| Wireless internet access is truly the wave of the | | | | the internet in some dingy Internet cafe, you can |
| future and depending on where you live the future | | | | access the Internet for free in their place of business |
| could be now. Wireless "hotspots" really are popping | | | | and while there buy their food and drinks. Cafes are |
| up somewhere on a daily basis. Not that I'm | | | | willing to pay the minimal cost of providing wireless |
| complaining, because having the ability to access the | | | | Internet access in exchange for the new customers it |
| internet via a wireless connection is a great | | | | brings into their business. Especially, in areas where |
| convenience and allows you to "Take Your Laptop | | | | Internet access is hard to come by, any other way. |
| For a Walk on Wireless Side".On the other hand, even | | | | The same goes for hotels and airports: customers see |
| though there are thousands of "hotspots", they don't | | | | wireless access as an added value and in many |
| always get a whole bunch of publicity. However, if you | | | | instances; they will choose a particular hotel based on |
| were to do a search for "hotspots" in your town you | | | | this feature alone.Actually, the real growth area in |
| may be pleasantly surprised. You may have thought | | | | wireless "hotspots" is in the private sector. Businesses |
| that there weren't any in your area but if you live in | | | | are falling all over themselves to provide free Internet |
| even an average-size city then it would be more of a | | | | access to their business customers - cafes, hotels and |
| surprise if you didn't find a few "hotspots".Another | | | | airports are all starting to offer wireless access to |
| alternative would, of course, to do a search for | | | | anyone who happens to be around. All you need to do |
| "hotspots" or "wireless hotspots". There are a ton of | | | | is bring in your laptop with Centrino technology or a |
| websites you can go to and find "hotspots". One | | | | wireless PCMCIA card.We've already covered a |
| "hotspot" that is generally considered to be on the | | | | number of potential public hotspots to take your laptop |
| most comprehensive is You can search for local | | | | and go searching for but one that hasn't been |
| "hotspots" from the JiWire website or could simply | | | | mentioned is in reality may be one of first places to |
| type your zip code into Yahoo Maps and choose 'WiFi | | | | check out is your local public library. Public and |
| Hotspots' from the menu located on the right side of | | | | university campus libraries are increasingly offering |
| the screen.Another option would be to check out the | | | | wireless access and if you're a student there's a good |
| nearest Starbucks. They are literally everywhere and | | | | chance that your whole university campus is wireless |
| almost all of them offer wireless internet access in at | | | | enabled - or will be soon.Hotspot Locator |
| some part of the store. Borders and Kinko's are also | | | | SoftwareHotspot Locator Software allows you to |
| pretty good bets and if all else fails... keep a watchful | | | | create a database of known "hotspots" on your |
| eye out for a local cafe or simply ask around a little bit | | | | computer that you can search at any time, whether |
| and someone should be able to point you in the right | | | | you are online or offline. Simple type in a zip code or |
| direction.Small Wireless ISP FeeYou may find that | | | | the name of a city and the software will come back |
| some of the larger hotspot networks with multiple, | | | | with the nearest "hotspots"... all sorted by distance |
| convenient locations require that you pay a small fee | | | | from your location. And to make sure that your |
| to a wireless ISP to access through them. In many | | | | database doesn't get out of date, each time you |
| instances, you can simply purchase a prepaid card at | | | | access the Internet the software automatically |
| the place where the access is offered so it's really not | | | | connects to its servers and checks the latest hotspot |
| a big deal. However, if you want to free access your | | | | to your list and if your list if out of date it will download |
| best bet would be to stick to the smaller independent | | | | and update your list with the latest information.If |
| locations.Why Would a Cafe Offer Free Wireless | | | | hotspot locator software sounds like something you'd |
| Internet?Actually, if you think about it, it's really nothing | | | | like to take for spin, you're in luck because it's offered |
| more than good business. Rather than pay to access | | | | for free from many of hotspot providers' websites. |