bobetpine
canada
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Joined: 03/29/2004
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Hi,
We are renting a VW van conversion next month for 3 weeks in Southern California.
I'm planning to bring my laptop with me.
I never used wi-fi and I'd like someone to explain how it will work when I get to a campground that has wi-fi (we'll be at State Parks campground and Joshua Tree NP).
My laptop has the wi-fi "card" (I don't know if it's the correct name but I once has a wireless router on this laptop but gave it away because it was too complicated for me! But it worked, I could work on my laptop around the house).
Sometimes, at my home, my laptop says something like "wi-fi connexions available".I guess they are my neighbors connections, right? I don't know what to do then.
So, is there an easy way to explain how it could work? Do I need to pay for a telephone line of some sort at a wi-fi campground?
Etc...
Thanks very much. I feel silly...
 )
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Eycom
On the Road
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Joined: 09/12/2004
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When your computer indicates it is receiving a WiFi signal. Simply right click on the network icon in the lower right tray. That will bring up a window showing the network signals available. If the network(s) are open, meaning they aren't password protected, you can connect with a good probability of getting online.
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slack95winnfulltimer
bradenton and kansas and parts inbetween
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don't feel silly. if you don't know, you don't know. i am a beginer at computers. i have a lap top and if i can go online (wi-fi), a banana can! If your laptop is picking up your neighbors signal your in the right direction. some questions to ask are : do i have to use a code or a coupon at each site or a fee? I have found that some resturant chains and coffee houses offer free wi-fi. at the botton of your laptop screen there is a bar with icons like security,speaker , power, time etc... if you move your curser to the icon which looks like to monitors and it says" currrantly conected to:" your in business. sounds like you have a built in anttenae like me. I would contact the park your going to with these questions. you may have a limited area you must camp in in order to pick up wi-fi. ask your fellow campers at the site or better yet ask the office for assitance if they have wi-fi and you are unable to receive their signal.best of luck
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tonyandkaren
pennsylvania
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Try it out at your house and if it doesn't work some one here can walk you through it. If you see a little lock or some thing that say security enabled or pass word required , you won't be able to get on the network. Most people lock their house networks but if you do manage to get on then you'll know how to do it on the road.
Do California state parks have WiFi? I doubt that Joshua Tree will have it. You may have to wait until you're in a town and then pick it up at a book store , coffee shop or McDonalds.
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ol Bombero-JC
USA
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Joined: 06/24/2004
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As above - try it where you are to understand how it works.
Usually local libraries will have free WiFi available (ask!) along with coffee shops, etc. Some libraries intentionally leave the service "ON" even when the library is closed. Park in the lot - use your laptop.
Note: Starbucks does NOT have free WiFi. (Unless they changed recently).
Some campgrounds charge for WiFi - daily/weekly fee. Sometimes (fee or not) the range is limited & you will have to go sit in the office lobby or just outside that bldg.
I also think the CA State Parks & Joshua Tree are "doubtful".
~
JC
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bobetpine
canada
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Joined: 03/29/2004
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thanks all,
There's a thread called " WiFi ENABLED CAMPGROUNDS & REST AREAS UPDATED 06/25/09 " in the RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More forum that lists the campgrounds with Wi-Fi. That's where I read that they have wi-fi at the campgrounds we are going (Doheny, Leo Carrillo, Campland on the bay). For state parks it says:
"It has been reported California has installed WiFi in the following State Parks. AT& T is the service provider. $ 19.95 / MO"
The part about 19.95$ had me wondering whether or not you had to pay to use it.
You say McDonalds have free wi-fi?
I guess there must be a web site where free wi-fi spots are listed?
Thanks again.
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Fliposo
Colorado
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The way I learned how to use my Laptop and Wi-Fi, was to go to a coffee shop that advertised Free Wi-Fi. I put on my Help Me face, and asked a young man to help me. He seemed pleased to help me. I had to slow him down a bit though. I bought him another Espresso drink and thanked him. We both ended up feeling good about the other generation.
Retired April '09
100+ days on the road so far
'08 Dodge 1500 Quad with Hemi
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96Bounder30E
Orange County, CA
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Moved from Tech Issues
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redwake
Visalia, CA
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caption what others have said by saying you may need to get a password from the front desk and there is a fair chance you wont get a wifi signal even if there is one because most parks/CGs dont do a good job of broadcasting their signal through out their perimiter and the materials our RVs are made out of are great at blocking the signal.
repeaters are available if you want to drop a little cash on one to boost the signal.
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tonyandkaren
pennsylvania
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bobetpine wrote:thanks all,
There's a thread called " WiFi ENABLED CAMPGROUNDS & REST AREAS UPDATED 06/25/09 " in the RV Parks, National Parks, State Campgrounds & More forum that lists the campgrounds with Wi-Fi. That's where I read that they have wi-fi at the campgrounds we are going (Doheny, Leo Carrillo, Campland on the bay). For state parks it says:
"It has been reported California has installed WiFi in the following State Parks. AT& T is the service provider. $ 19.95 / MO"
The part about 19.95$ had me wondering whether or not you had to pay to use it.
You say McDonalds have free wi-fi?
I guess there must be a web site where free wi-fi spots are listed?
Thanks again.
That's very cool that the parks are offering WiFi but it really isn't clear whether you'll have to pay for it or not.
As far as free WiFi here's a good site - http://www.wififreespot.com/
Our favorite free WiFi spot is Panera Bread. We can usually get it from the parking lot. We like their bread so we always buy some.
Safeway grocery stores sometimes have free WiFi. McDonalds is not usually free but you can buy 2 hours for 3 dollars. This won't work for you , but people who have AT&T DSL in the houses can get free WiFi at McDonalds , Starbucks , Barnes and Nobles and many other places. This also works with AT&T aircards.
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