[Riverbob1]

After nearly four years expediting I've decided to join the modern age. I recently purchased a laptop. I'd like to solicit some comments from drivers regarding two issues.

1) getting online.....wi-fi seems neat, but a little complicated with the major truck stops all offering competing (and apparently non-compatable) systems. I'm thinking the various cell phone service providers programs for broadband might be the better way to go. Anyone want to weigh in?

2) gps-assisted navagation programs. p.c. miler seems pretty popular among drivers, but there apparently exist several versions. Anyone care to relate their experiences and thoughts-in-general?

[JohnO]

I’ve been very pleased with Verizon wireless card for my laptop unlimited usage $59.00 a month plus cost of wireless card $49.00 and $25 activation charge. Where ever I have phone service means I can connect to the internet, depending on area it will either be dial-up or broadband speed.
http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/m...band/index.jsp

A new version of CoPilot Truck just was released called CoPilot Truck Laptop 9 cost is $399.00. It is the only truck specific GPS developed giving HazMat routes, low bridges location and routes to avoid. I’ve used laptop 4 version and found it to be quite helpful. I ordered and installed version 9 but haven’t had the opportunity to use it as yet.
http://www.dieselboss.com/Travrout/cptruck.htm

[bernieh48]

Oh my gosh. First off I completely understand what your going through with the Wi-Fi service. It's very frustrating. I just got my Sprint PC card last night for my laptop and I am typing this as my husbnad is driving. It's great. Like the person before me said, anywhere you have service on your cell phone you have it for your computer. Sprint is the same price as Verizon, so whoever you have your cell phone through you can get a PC card through. I know Cingular has one too, but not sure how they compare on price to Verizon or Sprint. Hope this helps.

[vipra]

A way that's cheaper than using a PC card with your cell phone is to get FutureDial's SnapDialer software. I pay only $15/month for Sprint's Vision plan to get the web through my phone using Snapdialer. You mentioned getting broadband through a phone- as far as I know that isn't available, just the slow 56K.

[raceman]

I use a Sprint card and I have Co Pilot Truck and Microsoft streets and trips for GPS. As I have stated in other posts. Microsoft S&T is by far best


Raceman
OTR O/O

[unorthodoxneon]

I havent tried the broadband wireless or heard anyone who's tried so me lost on that. For the wireless to get better reception further away from the access point is to get a wireless card that supports an external antenna that you can mount outside the truck or van. I'm a computer geek (built my own desktops) and have to have internet while me out driving to either talk to friends and family or just search online.

[JohnO]

Randy
What specific antenna for a straight truck are you talking about? Never built my desktop but I did fix an 8 track back a few years ago.

Thanks

[bigguy1001]

John, here is a link to a basic mobile external cell antenna. On the page is also a link to an amplified version. Happy mobile computing! Jeff
http://mycellularsolutions.com/dualmobilesystem.html

[unorthodoxneon]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ORiNOCO-Wireless...QQcmdZViewItem

Link is kinda long but its to an EBAY site. If you laptop has an extra slot for that card PCMCIA card, you put it in, put the antenna (magnetic) ontop of something somewhere which i'm not sure what kind of height clearance you may have if you put it right on top of the truck but its about a foot tall. And then take the cable and put it into the card. Should be better reception and get out and pick up farther.

[cheri1122]

Jeez, my laptop is a year old, it doesn't need a card or antenna, all I do is park behind a motel that offers Wifi, or Starbucks, Panera, etc - there are lots of websites like Netstumbler that list places with free Wifi, and get online free! I paid $20 a month for SBC's Freedomlink, which has a phone number you can call 24/7 - tell them where you are, & thay'll tell you where you can get online, usually McDonalds, but it's so easy to find free Wifi, that I seldom use it - I like to keep it simple, lol. :+

[Fr8 Shaker]

Cheri, I also have sbc freedomlink but we only pay 1.99 a month for it because we also have sbc, now at&t for our home service along with their dsl. if you have the home phone and dsl through them you can get the freedomlink for 1.99 by going online to at&t.com/freedomlink
as far as locations they update those on the software so you just click on the location tab then the state then select a city. It will then come up with a list of all places with addresses.


Good Luck,
Fr8 Shaker

[dieselphreak2K]

Cheri, I used to get away with sneaking behind the best western, but the van is long gone, and the big red behemoth gets noticed easily.

I went to the local alltel today and picked up an aircard and it's about 60 a month, and so far it works great.

[cheri1122]

FrtSha8ker, I found out about the $1.99 a month deal - when I added a home phone, which is SBC, but they wouldn't give me the lower price, because I'd signed a contract for a year on the Freedomlink. I figure $20.00 a month is cheaper than anything else I found, and I also get a discount from Cingular through ConWay, so I'm not complaining - till the Freedomlink contract is up, anyway, lol. I have a question, though - do I need to get online to find the locations? Cause that's kind of a classic Catch 22 - can't find out where to get online, if I can't get online!
Diesel: if you park at a place with truck parking, odds are they won't notice you, or chase you away, even in Big Red. They never bother me, & there's always McDonalds, which is better anyway, cause you can waltz in to use the bathroom. ;)

[unorthodoxneon]

I think once i get going i'll be going with the broadband card. From doing some research it looks like along all the expressways there is service. And in the major cities there is broadband coverage and i kinda figure that most freight is probably at the major cities. I have a nextel phone so more then likely i'm swinging to the spring broadband service. I would like to get a Flying J account but i probably wont be stopped at a J every day and would like to have internet pretty much everyday if i could.

[highway star]

Phreak, if you had your radio on I would have said hello this morning at the Saginaw J. Does your Alltel card work well in Alpena? I'm probably going to go with something like that at the end of the year when my J subscription is up.

I'd rather tango than waltz.