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pinkflamingoes · 06-15-2004, 12:07 AM

Before I start this, if it's been done, let me know.

I think it would be a great idea to post links or locations of preferably free wireless and/or wired internet cafe (that's not Starbuck's or Kinko's) on a thread. Especially if it's an RV park that is either Ethernet or Wi-Fi capable. If not, a cafe nearby in the nearest town.

There are web sites to find them, but nothing that I have found has been really up-to-date. I guess these places go in and out of business quite a bit.

Or, post links to good sites to find them, I can start, if anyone is interested:

There's one in Alameda, www.coffeeforthought.net free wireless and some wired high speed terminals too.

anyone? Especially in the Midwest, it'd be so nice not to be chained to our Motel 6 room on the trip to Wisconsin.

markdoane · 06-15-2004, 06:20 AM

Look for the chalkmarks. (google 'warchalking')
OK, it's a little out of date. Seriously, a lot of coffee shops, even in Montana, have free WiFi.

swebster · 06-15-2004, 07:16 AM

A few of our customers (RV Dealers) offer it for free (sonny's Camp n Travel, Charleston SC, Tom Stinnett RV, Clarksville IN [Louisville area], Carolina Coach & Camper, NC. We're also being asked about this by many more (Beaudry RV, Bleakley RV etc.). The thinking is that if you park on the lot to check email, the forum, etc you might take a look at some other RV's.

Most campgrounds have partnered up with a HotSpot provider so it's usually a pay service - but there are a number of freebies out there from over tech'd campground owners!

I also think that Camping World is considering offering free WiFi to President's Club Members at all of their stores sometime next year.

eubank · 06-15-2004, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkflamingoes

I think it would be a great idea to post links or locations of preferably free wireless and/or wired internet cafe (that's not Starbuck's or Kinko's) on a thread. Especially if it's an RV park that is either Ethernet or Wi-Fi capable. If not, a cafe nearby in the nearest town.

Go over to the RV.NET forum. Under "Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions" is a good-sized listing of parks with Wifi or instant phone.

Lynn

RoadKingMoe · 06-15-2004, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eubank

Go over to the RV.NET forum. Under "Campgrounds, Resorts and Attractions" is a good-sized listing of parks with Wifi or instant phone.

Lynn

Here's a link to those lists.

pinkflamingoes · 06-15-2004, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markdoane

Look for the chalkmarks. (google 'warchalking')
OK, it's a little out of date. Seriously, a lot of coffee shops, even in Montana, have free WiFi.

That's amazing! I didn't even know this whole concept existed. I knew about the hobo depression marks thing, but...this is a whole new concept to me!!

neato.

i.

eubank · 06-15-2004, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoadKingMoe

Here's a link to those lists.

Oh, thank you for adding the URL! I should have thought to do the same.

Actually, I just talked to a local guy this morning about setting up wifi access at our park. Looks like it's going to cost us around $800 in one-time setup fees and then around $650 per year for access. Ugh! That means we'll surely have to charge our campers for access, that is, unless we can find some other local provider with lower fees.

Lynn

pinkflamingoes · 06-15-2004, 02:42 PM

Yeah I know, it can be prohibitive for business, so if anyone knows of a cool, hypercaffeinated cafe that offers wifi or internet access, post it here. I found www.wifimaps.com but I don't know if that's what people want to do; park outside someone's house and jump on their connection...I'm looking for a cafe where I can sit down and suck down a mocha and happily click away. So I guess I'm looking more for cafe's rather than RV parks, but RV parks would be a good inclusion too.

Porky Pig · 06-15-2004, 03:04 PM

Timely subject ....

I am unable to use my Verizon access anywhere north of Mount Shasta ... so I have been hunting down free wireless during the past few weeks.

In Mount Shasta ... Has Beans Coffee charges 2 bucks for unlimited use ... and their coffee is great. Another place in town wanted 3 bucks and hour! ... so Has Beans seemed pretty reasonable. Not free .... but reasonable.

Right now we are in Ashland, Oregon ... this town is unwired ... with free access everywhere. I am sitting in their new library as I type this .... they even provide AC for my laptop. Nice quiet environment ... and it is FREE.

Check this link: Ashland Unwired

I could be sitting in one of the brew pubs while doing this ... but I wouldn't get anything done.

pinkflamingoes · 06-15-2004, 09:15 PM

I also found this website, http://www.wififreespot.com/ which lists free wifi spots, with less of the guerilla tactics of that chalk mark idea, but you'd have to get online to find the spot (kinda self-defeating) and I'm not sure how up to date it is. I suppose you could download the site to your HD or surf ahead of time and get a list for yourself.

Porky Pig · 06-19-2004, 02:09 PM

You can add the Medford, OR public library to the list. The facility is brand new .. opened in April '04 ... and is huge and beautiful.

Wireless access is FREE ... and fast.

Mike B · 06-19-2004, 05:13 PM

This is off topic.
Was that you Porky, parked at the Pear Tree on I-5 near Ashland Ore? We were pulling out of the Petro last night Fri the 19th after getting diesel at 8pm and going down the frontage road when I saw what I am sure was your truck and trailer sitting in a site there.
We were on our way home from Coos Bay to near Sacramento pulling our 23' . Yours was only the 3rd airsteam we had seen on our trip and all were parked.
If it was yours, that is a beautiful trailer. If it is not, there is another near clone of it and your truck in the northwest.
This could turn into our own version of where's Elmo? or (Porky and Petunia)

Enjoy your adventure
Mike B

overlander63 · 06-19-2004, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markdoane

Look for the chalkmarks. (google 'warchalking')
OK, it's a little out of date. Seriously, a lot of coffee shops, even in Montana, have free WiFi.

Web address is:
http://www.warchalking.us/
Terry

pinkflamingoes · 06-20-2004, 11:27 PM

Does anybody know...if you go into a cybercafe, will they let you upload pictures via USB from a digital camera, or are there virus issues, do they block that, or...? I use Snapfish or Yahoo to store pictures I take, and then make prints from there if I really like the shot.

pf

ALANSD · 06-21-2004, 09:32 AM

You might eat up their bandwidth uploading, but it is probably site specific as to if they will let you. Virus attacks would be the same as on any network based on the firewall if there is one, and your specific virus protection. The email virus can get you anywhere anytime, if you are not cautious.
I also highly recommend using SPYBOT to get rid of the spy programs you always get when surfing the net. It will amaze you --- what you will find on your harddrive...be sure to do the upgrade after you download the software.
www.spybot.de a free download

pinkflamingoes · 06-21-2004, 06:49 PM

I have spybot, but hadn't updated or run it in months...whoa!

Anyone: do cybercafes object to your using their electricity? My battery is completely useless and no replacements can be found, even on ebay or using a direct Google search by my laptop name: Micron Transport Xpe in case you think you can help...

Porky Pig · 06-28-2004, 10:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike B

This is off topic.
Was that you Porky, parked at the Pear Tree on I-5 near Ashland Ore? We were pulling out of the Petro last night Fri the 19th after getting diesel at 8pm and going down the frontage road when I saw what I am sure was your truck and trailer sitting in a site there.
.....
This could turn into our own version of where's Elmo? or (Porky and Petunia)

Mike ... you win a sausage for your sighting.

Yep .. that was us ... sorry I took so long to respond to your post ... but after Medford .. we lost our Internet connection with Verizon until we reached Eugene (today).

The night after you saw me ... we spotted another AS ... looked like a 25 Safari ... parked at Pear Tree overnight. The next morning .. they were gone. Sorry I missed them.

There is 34 Limited parked about 5 spaces down from us right now. Looks like I'll have to go be friendly for a while.

overlander63 · 06-29-2004, 05:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkflamingoes

Anyone: do cybercafes object to your using their electricity? My battery is completely useless and no replacements can be found, even on ebay or using a direct Google search by my laptop name: Micron Transport Xpe in case you think you can help...

Ingrid, most laptop makers use more-or-less standard batteries. You, or someone with a little technical knowledge, can remove the battery, copy the info from the label on the battery, and check a few battery supplier's websites. You should be able to find something.
Terry

thenewkid64 · 06-29-2004, 02:54 PM

Add the Panera Bread company to the list. I am sitting in one in Lansing and uploading photos, etc via wireless. All for free. Of course I have to have a Brownie or something

pinkflamingoes · 07-06-2004, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thenewkid64

Add the Panera Bread company to the list. I am sitting in one in Lansing and uploading photos, etc via wireless. All for free. Of course I have to have a Brownie or something

Yep that's the price you have to pay...what a hard world.

I answered my own question on the road about plugging in electrically...no one cares. They all were even willing to find me a seat with an electrical outlet right nearby.