Find Internet Hotspots Wherever You Go
TMO Quick Tip - Find Internet Hotspots Wherever You Go
by , 7:30 AM EDT, April 12th, 2006
When you are out and about, or traveling out of town, it's always nice to know where you can find a wireless Internet connection so you can check email and surf the Web. I use JiWire's Hotspot Locator Dashboard widget because it handles two tasks for me: It finds the Internet hotspots for the area I'm traveling to; and it also shows me the hotspots that are within range of my powerbook, along with their signal strength and whether or not they are password protected.
 JiWire's Hotspot Locator widget shows if any wireless networks are in range. |
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JiWire maintains an online database of free and paid hotspot locations around the world, but be sure to check for hotspot locations ahead of time. If you don't have an Internet connection, the widget can't check the JiWire database for locations.
 The widget also lists hotspots surrounding the area you specify. |
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If you are still using Mac OS X 10.3, don't despair. JiWire's Hotspot Directory application works just like the widget.
The JiWire Hotspot Locator widget and Hotspot Directory application are free, and available for download at the JiWire Web site.
if you have ideas for Mac related tips that you think other TMO readers might find helpful.
Observer Comments
MacStumbler doesn't keep a list of hotspots, it searches out connections constantly and reports the signal strength, WEP encryption status and even gives an audible notice of open networks (great when you are driving around with your laptop trying to find an open signal in a strange place). Databases are great for storing info, but in any circumstance YMMV, what once was available may be down, and looking for currenly open connections actually makes more sense.
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