Very Dumb Question
 

Usually, you just plug the cable into your computer; when you start up a browser, it should automatically go to the hotel's page, which will say something like, "Click here to acknowledge that this unlimited high-speed internet access will cost you $15/day."

If you are friendly with your IT people, you might see if you can get a cable to bring with you in case the one in your hotel room is crappy; having to hold the jack in because the little prong is broken off gets old quickly.



ETA: Dammit! beaten to the punch again ...

Very Dumb Question
 

Thanks all (both). I think I have an ethernet cable I can bring with me. Is there any reason I can't put my computer in my checked luggage?

Very Dumb Question
 

Not if you don't care about it working once you arrive.

Toting a laptop around airports is one of the biggest PITA about travelling with a computer. But there isn't much choice. If I'm travelling on business, I carry on my computer in the smallest bag possible (just a single pocket with padding) and check everything else. If I'm travelling casually, I've got a backpack with a laptop compartment. Otherwise, it just grinds you down.

Very Dumb Question
 

Fuck that. I check everything I can. Y'all will just have to do without me.

Very Dumb Question
 

In that case, I'd pack it in the very middle of the bag, and consider hard sided luggage. Your biggest risk is some 100lb hard sided Samsonite packed by some teenie bopper off on her first trip falling corner first onto your bag and cracking either the screen or the motherboard. Pack accordingly.

Very Dumb Question
 

Seriously, though, if you are going to do this you should assume it will break. I have not heard any successful laptop-checking stories so far - here's hoping you defy the odds.

Very Dumb Question
 

oh, no no no, I meant, fuck that, I'm not taking my fucking computer.

PC Travel
 

If you are that concerned - FedEx it to your destination

Very Dumb Question
 

Yes.

The winner of Ready Made magazine's MacGyver Challenge this month was Ken Kirkpatrick --- a man who made iPod speakers out of two Altoid tins, two playing cards, and an old set of earbuds. Link.

http://wiredblogs.tripod.com/cultofm...idspeakers.jpg

I have trouble making scrambled eggs out of, well, eggs.

Bandwidth orgasm
 

Verizon promises to have "fiber-to-the-premises" (FTTP) fiber optic broadband in 1 million homes by the end of the year.

5Mbps down and 2Mbps up will cost $35.00 per month, or about $5 more than Verizon's current DSL (which, in my experience, tops out at 1.5 Mbps). $10 more will give you 15 Mbps; pricing for 30 Mbps has not been set.

Woooo-hooooo!!!

spree= Ars Technica article

Bandwidth orgasm
 

. . . .If you live in Keller, Texas.

Bandwidth orgasm
 

I'm guessing that Keller does not contain 1 million households, so while it is starting in Keller it will go to other markets later this year.

Or, this is a special service just for Keller.

Mmmmm, Keller. I wonder if they have bacon there?

Bandwidth orgasm
 

It's the pilot market. A Verizon press release talked about full coverage in all existing DSL markets in the next couple of years.

Bandwidth orgasm
 

Doesn't this require a complete rewiring? It seems like there's no need for a DSL overlay, but rather simply where is the population dense enough to justify the cost.

I have the strong feeling that Verizon sat on this release until the FCC regs allowing low-cost interconnetion were tossed, and should the S. Ct. take review, they'll "put their plans on hold."