laptops, coffee shops, ISPs - how's it all work?

[Yellow Fang]

I may be moving overseas for a while, and I was wondering about getting a small laptop or netbook so that I could continue to surf the web, read my e-mails and use skype to phone my friends and relations. I've signed up with an ISP at home. Would I need to sign up with an ISP to use a netbook with a wireless connection, in a coffee shop with free broadband for example? I'm not sure how all this works.

 

[johnnyh]

no ISP needed, when you connect at a coffee shop/hotspot, you are using the venues ISP.
All you need is a wireless capable laptop.

 

[Yellow Fang]

Cheers!

 

[another_dave_b]

I may be moving overseas for a while, and I was wondering about getting a small laptop or netbook so that I could continue to surf the web, read my e-mails and use skype to phone my friends and relations. I've signed up with an ISP at home. Would I need to sign up with an ISP to use a netbook with a wireless connection, in a coffee shop with free broadband for example? I'm not sure how all this works.

FON might be one option. Or perhaps a pay-as-you-go mobile phone internet connection (no idea what they might charge for overseas data traffic, so I think it would be safer to keep it on a pre-paid basis).

 

[Yellow Fang]

I'm a bit concerned with the mobile phone costs for overseas calls, which is why I was thinking of going for a netbook with VOIP or Skype rather than a PDA. I wonder if there is a linux version of skype.

 

[HJ]

I'm a bit concerned with the mobile phone costs for overseas calls, which is why I was thinking of going for a netbook with VOIP or Skype rather than a PDA. I wonder if there is a linux version of skype.

A netbook with wifi is all you need, and yes there is a linux version of skype, it even comes pre-loaded on some netbooks...

 

[gratts]

You could look into a 3G internet connection in the country you move to. It's basically just wireless internet, everywhere. You just pay a smallish monthly subscription. Though it wouldn't be much use unless you're staying in one country!

 

[barq]

The best option depends greatly on where you are going. Some countries have very high density of wifi hotspots. Some bars/diners/coffee shops offer free access to customers, others offer a paid for services. Obviously you can research before you go, ask around when you get there (look out for other people with laptops ) or even buy one of those keyring wifi detectors.

Using a UK based 3g service is likely to be insanely expensive when you roam onto other networks. When I was in the USA it was in the region of £3/MB. Most networks offer international packages, but still... You could try getting an unlocked 3g dongle and then buying a pay as you go SIM for your destination country. But again this is something to research before going - not all countries allow non-residents to purchase SIM cards as easily as in the UK. Also check what mobile infrastructure exists in the destination country, not everywhere has 3g.

 

[Black Sheep]

FON might be one option. Or perhaps a pay-as-you-go mobile phone internet connection (no idea what they might charge for overseas data traffic, so I think it would be safer to keep it on a pre-paid basis).

they normally charge wallet rape
and thats an understatement.