Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I have struggled with my words for a while trying to accurately
describe my question. This is as good as I could get…

I would like to check my email while out of town. I do not have a
dial up connection so I cannot call my service provider for an
alternate dial up number. In the past I would have a list of dial
up numbers for the area of my travels. It worked well.

So now, I am without dial up (I have DSL). Often I go to a coffee
shop in my area and work on the Internet from there. They have
free Internet access for guests. I would like to find a list of free
wireless connections listed by city. I know Starbucks Coffee has
wireless Internet, but there`s a fee. I only want to quickly check
email (10 min max).

Does anyone know how I should go about finding a connection
to the net from Vancouver, WA? (I am on my way there next
week.)

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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

Hi there,
 In regards to your email issue, you could setup a gmail account or other free web-based email, or if you have a domain  name you could access your mail with their POP mail configuration. For example, you setup your email to forward a copy of you email to a gmail account or other one with POP access and configure your email client to connect to gmail server or other  to download and send emails. And, all domains that you purchse usually give you free access through POP.

In order to find a free WiFi in you area:
Google: WiFi hotspots or WiFi finder




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Skype Me!!! @ tomaszpw
Rate Me.

Tomasz,
Having email is not a problem. Just getting online to check it
without paying a long term fee (monthly) when I only need
access for a random day. But you did provide a great answer to
that at the end of your post... WiFi hotspots or WiFi finder.

Cool thanks, I`ll check that out.

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Vincent Wilcox (a.k.a. KRAKR)
Drummer
My band: Letters Make Words

In that case you might want to take a look at the wireless phone providers. T-Mobile and others.

-------------------------

Skype Me!!! @ tomaszpw
Rate Me.

Hello Vincent,
I know that Panera Bread has free wireless connectivity, at least in Michigan it does.  I would expect that they have that in other states too as that is a national (perhaps NA?) chain.

N.Shah
NTech Marketing & Internet Solutions, LLC
Novi, Mi
www.nwebsites.com
Skypeme = ntech_seo


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Expertise: Online Marketing (SEO, link building, PPC), custom graphic design, website development & maintenance, brochure and ebrochure creation, etc.

I can appreciate the desire not to have to pay a connection fee for WiFi service ... but we are all big boys here.

The cost vs benefits of having an "air card" from one of the "big 3" providers (Cingular, Verizon, Sprint) is insignificant !!

Wireless access through an air card for $60 / month. Thats $2.00/day. Folks here at SuN talk about their "need" for a Startbucks coffee ... but still complain about paying $60 for an "air card". Cut me a break!!

That Starbucks coffee does nothing to create revenue ... but an "air card" allows you access anywhere.

What if your DSL went out ... and you had to have an email or propsal go out right now? With the "air card" you just saved a several thousand dollar deal ... You get my drift.

Plus, lets say you are in a 30% tax bracket ... then the real cost is not $60 ... but only $42 !! (Tax savings of $18) Now we are only talking $1.40/day. And I know I work atleast 10 hours a day ... and I imagine you do too ... so I guess what we are talking about is ...

Do you have 14 cents more an hour to invest in something that can save a deal, keep you more connected to your customers, stay on top of fast breaking details with your business, and allow you the peace of mind of being always connected (when you need to be) to your web site, business, and other business related sites, like here at SuN?

(IMHO ... if $1.40/day is going to break you ... hang it up!!)

So, go out and spend the money for an "air card" ($200 less a $100 rebate) sign up with one of the players ... (I recommend Cingular) and then you can surf to your hearts content ... wherever you are !!

And if you get a Slingbox, http://www.gotruckstop.com/cgi-bin/acart/apple-search.pl?&am p;am p;am p;keywords=gt250001 , now you will never miss all the news on CNBC or MoneyLine w/ Lou Dobbs .. or the Nascar races... or whetever !!

Hello iou1,
I hear what you are saying about finding Hot Spot anywhere.. First of all do you have a wireless laptop?
I also feel what you are saying about "I just need it to read my email" Now having DSL and then having to pay for an extra Service is just too much.. I know we are all big boys here.... So let me share a gadget that was intended for the big boys that don`t want to pay the extra charge... here it is.. Kensington 3306 WiFi Finder  <----(click here)
Now as we all know, Many cusumers have Wireless Networks at home these days, Not many consumers know a damn thing about wire-less security.
So hey if you are in a hurry piggy back on their service... I know it`s not ethical and I am not advising you to do... But you have to understand, in this day in age, you have to protect yourselves from all angles, if you don`t take the time to protect yourself.... Why should I worry about your protection...
Besides I am not intruding your computer... I am only borrowing a piece of your careless-ness...

Disclaimer: "Do not try this and brag about it to others on your block".. You are not a hacker, or computer savy person.. you are just riding off someones idea" so if you brag and someone knocks on your door... it`s your fault"

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Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net

I`m going to start this post with these words ...

Character, Integrity, and Honesty do COUNT !!

 

Now, with that said let`s look at Mr. Nuevolution`s words ...

Now let`s look the the following words:

...."So let me share a gadget that was intended for the big boys that don`t want to pay the extra charge" ...

Gee, the "big boys" that you are talking about ... might they include folks that have the same values as Ken Lay, Jeffrey Scilling, Bernie Ebers, Kosloski, and others? We all know where they are ... serving many years in prison because they thought they were the "big boys"... and didn`t have to play by the rules.

... "I know it`s not ethical "...

So then why would you even propose such an action??

..."Why should I worry about your protection ... Besides I am not intruding your computer... I am only borrowing a piece of your careless-ness"...

Gee, this type of comment has the "me-first" attitude that smacks of narcisism, self-righteousness, and "so what" attitude that has brought society to a new low. I sure am glad that I don`t have you as a neighbor.

You idea of violating the 7th Commandment is as "only borrowing" ... what a joke !!

I can now understand why folks question your business practices, want to have a copy of your business license, want to know your EIN number, and wonder "if you are going belly up"(your own words from thread :

 http://www.startupnation.com/pages/community/forum_posts.asp ?TID=438&PN=2 .

On May 16, 2006 Nuevolution wrote:

[quote]I am posting this article to see how many of you have come accross a client / customer telling you "So what if your company goes belly up tomorrow, who will I get or how will I get the stuff I purchased from you?"
This a question that I`ve been encountering with over the past two months and I want input on how I can put the customer at ease.

Other things I`ve heard are, well can we get your business License number, Fed ID and stuff like that? ...

... His answer was that since he found me on the internet he wasn`t to sure of my company`s reputation...

Now as a business owner I almost told him to go "fly a kite".. [/quote]

My only response to such putrid, low life suggestions here at a forum that is designed to promote ethical business practices is ...

Character :  Doing what`s RIGHT, even when no one is watching.

Now go out and have a great day!!

I have to agree with you (TJG).
Maybe Startup Nation can implement a concept of
"The Startup Nation Forum Survivor," by voting-off THE BIG BOYS.



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Skype Me!!! @ tomaszpw
Rate Me.

I`ve never had a problem accessing email when traveling in the U.S. or outside of the country.  There`s always lots of options available - some include:

• Wi-Fi Hotspots:  I`ve used T-Mobile in some cases.  If they have coverage in a specific area they haves services you can purchase on a daily, monthly or pay-as-you-go basis.  Starbucks and many hotels are T-mobile hotspots

• Free Wi-Fi: Many small coffee shops, public libraries, bookstores and major hotel chains (especially those catering to business travelers) offer free wireless Internet connections.  Some hotel chains require that you register for their member services online for free Internet access.  I often use Delocator.net to find independent coffeehouses.

• Internet cafes:  No matter where I`ve traveled in the world there has been an Internet cafe at some location.  A Google search prior to leaving on a trip has usually resulted in some great options.  Most have been very reasonably priced, charging on a hourly basis.

Here`s JiWire`s list of Wi-Fi sites in Vancouver.  Have a nice trip!

- J.





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Jeff Fisher | Jeff Fisher LogoMotives | Tweet! Tweet!