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Miscellaneous Debris => Tech Corner => Topic started by: ed2kayak on February 14, 2012, 09:07:59 PM

Title: wi-fi on the road
Post by: ed2kayak on February 14, 2012, 09:07:59 PM
How are people handling on-line security on wireless networks? Typically I will use hotel in-room wired connection, but was wondering about a vpn hotspot, or other alternatives.
Any suggestions for windows 7 user?
Thanks
Title: Re: wi-fi on the road
Post by: kray1000 on February 14, 2012, 09:31:33 PM
A cell phone with mobile hotspot capability.
Title: Re: wi-fi on the road
Post by: chief-david on February 14, 2012, 09:50:36 PM
I have used Easytether with my android phone.
Title: Re: wi-fi on the road
Post by: mackbig on February 15, 2012, 08:07:59 AM
I used my blackberry tethered in Canada (US data roaming too rich for our plans).  In the states I will "trust" a Starbucks, hotel, or Airport hot spot.  Wont do any banking or anything like that.  In hotels with wired, I bring along my Apple Airport Express, then all my devices can enjoy the one connection, and then I can also use my laptop on the balcony.  My laptop will also act as a wifi spot when the hotel has a "one device" policy set-up.  My dell acts as the MAC control, so they dont know I really have 5 devices working.

Andrew
Title: Re: wi-fi on the road
Post by: Bushman on February 15, 2012, 12:21:01 PM
I used my blackberry tethered in Canada (US data roaming too rich for our plans).  In the states I will "trust" a Starbucks, hotel, or Airport hot spot.  Wont do any banking or anything like that.  In hotels with wired, I bring along my Apple Airport Express, then all my devices can enjoy the one connection, and then I can also use my laptop on the balcony.  My laptop will also act as a wifi spot when the hotel has a "one device" policy set-up.  My dell acts as the MAC control, so they dont know I really have 5 devices working.

Andrew

Connectify will do the same thing.  Freeware.
Title: Re: wi-fi on the road
Post by: ed2kayak on February 15, 2012, 08:56:10 PM
OK, so I'll try my phone. What kind of battery life do you get broadcasting a wifi signal?
Title: Re: wi-fi on the road
Post by: chief-david on February 15, 2012, 09:34:37 PM
OK, so I'll try my phone. What kind of battery life do you get broadcasting a wifi signal?


Terrible.  Burns fast. Have only done that a few times.
 But I am usually in a place I can keep the laptop plugged in-then it charges the phone.
Easytether uses the phone as a modem-not as a moblie hotspot.  So it has to be connected to the laptop.

should have said that earlier-  :???:
Title: Re: wi-fi on the road
Post by: mackbig on February 16, 2012, 06:38:22 AM
If you have to tether over USB, battery life should not be a problem as it would be charging from the laptops simultaneously.   Tethering over bluetooth does use battery, but not much in my experience.  If the screen is not on, its just using the radio (two radios).  I would think you should at least get your phone's quoted "talk time" amount while tethered by bluetooth.

Andrew
Title: Re: wi-fi on the road
Post by: kray1000 on February 16, 2012, 09:31:44 AM
OK, so I'll try my phone. What kind of battery life do you get broadcasting a wifi signal?


For me the battery life isn't that bad, but even the manufacturer recommends using the charger when enabling the hotspot.  Or you can tether (USB), if you just have the one laptop.