WiFi for free!

I have my laptop with me here in Paris. I write texts with it (like this one) and watch DVD's and video files and use various programs, but without internet connection the usage of computer feels limited. When ever I want to check the spelling of some word or if I want any kind of up-to-date information (wiki, message boards, news feeds etc.) or just to keep in touch with relatives and friends - it can't be done!

Now you say there is another ways of doing all of those things - the old way. You want information - go to library. Wanna hear how are things in home country - use the phone. Well, but the old ways are the old ways (not to mention they are slower, difficult and expencive) - I need my internet! It has become important part of my daily life - I am a web addict. So to keep my addiction going strong I went looking for Wifi (preferably for free).

First of all. There is this firm called "WiFirst" which is selling a wireless network access at the prise of 14 euros for a 20 hours surfing. Thing works through these connection points called "tipi" and every WLAN card at the area is automaticly contacted. When I opened my browser it loaded up a WiFirst addverticing page - other pages couldn't be contacted - and through that page getting a connection is easy. As I am used to have internet open all the time and would be using it about 3 to 4 hours daily that 20 hour limit comes up quite fast. In comparison, the ADSL connection which I have home costs me only 23 euros per whole month without trafic or time limits - so in that perspective the WiFirst is expensive and frustrating. I don't want to check my watch every now and then to see do I still have connection time left. It would be like going back in time in the age of 56 kbps modem and pay-per-hour surfing. One page would load about 10 seconds and if you would like to read a long article then you had to cut the connection to save money and only connect again when you would load something on to your machine. One hour would cost something like 50 cent and in one month the total cost could rise to big numbers. No more those times, thank you!

Totally free option is to look for a newly opened WiFi point from the city or look out internet cafes that provide WiFi for free. Hotspot Locator is good to track down a WiFi hotspots. The city of Paris has build up a free WiFi hotpoint system in various parks, squares and office buildings around Paris. I used the one in the Hôtel de Ville's square. Later I found out that also the Pompidou Center provided free Wifi connection. There you can be indoors and a good point is also that there is electricity sockets in the walls - which you can use to power your laptop (battery doesn't last that long). Guards and personel of Pompidou center don't always approve the usage of those power sockets, but you should do it so that they don't notice. 

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