Wifi/Internet Help
May 27, 2005 8:35 AM Subscribe
Maybe I'm SOL, but I figure it doesn't hurt to try. Just got a nice new Dell laptop complete with wireless internet card and built-in wifi finder (it automatically detects local networks). The boyfriend and I go to the beach (OC, Md.) quite frequently and as a freelance writer, the whole point of the laptop was to work wirelessly down there. The problem, inside.
He and I already both pay (we live separately) for Internet access at home. We don't want to run expensive Comcast high-speed down there, since we are the only two who would use it, and only one or two weekends a month.
What are my options? Ideally, I'd also like to work from the beach itself (the house is beachfront, too, if that helps).
Is there affordable access we can buy on an as-needed basis? If we have to subscribe to a whole new service, what is best (yet cheap). I'm quite sure we don't want to do the expensive Comcast thing for this kind of limited use.
Is there some other way I can be guaranteed to be able to connect to the Internet from the house?
Please help.
He and I already both pay (we live separately) for Internet access at home. We don't want to run expensive Comcast high-speed down there, since we are the only two who would use it, and only one or two weekends a month.
What are my options? Ideally, I'd also like to work from the beach itself (the house is beachfront, too, if that helps).
Is there affordable access we can buy on an as-needed basis? If we have to subscribe to a whole new service, what is best (yet cheap). I'm quite sure we don't want to do the expensive Comcast thing for this kind of limited use.
Is there some other way I can be guaranteed to be able to connect to the Internet from the house?
Please help.
One option would be to get an EDGE card for your laptop (example) which would provide Internet access through your cell network. Of course, your cell provider would have to support EDGE (which I believe includes Cingular, AT&T and possibly others). The downside is that, IIRC, the service is in the range of $75/month, which would be more than it would cost to get cable modem setup down there :-/.
posted by Handcoding at 8:50 AM on May 27, 2005
posted by Handcoding at 8:50 AM on May 27, 2005
It's not terribly fast, but I get unlimited mobile internet access via cell phone for an extra $20/mo.
posted by mosch at 8:50 AM on May 27, 2005
posted by mosch at 8:50 AM on May 27, 2005
Does one of your neighbors have a wireless network within range? If so, perhaps you can negotiate with them to rent time on it.
posted by googly at 8:54 AM on May 27, 2005
posted by googly at 8:54 AM on May 27, 2005
Does/Can your beach house have a phone line? There are a few wireless base stations that have ordinary telephone modems built-in (eg The Apple AirPort Extreme, $199*, includes Windows software). If you can position it near to where you want to work, that could be economical solution.
(* eBay is no doubt full of the older versions for cheap, which work equally well)
posted by cillit bang at 9:27 AM on May 27, 2005
(* eBay is no doubt full of the older versions for cheap, which work equally well)
posted by cillit bang at 9:27 AM on May 27, 2005
Watch out b/c I've had trouble getting a wireless signal for my blackberry on or near a beach.
posted by onlyconnect at 9:49 AM on May 27, 2005
posted by onlyconnect at 9:49 AM on May 27, 2005
If you manage to share with a neighbor, google "wok-fi" for some cheap long range antenna solutions.
posted by mecran01 at 9:56 AM on May 27, 2005
posted by mecran01 at 9:56 AM on May 27, 2005
While at MicroCenter a few weeks back I saw a bluetooth modem. Won't help you at the beach itself but in the house you could use it for dialup but with wireless support. Looks like zoom, eXpansys and socket offer them. froogle 'bluetooth modem' and you'll find plenty.
As others have mentioned there's also the possibility of a basestation for 802.11 like the Apple or this Wiflyer or just google for '802.11 dialup' as I did to find that.
posted by phearlez at 9:58 AM on May 27, 2005
As others have mentioned there's also the possibility of a basestation for 802.11 like the Apple or this Wiflyer or just google for '802.11 dialup' as I did to find that.
posted by phearlez at 9:58 AM on May 27, 2005
Another bluetooth possibility is, if you have AT&T/Cingular and a bluetooth phone, their "PDA Connect" plan for $40 a month for 'all you can eat.'
posted by phearlez at 10:11 AM on May 27, 2005
posted by phearlez at 10:11 AM on May 27, 2005
Well, if you're a writer...
When you're there, write, don't get on the internet.
J-wire produces a directory of a number of locations that have wireless
jwire OC, MD hotpsots
And the idea of you working on the beach...can't you relax?
posted by filmgeek at 12:42 PM on May 27, 2005
When you're there, write, don't get on the internet.
J-wire produces a directory of a number of locations that have wireless
jwire OC, MD hotpsots
And the idea of you working on the beach...can't you relax?
posted by filmgeek at 12:42 PM on May 27, 2005
Plus you're gonna get sand in your laptop.
posted by languagehat at 2:23 PM on May 27, 2005
posted by languagehat at 2:23 PM on May 27, 2005
Response by poster: Thanks everyone. I need the Internet for some research, and believe me, I'm otherwise relaxing -- but thanks for the concern. I found wifi at one of my favorite beach bars/hotels. As for getting at the beach house, it looks like if I want it, I'm just going to have to buckle down and pay for it the traditional way.
That, or spend my days at the Ocean Club!
posted by bozichsl at 3:54 PM on May 29, 2005
That, or spend my days at the Ocean Club!
posted by bozichsl at 3:54 PM on May 29, 2005
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by bozichsl at 8:42 AM on May 27, 2005