BT Fon WiFi Connection

[Lord Braykewynde]

I've just bought a Dell laptop and hopefully will be using it when I go away on sites.

I'm with BT and they have a scheme called BT Fon where you can register and join. This allows others who are in the scheme to use part of your bandwith when in your locality. When you are away from home it allows you to connect to a member who is local. It seems a good idea and it's free. I see that to use a WiFi connection on C.C. sites is 15p per minute whereas if you have BT as your ISP and join BT Fon it doesn't cost anything within reason. Depending on which Option you are on you get free minutes, I'm on Option 3 so get unlimited.

On top of the Fon scheme there are BT Openzone Hotspots you can connect to.

Option 1 customers get 250 minutes and Option 2 get 350 minutes per month.

This is all new to me so until I go away next month to test it out I'm not sure how good it will be. One thing I do know though, theres no way I'm paying 15p per minute :O( I'm not that desperate :O)

Anyone else on this system and what do you think of it?

 

[LMH]

Could you type that in English please as I haven't got a clue what you're on about.

BTW - watchout, you'll be classed as 'one of them' (not a Gaylord but horror of horrors - it used to be tv watchers in vans, now it'll be laptop users connecting to the web).

Lisa

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

It's the compassionate side of me coming out Lisa :O)

I know how people miss me when I go away and I hate to hear of grown people crying so I thought I would stay connected to the forum to save upsetting them :O)

Hehheh!

 

[JasonR_374341560]

Well AOK Lord B. I'm on FON as well and unlimited openzone they tell me.

Openzone used to come with a connection wizard you could download, but it no longer does. If there is an openzone connection you now just go to www.btopenzone.com on your web browser (THAT'S INTERNET EXPLORER Lisa) and connect with your log in password.

As a point of interest most if not all McDonalds offer BT openzone and FREE McDonalds log in. You just give them your email address and they let you log in for free. And before you ask I have never had any promotional emails from them!

So for a cup of coffee or sat in outside car park internet FOC

Just for LMH have a look here and may be you'll get the idea of what FON is all about http://www.btfon.com/ probably better than LB or I trying to explain it.

Just think of internet terms as another facet of "multitasking", something you ladies are good at and us gents can't possibly do

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

This is the spec of the one I bought Jason ....

Dell VOSTRO 1500 Laptop Computer. Specification as follows.

1.40GHz Core 2 DUO T5270 (2 x 1.40Ghz Cores) 800Mhz, 2Mb Cache

15.4" Wide Screen WXGA (1280x800) display with TrueLife

Genuine English - Microsoft Vista Home Premium

3072 MB 667 MHz DDR2 SDRAM (1x1024 MB + 1x2048)

160GB Serial ATA Hard Drive

2.0 mega pixel integrated webcam in LCD back with camera indicator and two digital microphones

Fixed Internal 8X DVD+/-RW Drive

Primary 9-cell 85WHr Li-Ion Battery - Large Size with Very High Capacity

Integrated Intel

 

[JTQ]

I am on FON and have used it whilst touring; I think the concept is brilliant.

However I have had some difficulties picking up domestic modems; the signals are often too weak. It works at genuine BT Openzone hot spots so there you done need to use your "credit"; just keep those for partner sites.

I also find that there are lots Non-secure modems about and more often than not pick up/send my emails or Skype using on these.

I use a micro laptop SONY UX1; a bit fiddly but very portable

 

[JTQ]

I am on FON and have used it whilst touring; I think the concept is brilliant.

However I have had some difficulties picking up domestic modems; the signals are often too weak. It works at genuine BT Openzone hot spots so there you done need to use your "credit"; just keep those for partner sites.

I also find that there are lots Non-secure modems about and more often than not pick up/send my emails or Skype using on these.

I use a micro laptop SONY UX1; a bit fiddly but very portable

Sorry its "don't" not "done"

 

[mistermac]

I'm pretty sure all PC's and laptops are now sold with wireless connectivity built in.

No need for dongles.

 

[JasonR_374341560]

I think this may be the clue from your spec LB

"Intel

 

[JasonR_374341560]

I think this may be the clue from your spec LB

"Intel

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Thats good, after spending months persuading Her Ladyship to let me have a laptop I'm pleased that I don't need to beg for extra funds. I'm sure she will be pleased also knowing that I'm dongless :O)

Saying that after much sighing and plucking up courage I did say that I would need a laptop case. Matter of factly, after I was expecting to get my head bit off, she asked how much they was saying I had some money left over from Christmas.

This woman is getting me worried because she is far too accommodating. She's either after something or planning to leave me :O(

 

[Rioja]

If you go into programmes and open Intel Wireless ( you may have to click the "enable" button), it will search for available wireless networks in the vicinity. Most, if not all, will be security coded to stop you using them.The problem with shared networks is the possibility of someone hacking into your computer.If you do find one to use you have to do the reverse operation when you get home to click on to your home wireless network.

Before you go away, you can search on google for Bt Openzone hot spots. I have connected whilst sitting in a hotel car park before now.

It's quite handy for sending picture postcards whilst away !

 

[Rioja]

If you go into programmes and open Intel Wireless ( you may have to click the "enable" button), it will search for available wireless networks in the vicinity. Most, if not all, will be security coded to stop you using them.The problem with shared networks is the possibility of someone hacking into your computer.If you do find one to use you have to do the reverse operation when you get home to click on to your home wireless network.

Before you go away, you can search on google for Bt Openzone hot spots. I have connected whilst sitting in a hotel car park before now.

It's quite handy for sending picture postcards whilst away !

 

[JasonR_374341560]

There's an echo in here.

 

[Rioja]

Guessed you might need to read it twice !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JTS]

You do not have to spend another penny (except for your case, a worthwhile purchase - finance already approved.) Having said that if you are using your wifi in a public place all around will be able to hear your conversation so if your Laptop does not come with a headset you may want to purchase one (cheap as chips) Once you receive your laptop you will find that Dell provide an excellent user guide on the computer and once read all will become clear. Once enabled you will find that your laptop will autmatically warn you that you are receiving a signal from a modem/router and all you have to do is to click and connect. Your user guide will give you all the info you require to use your webcam/wifi. Once you are used to it download Skype. I have used Skype to the UK and Canada from France/Spain/Italy all you have to do is find a Hotspot/ Good luck JTS.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Thanks all. To use the laptop at home or away will I need to install the BT homehub software, drivers etc.

 

[JTS]

You will need to install your BT Hub CD, the one that came with your package,onto your laptop the only diference with the procedure from when you installed it onto your PC is that when asked you click on Wireless connection.You will require your email address and password. You may also need the deails on the label on the back of your Hub, best to copy them down before hand. It will carry out a couple of tests to locate your Hub and you just follow the instructions on screen. BIG TIP-have your laptop in the same room as your Hub (switced on)for the initial install and be patient- it can take its time.Good Luck. JTS

 

[JasonR_374341560]

I don't use any of the BT software or their browser. We had problems and found to many emails that we wanted were filtered out in the past so have not bothered with it.

We use internet explorer plus outlook on my laptop and outlook express on the family pc. We're just registered with username and passwords for FON and Openzone.

Apart from Skype to Skype to calls check out Skype credit for calling land lines and mobiles anywhere in the world. Skype credit is the cheapest we have found for most calls, especially to mobiles abroad!

Also MSN messenger to MSN messenger video calls are very good as well.

Wireless Skype and Internet phone is quite cheap as well and better than head phones and mic.

My newish Laptop has fingerprint recognition, when you register with a site you just swipe one of a couple of your chosen fingers and register the site. When you want to log in you don't have to remember the user name and password.

If you get the choice go for finger print recognition, also your kids can't remember you finger prints.

 

[JTQ]

One bit of the BT software very well worth loading is the Internet Security package provided by Norton.

Otherwise I agree their browser is a pain; I prefer Firefox with my BT Yahoo webmail as my home page.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Let me get this right then. If I want to use the laptop at home for the net I need to install the BT software but if I only want to use the laptop while away theres no need to install the BT software.

I'm quite happy just using my desktop pc at home.

I'm not really bothered about skype or chatting while away but would like to be able to connect to the net when on site during the dark nights. I also bought the laptop so I can edit my pics among other things. I'm not a T.V. fan :O)

 

[JTQ]

No you dont need to install BT software at all; just visit Bt-yahoo via a browser if your using their webmail. If your using Outlook Express you dont even need to do that.

However your wasting a very good Anti-virus and Internet protection package if you dont install that bit of the package.

 

[Lord Braykewynde]

Thanks JTQ. I do have reservations about Norton.I had a new computer 12 months ago but before that used AVG and ZoneAlarm with no problems so never bothered to change when I got the HomeHub.

I thought having a new computer and getting Norton free with BT I would give that a go. My new computer crashed. I uninstalled Norton, loaded AVG and use Windows Vista firewall now with no problems.

With the laptop being mew I might give it another go though :O)

I use Outlook Express for my email with Google for my homepage. I do look at the spam in my BT mailbox though because, for example, I can get 2 emails from the same person and one of them goes to spam, it doesn't make sense.

 

[joeby]

Hi LB a lot of sites across europe have wireless internet ,for a small fee they will give the code ,to use your laptop ,and if you go to www.three.co.uk you can buy mobile broadband for as low as

 

[WilliamTups]

Lord B,

I use BT Hub at home and a BT wireless hub at work, I've also recently upgraded to a new Dell Laptop this week (and use Outlook Express for e-mail and Google as my home page), what I would say is let Windows mange your wireless network, rather than the Dell wireless connection software that also comes pre installed. As JTQ said there is no need to use BT software on the laptop unless you want their Anti Virus Software, I've not installed any of the BT Software, but since it is a work laptop I have to use Sophos Anti Virus, all works fine at home, at work and out and about.

The Dell systems have a good step by step set up - just follow these but do not create an internet connection when requested and after the set up configuration, re-start your Laptop and then the in built wireless card should find your BT home Hub all you need to do is just enter the wireless security code when prompted.

Regards, Bill