Travel Technology - Airport Wireless Access Newbie Questions

I've got a VAIO laptop that I drag with me on my frequent trips and have heard about many taking advantage of wireless internet access at airports such as MSP.

However, never having used any wireless connection and being mixed up between a wireless card and WIFI, I'm not sure what I need to access those airport connections.

Any wireless experts out there willing to give a hand? http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

Thanks for all your help! Aloha

slippahs, if you're somewhere where there is wireless access you simply open your browser and it'll redirect to a login page. If it's a commercial service you'll find the option for various connect/fee options. If you're lucky enough to be in range of a free wireless setup then your browser should simply work as normal; surf away. If you want to try it out without a commitment, T-mobile (many/most Red Carpet Clubs -- or sitting outside them) used to have a one-day freebie pass. I have a monthly t-mobile wireless account since virtually every Starbucks in northern California is a t-mobile wireless access point. I think there is also a link on UA's pages somewhere for miles if you choose to do this. Here are t-mobile's access spots in Hawaii:
Hawaii
Airports in this area
City Property Name

Honolulu HNL Delta Air Lines Crown Room Club
HNL United Airlines Red Carpet Club
Borders Book Stores in this area
City Property Name

Hilo Borders Maka'ala Street

Honolulu Borders Ala Moana Blvd

Kahului, Maui Borders Dairy Rd.

Kailua-Kona Borders Henry Street

Waipahu Borders Lumiaina Street


Others can chime in with more technical info, or other provider possibilities.

Does your VAIO have internal WiFi or are you using a PCMCIA card? If internal, there is a switch you must turn on. If you are running Windows XP, it should automatically run you through the setup if it sees a wireless access point.

Lastly, you should ask these types of questions in the Travel Technology forum!

There are tons of great links and helpful hints related to this topic if you click on the "search" button in the FlyerTalk Forum and enter a relevant keyword. For example you can enter "wi-fi" searching through the travel forum and you'll get about 10 threads. Its easy and valuable to search for related discussions. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by mobylekyle:
There are tons of great links and helpful hints related to this topic if you click on the "search" button in the FlyerTalk Forum and enter a relevant keyword. For example you can enter "wi-fi" searching through the travel forum and you'll get about 10 threads. Its easy and valuable to search for related discussions.</font>

Thanks, mobylekyle, I think I know how to use the search feature of this board http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

In any case, moderators could you please close this thread as it has been opened in Travel Techonology by the request of an anonymous FTer.

Aloha

[This message has been edited by slippahs (edited Dec 26, 2003).]

this belongs in Travel Technology, so let's continue the discussion there please.

--richard, moderator

Even if this thread is a dupe, I'm always willing to help out a local boy... http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/smile.gif

What was the question again?

Lensman, I'd like to expand the question a bit.
If I want to access the internet from wherever I am (in the middle of nowhere, let's say), how do I do so?

I have a wireless card in my laptop (don't know what kind... maybe you can tell me how to identify the type)

Anyway, do I have to buy some sort of modem that acts as a telephone? Do I have to sign-up for some type of separate service for internet access (I currently have cable locally)

So, the question is, how do I do it?

Judging from the other answers, I might just try loggin on in various places and see if I can pick up some sort of signal... but I really would like something reliable.

Thanks to everyone for whatever help you can give.
Rita

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by rkt10:
If I want to access the internet from wherever I am (in the middle of nowhere, let's say), how do I do so?

I have a wireless card in my laptop (don't know what kind... maybe you can tell me how to identify the type)

Anyway, do I have to buy some sort of modem that acts as a telephone? Do I have to sign-up for some type of separate service for internet access (I currently have cable locally)

So, the question is, how do I do it?

Judging from the other answers, I might just try loggin on in various places and see if I can pick up some sort of signal... but I really would like something reliable.
</font>
Your wireless card in your laptop is probably the 802.11b flavor of WiFi. Is it really a PC card or is it built in? If you tell us the manufacturer and the model number we can tell you for sure.

What OS are you running on your notebook?

Is your notebook a home or work notebook? (just trying to figure out if it was setup at the factory or by corporate tech types)

The bottom line is that there's probably nothing special you need to set up. Just open a browser and you'll either get free access or see the login/purchase screen for paid access.

P.S. Thanks for all the replies... I ended up purchasing the Netgear MA521 card, 11Mbps (for $30 with rebates from Office Depot - see nespaper insert), tried it out on my alma mater's campus and it worked like a charm...

Like someone else said in the prior dup. thread, once you have wireless, there's no going back http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/biggrin.gif

aloha