Things You'll Need:
- Windows Vista computer
- Wi-Finder device
- Jiwire
- Boingo
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Step 1
Right-click the "Network" icon in the Windows Vista system tray. Usually, this icon looks like two computers connected together by a globe. After doing this, a pop-up window will appear with several options to choose from. Select the "Connect to a Network" link to move forward. Make sure that "All" is chosen in the drop-down box next to the word "Show." You’ll have the chance to view all available Wi-Fi hotspots while on the go. The name of the network and its signal strength will be shown as well. Click onto the network you'd like to connect to and follow the onscreen instructions to gain access to the Internet.
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Step 2
Purchase a Wi-Fi finder device from an online retailer or your nearest store location. A Wi-Fi finder can detect a hotspot Internet connection while you’re traveling from place to place. Depending on the type of device you buy, some won’t require you to turn on your laptop before detecting a connection. Newegg and Tigerdirect are two online retailers that sell Wi-Fi finder devices (see Resources below).
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Step 3
Use a Web-based service like Jiwire to find an available hotspot before traveling (see Resources below). On the homepage, you can input some bits of information to locate the nearest Wi-Fi hotspot. Select the country you’re traveling in, the state or region, city and zip or postal code. After entering this information, click the "Find Hotspots" button to perform a search for the nearest connections. You’ll be presented with a list of results. Some will be paid Wi-Fi access, and others will be free to use.
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Step 4
Visit the Boingo homepage to perform a Wi-Fi hotspot search (see Resources below). Simply type your current destination into the search box. Enter the city, state and zip code to start browsing through the nearest locations for Internet browsing. However, you’ll also need to sign up for specialized Wi-Fi plan to use the Boingo connections. There are several plans available for you to choose from. Click the "Sign Up" link at the top of the page to get started. Select the best plan for your needs and then click the red "Next" button to continue on. Enter your name, username, password, email address and other billing information.
