Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
#1
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
I often spot people sitting in Starbucks using their laptops and apparently log onto the internet so it seems that Starbucks has WiFi in their stores. I do know that all the Panera bakeries offer WiFi too and possibly MacDonalds?.
How does one manage to get online? How do you find out about the internet service provider in a new location and what about the cost? (At Newark airport it is about $7 for the day).
So far I've only gone online on my laptop at home but it would be so useful to use it on occasion when I'm out and about.
How does one manage to get online? How do you find out about the internet service provider in a new location and what about the cost? (At Newark airport it is about $7 for the day).
So far I've only gone online on my laptop at home but it would be so useful to use it on occasion when I'm out and about.
#2
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Posts: 8,271
Re: Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
Originally Posted by Englishmum
I often spot people sitting in Starbucks using their laptops and apparently log onto the internet so it seems that Starbucks has WiFi in their stores. I do know that all the Panera bakeries offer WiFi too and possibly MacDonalds?.
How does one manage to get online? How do you find out about the internet service provider in a new location and what about the cost? (At Newark airport it is about $7 for the day).
So far I've only gone online on my laptop at home but it would be so useful to use it on occasion when I'm out and about.
How does one manage to get online? How do you find out about the internet service provider in a new location and what about the cost? (At Newark airport it is about $7 for the day).
So far I've only gone online on my laptop at home but it would be so useful to use it on occasion when I'm out and about.
http://www.starbucks.com/retail/wireless.asp
Its done via T-Mobile HotSpots and its costs from $0.10 per min for 1 time access to $29.99 per month for a contract.
#3
Re: Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
I don't know about where you are but here in NC it's free to surf the net whilst in a Panera. You just open up your browser and it takes you straight to their agreement page, agree to the terms and you are away!!
Now if they had a Panera Bread in the mall I could leave Paul for hours on end whilst I shopped and he wouldn't even noticed I'd gone
Now if they had a Panera Bread in the mall I could leave Paul for hours on end whilst I shopped and he wouldn't even noticed I'd gone
Originally Posted by Englishmum
I often spot people sitting in Starbucks using their laptops and apparently log onto the internet so it seems that Starbucks has WiFi in their stores. I do know that all the Panera bakeries offer WiFi too and possibly MacDonalds?.
How does one manage to get online? How do you find out about the internet service provider in a new location and what about the cost? (At Newark airport it is about $7 for the day).
So far I've only gone online on my laptop at home but it would be so useful to use it on occasion when I'm out and about.
How does one manage to get online? How do you find out about the internet service provider in a new location and what about the cost? (At Newark airport it is about $7 for the day).
So far I've only gone online on my laptop at home but it would be so useful to use it on occasion when I'm out and about.
#4
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 1,750
Re: Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
Yeah I thought everyone did free wifi now
#5
Lost in BE Cyberspace
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Re: Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
Originally Posted by Chorlton
Yeah I thought everyone did free wifi now
#6
Re: Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
Wi-Fi is free in most coffee shops here.
Yes, I've stayed at hotels where you have to sign in to access wi-fi in yur room - but if you take your laptop down to the lobby, you can access for free.
Yes, I've stayed at hotels where you have to sign in to access wi-fi in yur room - but if you take your laptop down to the lobby, you can access for free.
#7
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Re: Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
Originally Posted by Englishmum
How does one manage to get online? How do you find out about the internet service provider in a new location and what about the cost? (At Newark airport it is about $7 for the day).
Or, you can right click on the wireless network icon (looks like a computer with emitting radio waves) and select 'View Available Wireless Networks' - follow the intructions in the window to get connected.
#8
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Re: Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
Originally Posted by anotherlimey
Normally if your laptop is WiFi enabled you can just start up your laptop and a message will appear at the bottom right of your screen saying a wireless network has been found - click on the message to get connected.
Or, you can right click on the wireless network icon (looks like a computer with emitting radio waves) and select 'View Available Wireless Networks' - follow the intructions in the window to get connected.
Or, you can right click on the wireless network icon (looks like a computer with emitting radio waves) and select 'View Available Wireless Networks' - follow the intructions in the window to get connected.
#9
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Re: Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
Originally Posted by Partystar
We live in an apartment complex & every time I use my computer it pops up & tells me there is one in the neighbourhood, I'm guessing it's one of our neighbours!!! I could probably cancel our internet service & just use theirs!!!
#10
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Location: Connecticut
Posts: 920
Re: Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
Originally Posted by dunroving
Wi-Fi is free in most coffee shops here.
Yes, I've stayed at hotels where you have to sign in to access wi-fi in yur room - but if you take your laptop down to the lobby, you can access for free.
Yes, I've stayed at hotels where you have to sign in to access wi-fi in yur room - but if you take your laptop down to the lobby, you can access for free.
what a pain. The hotels we have stayed in have all allowed Wi-Fi in the rooms free.
Going to have to try Panera. There is one just down the road
#11
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Location: Arizona
Posts: 3,113
Re: Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
I got the missus a wifi PDA for christmas. When you hit the wifi button it gives you various connection options as far as networks to use.
#12
Thread Starter
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,848
Re: Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
Originally Posted by Partystar
We live in an apartment complex & every time I use my computer it pops up & tells me there is one in the neighbourhood, I'm guessing it's one of our neighbours!!! I could probably cancel our internet service & just use theirs!!!
#13
Re: Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
Originally Posted by Englishmum
Ha ha....just double-clicked that icon (the navy blue square box with the 'radio waves' emitting from it) in the bottom right hand corner of my screen and clicked on 'Site Survey'. It gives the names and signal strength of the neighbours on each side of our house....one guy has got a small yellow padlock on it to show that his system is encrypted so we couldn't use his, but we could for the other neighbour! .
#14
Re: Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
Originally Posted by Philgr
You need to be a little careful doing this - as I understand it there isn't actually a law stopping you connecting to an open network but by doing so you are probably causing your neighbor to breach their ISP agreement. There is also the slim chance that someone has left an open access point because that makes it really easy to snoop on the traffic of any computer connected to that access point. As long as you don't care if anyone sees the traffic you are sending, or it is well encrypted anyhow, this shouldn't be a problem. Of course, your neighbour has bigger problems as they could be held responsible if you start hacking or downloading illegal images through their connection!
http://news.com.com/FAQ+Wi-Fi+moochi...?tag=sas.email
http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/22/u...n-wifi-signal/
#15
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Re: Laptops in Starbucks -WiFi question
Originally Posted by Ray
The recent arrest of a Florida man on charges of unauthorized use of a wireless network could set legal ground rules for open Wi-Fi access.
http://news.com.com/FAQ+Wi-Fi+moochi...?tag=sas.email
http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/22/u...n-wifi-signal/
http://news.com.com/FAQ+Wi-Fi+moochi...?tag=sas.email
http://www.engadget.com/2005/07/22/u...n-wifi-signal/
The question appears to be is an accessing an open network without consent illegal. Well personally I would say yes. Just because I leave my front door unlocked doesnt give someone the legal right to enter my house and eat my food or use my TV. Just because I (theorectically) dont put a "lock" on my home WiFi network doesnt give someone the right to wander in and use my bandwidth. Someone has to pay for that bandwidth and a lot of ISP's put monthly usage caps on so someone using it without consent is effectively stealing it.
Theres a specific law regarding theft of electricity I would imagine there would be one soon for WiFI badnwidth.