CELL PHONE INTERNET ACCESS

Soon to Retire wrote:
I will be full time on the road in March 2006!! Yeh! BUT, I am at a loss for what I need concerning phone/internet hookups. While reading all these posts, I am even more confused. I am computer literate, still working as ex.sec., but what is WiFy? What is "tethered" laptop? I will be looking into purchasing a laptop soon. Also want national service,no roaming cell phone. I will be using internet mostly for e-mail. I don't think I need unlimited hours as I do now with my DSL. Can someone make this a bit easier for me? Thanks in advance!!!:)

Wi-FI

means 'wireless fidelity'

it is short range, radio freq ( wireless ) networking

most new laptops come with it built-in, or you can buy a USB wifi unit that plugs into the USB port, or a wifi 'card' that slips into the pciami slot on the side of the laptop

it allows a PC to link to a network-hub and connect to other compiters or the internet without a 'network cable'

wifi at work or the coffee shop , means you can take your 'notebook pc' ( work ) to another office or to the coffee shop and still be connected

wifi was designed to replace/augment wired-networks so people could move around and NOT be bound by the restrains of cable

range typically about 80ft but can be extended somewhat.

at home or the RV park or coffee shop extened wifi means you can sit on the patio and still read your email or surf the web

at the coffee shop or RV park you MAY have to pay for the priviledge of connecting to the wireless 'hotspot'

tethered

means there is a cable connecting the cellphone to the laptop and the cellphone is the 'modem' connecting you to the ISP ( internet service provider ) most cell companies provide the ISP connection for their subscripers ( it's that service and time you pay for {$70} )