Wi-Fi Loactions and What Is Needed

I am new to Wi-Fi and was wondering what I need to use "Hot Spots" in places
like Starbucks and McDonalds. Are there certain accounts or will I be able
to use my internet (Comcast) to access them?

Thank you in advance,

Rye

Generally you need whatever will connect to a wi-fi 802.11b access point,
which is what you probably already have. If you don't have a wireless card
or Centrino setup already, then you will need an 802.1`1b or 802.1`1g PCMCIA
or USB or built-in wireless. Where I am T-Mobile (who is also a cellular
provider) provides wireless for Starbucks. You don't have to sign up for a
contract if you have a credit-card, although if you do sign up for a long
term you get a better rate, and if you are a T-Mobile user you get another
discount. Just take your notebook wireless enabled into any Starbucks which
has the wi-fi logo at the entrance, sit down, scan for available wireless,
connect, and up will come the T-Mobile/Starbucks page. Use your credit-card
and it costs ten cents a minute with a 1 hour minimum. There are no
MacDonalds in my area, but they will probably have info on their website.
But, AFAIK MacDonalds is still mainly back east and in San Francisco.
>>

On Wed, 03 Dec 2003 22:58:49 +0000, Rye Beer wrote:

> I am new to Wi-Fi and was wondering what I need to use "Hot Spots" in places
> like Starbucks and McDonalds. Are there certain accounts or will I be able
> to use my internet (Comcast) to access them?
>
> Thank you in advance,
>
> Rye

The "Hot Spots" at StarBucks, Borders, and other places are operated in
conjunction with T-Mobile. They charge $29.95/mo to use them. The
T-Mobile website has more information.

jerry