Traveling with Powerbook

[Whytoi]

In article <3f580bdd$0$39009$45beb828@newscene.com>, Someone
<someone@somewhere.org> wrote:

> I'm returning to Paris this spring and want to take my powerbook with me
> on vacation. Last year I was lost without it and it drove me nuts not
> being connected. Anyway, I plan on using a security cable but still
> wonder how safe am I from loosing it. I'll be staying at a 3 star hotel
>
> Secondly, what do I need to connect. Can I use the internal modem
> with the appropriate adapters and if not any suggestions other than
> finding a wi-fi location. Any other advice in dial-up access. Will
> probably subscribe to AOL for access.

Ahh... Suffering for an addiction? May I first suggest that you see a
psychiatrist? ;)

But seriously. There's always a risk of theft/loss when you carry your
laptop around. A 5 star hotel is no guarantee against theft either. A
colleague lost his laptop and all his and her wife's shopping in a 5
star hotel, one that Bill Clinton stayed in during his presidency. They
never was able to find the thief. So do it at your own risk.

For connection, you'll need hardware adaptors (find them in CompUSA or
Fry's). Dial-up access can be dodgy in Europe due to differing
phone/PABX standards. Sometimes it's black magic. You'll have better
luck in a business hotel than a small hotel which tend not cater for
modem access. AOL is an economical choice for access and one that I
personally use.

There's an excellent web site on this subject [url]http://kropla.com/[/url] by
Steve Kropla!

[Bruce Stewart]

I've travelled for years in Europe with my Powerbook without incident.
Here's some things to watch out for.

Some hotels have digital phone systems. IBM sells a line tester that'll tell
you instantly you've got one of those connections before it fries your modem.

France doesn't ping the phone line for billing, so you don't need a line
filter.

Time online adds up fast as every phone call is metered. Some things might
better be done at an Internet café from a cost point of view, i.e. get your
mail by dialling in, but browse and surf at the café. You'll have to judge
that when you get there.

You'll need a French phone adapter and a French power adapter. Mine just fit
on the RJ-11 phone line cord and the standard North American plug on the
power cord.

Hope that helps.

On Thu, 4 Sep 2003 21:09:04 -0700, Someone wrote
(in message <3f580bdd$0$39009$45beb828@newscene.com>):

> I'm returning to Paris this spring [snip] I'll be staying at a 3 star hotel
>
> Secondly, what do I need to connect. Can I use the internal modem
> with the appropriate adapters and if not any suggestions other than
> finding a wi-fi location. Any other advice in dial-up access. Will
> probably subscribe to AOL for access.
>
> Thanks

[Phil Stripling]

Someone <someone@somewhere.org> writes:

> Secondly, what do I need to connect. Can I use the internal modem
> with the appropriate adapters and if not any suggestions other than
> finding a wi-fi location. Any other advice in dial-up access. Will
> probably subscribe to AOL for access.

I have some information which may be of help:
[url]http://www.cieux.com/callingUS.html[/url]
[url]http://www.cieux.com/fwiConnection.html[/url]
[url]http://www.cieux.com/beforeYouGo.html[/url]

Note that these pages are geared for travelers to the French West Indies,
but most of the links cover anywhere in the world, so check through for
links to providers of worldwide access and of adapters and such for
worldwide travelers. Databases of cybercafes are listed, too.

--
Philip Stripling | email to the replyto address is presumed
Legal Assistance on the Web | spam and read later. email to philip@
[url]http://www.PhilipStripling.com/[/url] | my domain is read daily.

[Devi Jankowicz]

On Fri, 5 Sep 2003 12:20:22 +0100, Whytoi wrote
(in message <050920032120228336%whytoi@hotmail.com>):

> In article <3f580bdd$0$39009$45beb828@newscene.com>, Someone
> <someone@somewhere.org> wrote:
>

>> I'm returning to Paris this spring and want to take my powerbook with me
>> on vacation. Last year I was lost without it and it drove me nuts not
>> being connected. Anyway, I plan on using a security cable but still
>> wonder how safe am I from loosing it. I'll be staying at a 3 star hotel
>>
>> Secondly, what do I need to connect. Can I use the internal modem
>> with the appropriate adapters and if not any suggestions other than
>> finding a wi-fi location. Any other advice in dial-up access. Will
>> probably subscribe to AOL for access.

>

Just don't take your eye off it for one second, whether you're in France (as
I was when some sod nicked it out of the back of my locked car in the 5th
arondissement in Paris) or elsewhere. And if you have it covered under your
house insurance make sure that the so-called 'all electronic goods' coverage
does actually extend to computers (mine didn't). Look round for a proper
computer insurer.

Kind regards,
Devi

[Whytoi]

In article
<0001HW.BB7EAC3E0026FE1DF0101600@news.cache.cable. ntlworld.com>, Devi
Jankowicz <animus@ntlworld.com> wrote:

> Just don't take your eye off it for one second, whether you're in France (as
> I was when some sod nicked it out of the back of my locked car in the 5th
> arondissement in Paris) or elsewhere. And if you have it covered under your
> house insurance make sure that the so-called 'all electronic goods' coverage
> does actually extend to computers (mine didn't). Look round for a proper
> computer insurer.

And don't forget to backup and backup on the road! I usually carry a
mini Firewire drive on the road and store it separately from my
Powerbook. There are things that's replacable while others aren't.