Wi-Fi Hotspots

[HRGraham]

Anybody know of any websites that list wi-fi spots by area? Preferably hotspots that are free. Who would pay for wireless access at Starbucks, anyway?

-Graham

[Serge]

http://www.jiwire.com/?cid=384&kw=hotspots&se=google

I found that with a simple google search I hope that helps :D

[Tammy]

Try this. You search by entering your city in the space in the upper left (and change the search term to city, not zip, you'll get more useful results):

http://www.freeap.com/

Btw, I have a lot of experience in finding spots in NYC, and if you roam around a little you can always find one.

Hope that helps

Tammy

[vanselus]

How do you connect once you find a hotspot?

[y6y6y6]

"How do you connect once you find a hotspot?"

Well, you're looking for someone with an open access point, which means no WEP or authentication. So you'd connect to it the same way you'd connect at home. Chances are you laptop has a utility to allow you to choose which access point to connect to. With mine it has a little icon in the task bar. Clicking on that shows me a list of the visible APs.

[vanselus]

ok yeah, i've tried that in the past, but i guess i've just never come across an access point that's unprotected. I can even see three or four networks from my living room, but they're all protected with WEP or authentication. I figured I was just doing something wrong...

[johnb]

Also, check out:

http://www.wi-fihotspotlist.com/
http://www.nodedb.com/
http://www.wifimaps.com/

[y6y6y6]

"i've just never come across an access point that's unprotected"

If you drive through some large apartment complexes you're bound to find one open. While this is cool, it's also a pain in the ass. I can't imagine you'd have a laptop but no web access at home. Of course if you only have dialup and your neighbor with the open access point has broadband...........

[Tammy]

It's funny, I almost never find a protected hotspot. If one is available, I can almost always connect. It's very convenient when travelling. My experience is that very few people care about security, probably because it just complicates their own setups.

[vanselus]

what software do ya'll use to connect?

[y6y6y6]

Windows XP comes with built in software for Wi-Fi connections. Same as it has with connections via modem or local area networks. With previous OSs the wireless card always came with software. I know there are products out there which are specialized for war driving etc, but I don't think they offer anything for the home user.

[vanselus]

Yeah that's what I use right now - XP built-in. Just not having great results with it.

It senses the network all the time, but if it's been hibernating, I have to restart to be able to ping or connect to anything besides the router itself.

Any ideas why?

[KLH]

I plan on making a map in the near future of all the free or unsecure wi-fi spots in my town. That won't help you guys much since I'm pretty sure no of you guys like in the same small town as I do in Indiana.

But I do plan on sharing it with some of my friends who also have laptops, and go war driving in town.

I know my brother has an unsecure connection at his house.. I stop by there sometimes and hop on the internet if I need a fast connection for something.. :p

[Dalfiuss]

Originally posted by Tammy
It's funny, I almost never find a protected hotspot. If one is available, I can almost always connect. It's very convenient when travelling. My experience is that very few people care about security, probably because it just complicates their own setups.


I don't think its a lack of caring about security that causes the networks to be unsecure, I believe it has more to do with wireless components coming unsecure by default and normal users not knowing what exactly is needed for securing their network.

[vanselus]

Well it's not like they could come pre-secured, right? That would really limit their flexibility. I suppose they could offer matched sets of cards and bases.

Anybody use the Apple Airport?

[KLH]

I will admit that my wireless network is unsecure, but really I don't care, and I know it is, and I know how to secure it, but I figure hey, I live 6 miles from a town of 20k people, it's not very big, and no one ever comes out where I live. If someone does, then they can get a little free internet from me.. All they are going to get is my dialup..

[Dalfiuss]

Originally posted by vanselus
Well it's not like they could come pre-secured, right? That would really limit their flexibility. I suppose they could offer matched sets of cards and bases.

Anybody use the Apple Airport?

I use an Apple Airport at my parents house, so when I go there I can keep a wireless connection on my laptop.

[vanselus]

how does it work?

[vanselus]

Originally posted by KLH
I will admit that my wireless network is unsecure, but really I don't care,

yeah, that's the other interesting argument. if you're protected by a firewall, other than using your bandwidth, what does it matter?

i suppose if people committed crimes it would be traced to your PC...

[Fuzzylogic]

I've always wondered about the legal ramifications of having hot spots.

Who is responsible for what people do with the internet connection?

[Dalfiuss]

Originally posted by vanselus
how does it work?

It is actually quite nice. It requires you to add each computer based on the NIC's MAC address, so by default it is secure.

It doesn't seem to have quite the range as my Netgear 802.11B wireless router (I get 3 bars in my basement with the airport and 4 bars with the netgear) but it definitly has plenty of range.

[KLH]

I think the one who pays for the internet or bandwidth is the one in trouble.

But then again, multiple people are paying for the same bandwidth, I pay my ISP, they pay whoever they get it from, and so on and so on, but I think it goes down to who is the last one to pay for it.

Thats just how I think it is anyway.

[y6y6y6]

Who cares? Well if a hacker pulls up within range of your access point and uses your connection to hack into a server to steal CC numbers, guess who will be getting a visit from the FBI. Chances are they'll grab your computers as evidense.

[vanselus]

Originally posted by Dalfiuss
It doesn't seem to have quite the range as my Netgear 802.11B wireless router (I get 3 bars in my basement with the airport and 4 bars with the netgear) but it definitly has plenty of range.

How much range do you get with your Netgear? Mine is upstairs in my second bedroom, but I get a pretty sorry signal even when i'm right underneath it. Does antenna placement have a lot to do with it?

[Myke]

i use netstumbler to find hot spots, it works great

[vanselus]

Originally posted by Myke
i use netstumbler to find hot spots, it works great


ooh that looks good.

does anyone use one of those little handheld wifi detectors?

[HRGraham]

Just ordered one:
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/accessories/6447/

If you want to improve wi-fi signal, get the cantenna!
http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/accessories/666e/

[vanselus]

I'm not sure I could get over the dork-factor. That thing is huge!

[KLH]

I think it is kinda pointless to buy a wi-fi finder.. Just use your laptop, you gain much more info using it, and you will know if you can connect..

As far as the Cantenna goes, search google for "Pringles antenna" for information on building one of those for dirt cheap using a pringles can..


I'm a long time reader of a wireless ISP forum, so I know all about these little tips and tricks..

[vanselus]

do you think the cantenna would give me greater signal strength in my house? or is it mostly directional?

i'm not real sure what's causing the problems, but everything i try doesn't seem to work. maybe it's just cheap equipment?

[KLH]

That cantenna is a directional one (at least by looks)

You can easily buy an omni-directional antenna. Just search google.. :)

[HRGraham]

I think the wi-fi detector is pretty nifty. You don't have to bring or turn on your laptop to find one. If you find a hotspot then you can mark it on GPS and go back with your laptop.

-Graham

[vanselus]

you have a GPS too?

[HRGraham]

Originally posted by vanselus
you have a GPS too?

That's coming soon.

[KLH]

I hope someday to purchase a GPS for my laptop. I also want to get a whole CarPuter (http://www.dashpc.com) <-- it's been down for a couple days though)

I think it would be pretty sweat to drive down the road with internet access, and GPS, and MP3's etc, etc..

For now though I just have my laptop, and a 300 watt power inverter.

[sxtxixtxcxh]

about the wifi detector.. it's handy if you're gonna constantly look for hotspots.. otherwise, why pay for it? you know?

i had the apple airport .. not the airport extreme though.

that thing was constantly giving me dhcp problems or i think it was a dhcp thing. either way, it would lose connection with my laptop every few hours, and i'd have to hard reset it.
my brother bought me a new wireless router though :) i feel better already.

is running your laptop off your car battery over an inverter safe? i've been thinking of putting one in, but i guess i'd have to look for some power surge protection or .. something... :( i've been paranoid since having my logicboard burned out on my tibook.

[vanselus]

Originally posted by sxtxixtxcxh
i had the apple airport .. not the airport extreme though.

What is the difference between the two?

[HRGraham]

one is extreme, duh :)

[sxtxixtxcxh]

well.. one is 802.11b
the extreme, i think is 802.11g

speaking of wifi...
i'm having serious signal problems today here in the pacific northwest... maybe its just my area... i dont know.

[vanselus]

thanks Graham, thanks a lot. you think you're so cool cause there is a "HR" in front of your name. DAMN I wish my initials were H.R. VanSelus. Then i'd be OWN3D!

What is 802.11g?

Maybe your signal probs is the weather - but then again it's been sunny today - just today?

[sxtxixtxcxh]

well.. inland pacific northwest it's been snooowing. :P
but i haven't had a problem until today... maybe it';ll clear up..
we'll see when i get home..
actually. .it only started a couple hours ago.. not sure what it could be...

edit: heh.. whatever it was it seems to have cleared up.

[vanselus]

inland? where are you?

[sxtxixtxcxh]

spokane :)
i've gotta drive over to seattle next week friday... for the weekend. snoqualmie pass is gonna be fun, but i think that will be the least of my worries.

[vanselus]

Wow, that's gonna be a nasty drive. I hope the pass is open. No wonder you have snow - Spokane should be covered this time of year, right?

(for those of you that don't know, Spokane, WA is VERY close to Idaho, while Seattle is almost in the Pacific Ocean)

drive safely!

[KLH]

Originally posted by vanselus


What is 802.11g?


Well, most wireless networks are part of the 802.11 series (a,b,g)
802.11a is 900 mhz
802.11b/g is pretty much the same, 2.4 Ghz but b operates at 11 mbps and g operates at 54 mbps.


And just a little tidbit, 802.3 is regular home network running CAT 5 cable at 10/100/1000 mbps.

[Tammy]

802.11a seems to have fallen way behind in use. 802.11g appears to be the winner because it is compatible with all the installed 802.11b networks out there. I think you would have a very hard time finding hot spots using a rather than b or g. But if you just want to use your wireless connection at home, a seems just as good as g and better than b.

Yes, it does get confusing with all the letters. ;)

[HRGraham]

801.11a is not very good for public hotspots. The range is only something like 30 feet I think.

-Graham

[vanselus]

Does g have a longer range as well?

[KLH]

Originally posted by vanselus
Does g have a longer range as well?

I'm not sure, but my educated guess would be no, or not very much more range.

b/g both use the same frequency, and have the same transmitting level, they just have a different way of transmitting (not sure what) but it just transmitts faster.

[vanselus]

ahh, so it's probably just a different way of compressing or encoding the data right? instead of a higher-power. Gotcha.

[Tammy]

Originally posted by vanselus
Does g have a longer range as well?

G has about the same range as B and much more than A. G and B hardware is usually compatible, but not always, at least not without firmware upgrades.

[sxtxixtxcxh]

i have an 802.11b airport card on my tibook, and connected through an 802.11g wireless linksys router with no problems.

i just moved and my 802.11b router is in the basement of our new place. i've got a pretty strong signal from the second floor :) i love wireless.

[sznapsDOTcom]

all linsys and cisco products are intercompatible. But some others aren't. Any xbox players, don't get linksys wireless g routers...they aren't xbox live compatible...

[Tammy]

Didn't Cisco buy linksys? Their products better be compatible lol!

[Viper007Bond]

Originally posted by vanselus
Does g have a longer range as well?
Dunno, but the range on b is a couple hundred feet. My friend would come down to my dorm room with it from his at the other end of the wing.