Laptop - OTOTOT - Update

I got a Lenovo laptop for my wife, also, after searching around. I could specify Win-doze xp rather than vista, which was one of my main considerations while looking. She has taken to it and really likes it. Now she can input genealogy data and bring it home and upload to her desktop. She is a happy camper once again.

John

I liked that I could disable the touch pad. My hand rests there and would move the cursor. I do better with a mouse anyway.

Cindy

I got a Lenovo laptop for my wife, also, after searching around. I could specify Win-doze xp rather than vista, which was one of my main considerations while looking. She has taken to it and really likes it. Now she can input genealogy data and bring it home and upload to her desktop. She is a happy camper once again.

John

My goodness, this is going to sound so Dumb. For the trip we're planning, all of our places to stay mention that they have some sort of internet access. I 'assume' that means that if we have a laptop that we won't be cut off from our friends, family with email. We would so much love to be able to do that. Since neither DH, the Yorkie nor I know how to even do a text message on the cell phone, I wonder if we had an IBM Lenovo Think Pad how long it would take for us to learn to . . . heck.... connect and communicate? What do you think? Polly

It asked me what network I wanted to connect through. I chose my house out of the 3 listed. The other 2 were my close neighbors!

I will have a better answer, Polly, after Tuesday because I am taking the thing to my retreat at Shipshewana. I will be staying at 2 hotels that have internet access. We'll see how easy it is when I'm _not_ as familiar with the provider.

Cindy

Any laptop computer with a wireless network card (and all newer laptops have them) will allow you to access email and newsgroups while you are on the road. Many hotels have free wireless internet, restaurants like Panera Bread or Starbucks have free wireless internet... and many more.

I don't know how you do your email and newsgroups now -- but if you use OE for your newsgroups -- you will probably have to use Google when you are away from home -- but you can still access them! As for email -- again -- OE probably won't work (mine doesn't on the road). But ours is through comcast ... and I can go to

anywhere inthe world... and get to my email.

So you can be connected pretty easily!

Our computer tech guy is precious but pricey and probably it would cost a heap just to feed him Would we need to take him with us or is there a list of 'do this, then do that' and viola! or voila! ??? Polly

Oh, goodness! Your neighbors need a fire wall!! And, in replying to Polly, it's pretty easy, in a hotel, to connect. Feel free to email me privately, and I'll walk you through it, as I do it fairly often when my company travels me.

TerriLee > It asked me what network I wanted to connect through. =A0I chose my house = out

Both my wife's, new laptop and mine, a Mac, have wireless capability built into it at the factory. I have taken my laptop over to our library when I have lost internet access for awhile due to some cable issues, and just fired it up, while inside the library, and it asks me if I want to connect to the library internet access and I click yes, and I am instantly connected for browsing or e-mail. No computer sophistication needed. These wireless points are becoming more common all the time. Most Hotels have them in their common rooms or other places where people gather. Many coffee houses or restaurants, like Panera's have them also. It really is rather seamless. You should not have any trouble checking in with your e-mail or accessing the internet while traveling if you avail yourself of those type of venues. Many of the larger cities are making access sites available for the general population. San Francisco is attempting to wire the whole city for wireless access. Some people might say that San Francisco, is wired already, but that is food for another conversation.

John

As long as their network is secure (requires a complex log on password) -- they are safe! (Well mostly safe -- I suppose hackers could eventually get through!)

You definitely would NOT need his help! The steps to log in are short (like

2 or 3).... Usually you are automatically connected -- or a window pops up asking you to connect. Believe me - if I can get my DM to do it.... I KNOW FOR CERTAIN you can handle it!

and from there it's going to your web-browser and type in the address for your email website or for google groups!

the one challenge for your email, Polly, is that I'm assuming that with OE it remembers your log in name and passwords automatically. On the road you will need to enter your account name and password each time... so be sure you know what those are!

You should let your neighbors know that their wireless network isn't secure. It won't take much at all for someone unscrupulous to find the open connection and hack their system...... if it hasn't been already.

You did good, John!

Alice "Do what you like, like what you do"

I got a Lenovo laptop for my wife, also, after searching around. I could specify Win-doze xp rather than vista, which was one of my main considerations while looking. She has taken to it and really likes it. Now she can input genealogy data and bring it home and upload to her desktop. She is a happy camper once again.

John

But it still means that anyone could be using their wireless connection. All computers on a network use the same IP address and share the same bandwidth. If something illegal is going on at that IP address, the authorities will go after the owner of the network.

Julia > As long as their network is secure (requires a complex log on password) --

A lot of ISPs provide access to e-mail through a website; for example, at home I use Thunderbird (could also use Outlook Express) to read e-mail, but away from home I have to go to my ISP's website to check e-mail. And if your ISP doesn't provide such access, you could always use a hotmail or gmail or yahoo mail account for e-mail on the road.

Julia > Any laptop computer with a wireless network card (and all newer laptops have

Unless you can connect to their wireless network - -how would you get any IP address? And if you need a network key to connect... (secure wireless network) and you don't have it .. then you're not able to access the Internet in any way.

What am I missing?

You could only connect if it's not secure. That's what I was talking about. There are a lot of unsecured networks around. We live in a condo building. One day when our son was here, he got on his laptop and was able to connect right away. Some people are completely without a clue on wireless; others just think it's okay to let anyone on without understanding the risks.

Julia > Unless you can connect to their wireless network - -how would you get any IP

What about McDonalds? I can go sit in their parking lot and connect.

It should be free like tv signals anyway.

Cindy

gotcha -- yep ... when I was visiting my mom a year or so ago -- she lived in an apartment -- same thing... you pick up many, many networks... and there is always one or two that are not secured!