Internet at Grandmas??

[Friday]

I am going to my Nani's house for Christmas and I am wondering if there is any way to access the internet from my laptop?

She doesn't have a computer and I may need contact with the outside world later in the evening after all of the dysfunctionals have left.

Is there an easy and inexpensive way to do this?
I heard something about air cards but I don't quite understand them.

[KnoxHarrington]

If you have a cell phone capable of getting Internet access -- preferably on a 3G network -- you might want to see if you can tether it to your computer. That might involve buying a bluetooth USB key for your computer, but those are like $40.

I think a cool thing someone needs to do is prepaid 3G network access. Sort of like a Tracfone sort of deal, for an occasion like this.

[Don Stugots]

N/M Knox said it first.

[Hottub]

Search for an unsecure network, then hop on.:thumbup:

Just don't do any banking or whatnot. Stick to your usual .net and porn.

[IMSlacker]

If your laptop has a modem, you can probably get online using old fashioned dial-up access. Check your provider's web site to see if they have information on dial-up. You may need do download some software. Or, you may luck out and find that one of your Grandma's neighbors have an unsecured wireless network you can connect to.

[Friday]

dont you have a web browser on your phone?

i do... but it's small and it's not high tech like the blackberries and such...
i can't chat or get email on there. it's really just for emergency searching needs.

[west milly Tom]

I am going to my Nani's house for Christmas and I am wondering if there is any way to access the internet from my laptop?

She doesn't have a computer and I may need contact with the outside world later in the evening after all of the dysfunctionals have all left.

Is there an easy and inexpensive way to do this?
I heard something about air cards but I don't quite understand them.



Spend some time with your grandmother you computer junkie.

[BlackSpider]

I am going to my Nani's house for Christmas and I am wondering if there is any way to access the internet from my laptop?

She doesn't have a computer and I may need contact with the outside world later in the evening after all of the dysfunctionals have all left.

Is there an easy and inexpensive way to do this?
I heard something about air cards but I don't quite understand them.

They plug into USB, and you get them through a phone service provider.
They are about $80 a month. It's like being on WiFi, but you can have access
anywhere you get reception.
Some places offer WiFi, Like some K-marts and a Giant food store near me.
But then you're hanging out there...

[disneyspy]

If your laptop has a modem, you can probably get online using old fashioned dial-up access. Check your provider's web site to see if they have information on dial-up. You may need do download some software. Or, you may luck out and find that one of your Grandma's neighbors have an unsecured wireless network you can connect to.

you can try people pc free for a month or get a belkin (theyre cheap)to bring in the unsecured signals better

[Friday]

Spend some time with your grandmother you computer junkie.

now i feel bad...

:glurps:

[Don Stugots]

i do... but it's small and it's not high tech like the blackberries and such...
i can't chat or get email on there. it's really just for emergency searching needs.

oh, then go with Hottubs suggestion. it is what i do when i go to my sister's house since they do not have wireless.

[Friday]

oh, then go with Hottubs suggestion. it is what i do when i go to my sister's house since they do not have wireless.

i think i will go for it and hope for the best...

my only question is ... how does one search for a connection? :D

[disneyspy]

i think i will go for it and hope for the best...

my only question is ... how does one search for a connection? :D

go to those little tv screens on the bottom right of your monitor,itll tell ya what networks there are out there,click on the one with the strongest signal,you can also check your connect to on your menu

[Friday]

go to those little tv screens on the bottom right of your monitor,itll tell ya what networks there are out there,click on the one with the strongest signal,you can also check your connect to on your menu

thank you, spy :smile:

[disneyspy]

see,i aint a total tard,STUGOTS

[suggums]

the title of this thread reminds me of internet at grandma's. she has dial up AOL, and types entirely in caps because its easier for her to see. shes cute, im amazed she ever got the computer/internet to begin with. even my other grandma had this weird dialup internet back in the 90's before she passed. do other peoples grandmas, besides friday, have old school internet setups?

[toolshed]

Unsecured network is the way to go. I lived on my neighbors connection for awhile when I first moved and hadn't connected service yet. Morally wrong, functionally right.

[~Katja~]

i think i will go for it and hope for the best...

my only question is ... how does one search for a connection? :D


just a side note, the Peraly Baker in PA has free wi-fi ;)


as for finding a network, what are you on? vista or XP?

[MacVittie]

the title of this thread reminds me of internet at grandma's. she has dial up AOL, and types entirely in caps because its easier for her to see. shes cute, im amazed she ever got the computer/internet to begin with. even my other grandma had this weird dialup internet back in the 90's before she passed. do other peoples grandmas, besides friday, have old school internet setups?

My grandma doesn't even have a checking account.

[KnoxHarrington]

Unsecured network is the way to go. I lived on my neighbors connection for awhile when I first moved and hadn't connected service yet. Morally wrong, functionally right.

I think doing that long term does become pretty damn shady, but for one day, sure.

The only note of paranoia I'd inject here is that there are indeed hackers who put up unsecured networks, and log whatever anyone who connects to the network does. So avoid any important secure sites. For example, you might not want to do online banking.

It's a long shot, but you do have to be careful.

[instrument]

Its scary watching people give computer related advice.

[Stankfoot]

i think i will go for it and hope for the best...

my only question is ... how does one search for a connection? :D


http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a350/stankfoot/pringlesonstandbig.jpg

[WampusCrandle]

hopefully you can steal the internet like i am. sitting here right now in my Lena's living room, stealing it.

[SatCam]

the title of this thread reminds me of internet at grandma's. she has dial up AOL, and types entirely in caps because its easier for her to see. shes cute, im amazed she ever got the computer/internet to begin with. even my other grandma had this weird dialup internet back in the 90's before she passed. do other peoples grandmas, besides friday, have old school internet setups?

before my grandma died, she had netzero and dialed in. I loved how she knew how to do all the stuff I know. She was asking me about burning cds and stuff. Now the computer sits in my grandpa's apartment and he has no clue what that thing does.

[OGC]

when I am visiting someone who doesn't have the internets, I always check for the nearest Panera Bread restaurant. Most of them have free wifi which is very easy to connect to.

Sure you can't connect and surf all day (unless you want to leave Grandma alone at home) but you can check youe emails and say hi to your buddies out here while having a cupof coffee and a bagel.

[~Katja~]

when I am visiting someone who doesn't have the internets, I always check for the nearest Panera Bread restaurant. Most of them have free wifi which is very easy to connect to.

Sure you can't connect and surf all day (unless you want to leave Grandma alone at home) but you can check youe emails and say hi to your buddies out here while having a cupof coffee and a bagel.

that's where I used to go when my "free" connections at home started securing their networks.
now I have my own...

they do block certain sites though... not the first time around but sometimes when you come back a site you may have been able to visit before will now be blocked

[Friday]

Update: I only used my laptop to watch Wall-E with my little cousin. And I let her use it to play sims on Christmas morning.
So it was good that I had it with me... but i am actually glad i didn't go online during much needed family time. :)

[disneyspy]

good for you friday,welcome back