Internet access for non-US residents at TAM9

[Puggy]

I couldn't find anything about this using the search function. Sorry if it has been addressed elsewhere.

So, I'm not a US resident and I'll need Internet access (work related and I don't want to miss out on TAM happenings)

Does anyone know what's the best way to be connected without paying a monthly plan or the probably expensive wifi hotel charge? Is there a relatively cheap pay-as-you-go way to having Internet access?

Any help would be appreciated with some kind of Mexican candy or hard liquor.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

I think wifi in your room is something like $15 a day. Not bad, if you need it. They also have a business center which I would assume is free, if you just need to check email and stuff like that.

 

[Puggy]

Thanks, TCS! That's extremely useful to know! I hope the bottle of Tequila I'm going to share with you is of good use to you too.

 

[Wowbagger]

Some attendees will be carrying around their own 3G mobile WiFi hotspots.

And, some of us are willing to share them, if you ask nicely. And, can figure out who we are.

 

[Disraeli Ears]

I think wifi in your room is something like $15 a day. Not bad, if you need it. They also have a business center which I would assume is free, if you just need to check email and stuff like that.

I had to use the business center last year to access the internet and to print out my airline boarding pass. It's one of those places where you sit at a computer and have to provide a credit card to purchase X amount of time on the internet. Seems like it was about $5.00 an hour or something...not too expensive if you only need it once or twice. If you need internet on an ongoing basis, I would choose the room wifi option. Or, as Wowbagger said, buddy up to someone with his/her own hotspot (I won't be one of those people ).

 

[bumlet5]

Are we going to have to start a chart stating the mobile 3G wifi device holders?

 

[Wowbagger]

You better start it. I have a recent history of bad luck making charts.

 

[The Central Scrutinizer]

Thanks, TCS! That's extremely useful to know! I hope the bottle of Tequila I'm going to share with you is of good use to you too.

Change it into beer and I'll find a use for it.

 

[xinit]

You better start it. I have a recent history of bad luck making charts.

Here, I'll start it for you, Mitch...

[table=head]Name|High School Mascot|Favorite Color
Wowbagger|Panther|Blue
[/table]

 

[Wowbagger]

I corrected the table for you:
[table=head]Name|High School Mascot|Favorite Color
Wowbagger|Purple Wave|Black
[/table]

 

[DocM]

I don't have a WiFi hotspot, I will simply put AT&T SIM cards in all my iDevices. Worked well with the iPad last year, and they actually offer a data package for their prepaid plans.

That has the added benefit that my boss won't be able to contact me, since he doesn't have the US phone number...

 

[zooterkin]

I don't have a WiFi hotspot, I will simply put AT&T SIM cards in all my iDevices. Worked well with the iPad last year, and they actually offer a data package for their prepaid plans.

That has the added benefit that my boss won't be able to contact me, since he doesn't have the US phone number...

Ok, where do you get the SIM cards from?

 

[Chris Haynes]

I had to use the business center last year to access the internet and to print out my airline boarding pass. ).

I think I'll just leave my computer at home, and print my boarding pass at the airport. I'm going to be checking luggage anyway.

All my phone does is make phone calls.

 

[Dan-au]

How likely are the border agents to try and search my laptop? Because I have some sensitive info on it.

I'm thinking it would be better to buy a small netbook for the purpose of visiting the US. Are they cheap in the US? Not sure if I should buy one at home or over there.

 

[Fitter]

I've never had mine searched in close to 100 trips to the US since 2002. Of course many of those trips were done while I was still in the Canadian military, but the last 30 or so were as a civilian.

 

[xinit]

How likely are the border agents to try and search my laptop? Because I have some sensitive info on it.

TSA might swab it for explosives, but I don't think they tend to hire people who know how to turn on computers. Besides, if they did, I'm sure anything really sensitive is on an encrypted partition or something already, right?

 

[Dan-au]

TSA might swab it for explosives, but I don't think they tend to hire people who know how to turn on computers. Besides, if they did, I'm sure anything really sensitive is on an encrypted partition or something already, right?

The entire system partition is encrypted. They would need to enter my ridiculously long key just to boot it. I haven't made any effort to hide the fact that the system is encrypted since it was intended to prevent against theft rather than covert ops.

I don't anticipate any issues, but I'm normally on the side of caution.

 

[DocM]

Ok, where do you get the SIM cards from?

eBay.

And before you warn me about the dangers: I already have it. Arrived within 5 days after I bought it from a shop in New York. I also logged in to AT&T and put some money on it, so it's legit should be working.

 

[zooterkin]

eBay.

And before you warn me about the dangers: I already have it. Arrived within 5 days after I bought it from a shop in New York. I also logged in to AT&T and put some money on it, so it's legit should be working.

Well, I'd ask you for a recommendation, but there's not really enough time to do the same myself now.

 

[Dan-au]

I'm sure there will be a phone shop somewhere, likely in the airport itself. That will sell sim cards.