letterman@invalid.com wrote:
> On Mon, 27 Apr 2009 18:49:17 -0400, George <george@nospam.invalid>
> wrote:
>
>> letterman@invalid.com wrote:
>>> I just got my first laptop w/wifi card. I have successfully connected
>>> while on a trip. Mostly at motels, by just parking in their parking
>>> lot. I also picked up a signal at McDonalds but they wanted me to
>>> pay, which was not possible because they were closed (after hours).
>>>
>>> I mostly want to do this when I am on the road travelling, but because
>>> I live in a rural area and can only get dialup internet at home, I'd
>>> like to find a nearby free connection so I can download large files.
>>> For example, at home on dialup it takes well over an hour to download
>>> a 15meg file, where using the WIFI only takes a few minutes. I could
>>> even watch Youtube videos on this laptop, which at home I can only
>>> watch them after I download them to my own harddrive.
>>>
>>> Anyhow, my point is this: I have searched for websites that list WIFI
>>> Hotspots. There seem to be many, but what good are they when I am on
>>> the road. I first have to find a hotspot before I can see the list.
>>>
>>> Is there a downloadable/searchable list I can download for the USA?
>>> That way I can put the list on my laptop harddrive and search for a
>>> spot whereever I am located at the time. I'd expect the list to be
>>> some sort of database or other common format. I'd appreciate any
>>> links to such a list.
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>>
>>> LM
>> Its really hit and miss. If you travel a lot one of the best items you
>> can purchase is an aircard or a cellphone that can do tethering. Works
>> wherever you have reception and maybe even at your house.
>
> What is an aircard?

It is a device you connect to your notebook either by using the card
slot or USB which allows you to use the cellphone data network.