We plan to be coastal cruising in the northeastern USA and Eastern
Canada for 5 or 6 months this year. Last year we were unable to
connect at the Chamber of Commerce in Northeast Harbor where they used
to keep a modem line. The reason was they now have a continuous DSL
connection with an ethernet hub so individual calls don't cost them.

Our 1995 Libretto, a little Toshiba antique that still works fine,
doesn't have an ethernet port. Other marinas we have been in have
WiFi.

Upshot, I bought a new notebook computer that has Wifi, ethernet, usb,
modem. I have my dial-up working, just what I had before. The machine
advertises "No-configuration networking" on the box, which I take to
mean it will network with anything receptive around, either by cable
or wifi.

I can carry an ethernet cable, which I expect to work at NEH, where I
saw the hub box. But I, being an ancient mariner, have no idea how to
use wifi. Can I expect to go into a Starbucks and have my browser
work? How would I know it is connected if it is?

If I am in a Wifi hotspot that wants to be paid, will something tell
me so, or will it just not work?

Maybe I am asking the wrong questions. I appreciate knowledgeable
replies to what I should have asked as well.

TIA




Rodney Myrvaagnes NYC J36 Gjo/a


"Nuke the gay whales for Jesus" -- anon T-shirt