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I’ve been using free WiFi hotspots for internet access when I travel. This got me to thinking how great it would be to have the hotspots loaded as waypoints in my GPSr so I could always locate the nearest one. Is there a WGA member out there who might like to create an EasyGPS file of free WiFi hotspots for Wisconsin that could be downloaded to our GPSRs? You can get the hotspot list here ( http://www.wififreespot.com/wi.html ) and then use Geocode.com ( http://geocode.com/modules.php?name=TestDrive_Eagle ) to convert the addresses into waypoints, which could then be assembled into an EasyGPS file. This would be a great service to WGA members. We could make it available on the WGA website and give the enterprising member credit for this fine service. How about it? Anyone interested?
That’s what I love about the WGA — ask and ye shall receive. Rpaske created the file today and emailed it to me. Thanks, Randy! Great job. We’ll get it on the Links page soon. Meanwhile, it can be downloaded here: http://www.rocketink.com/WisconsinWiFi.loc
If anyone knows of additional free WiFi hotspots in Wisconsin (including your own driveway if you have a home wireless system and want WGA members to stop by use it), please post them in this message topic and we’ll add them to the list.This is new to me. Can someone explain on how this works and what laptop accessories to get. I have a new gateway laptop.
“Be safe and Keep on Searchin”smokey, did your new laptop come with built-in wireless capability? (Many newer laptops do.) If not, you can purchase a wireless PC card to insert into the side of it. You can get one for about $29 after mail-in rebate at places such as Best Buy or American TV. Then whenever you get within a WiFi “hotspot” a little indicator pops up on your screen telling you that you are online. This is a high-speed, broadband connection. It’s free at the locations listed in the website that I posted above. You can read more about by Google searching “Wifi explained”, including this site: http://www.lordpercy.com/wifi_explained.htm
[This message has been edited by kbraband (edited 11-09-2004).]
Thanks for the info. Unfortunately my laptop didn’t come with the card, but does have the slot on the side. I’ll have to do some research on buying a card and a router for my home.. Didnt know you can get access in the public from a parking lot!
Hope to keep this thread open for this or you can email me the answer..
Another question is. If i get wireless in my home, can anyone in my neighborhood area get access to my internet? or can i be selective to what computers access.? Again thanks for the great help.
Smokey.
“Be safe and Keep on Searchin”And what kind of equipment to get.?? I see there is several types and frequencies to get.
anyone better then the other??
“Be safe and Keep on Searchin”I have been doing this for awhile now and the growth rate has been amazing. I recently wrote a report on wireless networks and wireless security and there are some things people should be aware of.
First, it is very possible and very easy to log onto wireless networks all over the place. If the network you are logged onto is not an advertised or publicly known wireless hot-spot, there is a good chance you have logged onto someones private network. It seems most people don’t have the first clue on how to secure their wireless access point. If you are using someones wireless connection without their permission, you are commiting “theft of service”; so beware of the possibility.
Unless you have set up MAC address filtering or are using a properly set-up firewall, anyone can get on your network. WEP is a popular authentication/encryption method that comes with the access point, but is not good enough security to prevent someone from accessing your network.
As part of my project, I recorded the coordinates and other details of almost 200 private networks in my local area, merely through a few hours of searching. Less that 15% of these networks were protected in such a way that I would be unable to access the network.
If you really want to have a wireless internet connection that you can share with whoever might be in the vicinity of your home or business, I would recommend that you NOT have any PC with your personal/private information on it attached to that network.
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Originally posted by smokey & the teacher:
And what kind of equipment to get.?? I see there is several types and frequencies to get.anyone better then the other??
You need an “Access Point” to hook to your broadband connection/network to and a “wireless card” for each computer you plan to make wireless.
The 802.11g standard is the way to go at this time. (The last letter a,b,g, is what one needs to pay attention to) The “g” standard is set for a quick 54 Mbps, and you can even get access points and cards that run at full-duplex for a possible 108 Mbps max speed. The good thing about the “g” standard is that it is backwards-compatible with the “b” standard, which is what most wireless networks are today. The “b” standard is only 11Mbps.
As for brands, I would look for Orinoco or Cisco if you want something top-of-the line. Netgear is good. Linksys seems to be the most popular, mainly because they have been around longer and are in the economy market. The higher quality stuff will get you the most range, with some even having a port for an external antenna.
It should be noted that if you want to take advantage of free WiFi hotspots, you don’t have to get a wireless router and set up a wireless network in your home. You could, if you so choose, simply use your wireless card in your notebook computer when you’re away from home.
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Originally posted by Cathunter:
Unless you have set up MAC address filtering or are using a properly set-up firewall, anyone can get on your network. WEP is a popular authentication/encryption method that comes with the access point, but is not good enough security to prevent someone from accessing your network.
Thanks for the good information! This begs the next questions: How do you set up MAC address filtering, and how do you “properly set up” a firewall?
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Originally posted by kbraband:
Thanks for the good information! This begs the next questions: How do you set up MAC address filtering, and how do you “properly set up” a firewall?
This is going to vary depending on what brand of wireless equipment you have. The setup instructions that came with your access point will show if it is capable of MAC address filtering, and how to set it up. Using MAC address filtering, only those computers that you enter into the access control list will be able to connect to the access point.
There are a lot of firewalls available, both hardware and software. Regardless of what you have, it needs to be set to block all network traffic that you do not initiate. If you don’t have one, consider trying a program such as ZoneAlarm. There is even a free basic version available for download. http://www.zonelabs.com
Now that we have a file of Wisconsin’s free hotspots, is anyone interested in creating a file for Chicago area hotspots?
To add to the list, apparently the Welcome Center in Kenosha (and starting point for the “?” Cache) has free WiFi access available.
Rpaske has come through for us once again. He created a downloadable EasyGPS file for free WiFi locations inthe Chicago area and one for all of Illinois. Enjoy!
[This message has been edited by kbraband (edited 11-17-2004).]
Just a thought – an aside if you will – does someone get special recognition if one sends an email at each of the wifi hotspots?
Randy,
Are the files mentioned here available and up to date and usable by the likes of me? I plan to do some WI travels.
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