Laptop use

[horselady]

OK so I know this will sound really stupid to all those of you who know what they're doing, but---we are staying in a caravan, we have a laptop and want to go to a hotspot and use the darn thing. Err--how do you do it? I was told you start it up and it will search and bring up a list of available networks and off you go. Switched it on and lots of satelite type things in orbit, including but nothing else happened, no list, not able to click on anything. Feel stupid now, what are we doing wrong? If I could access my e-mails here at work this wouldn't be a problem, but I can't, so unfair!

[Ethel]

You need to go to a wifi hotspot. It is illegal to connect to somebody's unsecured network without their permission, although as a one off you are unlikely to be caught.

However, you are unlikely to be able to connect in your caravan - unless the site has wifi and you are close to the router.

Wifi hotspots include McDonalds, Starbucks, some hotels and pubs, service stations, some public libraries...

Sometimes they are free; often you have to pay through BT OpenZone or The Cloud - both have pay as you go.

Try this to find hotspots close to you:
http://www.myhotspots.co.uk/

[Ethel]

Another option is to use a wifi dongle - it doesn' connect to usual wifi hotspots, instead it connects to satellites. You can have it on contract or pay as you go. This is 3, but Vodafone and Tmobile do them too (contract only)

http://www.three.co.uk/personal/products_servi ces_/mobile_broadband_/detail.omp

You still need to check coverage though - it doesn't work everywhere.

[horselady]

Thanks Ethel. We were in McDonalds-we were told by a lad working there that it was free and to conect to The Cloud, well we sat there like a couple of fools and then just gave up. I work on a flamin' computer all day long, thing is at work we have tekkie back up. I even asked one of the guys here and he said "oh it's so simple etc." We shall persevere.

[bigmamma]

My son and I use wifi hotspots , and found the maccys one easily , though we did have to register first , simple as it just requires a password set up. Then it is free btw.. x

[bigmamma]

Oh and on your lappy , make sure you have it switched on to wifi enabled .

[horselady]

Ah this is becoming clearer, how did you get into the screen that asked you to set up a password?

[horselady]

Done it! Took Ethel's advise and got a dongle. Thank you.