OT: Technology and Geek Stuff Thread

[Topweasel]

Don't get me started Topweasel. I'm trying to move on ...

Good luck. I am not sure I can.

[CGVT]

OK, all you techies out there. Here's my dilemma.

My 9 year old daughter has tested and been accepted to take classes from Johns Hopkins summer accademic program for talented kids. The classes are on line and we are looking to enroll her in a class.

The problem we have is that my wife and kids will probably travel a lot this summer and we have to find a way for her to access the net while they are gone.

We have cheap assed cell phones that we wouldn't be able to get internet and tether to a laptop and ATT service (we are happy with ATT...). We are not eligible for an upgrade. So it looks as if our best option would be a card for the laptop to get connection, but that would cost us $60 a month with a two year contract(our current phone plan cost us a total of $60).

$720 a year is a lot of coin for mobile connection.

Any suggestions?

[Coop]

at&t is rumored to sometime soon approve tethering .. If you upgraded to an iPhone or another smartphone that supports either EDGE or 3G service that might work out at a cheaper monthly cost.

[CGVT]

That's what I was thinking, Coop. I think I can add unlimited access for about $30 a month, half the cost per month.

I'm too lazy to go back an look, but didn't you get a refurbished iphone somewhere?

[-Deborah-]

Travel to locations that have a Starbucks or McDonald's or a library? Or if you're going to travel using an RV, most RV parks have internet connections. Same with hotels.

How much time online will need to be spent? Is it a matter of logging in to grab your assignment, then logging in another time to upload your assignment? Or will there be interactive activities set for certain times?

http://hotspot.t-mobile.com/services_plans.htm

http://b2b.vzw.com/broadband/bbapccard.html

[Newbomb Turk]

you can buy a used card cheap, then go month to month on the air card charge........

[CGVT]

Thanks, Deb.

I'm not sure whether she'll have to be on-line or can just pick things up...

It looks as if the Verizon plan is similar to ATT...

Is 5 GB a lot of access? 50 MB?

[CGVT]

you can buy a used card cheap, then go month to month on the air card charge........

What does that mean?

[-Deborah-]

You realize if they're in a hotel or RV park (or at Ludington State Park), all they need is a wireless network card and not any ISP wireless access, right?

[CGVT]

Yes. But, it will be hit and miss as far as being able to access hot spots and things like that. They will be at no internet grandma's in the middle of BF North Carolina for a while etc etc...

[Newbomb Turk]

you are signing a 2 year contract to get the air card 'free'... buy a card, then you just need to activate it (sim card) and make sure you can cancel at any time

[CGVT]

you are signing a 2 year contract to get the air card 'free'... buy a card, then you just need to activate it (sim card) and make sure you can cancel at any time

Duh! I got you now...

The card at ATT was $100 and then a $100 rebate if you signed up for two years...

[Newbomb Turk]

a used one should be much cheaper... like a used phone

[-Deborah-]

I'm guessing that is how this website works:

http://www.wifirents.com/pages.php?pageid=1

[Coop]

CG - sorry for the delayed response. I've been in transit since about 11 this morning. Finally back home.

I did ebay a 1st gen 8 GB Iphone and hacked it for use on tmobile. Note that it supports the EDGE network only, not 3G, which is the faster of the two. While 3G is faster, it's not yet available in many areas yet.

It remains to be seen how AT&T will handle the tethering....keep an eye on dslreports.com.