Connecting Laptop to internet away from home

[LILYLEE]

My son has bought himself a laptop, as he is in the army he needs to use it when he is on exercise (in England at the moment). The laptop has a build in wireless card and he has also got a router! (how kind). The problem is, i dont really want him connecting through my computer/internet, for obvious reasons:dizzy: Is there anyway he can connect to the internet with his own account, it has that centrinio thingy on it, whatever that is? i am totally baffled, hope someone can help.
Thanks much n much in advance
xxx Lily xxx

[z1p]

Hi LilyLee,

Do you want help connecting the laptop while your son is home or do you want help getting the laptop on line while it and your son are in England?

Sorry for the question, but the title makes it sound like the latter, but your post reads like the former. I just want to make sure you get the help your looking for.

-z1p

[LILYLEE]

Thanks for that Zip and sorry, he would like to connect the laptop and use the internet whilst out on exercise (all over UK), would this be possible? I think i made it more confusing by babbling. When he got the laptop the bloke in the shop told him that he would need the router, but i said the router will only be of any use if he is using the laptop from home, is that right? I think i will leave it at that and solve one problem at a time ;) Thanks

[renegade600]

he should not need a router. All he will need to do if the laptop is already setup for wireless, is to find a hotspot and follow the instructions given at that location.

[z1p]

... but i said the router will only be of any use if he is using the laptop from home, is that right? ...yes...

[LILYLEE]

hotspot, instructions, sorry but you need to be more specific ren i avent got a clue what u mean sos

[z1p]

A hotspot is a term used for a public wireless access point that provides access to the internet. Sometimes they are free, sometimes you have to pay to use them.

I'm not from the UK so I have no idea what is generally available there. Around here Barnes & Noble bookstores and even some McDonalds offer wireless internet access for a fee.

[LILYLEE]

Thanks for your patience. Okay i think i have a rough idea now thank you. Does this mean he could ask aol or bt to be a service provider? if it doesnt please dont scream at me as things are easy when you know how xx

[z1p]

Thanks for your patience. Okay i think i have a rough idea now thank you. Does this mean he could ask aol or bt to be a service provider? if it doesnt please dont scream at me as things are easy when you know how xxI try not to scream to often, it hurts my fingers ;)

Hotspots are usually open (anyone can use them) or basically a pay as you go service where you pay for the amount of time you are connected.

As far as I know aol or BT doesn't offer a wireless service, but I could well be wrong especially about BT.

Take a look HERE (http://www.wifinder.com/) and HERE (http://www.jiwire.com/search-hotspot-locations.htm). They are sites that will list hotspots in a given area. I doubt that they are complete, but they are definitely a place to start.

[chapper]

he may find this little program (http://www.netstumbler.com/downloads/) useful to find hot spots. it's handy to copy/download it to a usb flash drive which he probably has already.

[LILYLEE]

thanks all very much for the help and advice, much appreciated !!! xxx