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#11
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Netbook Computer For Soaring
On Sep 10, 9:08*pm, wrote:
Thanks for all the valauble info. * Sounds like I really need a netbook. *If I want to use the Virgin Broadband month to month internet access without using the external USB plug in device, can I buy a net book that has an internal connection to the internet through Virgin Broadband? Generally speaking, that's exactly what the cellphone companies are hoping you'll do, because you'll end up paying them significantly more money over the next 3 years that way. I'm up in Canada, so I can't speak too specifically about US cellphone companies, but if you want awesome internets on your netbook, the best/ cheapest way is to make sure you have awesome internets on your cellphone. If you're already paying $50-75/mo for your cellphone, why pay another $50/mo for your netbook to have its own data plan? Some netbooks have built-in bluetooth (MSI Wind is great, for just this reason - it won't need a dongle to work with an external mouse), and many cellphones offer bluetooth "internet tethering." Other netbooks will need a tiny bluetooth dongle -- the one I have is http://www.amazon.com/Bluetooth-USB-...76181&sr =8-1 My phone is a Nokia e51 (Very similar to AT&T's e71). So, it gets 7MB/ s internet over the cell network, and shares that internet with the netbook by either bluetooth or USB. Over bluetooth wireless, it slows the data down to 2MB/s, but I get the full 7MB/s when I plug the phone in to the laptop directly by USB. This way, my 8MB/mo data plan can be used by both the cellphone and the netbook! (Always work out your annualized costs and try to avoid looking at the hardware purchase costs as much, that's how cellphone companies are designed to trick people). Since you're a glider pilot, you're likely both old and frugal, so the "I don't need internet on my cellphone" argument might also be popping up in your head. I can't tell you how much I enjoy being able to check METARs/TAFs, and Dr. Jack from my phone, without having to find a computer. My phone has a microSD card slot in it. . . so I posted my last OLC from the phone, no netbook needed. It's also great to be able to check my GMail and other stuff without having to open up a netbook. Of course, the phone won't do SeeYou and isn't that good with Flash websites. The phone also regularly triangulates my position from cell towers, and so long as it's within range of the cell towers, it uploads my position to the internet every 10 minutes. Once I upgrade to the e52 later this year, it'll report back my GPS position instead of my triangulated position. Since I always fly within cellphone coverage areas, it's like having a half-assed SPOT tracking doodad for free. Wanna see where I am now? Just click on http://avia.tion.ca/ (Of course, I can manually override the reported position whenever I want, so I tell the internet I'm at the local zoo's monkey house whenever I'm visiting an acquaintance of ill repute.) Sure, some people like to have a new monthly bill for their netbook, and some people even have monthly bills for their car's GPS. I bet you'll see digital cameras within a year that have SIM card slots so that cell companies can sell you yet another monthly bill. But, with the right cellphone, then you too can have a centralized communications hub in your pants, and a single consolidated efficient monthly bill for all the bits that your toys push over the network. Downside: my crazy always-on lifestyle means that I usually carry one or two spare phone batteries, but that'll get much better when the e52 comes out and I upgrade. |
#12
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Netbook Computer For Soaring
right now, I think the only companies offering a netbook with built in
broadband is Verizon or Sprint. and they don't do month to month.. they will sell you a netbook at extreme discount and want a two year contract. It is the same marketing plan they use for their cell phones. I do not think VirginMobile or Cricket has such a deal with the netbook BT wrote in message ... On Sep 9, 5:37 pm, John Smith wrote: GK wrote: - Has anyone been able to use Mac for the same purpose? Does seeyou only run via the windows emulator? Face it, gliding software is mostly windows only. Seeyou does run on a Mac - perfectly with Windows on Bootcamp - perfectly except 3D with Windows over Parallels or Fusion - acceptably with WINE (so I've been told), but without 3D How about serial communication with Cambridge? Most USB-to-serial adapers work just fine on Macs with most applications. I've used one with Windows on Bootcamp with good success (not gliding related), no idea how they work with Parallels or Fusion. Thanks for all the valauble info. Sounds like I really need a netbook. If I want to use the Virgin Broadband month to month internet access without using the external USB plug in device, can I buy a net book that has an internal connection to the internet through Virgin Broadband? Bill Snead 6W |
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