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frmikeminn said:Any recent take on the availability of good cafe's or other sites?
EvaF said:My husband is nothing but supportive but at times our daughter is very specific about who she wants to meet her needs. LoL.
How practical is it, really, to bring along a tablet or a laptop? I will admit to being supercnnected at me, with a laptop, an iPad, a Kindle... But I wondered about what the hiking conditions would do to sensitive electronics. I do plan to bring my unlocked iPhone 4S but I don't expect to be really able to do any serious writing or blogging from it.
BoldenMD said:How practical is it, really, to bring along a tablet or a laptop? I will admit to being supercnnected at me, with a laptop, an iPad, a Kindle... But I wondered about what the hiking conditions would do to sensitive electronics. I do plan to bring my unlocked iPhone 4S but I don't expect to be really able to do any serious writing or blogging from it.
I can't even be bothered to log in even if there is a free and available computer....
actually this is a general thing with me when i travel..
BoldenMD said:How practical is it, really, to bring along a tablet or a laptop?
Q. How can I secure my notebook at public Wi-Fi hotspots?
A. Since public hotspots generally don't use encryption, you should assume that anyone can see your Internet traffic unless you take precautions.
Make sure it's a legitimate hotspot: Nefarious types have been known to set up pirate routers with familiar SSID names like "wayport" or "t-mobile," and then use them to capture unsuspecting users' log-on information and other private data.
Verify that your PC's software firewall is turned on, and that Windows' file-sharing feature is off; it's off by default in Windows XP with Service Pack 2. To check this setting, open Control Panel and choose Windows Firewall (you may have to click Security Center first in XP or Security in Vista). In XP, select the Exceptions tab, and look in the Programs and Services to make sure "File and Printer Sharing" is unchecked. In Vista, click Change settings, then select the Exceptions tab and follow the instructions for XP.
Never send bank passwords, credit card numbers, confidential e-mail, or other sensitive data unless you're sure you're on a secure site: Look for the lock icon in the bottom-right corner of your browser, as well as a URL in the address bar that begins with https. Such sites build in their own encryption.
Always turn your Wi-Fi radio off when you're not at a hotspot: Hackers can use it to create peer-to-peer Wi-Fi connections with your computer and access it directly.
To each his or her own, why even bother by logging in to this forum to express your increasingly divisive and isolated view?
falcon269 said:Like a Rolex watch, an iPad will draw attention. I can visualize a wolf pack following someone who has displayed an iPad, just waiting for a chance to acquire it! An actual internet connection for an iPad will be rare. In the WiFi spots, it will work well. While I did not find many albergues with WiFi, bars, restaurants, and hostales regularly have it. Most of the time you will have to ask for the contrasena to sign in. An advantage of an iPhone is that you can carry it in an accessible pocket and check for WiFi at every coffee stop. An iPad in a pack will be much less accessible. Except for the screen size and keypad, the iPad is less convenient than an iPhone, and everyone has an iPhone, or similar device, so it is not really a magnet for crime.
Am I reading this right? Isn't this forum all about sharing their views and experiences? Anyone who finds the use or non-use of computers (of all things) on the Camino as divisive and isolating doesn't really get it, in my opinion. Buen Camino! :?NaKwendaSafari said:Pieces wrote
I can't even be bothered to log in even if there is a free and available computer....
actually this is a general thing with me when i travel..
To each his or her own, why even bother by logging in to this forum to express your increasingly divisive and isolated view?
NaKwendaSafari wrote:
Pieces wrote
I can't even be bothered to log in even if there is a free and available computer....
actually this is a general thing with me when i travel..
To each his or her own, why even bother by logging in to this forum to express your increasingly divisive and isolated view?
Am I reading this right? Isn't this forum all about sharing their views and experiences? Anyone who finds the use or non-use of computers (of all things) on the Camino as divisive and isolating doesn't really get it, in my opinion
I cannot find that in any of Pieces' contributions. Do you have a specific example or complaint? Your statement is quite harsh if it is based solely on your general opinion. Your own words four years agowhy even bother by logging in to this forum to express your increasingly divisive and isolated view?
Do you think now that Pieces should walk a "connected" pilgrimage so she is not isolated?You are sorely needed on this soapbox, too often this forum is unfortunately dominated by those intent on bragging about the way a "proper pilgrim" should do a pilgrimage.
I just returned from the Camino. For the first time in my life, I traveled with a Smart Phone in order to keep in touch with the family back in the US. I had free wi-fi in more than half of the albergues. I'd say that there were fewer than half a dozen evenings that I did not have easy access to my email communication. I wonder what the pilgrims of five hundred years ago would think of that?!
Hey Noah, Once you have Sprint's ok to unlock the phone, they will send you a code and set of instructions on how to unlock the phone. On my phone (t-mobile) the process is completed after the new SIM card is placed in the phone. It's a matter of keying in a set of numbers specific to your phone. Some companies will not unlock a phone for a period of after you initially sign up with their service. Also, with my t-mobile phone it took a little time, and a couple of emails back and forth to get the unlock codes and the instructions. I tell you this in case it's the same with Sprint, that it doesn't happen instantaneously. Pennie
Thank you Pennie! I stopped by my local Sprint store and the young man there is astonishingly bright and helpful. I've been consulting with him since I initially purchased the phone [ see if this jibes with your experience ].
He, at first, said I could just go over and start using it. I asked if this wouldn't be a bit expensive and asked about the "locked / un-locked" phone situation as well as a SIM card. He immediately jumped to this scenario to help me with and stated that I could call Sprint Worldwide Services [ even gave me the number, bless his heart ] just before I left and they could un-lock my phone right there while on the phone with them.
I then chatted with a couple of different techs at Sprint Worldwide Services and they both related the same. "Buy a SIM card once I arrive in Madrid".
I also checked with folks here about where to buy a SIM card, not having done so before in Madrid [ was there in 2000 and Valencia ]. I googled these services as well as Madrid-Barajas Airport which gave me the Chrystal Media Shop [ Terminal T and Boarding area C ] and I reviewed their website and it "seems like" they may have what I need. This route was also allegedly a less expensive way to go.
I also learned [ if I got this correctly ] that I would have a different phone number and would be under the auspices of the local Spain provider during my tenure on Camino Frances. Upon my return I would have to switch back to my SIM card for Sprint.
I hope its not too complicated as you describe. As mentioned, I am not a "techie" and abhor technology unless a "3 year old" can operate the device.
Thank you again for sharing your experience. Its good to know.
¡Ultreia!
Noah
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Yes, I understood I could use my phone as is but that that would be considerably more expensive than getting the SIM card over there. With the new SIM card it is my understanding too that we will have new spanish phone numbers. We need to be sure that we keep track of our American SIM card and don't lose it on our trips. I saw on another post you asked if the apps we've already downloaded on our phones would still be there. If you get an answer to that question, I would sure appreciate it if you would let me know. I'm curious about that too. Also, if I learn anything during my trip about any of this (I leave next week) I'll let you know. Pennie
I just returned from the Camino. For the first time in my life, I traveled with a Smart Phone in order to keep in touch with the family back in the US. I had free wi-fi in more than half of the albergues. I'd say that there were fewer than half a dozen evenings that I did not have easy access to my email communication. I wonder what the pilgrims of five hundred years ago would think of that?!
My sons and I are bringing our smart phones and I was wanting to post pix along the way on Face Book. How difficult was it to charge you phone and was the international data charges overwhelming?
Thanks,
Bill
Thanks Noah, for the feed back.
PS we are midwesterners from St Louis and will be starting first of July so if I can help with questions, once we return, I would be happy.
Buen Camino
Bill
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