apple stores: http://www.apple.com/retail ) will let you use their computers for free as long as it looks like your actuall browsing. also if you have dialup and a latop fing out the local access number for the place you're visiting. If you have broadband, many providers have a 1-800 dial-up access number for their customers to use if the vbroadband connection at their house goes down or if their traveling, usually 6 hours per month are included free each month.
169692
The Gulf of Mexico covers a very large area and wireless internet access generally covers small parts of specific cities.  I would suggest that you check a WiFi service directory such as: http://www.jiwire.com/search-hotspot-locations.htm
360198
First of all u need a wifi certified card or built in wireless reciever. Then you have to find a hot spot where wifi service is provided. then you scan for connections. Most of the time you need a wep whcih is a securitycode to protect intruders. There is some places like starbucks or some MC donalds that offer it. Some charge for the wep key though.
380221
Simple, because your wireless carrier knows you will!  And as long as people are willing to pay, they'll keep charging.  With that in mind, what incentive do they have not to?\n\nThe only way you'll likely see free text messaging is as part of a promotional-type offer; e.g., sign up now for 2 years, get free text messaging.
767115
You get these cards from you mobile phone provider. All major vendors in my area (Verizon, T-mobile, Circular and Sprint) offer a card that works on their network. The cards work like cell phones and are usually locked to whatever provider you got it from. \nThe costs vary. You can check individual sites for exect quotes but figure on paying about $50 a month. Make sure you get the unlimited plan otherwise it will be a small future to use it.\nMost of the cards have regular Wi-Fi built in also. If you have a wireless home network you'll be able to connect to it.\nSome vendors like T-Mobile offer hot spots where you can get Wi-Fi services also.\nThe way to choose a card is find out what wireless vendor has the best coverage in your area and get their card.
961581
Do you have a secure connection?  Your neighbors could be loading off of you for free.  Make sure you have a password protected wi-fi.  \n\nOr, are you freeloading off your neighbor's connection?  Might be time to sign up for your own internet service.
904390
Wireless internet is just a connection to the net via radio signal rather than a hard wire - pretty much the same thing as a cell phone's connection to the telephone network. \n\nYou'll need a wireless card - it plugs into the side or back of your laptop - that will "talk" to the internet for you. You can get one at Radio Shack, any computer store, any truck stop, or even on eBay. \n\nOnce you have the wireless card plugged in and set up, you'll be able to connect to the internet whenever you're within range of a "hot spot". Hot spots are everywhere (even Iowa has free hot spots at each interstate rest area!), so you should be able to connect to the net in all but the most remote places. \n\nGood luck! - Stuart
566551
yes, and no... it's only showing you that there are networks available... unless you configured your laptop to connect automatically,then it will connect to any open wifi network available... but most will ask you if you want to connect and or download... others will ask you to enter your WEP key, best thing to do when driving is to disable your WAN.\nAlthough I found some good info by driving before too, like i found that the local bar has very very fast wifi, and the gas stations is faster then my broadband ISP... and both are unsecured and open networks... so I can hang out and waste time on the internet for free, I even got permission to do so from both owners as long as I buy from them each day...
1084480
From what i understand , that router acts like a hotspot.
741600
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wi_fi\n\nVery informative, and as easy to understand as you'll find.
257740
Many wireless connections may be available around your area. There are cybercafes, libraries, and WiFi connections. Many of these you have to pay for. There just is no free wireless connection around for free. I recomend Qwest DSL with MSN Premium...
553453
http://www.wififreespot.com/
418902
Wireless, nowdays synonymous with WiFi will be great if you are in the city's prime locations. Free and not so open networks are wildly spreading in coffee shops, business centres, lounges etc. In order to access the interenet through that you need\na) a laptop capable of connecting to WiFi networks, which means every laptop bought in the last 2 years or ecquiped with a wireless card.\nb) access to the network, the nerworks are accessible depending on the signal which results in the quality of connection. Usually the access points cover an area of around 50 meters - but they can be linked between themsleves or use signal boosters.\nc) if the network is not free, then a subscription or a card bought in the coffee shop or whereever you are is required.\nd) once you are connected to the wireless network (if everything goes smoothly it can take as little as 5 seconds) you should attempt to connect to the internet - if that does not work straight away then try asking someone nearby with a computer to fiddle with the settings - you may find it fun to do it yourself ( try reading the quick setup guide for the wirless equipment you have)\n\nthere is another alternative though. It is remarkable that it is very popular in Russia at the moment, but is not used much in the west.\nA decent phone (with bluetooth) can connect to a laptop or handheld and then let it connect to the internet. You have to be carefull with the cost. Try a little bit and see how much you get in the phone bill - call the company to find out what deals they have for data calls. (a new trick to save some cash is to pay for the connectino to internet while calling the other side of the world through Voice over IP - something like Skype).\nThere are variieties of standards and all have different connection speeds - the best of course is 3G like in UK or skylink in Russia. Unfortunately i do not know about networks elsewhere but i am certain that you can connect from any service provider and anything better than GSM will let you crawl through the net. get GPRS and you have an always on connection that is about half as fast as broadband, fast enough anyway.\n\nright... i don't think i can add anything more\npeace!
234031
Check out this directory for wifi isp:\nhttp://www.bbwexchange.com/wisps/\nThey have providers listed at each vennue. You'll notice that a few appear almost every airport (e.g. Boingo). So you have to pick an isp according to its rates and its hotspots location.