| ncreasingly wireless world, there are lots of places | | | | be surprising if there weren't lots of hotspots to |
| where you can connect your laptop to the | | | | choose from. |
| internet when you are out and about. These | | | | There are plenty of websites you can go to to |
| places are called "hotspots," and if you know | | | | find hotspots. The most comprehensive, though, |
| where to find them, you may never want to go | | | | is generally thought to be Or you can type your |
| home again. | | | | zip code into Yahoo Maps and choose 'WiFi |
| How To Find Public Hotspots | | | | Hotspots' from the menu on the right of the |
| The first place to look for hotspots is big public | | | | screen. |
| institutions. Libraries are increasingly offering | | | | Can't be bothered with all this? Then just look for |
| wireless access. And, if you're a student, chances | | | | a Starbucks. They are everywhere, and almost all |
| are that your campus is already wireless-enabled, | | | | of them offer wireless internet access. Borders |
| or will be soon. | | | | and Kinko's are also good places to try. Failing |
| Searching Out Private Hotspots | | | | that, just ask at a place of your choice. |
| The private sector, though, is the real growth | | | | Not All Hotspots Are Free |
| area in wireless hotspots. Businesses are falling | | | | Some of the larger hotspot networks require a |
| over themselves to provide free internet access | | | | small fee to a wireless Internet Service Provider |
| to their customers. Cafes, hotels and airports are | | | | to use them. You usually buy a prepaid card |
| all starting to offer wireless access to anyone | | | | where the access is offered -- it's easy and |
| nearby. All you need to bring is a wireless ready | | | | affordable. If you want to save your money, just |
| laptop. | | | | stick to the smaller, independent places. |
| You may wonder how it benefits businesses to | | | | Get Your Own Free Hotspot Software |
| offer free wireless internet access. They are | | | | If you like visiting hotspots, you might be |
| willing to pay the minimal cost in exchange for the | | | | interested in an easier way to find them. Just |
| new customers it brings in, especially in areas | | | | download and install hotspot locator software on |
| where internet access is hard to find. Customers | | | | your computer. This software has a database of |
| see wireless access as a big added value, and | | | | known hotspots that you can search at any time, |
| they vote with their feet and wallets for places | | | | whether you're online or offline. Just type in a zip |
| that provide it. | | | | code or the name of the town, and the software |
| Tracking Down The Hotspots | | | | will give you a list of the nearest hotspots, sorted |
| Even though there are thousands of hotspots, | | | | by distance from you. Each time you make an |
| they don't advertise this service well. Doing an | | | | Internet connection, the software downloads the |
| internet search for hotspots in your town could | | | | latest hotspot list, to keep your database current. |
| really surprise you. In a town of any size, it would | | | | How cool is that? |