OK, so here's the situation - a little long, so bear with me:

In the fall/winter months I do some freelance writing for a couple local newspapers, covering HS football, soccer, stuff like that. I usually do 1-2 events per week, so maybe 4-8 per month, for a total of around $300-600 each month. Because I'm not a full-time employee of any paper I don't get the cool toys their reporters get to file their stories -- newspaper-issued laptop, wireless broadband cards, bluetooth connectors that let them dial into the newspapers's computer system, nothing -- so most of the time I end up using a dial-up connection (usually AOL - sadly, it's the most reliable in these little towns out in the middle of nowhere.) But using a dial-up is a major PiTA in and of itself - a big obstacle is finding a live phone line after the games end so I can file my story by deadline.

So I am looking at alternatives to the AOL Dial-up that won't cost me an arm and a leg (I haven't found a wireless carrier that offers "pay as you go" on their wireless broadband plans - everyone I've talked to wants a two-year contract at $50+ a month, and there's no way I would use it enough for that to make sense.)

I've seen articles that suggest I can use my bluetooth-enabled laptop with a bluetooth-enabled cell phone to access my dial-up account so I am considering that as an option. I am also wondering about writing my story on the laptop, saving it to a mini SD card and then using a PDA/Smartphone type cell phone to access my email and send the attachment, but I don't know if Verizon (my wireless carrier) would require a data plan to access my web-based email (Yahoo or Gmail.)

Does anyone know if these would work, if you've used any of the options, or if there is another option I am not aware of? Keep in mind, the AOL Dial-up is $9.95 a month, so for as much of a PiTA that setup is, I don't want to spend much more than that to get online, nor do I want to get stuck in a long-term contract.

Thanks for any help anyone can offer.

No coffee shops that might have free broadband? I know people who have cabins in northern Wisconsin who can find hotspots in Starbucks and the like, so it's possible.

I've never done it, but you should be able to link your laptop to your cellphone and then dial into AOL from there like you mentioned. I've known people who have done it, so that's probably your best bet. Ten years ago I linked up my laptop to my cell phone using a wire and it worked fine -- but was extremely slow. Not sure if it's gotten faster or if I was just used to broadband.

As the most junior freelance writer I seem to always draw the short straw and get the games that are literally in the middle of nowhere - places where a Starbucks would be too "big city", and most of the local businesses are closed on Friday nights. And most nights I don't have time to leave the school campus to go in search of WiFi hotspots -- the normal event starts between 7-730, runs to approx. 930 or so, and then verifying stats, tracking down coaches for quotes and writing the story leaves me about 5-15 minutes to get online before my 1030 deadline. I usually scope out the Buffalo Wild Wings or McDonald's WiFi hotspots in advance, but most of the time that's a lost cause due to time constraints.

Any idea if Verizon would try charging me a data fee if I coupled my cell phone with the laptop and went online that way?

No, there'd be no data fee because you're not using their wireless networking -- you're just using the phone as a plain old modem (which is why it'll be slow). If you used the wireless networking capability of the phone (assuming you have that feature), you'd be charged whatever you're normally charged for wireless network access. But just linking the two to use as a modem is no big deal.

Playing off that (since I'm in the same situation, although minus the ungodly 10:30 p.m. deadline), how would this work? I do have Web access on my phone, but are you talking about the type of plan they sell for Blackberries instead?

Either way, I definitely have to buy one of those data cables. As long as it can get me to AOL -- yeah, I've kept the account all these years, mainly to get online from the road -- I should be good to go. Well, where I can get a cell signal, anyway, which might leave out a couple of schools deep in the boondocks.

Wolf, one thing I forgot to mention last night: if there's a hotel with wifi nearby, you might be able to snag a signal from the parking lot. Not entirely ethical, but if you gotta make deadline ...

Having worked at both a wireless carrier on the data side, and now on the product side (handhelds and mobile computers), here are my thoughts:

1) Wi-Fi - as discussed previously, this is a decent option but you're tied to a hot spot. Not all are free anyway, although many are...I was pissed off recently at Houston's Bush Intercontinental to be charged a $7.95 connection fee for their wi-fi. Plus - and I am sure you know this - Wi-Fi is not really secure. That may, or may not matter, but it's something to consider.

2) Tethering to a cellphone - technically using your phone as a modem will work. But chances are unless you have a 3G phone (either HSDPA or EV-DO) your data downloads will be slowwwwww. And wait until get your bill. OUCH. If you don't have an MMS or data plan with your voice plan, it's not really gonna work anyway.

The major carriers may still offer special tethering plans for this situation. Check their web sites to see if that's still the case.

3) WWAN, a/k/a Broadband Mobile - this is really the best option. There are three choices available - you can find an "aircard" that installs via PCMCIA, you can get a 3G external modem that connects to your USB port, or you can upgrade your computer to an "embedded" notebook whereby the 3G modem and antenna are built right in. The latter is the most convenient. Some vendors also sell after-market kits that are user-installable to upgrade specific notebooks. Of course, you'll need to add a data plan from one of the major carriers. That's always been the rub, since those can be expensive. However the pricing has come down. The downside is that the carriers currently require a contract ... don't we love that. But, on the other hand, you'll see that the carriers are now bundling services, such as WWAN and WLAN (a/k/a Wi-Fi) and you may shortly see "pay per use" coming from a major carrier.

If you are looking at this option, be aware that because the network technology differs, the radio modules / modems will differ. You can't use a GSM (AT&T) modem on Verizon's EV-DO network for example. In choosing a carrier you'll need to consider coverage, obviously. Verizon has the best 3G coverage; AT&T has the best overall network coverage, but their 3G footprint is smaller. So, you'll find yourself falling back to the slower 2.5G speeds when you're out of 3G areas. They are still building out their network though. Sprint is also viable...look at the carrier web sites for coverage maps and if you know the zipcodes you'll be in, better still, carriers can give you coverage based on that.

One last thing, when you're ready to refresh your notebook computer, there is a new "carrier agnostic" technology available from Qualcomm. Basically it's a radio that works on both GSM and CDMA/EV-DO networks worldwide. It's called "Gobi" and is promising to really change the complexion of wireless devices. Right now it scales to notebooks but it will be GREAT when it is viable for a handset.... What's cool is that you can buy a notebook, use in on Verizon's network...if you decide you like AT&T better, you can just switch without changing hardware etc. The carriers hate that...but it's good for the user and will probably force the carriers to change the way they price their services AND service contracts....It's like having Wi-Fi, only you've got WWAN. HP announced that they're including Gobi in their new computers announced in June, I think they'll start shipping in August.

I hate to admit it, but when I'm on deadline my ethics in regards to snagging an unsuspecting WiFi signal are usually overridden by my desire to make deadline and not get yelled at by the editor. I've even tried a little wardriving (with little success, due to my previous laptop's poor wireless range.) Honestly, if I knew there was a McDonald's with WiFi near most of the high schools I'd probably go that way, but as I'm sure you've experienced some of these small towns shut down at 9:00, so even that doesn't help.

Besides, sometimes they can stretch the deadline to 10:45. Isn't that nice of them? When I was in Orlando it was usually 10:45 - 11:30 at the latest -- I was shocked when they told me 10:30 here.

My contract is due for renewal with Verizon (and therefore I'm ready for my "New Every Two" upgrade) so I think I am going to look at getting a new phone with the bluetooth so I can use my cell phone as a modem. I'm not as concerned with the speed -- I'll just load up my webmail page before leaving my house, drop the story into the body of the email, and then connect, send the email, and sign off. With any luck, 5 minutes tops.

Why would the bill be any different than a regular phone call? You'd use it as a modem -- a regular phone call. Like I said, I did that 10 years ago and there were no extra charges (how would the carrier know you're connecting to another modem? They wouldn't). It is slow as hell though.

That's the only thing that worries me. Even a couple calls billed as data calls could slam my bill and wipe out any money I make from these games...

http://www.engadget.com/2005/01/18/how-to-...as-a-usb-modem/

Thanks. Any idea if that works with Vista?

Seems like it should. I'll let you know -- just ordered a cable and bookmarked a driver site.

Thanks, Fez and blz.

W/CDMA (EV-DO) they might not flag it, but I can almost guarantee a GSM carrier (AT&T or T-Mo) will catch you and in fact if the data feature (MMS or other data rate plan) is not enabled on the SIM, it might not connect.

Speaking of T-Mo, they are only just starting their 3G rollout so....if you are a T-Mo subscriber, settle in for a LONG wait.

Please do. HS football season starts here around the end of August, so obviously I want to try some stuff out before I'm on deadline. Plus my "New Every Two" is available next month, so I'll be looking to upgrade my phone as well. I do have a cable for my current phone but I suspended my AOL account (since it's the offseason and the only stuff I'm covering is the occasional puff piece) so I can't try it out right now.

Thanks!

BTW - no offense to anyone, but there are WAY too many wireless technology acronyms being thrown around in this thread. Makes me feel like this

Hampton Inns usually have a password needed. Holiday Inns usually do not, but I have been to one or two that required it. Lower end hotels are your best bet (Comfort Inn, Days Inn, Super 8, etc) but the signal strength might not be very good. Public libraries in small towns sometimes have wi-fi. When I was in Old Forge for my wedding, I went and parked in the parking lot of the library and was able to get online.

I'm sure there won't be one nearby for him, but one thing to note about airports. Most want to charge for wi-fi, but if you can find the airlines First Class/frequent traveler lounge, they usually have free wi-fi. Just find a seat near their entrance, or walk up and down the hall a little bit from their door and you should be able to see the signal and get on.

When does your HS football season start? We get going next Friday...

I've kicked around some of these options but in most cases they aren't realistic solutions - either they are too far away from the venue, or won't even be open when the game ends (public libraries) -- most games are Friday night around 730, so they run to 1030, and in a lot of these small towns there ain't much still open after the games end.

It looks like one of the best restaurant options is going to be Buffalo Wild Wings and/or Winking Lizard, since they both offer free Wi-Fi at most locations.

Just because a place is not open, doesn't mean they turned off their router. The library I mentioned in Old Forge, I was there at 6am on a Saturday "borrowing" their wi-fi connection. The whole village was still asleep at that hour.

Believe me, I realize that - but due to deadlines I don't have the time to chance it on most nights. Unless the library is right next door to the football stadium, I can pick up the WiFi signal beforehand and am sure that it will still be on after the game ends, deadline dictates that I have to look for more reliable means of accessing the internet.

First game's Aug. 29. Practice just started this week, which means it's time to do the previews for the fall sports tab. I'd appreciate any insight you can provide on writing about cross-country. (Oops, cross country.)

I've got the cable I ordered, but haven't tried it out yet. Gotta do that this weekend.

I have some limited experience covering cross country -- I covered a couple CC events in Florida, and while I was at Florida State I did a couple feature pieces on the Seminoles' CC program and worked on the media guide -- but frankly it wasn't the sport I knew a lot about, or even wanted to cover -- so it wasn't my best work.

When I covered a CC meet I usually looked for the favorites or the strong programs and talked to their coaches and maybe a top finisher or two, usually looking for quotes about the course or the weather conditions - and just filled in the rest of the story with notable finishers and/or times.

Sorry I can't offer much more help - running was never my sport, so I don't know much about it. I can PM you a copy of one of the stories I wrote and a link to one of the FSU features if you're interested.

I can't help with the writing bit, but I have two years experience in CC from High School, and 3 years in college.

As I mentioned, this is a preview -- talk to the coach, overview of last season, returning starters/lettermen, yadda, yadda, yadda. The program is fairly new (as are both soccer teams), so I think I'm taking the same approach with all three: the challenges in building a team from the ground up, competing against schools with well-established programs, stuff like that.

I'm definitely coming back to both of you if I end up writing any XC features, though. (With limited space and several "team" sports to cover, we'll see ... but if I find a good story running around up on the hillside, I'm on it.)

And while I'm hoping to sneak in another interview tomorrow evening -- already got three scheduled and three more to go after that -- I promise (!) I'll get to that cellphone-modem thingy. Working 4-12s stinks as far as doing anything productive here at home ...

Fair enough. Like I said - I'm not sure how much help I'll be, but I'll be glad to try to answer any questions you may have.

As for the cell-phone modem - please do let me know how it works for you. We just got new phones on Monday and I haven't decided whether to buy the data cable for the new one yet. My first two games this weekend are just far enough out of the way to make driving somewhere else difficult, so I'll be finding a phone line and dialing in.

Your new phone didnt' come with a data cable?

God, I love Sony Ericsson.

Nope. I can only assume because it has bluetooth.

Neither of our LG phones - I got a basic VX5400 and the wife got the Chocolate - came with data cables.

On a side note I was hoping to transfer mp3's from the laptop to the phone through the bluetooth but am getting errors every time I try. Not sure if I'm missing something but they devices and laptop have discovered one another, are paired and powered on, but when I right-click and select "send to bluetooth device" I get an error message that reads: "This Bluetooth device or computer cannot process files of this type." Get the same error message for mp3s, JPEGs, everything.

From my understanding, the Chocolate is a Verizon-branded only phone, correct? 'Tis why it isn't working. Verizon cripples Bluetooth on their phones so you can't get it to work with computers. Both my roommates have Verizon, have done extensive research into it, and they !@#$ you over on pretty much everything - especially bluetooth.

Did I mention I love Sony Ericsson/AT&T? I got AT&T to give me 200 minutes free each month when I upgraded this past year, waived some transfer fees, and I got SE Walkman phones. Plus, I get another 15% off of my AT&T bill each month, and have u-verse and wireless.

one work around for Verizon, is if you have picture messaging, email your stuff to (your phone number) @vzwpix.com
for example 3155551212@vzwpix.com
I use this method for sending ringtones to my phone that I've made.

I figured it was something like that, given Verizon's history of trying to make you buy all content from them.

I've been using Phonezoo for new ringtones (didn't work with my previous phone) and they use that method, sending the ringtone to the phone via TXT/PIC messages.

Here's my first weekend report card:

I had two football games this weekend, and both were blowouts. Always fun to write about how one team kicked the snot out of the other.

Anyway at the first game I picked up an intermittent WiFi signal from the nearby high school, everything was going fine - and then at deadline, when I tried to access my Yahoo account to file via email, the school firewall zapped me -- said no access to web mail allowed. Had to climb back up into the press box and use the phone line and the AOL account.

Second game tonight, picked up a nearby unsecured wireless network and used that to get online. Thanks to whomever didn't secure their network.

I tried using my new phone as a Bluetooth modem to access my AOL account but it didn't work. I had some luck with my wife's new Chocolate - was able to connect but it said I had a wrong user name or password, which is possible - so I'll have to try that again when she gets back from Arizona. If that works I might exchange the LG VX5400 for a Chocolate, especially if I can figure out how to transfer a few songs onto the phone.

I've gotta find some alternate way to get online at these stadiums. After Friday's game I couldn't find my contact to get me into the school, so I tried going to places nearby that claimed to have WiFi access, but had no luck getting online anywhere. So after talking to my editors and letting them know I would be a few minutes late with the story, the database at the paper crashed and delayed delivery of the emails. We didn't get everything done, edited and clarified until after midnight. All this off a 10:45 deadline.

Had another one this week. My contact at the school didn't return my calls, gave vague replies to my emails, and after the game pretty much disappeared. I wrote the story, tried to find someone to help me get into the school, struck out there, and had to drive home to file. Was a couple minutes late for the deadline but nothing too serious.

I'm anxiously awaiting the day that someone offers a pay-as-you-go wireless broadband service.

In the meantime, has anyone taken advantage of the AT&T DSL + free WiFi access? I was wondering how well that works - the free access at WiFi hotspots, including Starbucks, McDonald's, etc.

Here's the deal - you will still need to pay AT&T a monthly fee. That monthly fee will cover a certain amount of data. With the free Wi-Fi, that usage won't count against your monthly data, but as with all Wi-Fi it's hit or miss where you'll find it.

Verizon has an offer called Day Pass that you might want to look at here. It appears from reading this that they're focusing on those notebooks that have the wide area wireless built in (instead of using air cards) but you might want to check with a Verizon store. The thing with Verizon is they have far far better 3G network coverage and with this program it looks like you can pay as you go. AT&T doesn't have a plan like this that I can see.

The way I read it is the free access at WiFi hotspots is included with the purchase of a certain AT & T DSL package, which includes places like McDonald's and Starbucks hotspots:


Looking at that Day Pass, it probably wouldn't be worth it for me. I need to be online once a week for about 5-10 minutes at the most. I have no use for 24 consecutive hours of access for $15. Plus neither of my laptops have a built-in card, so that doesn't help either.