View Full Version : Internet Access in towns
facelesscombatant
01-06-2013, 20:27
For those who have thru-hiked and used computers while in towns, what is the availability of free computer access at libraries or other sources? The reason I ask is I would like to stop in town to email family and write blog posts 2-3 times per month.
Slo-go'en
01-06-2013, 20:41
No problem. Most libraries have a 30 minute limit, pretty much every town has a library. Most hostels and motels have a public PC, usually the use is free, but sometimes there is a modest fee to help pay the connection costs.
If you get close to a chain motel you can usually tap into their wi-fi from outside. Most hostels have wi-fi. Of course, that supposes you have a wi-fi enabled device on you. Just using the library internet is possible, but can be a hassle sometimes - during the busy season you can wait in line a long time for your turn.
SCRUB HIKER
01-06-2013, 21:25
I hiked in the busy season NOBO without a smartphone, computer, tablet, Kindle--anything to use the internet--and I had no problem accessing the internet in town. Places that I can remember having access to computers:
1) town libraries
2) some motels and hostels
3) some outfitters
4) some other random establishments (Mojo's coffeeshop in Damascus, VA; the Chamber of Commerce in Bethel, ME)
I can't remember ever having to pay for internet. Every now and then a hiking friend with a smartphone would let me check e-mail on his device, which is usually all I wanted to do anyway. I don't know about the Companion, but the AWOL guide ("The AT Guide") has a little icon for places with internet access in every town. Hope this helps.
Damascus now has wireless on the main thoroughfare through town to Cowboy's and onto Dot's. The library has wireless as well.....
fireneck
01-10-2013, 14:19
Don't expect to access any "real computers" I had a hell of time trying to upload photos to my blog. Most public computers have restrictions on it for the safety of the machine/network, making uploading photo/video not possible. I had such a frustrating time that I just stopped trying to upload photos to my blog.
However, most the computers I had no problem with blogging (text only) and surfin' the net.
peakbagger
01-10-2013, 18:09
Whatever you do, dont try to access secure sites like banking. Public computers are infamous for being loaded with spyware. I accessed one of my less private e-mial accounts and it was obvious someone had been in there just minutes after I got off the PC.
My plan is to "bounce" a small cheap PC as much as possible - "Loner" 2012 thruhiker describes this in one of his 100+ YouTube videos.
Gives you freedom from queues/time limits and you just need a wifi hotspot.
I will have a proper bounce box bounced 4 or 5 times but hope to get the PC about weekly.
To save time when on a PC, if you have a Hotmail or similar email (and let's face it we all have something like that), save a draft email that contains the URL's for your likely sites, e.g. direct link to WB or your own TrailJournal. Obviously don't save passwords etc there but with a draft full of URL links you can quickly access the pages you want and better save time, especially when connection is slow. Sort of a travel with you bookmarks page. Open email first and then pop open any others in a new tab.
StylinLP38
01-11-2013, 18:17
Bounce a PC? errr, these days one would use a tablet. Their is even the new Windows8 tablets. either carry with you which I will do, or ship it ahead to yourself. My new iPad Mini weights nothing and really thin. 300grams