Walt Disney World has added free wifi to their parks and resorts, which is a great benefit, I can remember complaining about overpriced wired internet a year ago. But, I want to recommend that you turn off the wifi on your devices when not using it.
I found I was often getting bumped off, or was out of range or simply needed to reagree to the terms and conditions that Disney sets for the use of the internet. I believe this made my battery die a LOT quicker then if I was just using my 3G connection. So if you're, sleeping or busy on rides and stuff and don't need the wifi, I suggest turning wireless off until you need it.
Happy Travels!
Showing posts with label internet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label internet. Show all posts
Friday, November 30, 2012
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
Netbook Parties
It had been a few years since my last Contiki tour, and even my last Contiki tour wasn't a traditional Contiki tour, it was in Egypt. But the biggest change I have noticed in Contiki since my last traditional tour was the emergence of Netbooks.
On previous tours there might be one or two people with a laptop. On my September tour of England and Scotland there were at least 5-10 people with laptops or netbooks. Now, this might sound anti-social and in some ways it was. But, the hotels on our tour typically either charged for internet anywhere in the hotel, or offered free wifi in only the lounge area of the hotel. There was no hiding in your room with your computer surfing the internet.
Instead there were Netbook Parties. Everyone would meet in the lounge area with their laptops and netbooks and "friend" each other on facebook, check email, check bank accounts, etc. I found most people shared their computers when they were done so others could do the same. I quickly started calling them Netbook Parties.
This was way better then in the past when you would show up at a hotel that had 1 or 2 computers and everyone would be fighting to use them (that might be a little dramatic), or you're spending time in a cool city in an internet cafe, so you can update friends and family on your trip. This way people could do their own thing, I found they were less fixated on the computer like they would have been if their were only 1 or 2 computers and limited time. This means that while people might be checking email and facebook they were interacting with other humans in the room.
The internet is here and is a valuable tool for most people. I think the emergence of netbooks and wifi are allowing people to be more mobile (hello internet banking!), less tied down, and at times it can have a limited impact on their interaction with other people around them. Just don't spill your drink on your netbook.
On previous tours there might be one or two people with a laptop. On my September tour of England and Scotland there were at least 5-10 people with laptops or netbooks. Now, this might sound anti-social and in some ways it was. But, the hotels on our tour typically either charged for internet anywhere in the hotel, or offered free wifi in only the lounge area of the hotel. There was no hiding in your room with your computer surfing the internet.
Instead there were Netbook Parties. Everyone would meet in the lounge area with their laptops and netbooks and "friend" each other on facebook, check email, check bank accounts, etc. I found most people shared their computers when they were done so others could do the same. I quickly started calling them Netbook Parties.
This was way better then in the past when you would show up at a hotel that had 1 or 2 computers and everyone would be fighting to use them (that might be a little dramatic), or you're spending time in a cool city in an internet cafe, so you can update friends and family on your trip. This way people could do their own thing, I found they were less fixated on the computer like they would have been if their were only 1 or 2 computers and limited time. This means that while people might be checking email and facebook they were interacting with other humans in the room.
The internet is here and is a valuable tool for most people. I think the emergence of netbooks and wifi are allowing people to be more mobile (hello internet banking!), less tied down, and at times it can have a limited impact on their interaction with other people around them. Just don't spill your drink on your netbook.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Wireless Aircards
When I travel domestically to one place I usually bring my laptop with me. The problem is figuring out how to connect to the internet. Some hotels have free internet and others charge an arm and a leg. Disney charges $10 for 24 hours of WIRED internet. For $10 shouldn't I get wireless?
A while ago I looked into getting an aircard from ATT, but the cost was so high that I scrapped that plan. I needed to not only get the aircard but I had to get a 2 year service contract too. I pay enough for phone and internet, I don't need to add to those bills. Plus it was an expensive service. You would think that Cell phone companies could make some good money on rentals or pay per use, but it doesn't exist, yet.
The other day I went to the Best Buy Moble store at my local mall and asked the guy if anyone rents aircards. He said that no one does right now, but there are some companies that are looking to start doing that. He couldn't offer a time line, but it was nice to hear that it is a possibility in the future. There are a couple companies who are doing it online, but then you have to deal with shipping back and forth, and the costs are still pretty high, starting around $100 for a week and that's just for use in the US. The guy did also say that in europe there are aircard rentals available. Hmmm, maybe one of these days I'll have to consider taking a laptop with me on a trip overseas, though I don't think I'll be doing that this year.
A while ago I looked into getting an aircard from ATT, but the cost was so high that I scrapped that plan. I needed to not only get the aircard but I had to get a 2 year service contract too. I pay enough for phone and internet, I don't need to add to those bills. Plus it was an expensive service. You would think that Cell phone companies could make some good money on rentals or pay per use, but it doesn't exist, yet.
The other day I went to the Best Buy Moble store at my local mall and asked the guy if anyone rents aircards. He said that no one does right now, but there are some companies that are looking to start doing that. He couldn't offer a time line, but it was nice to hear that it is a possibility in the future. There are a couple companies who are doing it online, but then you have to deal with shipping back and forth, and the costs are still pretty high, starting around $100 for a week and that's just for use in the US. The guy did also say that in europe there are aircard rentals available. Hmmm, maybe one of these days I'll have to consider taking a laptop with me on a trip overseas, though I don't think I'll be doing that this year.
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