Internet4Free.net

Just about everywhere you go these days, you’re as likely as not to be within shouting distance of an internet connection. WiFi hotspots and internet cafes are popping up all over the place, everywhere from coffee shops to laundromats.  And all over the globe: YouTube in Yucatan, Netflix in Nepal, Facebook in Fiji …

So why can’t I get a signal in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky?

It turns out there are limits to just how much ‘world’ the world-wide web really covers after all. So no matter how long your ethernet cord, or how tall your WiFi antenna, here are 10 places that you’re just not gonna get that Justin Bieber music video (lucky you):

1. Spe-lunk! Went My Signal – OK, so maybe a 15-inch LCD screen isn’t the prescribed light source for caving. So sue me. We all have our addictions. I thought Mammoth Cave would be a great place to watch “The Descent” on Netflix. Silly me.
2. The Subway – It’s probably just as well, since most mornings it’s too crowded for me to even lift my arms, much less open my smart phone. But checking out last night’s Grey’s Anatomy would sure beat having to look at the back of this guy’s head for the next 45 minutes. Three words: Head. And. Shoulders, buddy.
3. Elevators – Why is there always a flaky scalp in front of me everywhere my smart phone won’t connect?
4. Sect. 682 Row D  Seat 11 Lambeau Field - What? How else am I supposed to see the game from up here? Do you see the size of those guys? They look like ants from these seats.  And I can’t quite tell with that cheese on his head, but I’m guessing this guy in front of me has got some snow on the roof too. Yep. Definitely a pattern developing here.
5. Moses Lake, Washington - There’s a few spots in town, alright, but out here on the actual lake it’s just me and the mallards. The good news is that I don’t see any dandruff on any of them.
6. The North Pole – This one’s unconfirmed, but since Santa has yet to reply to any of my emails about that new iPad, I’d say it’s a pretty good guess. Otherwise, no more cookies and milk for you!
7. The Lion’s Den, Big Cat Trail San Diego Zoo - Who’s going to prove me wrong? You?
8. St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Confessional Booth – Hey, I was just trying to explain that weekend in Cabo with the help of a YouTube video.
9. Graves County Public Library, Mayfield, KY - At least not anytime I’ve gone in there.
10. Just About Anywhere… when your battery level is low. It’s a good idea to use that calendar on your phone as a backup to your low-battery indicator, to give you a text and alert chime reminder to recharge every couple of days. More often if you’re in a weak signal area, where your battery will drain faster searching for a signal. Set your backlight to a reduced brightness and shorter duration to conserve the juice.

As you can see, there aren’t many places left where internet isn’t available. If you’re looking to get away from it all, the only way to leave it all behind is by not taking it with you. So every now and then, just shut that thing off  and enjoy the view, dandruff and all. We need to recharge our own batteries too.

Looking for WiFi alternatives to those trendy bistros you’ve been working from? As conventional hotspots become more and more crowded, resulting in some cases with additional charges and/or restrictions on internet access, it’s useful to have other options at your disposal. Luckily, there’s a growing list of just such places, and several means of finding them.

Here’s a look at 10 public places where you can get online for free:

1. Bookstores – Retail book chains such as Barnes and Noble, in a move designed to increase traffic and sell more books, have become a great alternative to the usual coffee shop routine. In addition to free WiFi, there’s the added benefit of not having to worry about tying up a table for too long, or making a minimum purchase to justify your stay. Plus, there are all those books to help you with your research.
2. Public Parks – Let’s face it, one of the reasons you’re lugging that laptop around is to get a change of scenery. Working from home is a terrific perk, but some fresh air can be a fabulous balm for boredom and the routine. You may not be able to plug into AC, but this option, after all, is about recharging your battery.
3. Public Libraries – Most public libraries are now offering free WiFi access. With no membership required (provided you’re connecting with your own device), and no time limits enforced, this is a great option for getting some work done in a quiet, relaxed environment.
4. Local Colleges/Universities – On-campus sites such as the library, courtyards, quads and study lounges are also excellent alternatives for free, and stress-free, Wifi access.
5. Airports – WiFi access can range anywhere from the entire airport to certain areas such as the terminal, lounges or baggage claim/waiting areas.
6. Hotels/Motels – A number of hotel and motel chains such as Holiday Inn, Best Western, EconoLodge and Doubletree provide free WiFi for guests in common areas such as lobbies, restaurants and lounges.
7. Highway Rest Stops - Working on the road can mean long spells without web access. Here’s an option for you road warriors, when you’re between that last client and your next hotel room. Many roadside facilities are being equipped with free WiFi, just for you. Isn’t life grand?
8. Public Transportation – Some large municipalities are wiring their buses and trains for commuter WiFi access. For the non-commuter looking for a stationary hook-up, a good number of bus and train terminals also have hotspots.
9. Best Buy – It’s not exactly an ideal choice for the casual surfer, but Best Buy does provide a means for sampling the goods before making a purchase, or for browsing the web while your partner browses the merchandise.
10. Laundromats – No longer relegated to just watching the clothes go round and round or reading a book, you can now bring along the laptop or break out that smart phone for some online productivity, and get the most out of laundry day.

Granted, not all of these options are likely to be available to you locally. Fortunately for you, dear roving browser, there are some handy tools available for finding out which ones are:

Wifi Hotspot List- this self-described “Definitive WiFi HotSpot Directory” allows you to input a street address to find local hotspots within a 1- to 10-mile radius, and includes a means to add any that you’ve discovered on your own.

WaiFi – With a stylish look and interactive Google-powered map, this site lets you type in a country or city, then flags nearby hotspots with WaiFi markers. There’s an additional feature (which at present does not work with Firefox) that allows you to drag a marker across the map to add a hotspot to the WaiFi directory.

JiWire – Boasting a directory of hotspots in 144 countries, JiWire has a clickable map for navigating through them in search of WiFi hotspots, and offers an app for iPhone users.

In a broadband world, high-speed internet access has become the norm. Streaming video and online movies have made it necessary for most of us. If you’re on a tight budget, though, and don’t need to do much more than basic web surfing, there are a few compelling reasons to opt for dial-up internet access. Whether as a low-cost alternative or back-up to your broadband ISP, or for the mobility advantage of never being further away from the internet than the nearest phone jack, dial-up still has some cache.

If you’re shopping around for the right choice for a dial-up ISP, here are 10 things to consider:

1. Invest in call-waiting. Sharing your internet with the phone line means either taking turns between functions or having the technology to handle both simultaneously. For that you need to have call waiting service on your phone line. This allows you to use:
2. V.92 modem technology – With Modem-on-Hold, you can make and receive phone calls while connected to the internet using dial-up. A simple download of software (usually provided by the modem manufacturer) will allow you to extend the time that you can stays connected while your phone line is on hold.
3. Look for available Internet Accelerators – Most dial-up ISP’s offer some form of internet accelerator which works with your existing phone line and modem, and  by using compression and caching software, speeds up your browser. The use of caching allows web pages to be loaded faster, as the computer stores (in compressed form) much of the data necessary to load and re-load pages.
4. Check available access numbers – Find out if the ISP has toll-free numbers available for dialing up access. If not, make sure they provide an adequate number of local phone numbers to avoid dialing long distance.
5. Check for any maximum usage limits. - Determine if those limits are adequate to your use. Remember, some ISP’s advertise unlimited access. In reality, that works out to about 10 hours per day. If you think you need more than that, you might want to consider other options.
6. Features/Value Added – Does the provider offer such extras as a spam blocker, virus protection, free email accounts
7. Determine your email requirements – ISP’s vary in how many email accounts they offer. Make sure you select one that offers a sufficient number of email accounts for your needs.
8. Look for hidden charges – Some providers charge for such things as tech support,  set-up charges and early cancellation fees if you decide to cancel your service before the contract runs out.
9. Don’t commit long-term – Seek ISP’s that have month-to-month plans so that you can sample their service for a time before entering into any contracts.
10. Technical Support – Check for their hours of operation. You want to know that you can reach help when you need it, and you can’t assume that every ISP makes its tech support available 24/7.

If you are going to be accessing the internet via a dial-up connection, you might as well get the best use of it that you can.