|
Hotspots are a popular way to use wireless networking. Hotspots are open networks that hotels, coffee shops, libraries, universities, airports, and other establishments make available for anyone with a Wi-Fi-equipped portable computer. When you connect to a hotspot, you can browse the Internet, check email, or perform other online tasks.
Finding hotspots
Follow these steps to find a hotspot near you:
1. Visit a Wi-Fi hotspot locator Web site.
 | JiWire.com is one of several hotspot locator Web sites available on the Internet. To find others, search for "Wi-Fi hotspots" on any major Internet search engine. |
2. Search for hotspots using your address, city, or postal code.
Most hotspot locators let you refine your search to a specific range. You can also usually specify whether you want to find free or pay hotspots.
3. Check additional local resources, such as local schools and city governments, and local businesses.
4. Subscribe to a national hotspot network service provider, such as iPass or T-Mobile. If you subscribe to T-Mobile's hotspot service, for example, you can access hotspots in popular businesses.
Searching for a Wi-Fi signal
Use these steps to search for a Wi-Fi signal:
1. Launch your wireless connection utility.
You can usually launch your connection utility by double-clicking your wireless connection icon in the Windows system tray (the area in the lower-right corner of the screen next to the clock).
2. Open the list of available wireless networks.
| If you let Windows manage your wireless connections, right-click the wireless connection icon in the system tray and choose View Available Wireless Networks. |
3. If the wireless network you want to use doesn't appear in the list, click the Refresh button.
Connecting to the network
When you're ready to connect to the network, follow these steps:
1. Open the list of available wireless networks in your connection utility.
2. Select the network to which you want to connect, and click Connect or Configure (depending on your connection utility).
 | You may need to follow additional steps to join the network, particularly if the network requires a subscription. Usually, once you purchase a subscription you can log in to the network through a Web browser. |
Monitoring the connection
Follow these steps to monitor the network connection:
1. Double-click the wireless connection icon in the Windows system tray.
2. If Windows manages your wireless connection, check the link status on the General tab.
If you use a different program to manage your wireless connection, find the tab or screen that shows the status of your wireless link.
3. Make a note of the speed and signal strength.
| If the quality of the connection is poor, try moving your computer to a different location so that it is closer to the wireless access point and out of the way of furniture and other large obstructions. |
4. Check the bandwidth statistics for the connection.
Disabling automatic connection
Disabling automatic connection is a good idea particularly if you pay by the hour for network access.
Use these steps to disable automatic connection:
1. Open the wireless connection utility for your wireless adapter.
2. Locate the setting that controls whether or not you want to automatically connect to non-preferred networks.
| If you use Windows to manage your connection, go to the Wireless Networks tab of the Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box and click Advanced to open the Advanced dialog box. |
3. Select the Automatically Connect to Non-Preferred Networks checkbox and then click Close.
4. Select a preferred network in the network list, and then click Properties.
5. Clear the setting to automatically connect to the network when it is in range. When using the Windows connection manager, click the Connection tab and then deselect the Connect When this Network is in Range checkbox.
6. Click OK to close all dialog boxes and save your settings.
Leaving the public network
Follow these steps to leave the public network:
1. When you are done using the wireless network, turn off your wireless radio.
• If you use Windows to manage your wireless connection, simply right-click the wireless connection icon in the Windows system tray and choose Disable.
• If you use another wireless connection manager, open it and turn off the wireless radio.
2. If you don't plan to use a wireless network again in the future, select it in your list of preferred networks and click Remove or Delete.
| 
