Do i need to buy internet where i am!?

[gazmix]

Hi

 

I have just moved into a flat, bang in the center of my city. I am on a budget, so anything inexpensive or free is always a bonus.

 

I'm wondering if there is a fair chance that i could pick up a free Wifi connection. I know most citys have Wifi zones & am wondering if that means all the city center. There is a Wetherspoons 50 yds away & know they have their free wifi service.

 

I haven't a laptop yet, only this desktop unit at my familys house!, so i can't test anything. Help appreciated.

[postggj]

the cloud do wifi access and also open zone from bt

 

a better option as you live in town would be to go into your local 3 shop and buy a dongle

 

pay 12 months in advance, about 60 quid and you get 15g worth of data for 12 months

 

ideal for browsing and email

 

but if you are down loading files etc, sign up for the wifi hot spot service

[gazmix]

I see people in the city center not 100yds from my flat apparently using the free city center wifi service, which i guess is free!

I'm wondering if i could get this from my flat!

[locutus]

If you decide to go down the "dongle" route, see where the closes mobile phone base station is, to get the best signal http://www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk/search

[gazmix]

It seems that there's an Orange & an O2 one withing 50 yds, so do i have to buy orange or O2 dongles!!

 

The wetherspoons wifi is next door??

[postggj]

weatherspoons will use the cloud network

 

go inside with your laptop and try and connect

 

wetherspoons wil be free if you can connect, try a wifi usb antenna if you have a lousy signal

[gazmix]

Ok, i been to theCloud website & it seems that there is a pub directly across the road & one behind me, both are cloud hotspots!

I guess both have a unique code to login, do i need to download anything whilst in there & could the signal to login wonder outside the premisis!

[locutus]

Quite simply no-one can tell you a catagoric yes or no over 50 yards (45 meters) as it is quite a distance.

Here is something taken from wikipedia

Wi-Fi networks have limited range. A typical wireless router using 802.11b or 802.11g with a stock antenna might have a range of 32 m (120 ft) indoors and 95 m (300 ft) outdoors.

You can just about double that range if they use an "802.11n" router and if your hardware can recieve "802.11n" (commonly called "N")

You may be aswell popping in for a pint and asking them if their wifi uses an N router

[gazmix]

Thanks, does my pc need any drivers, specific hardware, router, or anything if i'm using wifi in a wifi zone.

I'm either going to use my old compaq evo or buy a notebook.

[locutus]

What model is the compaq evo?

[gazmix]

I'm not sure, all i know is that its a compaq evo small form factor.

 

A friend used to go in wetherspoons & just login on her phone, so i assume i can.

[locutus]

Step 1

Windows XP click Start, click Run and type devmgmt.msc

 

Vista and 7, click Start and in the "search programs and files" type devmgmt.msc

Step 2

Click on Network adapters and tell us what is listed there. We'll be able to tell you if it is Wifi enabled.

[gazmix]

Intel® Pro/100 VM Network Connection

 

I guess notebooks, ipad's, most laptops & phones with descent internet access can get wifi....?.. just wondering how to do it when i turn pc on?

 

thanks

[locutus]

OK you don't have a wireless adapter built in then (the one you've listed is for a wired network). You will need to purchase a wifi PCI card or a wifi dongle.

 

PCI card normally have decent antenna on them, so generally have a larger range, but you need to open the PC to install it. here is one as an example.

 

The USB wifi dongle just plugs in. You can sometimes find these with decent antenna like this one here.

 

Installing the USB is far easier, and providing it has a good antenna, should serve you well.

[gazmix]

but i'm correct in saying that if i buy a laptop or notebook, it should be setup ok for wifi!?, no drivers or anything to download! ?

 

thanks

[locutus]

All wifi drivers should be set up