John,
If you want to travel with a laptop computer, check out
www.roadnews.com - it has everything you need to know about staying
connected while on the road.

You basically have 3 choices:
1 - dialup - this requires a built-in modem and the software for
connecting the the Internet via your ISP such as AOL, Earthlink,
Google, etc.
2 - Wireless - You will need a wireless card in your computer... that
will allow you to connect to the Internet via the hotspots that are
free around the country... Starbucks, some libraries, some airports,
many small towns like Tempe Airzona offer free wifi connections. For
those times when you do not have a free hotspot, I recommend that you
get an account with TMobile - they are the widest used wifi service
that I have found across the USA.
3 - Bluetooth - You can get a laptop computer that is Bluetooth
compatible (or add a card to your computer to make it compatible).
You will also then need a cell phone that is Bluetooth compatible...
I own a Sony-Ericsson T616 that is bluetooth compatible AND it has a
dual frequency chip in it so I can use it in Europe and Australia
(where I go each year). This combination allows you to surf the 'net
and do your e-mail anywhere you can get a cell phone signal...
presently it is somewhat slower than dialup or wifi... about 9800
baud but very workable as long as you don't try to send or receive
large graphic files. I see on the Internet that there are now several
models of cell phones that are Bluetooth compatible...

I have the best of all worlds in that I had my Apple PowerBook G4
computer built with all 3 installed. Now I can stay in touch anywhere
I travel...

Chuck Blethen - Owner
Skreenz by Blethen
Box 14524
Scottsdale AZ 85267 USA
480-225-8430 Phone

Chuck.Blethen@Skreenz.Com
www.Skreenz.com

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Protecting campers from flying insects for 20 years!

On Jul 18, 2005, at 6:22, John Rodgers wrote:

> I just got an HP Notebook and would like to use it while traveling to
> connect to the internet.
>
> Can anyone tell me what software to get  to find and use available
> networks while on the road?
>
> I'm virtually illiterate when it comes to that kind of networking
> and to
> even use the letters WI FI expresses my total knowldge about the
> subject.
>
> Any input would be appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Regards,
>
> John Rodgers
> 88 GL Driver
>