Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Communications
Communications Connecting - internet cafes, laptops, smart phones - how to connect, use, which one, and intercom/radio systems.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 8 Sep 2008
Billy Bunter's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London, England
Posts: 183
Lap top ignorance!

Hiya all, I have always travelled pretty low tech, which i think actually sums me up pretty well as a person too! So, i suspect this is a bit of a dumb question... i think... but can someone explain to me in simple terms how you get your lap top to work and connected to the interweb superhighway reasonably economically when abroad, in say Africa for instance?

I went into Vodaphone shop today to chat to them about using a lap top on their mobile broadband while away, which you can, although they were a little vague about where it would work..? but also that it would cost me a monthly fee of about £20, which seemed reasonable but then another £4.99 per megabite of use.

What do you get for 1MG... how many emails can you send? how long online?

Can someone help and enlighten a confused brummie??

Many thanks.
__________________
Will

Some day so soon....
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 8 Sep 2008
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Plymouth, UK
Posts: 24
Hi, what do you want to do on the internet?
Send off your photo's? A few emails or update a blog?
Reckon an internet cafe would be a good start.
Charged per 1/2hr. Here in the UK it's about £1 per hr.
You may come across wifi or wireless hotspots which might even allow free access. Otherwise you'll be paying on a time basis.
Your laptop would need a wireless adapter, either built in or via an adapter (£15+).

To save time you may want to prepare emails and photos' before hand on the laptop. Type your emails into a text file. Edit the photos', crop them and shrink them making them transfer faster. If you save these on a USB stick or the camera's memory card you might be able to put this in the internet cafe's pc. You can then copy and paste your prepared emails.

Can go into more detail if required but don't want to give you information overload.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 8 Sep 2008
Billy Bunter's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London, England
Posts: 183
Thanks for your reply, it is mainly just access to emails... i am leaving my own business in the hands of my business partner for three months or so but did want to keep in some regular contact while in west Africa, without actually having to speak to anyone!

Yeah, i have plenty of experience of finding internet cafes where you would not expect to find them all over the world and can revert to this... but i keep seeing threads advising of the best lap tops to take when travelling, all bike and travel proof allegedly.

Are they just used to prepare a document/email/photo/blog which is then saved onto a memory stick till you hit the next town?

Or am i missing the point?
__________________
Will

Some day so soon....
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 9 Sep 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 766
Have you looked at using a Blackberry or other phone for doing e-mails. Mobiles are everywhere in Africa but maybe not 3G. Otherwise the Eee-PC seems like the laptop to take.

Here's a road report of an 8GB Eee-PC.
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...t+for+the+road
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 14 Sep 2008
Billy Bunter's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London, England
Posts: 183
Unhappy

I would prefer a lap top, trying to do emails on a small blackberry would drive me crazy! Thanks for the link... but it just talks about what it is able to do and the best way to charge it... not how you connect it to the intrnet? which is what i am interested in finding out... but to no one has enlightened me.
__________________
Will

Some day so soon....
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 15 Sep 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Danmark
Posts: 346
I have no specific knowledge of Africa, mostly asia, but here are the general principles.

You can connect to internet via cable, just as the stationary computer you are using now.

You can also connect via wireless connection also called WiFi or W-lan. You then need a laptop with this function build in or a card (PCMCIA or short:PC card) to install in a slot in the laptop.

You will normally find possibility to use these connections in the more expensive hotels but also in a few internet cafés.

But your best bet to get online will be, as described, to prepare your correspondance on the laptop, transfer it to a USB memory stick and insert this in a computer in an internet café and copy/paste it to your mails, as inet cafés are getting abundant in most countries and rather cheap when out of Europe.
Funny thing is, that they are not abundant in Europe, I guess because people don't need them, as everybody has a computer in their homes.

A typical mail without HTML or attachments will be 2-3 kb thats 3-500 mails pr kb, but if your webmail provider has a lot of ads on his page it can be a lot more.

You can not rely on roaming services( your inet provider has to have agreements with the providers in each state you pass) to work always.

To be sure, to have contact, where ever you please, you'll have to hire a satelite phone with data capabilities

There is also a (old) way of connecting: via modem. I f.x. Egypt, there is a telephone number for free inet access, its slow but works ok when only transferring mails. China also has free inet access via telephone modem.

I have also used my GSM mobile as a modem. If you can't get a connection in the country you are in, you can call another country, that has roaming with your provider, you could even call the provider directly in your home country(a bit expensive, but if its urgent) if they still have a telephone conecction to the internet.
__________________
Poul
May you enjoy peace and good health !
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 15 Sep 2008
Billy Bunter's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: London, England
Posts: 183
Thanks.

That sounds sensible and even understandable to me Poul, thanks for the extensive reply. I think from what everyone has said that if i do take a lap top, it will just be for preparing stuff and then down loading to a memeory stick prior to doing what i have always done... hunt out an internet cafe... i suppose that is some progress for me!

I have always and will continue to stay clear of Sat phones and stick with occaisionally trying to get hold of a pay as you go sim card to make the odd call... i hate being contactable all the time!

Many thanks.
__________________
Will

Some day so soon....
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 26 Sep 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Denmark - Copenhagen
Posts: 305
In many places they wont let you connect your own laptop and it is in many ways just another thing to worry about.

I would go for the USB pen and upload all your vital stuff to an email addess or something so you can access it everywhere.

Laptops are ok, but -imho- not really worth it.

PS: I carried an asus eee for 6 months through south america and can vouch for the quality of the machine. But I would'nt bring it again...
__________________
Peter Kongsbak
South East Asia, USA, Central and South America and Scandinavia.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Pardon my Linux ignorance pottsy Communications 9 10 Mar 2008 15:08

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 09:16.