email/internet while on vacation in other countries
 

I do not know much about the new tech gadgets so I am looking for some good advice from this board.
I want something small [nothing bigger then netbook]that I can get internet access and email with.
The main issue for me is that I do not want anything that I have to pay monthly fees with .

Welcome to FlyerTalk!

Anything that meets your basic requirements will need to have connectivity to the internet somehow. TO get something without a monthly fee you're probably going to require WiFi or wired connections. You'd have to either pay for that service on an ad hoc basis or find free access points. That will tie you to specific locations rather than using the service while wandering about. How big of an issue would that be for you?

I have no problem sitting in one spot while I do my searches and email.

I don't mind paying for something upfront that will give me the wi fi access I need but I prefer secure and no contracts

Why buy any device?

If you're basically checking email and doing some searches, you could just visit the hotel business centre, an internet cafe or your host's home/office computer. Assuming you have web access at these locations to your email account (gMail, Yahoo, Hotmail, even the major U.S. Internet providers such as Verizon, Comcast, etc.) you don't need any computer, just log onto your provider's site and check and reply to email. And, some (admittedly large, in my experience) companies have similar password protected secure web-access sites for employees to log in to their email account from any computer attached to the web.

I've advised many a relative or friend thinking about taking a BB, iPhone, laptop, etc. on a trip (particularly international, but even some domestic USA travel) and who want to have "access" while traveling to forget it. Granted these were low tech folks. But, the cost, setup, connection issues/snafus, roaming/local SIM, power conversion, etc. etc. etc. just don't make it worth it for a recreational travelers who often (too often) consult me. Even if they needed some potential way to get back in touch with the office (they call it vacation for a reason), they could just add a few key coworkers' email addresses to their personal web email account.

Often, my end advice is buy a local calling card to call back home and check on Grandma or here's a SIM unlocked phone to borrow from me - when you land at [insert airport name here] walk into the phone shop and buy a prepaid SIM, be nice and the clerk will even insert it in the phone for you and tell you how to dial local calls, back to the USA, etc. No Sype setup, no Fring, no culling info from NYT Pogue, Frugal Traveler, etc. Just go already and send me back the phone when you get back.

If you travel extensively for business and immediate connectivity to coworkers, customers, etc. is essential, obviously the info above is not the solution. But, think about it seriously, how much do you really need access, if its occasional/low and for personal use, you may be better off not buying anything to lug around.

I agree with jsnydcsa
 

Though, if you were to invest in an ipod touch, you have something to keep you amused + (slightly) more secure access to email when you get close to some free wi-fi. There's plenty about, or to be had for the price of a coffee.


RE Email. I would create one or more gmail accounts to collect mail from your other accounts - forward your mail into it. You can cut off the forwards if the mail account password is compromised whilst travelling.

You need to be aware of how roaming charges work should you decide to roam.

See Traveler Alert: Roaming Charges for Unanswered Calls

Subsequent note: just realized your enquiry was solely data related and my post is voice related. Still something to keep in mind however.

I just want to mention a few security precautions regardless of how you end up deciding to get onto the internet.

1. Assuming you are using a device you control to connect to the internet at a hot-spot, please make sure to connect to only encrypted sites (i.e. something that starts with https) if you send anything private. Sending any passwords without encryption can be pretty risky. For this reason, you probably don't want to check Hotmail from a public hotspot. As far as I know, there is no encrypted login for Hotmail. Gmail on the other hand does.

2. If you are using a device that you do not control (i.e. at a internet cafe where they supply the computer in addition to the inter connection), you should avoid typing passwords on the keyboard. There may be keylogging software running on the computer. Use the Windows On Screen Keyboard (click Start -> Run, type osk, and press enter) to click the passwords instead. If you are using a computer with osk deleted, be suspicious.

Hotmail does have encrypted login. It's hard to tell because the encryption is very brief during the login phase.

I second the recommendation for an iPod touch, as long as you can get WiFi access.

If you do get a wifi enabled iTouch, make sure to buy/download one of the wifi finder apps. The built-in wifi finder is so so.

I thought I was a Geek, but this I never knew before. I never access personal data/accounts on public terminals, so this is a great tip! I may even log into FT now!

Sorry to break your established sense of security but OSK won't defeat most keyloggers given how it is implemented, it is exactly the same as typing on the keyboard. You can try yourself with the free version of refog (first hit for 'keylogger' on google), and you'll see it is captured.

Thanks for the head-up on osk not being effective against all keyloggers. Good thing I haven't actually resorted to using it (I use my own device or nothing). Sorry to the other good folks on FT for giving out bad information :o

So now I won't log into FT on a terminal I don't own. :(

Your two options are a netbook and/or an unlocked GSM smartphone preferably with Wi-fi). Get a local SIM with data access but use wi-fi whenever possible.