The level of Internet access that you require each day, week, or month is a
primary consideration in determining the type and level of wireless Internet
service you subscribe to. If, for example, you check your e-mail or surf the
Net a couple of times a week, you might want to pay by the day. You also
might, however, want to spin through the chapters in Parts V and VI for ways
to get more use out of your computer and the Internet.
In Chapter 6, among other things, I compare the plans and costs offered by
the major truck stop WISPs. Surprisingly, some of the most competitively
priced and widely available Wi-Fi in the nation is provided by the truck-stop
and travel-plaza chains.
If you're an RVer
How you use your RV as well as the frequency with which you need access to
the Internet are the two most important considerations when determining
how wireless Internet access fits into your plans. The type and level of service
best suited to your needs is different depending on whether (for example)
you're
On vacation: If you're only away from home for a couple of weeks, or
maybe, a month, it makes no sense whatsoever to sign up with a single
service for more than one or two days. Using dialup as a back-up,
though, does make sense -- so you might want to check out Chapter 8
for some ideas about getting the most out of dialup on the road.
On an extended trip: For trips longer than a month, it might be worth
your while to plan your trip in such a way that you can take advantage
of a month-to-month subscription. In Chapter 5, I tell you about some
ways to find RV-friendly hotspots, and in Chapter 6, I provide informa-
tion about the major WISPs servicing RV parks and campgrounds.
Living in your RV: Especially if you need consistent and regular access
to the Internet, you might well consider investing in a satellite Internet
system, which I cover in Chapter 9.
Part I: The Wonderful World of Wireless Fidelity
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