Wireless Internet

Jim-Shirl · Member

Wireless Internet

Gary and Kerry · Guru

It really is that simple as long as you have a wireless compatable computer and a ISP (Internet service provider) such as Telstra. We have been using Macca's for the last 8 weeks to upload pictures onto our blog. When you get to a Macca's, turn computer on, turn on wireless assistant go to start button (bottom left corner),
connect, choose macca's free wifi, agree to terms and conditions and bingo your in.
the above instructions are for vista users, if you have XP I think you need to go to network connection and then choose macca's.

Sitting at Burren junction at the moment enjoying the hot spa.

-- Edited by Gary and Kerry on Monday 23rd of March 2009 05:55:46 PM

Basil Faulty · Guru

Gary and Kerry wrote:

It really is that simple as long as you have a wireless compatable computer and a ISP (Internet service provider) such as Telstra. We have been using Macca's for the last 8 weeks to upload pictures onto our blog. When you get to a Macca's, turn computer on, turn on wireless assistant go to start button (bottom left corner),
connect, choose macca's free wifi, agree to terms and conditions and bingo your in.
the above instructions are for vista users, if you have XP I think you need to go to network connection and then choose macca's.

Sitting at Burren junction at the moment enjoying the hot spa.

-- Edited by Gary and Kerry on Monday 23rd of March 2009 05:55:46 PM

Ahhhhh exacary what I was thinking. Yes I have XP and you select the maccas free from the list of wireless connections available. My XP sometimes finds it automatically other times I have to select it. But it's a good idea and if you don't like the food you should be stillable to log on in the car park......

Now if I were to critique G&K's post I would suggest that they would get more responses if they alluded to something a little more spicy that simply enjoying the hot spa.....

Cruising Granny · Guru

Hi there. I use mobile wireless broadband, Bigpond. There are other servers but they all use each other's infrastructure, but I think Telstra Bigpond has the broadest coverage. The 98% they brag about is really just the cities and major towns around the coast, with a few major regional centres inland.
There's now a pre-paid card available, which wasn't when I set up in 2007.
You buy the space you think you'll need each month, and you're away.
The wireless broadband you're tapping into at Maccas is not the mobile USB card.
I don't download music or movies, and only use internet for email and research on the web. So 1GB is enough for me, costing $59.90 per month. Additional over-use will cost you 30c per MG. I'm not a computer whiz, just a typist who uses a computer.
Do your homework and choose what best suits your needs, and have fun with that.
Cheers Granny

Bridgee · Senior Member

We are also looking at wireless and what options are available and my son has been doing a bit of research for us and sent this

http://www.telstra.com.au/bigpond_internet/prepaid_wireless.html

Here is a pre-paid Next-G wireless USB modem for $149. You just charge it up like a pre-paid mobile (online or at a newsagent, Coles, petrol station etc). $40 will get you 300Mb which is plenty if youre just emailing. It expires after 30 days but if you top up in that time you get another 30 days.

I think this is the card Granny was referring to, I have enclosed the web page for anyone else who might like to have a look at it.

-- Edited by Bridgee on Monday 23rd of March 2009 10:46:13 PM

Smokeydk · Guru

Decides...I wont be using Wireless internet...at those prices...I'll stay home and use my ISP.at $44.95 for 10 Gig.....I do understand the need for Internet while travelling.....but theres gotta be cheaper prices...or I must be outta touch big time.

Dave

Cruising Granny · Guru

The only other option is using internet cafes which seem to be everywhere now. Most parks provide coin operated machines. I've seen them in shopping centres, computer shops, and all those sorts of places.
User pays is there, and the prices vary. eg $5 per hour. Some are less, some are more. Once again, it's about doing your homework and going with what you need now, and maybe in the future. I find the more I use the internet, the more I depend on it.
Only for communication, research and work - writing which only required word processing which I can't do on an internet cafe'.
If you do your own research and ask lots of questions you will have the information first hand. Kids are very handy when it comes to technology, but I like to learn for myself.
Just do your homework and make your decision based on your needs.
Have fun. Cheers Granny

Gary and Kerry · Guru

Bridgee wrote:

We are also looking at wireless and what options are available and my son has been doing a bit of research for us and sent this
http://www.telstra.com.au/bigpond_internet/prepaid_wireless.html

Here is a pre-paid Next-G wireless USB modem for $149. You just charge it up like a pre-paid mobile (online or at a newsagent, Coles, petrol station etc). $40 will get you 300Mb which is plenty if youre just emailing. It expires after 30 days but if you top up in that time you get another 30 days.

I think this is the card Granny was referring to, I have enclosed the web page for anyone else who might like to have a look at it.

-- Edited by Bridgee on Monday 23rd of March 2009 10:46:13 PM

That is what we are using, for 20.00 you get 150M which lasts us about a month.
We only use it to check emails and research, for everything else we use Macca's or library's. In Sa all public library's have free internet and free wireless (where available). For wireless go into any library register and that is good antwhere in the state, they don't have to be open to use and you get 8hours per day usage. In Victoria some librarys are free others charge a nominal fee.

Marken Time · Veteran Member

OK so maybe we're dumb but we don't understand the WIFI side of things. We have researched and more or less decided on Telstra as we're heading up north of WA but would like to know how the macca's connection works. Does it use part of your quota? And the libraries connection, how does that work?
Cheers
Marge

Gary and Kerry · Guru

Marken Time wrote:

OK so maybe we're dumb but we don't understand the WIFI side of things. We have researched and more or less decided on Telstra as we're heading up north of WA but would like to know how the macca's connection works. Does it use part of your quota? And the libraries connection, how does that work?
Cheers
Marge

When using free wifi your download allowance is not used. Assuming you are going to get a USB modem from Telstra it doesn't have to be plugged in when using these facilities.
Go to macca's one day and have a play.