Author Topic: Internet on the Cross Country  (Read 4770 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline MidTMike

Internet on the Cross Country
« on: May 27, 2010, 01:14:58 am »
I have noticed that many of the hotels along the way are not brand name hotels.  For those of you that travel and stay in hotels, do you find the majority of them have Internet Access? Anyone tried the 3G laptop plans? 

Offline staehpj1

Re: Internet on the Cross Country
« Reply #1 on: May 27, 2010, 07:10:45 am »
I have noticed that many of the hotels along the way are not brand name hotels.  For those of you that travel and stay in hotels, do you find the majority of them have Internet Access? Anyone tried the 3G laptop plans? 
It varies.  Some do some don't.

We carried no computer on the Trans America, but I did on my tour from Kansas City to Santa Fe.  I was surprised how frequently I was able to find an open wifi access point even in very small towns.  Libraries, motels, restaurants, random businesses, churches, and peoples homes all might have an unlocked access point.

On the 3g...  I wouldn't consider any carrier other than Verizon.  They are the only one who has reasonable coverage.

BTW: Personally I prefer to limit my weight carried so a 7 or 8 ounce internet tablet (Nokia N800) is my limit and even the netbooks are out.  My first choice would be to carry a smart phone (Motorola Droid or a Blackberry) on the Verizon network.  It would be one that also supports wifi if possible.  The thing is that I am not willing to pay an extra $30 a month for a data plan, so that is out too.
« Last Edit: May 27, 2010, 07:14:58 am by staehpj1 »

FredHiltz

  • Guest
Re: Internet on the Cross Country
« Reply #2 on: May 27, 2010, 08:07:32 am »
I was surprised how frequently I was able to find an open wifi access point even in very small towns.  Libraries, motels, restaurants, random businesses, churches, and peoples homes all might have an unlocked access point.

Same here. Even most cheap motels have it, and I look at those first.

The netbook, at 3-1/2 pounds with charger and wireless mouse, is worth the weight to me because I can use it in many ways:
  • Free phone calls to friends with Skype, cheap phone calls to others;
  • Study maps, especially when going off route, and load them into my GPSR;
  • Email of course;
  • Type in my journal;
  • Check the weather radar and forecast before starting out;
  • Unload photos from my camera, clean them up, and post them on the web;
  • Not the least: keep up with this forum and a few others.

Sure, a smart phone or an iPad can do many of these and many people are happy there. Touch typing, a 10" screen, and GPS software, though, are high on my particular list.

Fred