I Want To Read SF on My Laptop

[Huntsman]

So I have a new laptop. I am going to get a new cell. I want to read SF at work on said laptop, using said cellphone to access my existing dialup internet service.

What is the best way to do that, and the best carrier, and are they all going to bill me for data even if I am dialing into my own ISP?

I have Cingular right now, but my contract is up and I can bounce, though they will get me two phones (which I need) for the cheapest, since I maybe use 20min/month. I am fine tethering my phone to the laptop via a cable, I don't need no fancy Bluetooth, and I might use 60min/month online if I get this set up. I could even squeeze it down to half that, if it means a big price differential.

Lay it on me, guys.

~ Huntsman

 

[briancl]

Cell phones do not make good analog modems. Your best bet is to tether your cell phone to your laptop and surf across the data connection provided by Cingular. I can do it with my BlackBerry and get decent speeds.

 

[GQgeek]

Originally Posted by briancl

Cell phones do not make good analog modems. Your best bet is to tether your cell phone to your laptop and surf across the data connection provided by Cingular. I can do it with my BlackBerry and get decent speeds.

Either that or bribe an IT guy to give you access. Do you have an office or will everyone see that you have net access and they dont?

 

[von Rothbart]

I don't know the hot spot situation where you are but here in Manhattan there're plenty of free hot spots: parks, libraries, museums, cafes or just stray wi-fi signal from nearby offices or apartments. So much so there's no need to subscribe data or 3G service to go online. There must be some websites that list all the free hot spots in your area.

 

[jpeirpont]

Is there away to download styleforum to your PC?

 

[CoryB]

Originally Posted by jpeirpont

Is there away to download styleforum to your PC?

It is quite easy to archieve a site for offline viewing, but that produce a static document which renders the SF useless, unless you are merely using it look up answers to previous asked questions.

It should be easy to find a free Wifi signal in any city. So many business offer them that you can usually keep a pretty continous signal anywhere. From my house I get 5 networks (4 encrypted, but 1 open) plus my own and I'm not in a particularily dense area. Search "war driving" and you should be able to find a map of open Wifi networks.

 

[Huntsman]

Brian, but if I do use a cell as an analog modem will they nick me for data traffic? I don't need that much nor that fast. It doesn't seem worth the $20 extra a month for the little use I want.

GQ, oh I have web access at work, but I like to keep something of a wall between my virtual and real lives, so I never have read SF at work. I'd also like to make the odd ebay bid while on company time or in the car.

vonR -- hotpsots, man? Not waaaaaay out here. I drove the length of the Metro (heh) area and picked up like two. My workplace is in a little industrial island in the middle of farmlands, so no hope.

And I would like, as I mentioned to access the Web from some odd places beyond the ken for ebay and SF and the like, but it will be so occasional, a data plan really isn't necessary, but I might go that way if compelled.

Regards,
Huntsman

 

[tiecollector]