Question:
I'm looking at getting access for my laptop, when I get OTR by myself. What kinds of luck have you all had with this?
I have a Toshiba Satellite 1555 cds. I've had it for about 5 years but have not used it much at all. I've seen wireless and 800# access just wondering what might be this best way to go. $$$$ is an issue I'm looking to use it mostly to get email and pics from the wife and kids and be able to keep up to speed and in touch here on the Roundtable.
I've been looking for wireless cards for my model laptop and have not found any yet!?
Semper Fidelis !

Answer:
Need a little more info on your laptop. Need some of the specs, what OS are you running on it? What is the processor and ram?
You should be able to go with Verizon up there at Fon du lac. For the unlimited you will be paying just a bit over $90, this includes all of the taxes etc. Just sift through the hightech trucking to get an idea of where you will have coverage.
Other option is WI-FI at the J's. Not a bad price, but problem is being a company driver you dont have control of if you will fuel at the J.
I am going with both, call me a slave to technology. You can do a search for Verizon Express Network for more info.
DRIVER BY CHOICE
Buzzdog

Answer:
I have Wi-Fi and my Sprint vision phone. The Wi-Fi is as advertised, and is fast. My Sprint phone hooks up at 19.2-28.8, but I have a freind that hooks up at over 200. He has a different phone than I do. I have a Sanyo 4900 and he has a Samsung flip phone, don't know what model it is, but it does work well. We both use Snapdialer software to get on the internet with our cell phones. He said he looked at his options and he found connection speeds on his phone for 28.8,56.6 135, and 235, or thereabouts. His is set on the high one. Sprint isn't happy about it, as it reduces the bandwidth, but, oh well. They shouldn't have talked us into these phones with the express pupose of using the internet. When I call in to gripe about the 19.2 speed, they tell me they have the internet card and I should buy that. NOPE, I bought this system and they can learn to live with it! All the complaining aside, I still wouldn't trade my Sprint service for anything else. As far as the Wi-Fi, I don't have to buy fuel there to use the Wi-Fi. You can just park there and use it!

Answer:
Hi, need help getting online with my verizon - my dealer is clueless and couldn't even get my data cable for my phone - i got it from Nokia and can access my phonebook when hooked up but have no idea how to get online with it, any help?

Answer:
I have a verizon express network card that plugs in my computer. Not sure if I can help much hooking up via a phone. Need some more details please.
DRIVER BY CHOICE
Buzzdog

Answer:
From what i saw on the verizon website there is a program that comes up that you use to connect to the web, I don't have that becuase I bought the cable from Nokia, anyhow you don't have that program do you?

Answer:
The software that I have installed came with the "air card". It acts as the dialer for the card so I can connect. I may be wrong, but I think it is specific for my make of card.
DRIVER BY CHOICE
Buzzdog

Answer:
Check out these threads...
Advice about AirCards & WiFi(click here)
(3pgs)High Tech Trking

Answer:
I look forward to your posts and meeting up someday, I am using Copilot Truck GPS & love it - just need to get online as I have an online business that I need to maintain, I also am a fan of the "Aircooled V-Twin" - 95 FLHR & 00 FLSTF and also looking at a way to transport a bike, Have a buddy with a cabover that has an on & off ramp that keeps his on back, I may be looking at buying a couple of old JB Hunt COE's to do just this. Keep up the good posts.

Answer:
my toshiba has an AMD k6-2 380 mhz processor
32 mb ram
4.3 Gig harddrive
All I'm looking to do is check email and keep in touch here on the roundtable
Stand up for what you believe in, even if it means standing alone

Answer:
DD, I'm using the Flying J Wi-Fi at the moment. Of course, you have to be at a J to use that, but so far it works for me. For this type of service you need a wireless LAN card, which pretty much means that you need a PCMCIA slot in your laptop (a slot about the size of a credit card slot).
You should be able to pick up the LAN card for 40-50 bucks. After that you just have to pay the daily/monthly/yearly Wi-Fi subscription (works like a regular ISP).
Can't offer any advice on the other solutions out there, but there should be a ton of info here in various threads.
The ultimate would probably be the Direct TV system which includes high speed internet and satellite TV -- I think that runs about $3,000 for the automated equipment and around $90/month for the service. I'll probably go that route once I start getting rich in this business....

Answer:
Mark, I looked into the Direct TV route. Since we have DTV at the house. Was told internet was not available to boats or R.V.'s, figured that would include trucks, so never did no more checking.
Have you ever tried using the J's connection at other "hot spots?", Hoss was showing me his, and brought up a window showing other places that had the signal?!
Drive on! bandit58....

Answer:
Bandit, DTV w/Internet access is definitely available for trucks and RV's, there is a website somewhere (sorry, don't have the link). They even have an automated dish that folds for road travel, then unfolds itself and finds the satellite when parked (that's the $3K setup).
I've seen some drivers in truck stops that just clamp what looks like a home dish on thier mirror mount when parked. Might need a compass for that
Haven't tried other Wi-Fi hotspots... I know the wireless card will sniff them out, but I figured you would need username/password access (like you do at the J). I did read (somewhere) that T/A or Pilot were in the process of installing a similar system, but that will almost surely be a separate fee
EDIT: Here's the mobile satellite link... http://www.motosat.com/datastormf1.htm

Answer:
Devildog,
Mark covered all of the bases for you, in what you will need. As long as your system has either USB or PCMCIA card you should do alright. I am assuming that your OS is 98.
Bandit, I think one of the reasons with the no boat or rv rule might have to do with local channel broadcast. As long as you are willing to set up/adjust/ then reverse the cycle, you can have sat tv in the truck using a standard home setup. A system like that would probally be the most ideal, not sure of the uplink on those systems yet. I am a bit ignorant when it comes to the new setup with Satelite ISP's. Last I knew anything about it you had to have a land line for your uplink, then the data was sent to you via satelite. This would improve the badwidth of dial-up but was mainly just a 1 way street for broadband. All upset information was via telephone line. If anyone knows different would like to know.
Mark-the-Spark,
I have a built in WI-FI on my laptop. It has some advantages to it, but the main drawback is that you have what you have. I have found some hot-spots. One in particular for you Roehl drivers is in Marshfield. I think it might be one of those company "perks". I have been able to access most of the internet from there. The one thing I could not do is conect to any game servers. Would not be suprised if some of those com ports are turned off at the router for the system.
DRIVER BY CHOICE
Buzzdog

Answer:
setup since September, and I love it. I try to park close enough where I'll have good signal, if not I just go inside. I've used both the wireless card and ethernet hookup inside the J and both work well.
For the limited use I have for the laptop (email and paying bills) this is, in my opinion the best setup. I signed up before they raised the price from 99.00 per year, to 199.00 per year, which is still cheaper than 90 a month for a sprint card.