Travel Technology - Some really, really basic questions about netbooks

I've read through the recent thread on netbooks for travel, and I'm sure it's very informative, but the problem for someone like me who has never even touched a laptop or netbook is that there's too much information, and that information assumes at least some experience with these things.

Could someone please post, or point to, a words-of-one-syllable, complete-idiot's style explanation of some of the really basic points on these things, such as:


How do you connect to the internet? (I told you this would be basic.)
If you have a DLS modem connection at home, can you hook it up to that?
I know about wi-fi connections, though I've never used them. I understand that you can use these things right out of the box if you are in a place with wifi, right?
I've seen these little carrells in airports that seem to have jacks -- is this for connecting your netbook to the internet? Does a cable to do it come with the netbook? Does it cost anything?
Likewise hotel business centers -- can you connect to these jacks there?
How do you usually connect in hotels -- is there wi-fi? Are there wi-fi or jack internet connections in hotel rooms? Are they expensive?
I understand that increasingly there are ways to connect a netbook via the cell phone network but that it can be horribly expensive. Any comment on this?
If you want to print something from your computer while traveling, what are your options for doing so?
It looks like the most highly regarded netbooks are the Acer and Asus. Can someone give a very brief summary of the advantages/disadvantages of getting one or the other?


I know that's a lot to ask, but there are probably a lot of people like me who are just getting into this and could use explanations. If there's a book or web site that explains all this, and I mean for the complete ignoramus, it would be very useful for people like me to know about it. I've searched, but everything I can find seems to assume at least a basic knowledge already, which I don't have.

(Maybe I should add that personally I'd be most interested in using a netbook for international travel outside the US.)

Thanks for any enlightenment -- if the above list of questions seems daunting, even replying to one or two of them would be useful to me and probably others.

Q1
The same way as any other computer. It depends on what type of Internet connection you have. If you what marketing people call a DSL/Cable Router, then plug into it. Netbooks have an Ethernet port. They also have USB ports for connecting using a USB Cellular radio.

Q2
See Q1

Q3
Correct

Q4
Yes these connect to the Internet. You would need to pack a UTP patch cable, commonly called a Cat5 cable.

Q5
Yes.

Q6
Depends greatly. The trend is toward wireless and free, but not always.

Q7
They work great if you have a strong signal. There is increasing us of these in rural areas where other high-speed options are unavailable.

Q8
Depends on where you are. Many airport clubs have printers. Fedex/Kinkos have printers. Hotels have printers.

Q9
A netbook is a netbook is a netbook. Buying a computer these days is like buying a head of lettuce, just select whichever one looks and feels ripe.

[LIST]
How do you connect to the internet? If you are within wifi range, right-click on the little computer on the right side of the tray (the bottom toolbar) Click on view available wireless networks, then choose one that is available- free public wifi, etc. Note- have REALLY good security on your computer. Most airports, Starbucks, worldwide have it available.)
If you have a DLS modem connection at home, can you hook it up to that? YES
I know about wi-fi connections, though I've never used them. I understand that you can use these things right out of the box if you are in a place with wifi, right? YES
I've seen these little carrells in airports that seem to have jacks -- is this for connecting your netbook to the internet? Does a cable to do it come with the netbook? Does it cost anything? THE NETBOOK PROBABLY DOESN'T COME WITH A CABLE, BUT THEY ARE CHEAP. PRICE TO HOOK UP- DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE. Likewise hotel business centers -- can you connect to these jacks there? YES- USE THEIR AVAILABLE CABLE. USUALLY A PRICE TO USE THIS. How do you usually connect in hotels -- is there wi-fi? Are there wi-fi or jack internet connections in hotel rooms? Are they expensive? DEPENDS ON THE HOTEL. SOME WILL CHARGE, SOME ADVERTISE FREE. ASK. I understand that increasingly there are ways to connect a netbook via the cell phone network but that it can be horribly expensive. Any comment on this? CHECK YOUR SERVICE. YOU MAY NEED TO BUY A BLUETOOTH- THESE ARE NOT EXPENSIVE. WHAT MAY BE EXPENSIVE IS THE MOBILE SERVICE- SO CHECK.
If you want to print something from your computer while traveling, what are your options for doing so? IF YOU ARE NOT CARRYING A PRINTER, YOU WILL NEED TO GO WHERE ONE IS AVAILABE. EASIEST IS TO DUMP TO A FLASHDRIVE. It looks like the most highly regarded netbooks are the Acer and Asus. Can someone give a very brief summary of the advantages/disadvantages of getting one or the other? I LOVE MY ACER, MY FRIEND HER HP. GO WITH THE LETTUCE METHOD. HONESTLY- MY DECIDING FACTOR WAS ACER HAD PINK.
START LOOKING ON THE INTERNET- CHECK THE REVIEWS BY BOTH PROFESSIONALS AND THE PUBLIC.I know that's a lot to ask, but there are probably a lot of people like me who are just getting into this and could use explanations. If there's a book or web site that explains all this, and I mean for the complete ignoramus, it would be very useful for people like me to know about it. I've searched, but everything I can find seems to assume at least a basic knowledge already, which I don't have.

(Maybe I should add that personally I'd be most interested in using a netbook for international travel outside the US.) I JUST TOOK MINE TO 3 COUNTRIES AND LOVE IT EVEN MORE.

There is another thread in the same forum that talks extensively about netbooks. Check it out and I think you will have a better idea of how you might be able to use it while traveling.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/travel-technology/918708-netbook-travel.html

Thanks for the comments, that clears things up a lot.