[Grassroots-l] Can I get internet on my laptop anywhere in the world

[Steve Holton]

On Wed, Jul 29, 2009 at 3:40 PM,
petrov.gazprom at gmail.com<petrov.gazprom at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hello,
> Can i get internet on my laptop anywhere in the world?

I think the answer you're looking for is "no".  Internet is only
available where it is available. (That is a pretty useless answer, I
admit.)  The Wikipedia may offer a better one:
-   http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet#Internet_access

> I need a little help/direction before I can start.  Any nuggets of wisdom would be
> absolutely great and very much appreciated.

Well, since you put it that way...

A lot depends on what kind of laptop you have. Most laptops are
equipped with a wireless interface (WiFi) which would allow you to
connect to any wireless access point (WAP's) which is in range (a
couple of hundred meters maximum) and for which the owner of the WAP
has granted you access.

Generally speaking, you will only find WAP's in more populated areas
(such as large cities) or in specific locations where it is deemed
necessary. In general, a wireless access point will only exist in
locations where both underlying grid-based electrical power and an
underlying telecommunications infrastructure (landline-based
telephones) are common.

Some laptops are equipped with Internet service provided over
cell-phone networks, and so the availability of Internet service
roughly corresponds to the area of cell phone coverage. Differences
between cell phone service providers and the capabilities they provide
create areas where cell phone based Internet service is not available
even if cell phone voice service is. More information would be
available from each specific provider.

If you are needing Internet access in places like the open ocean,
uninhabited desert, uninhabited jungle or savanna areas, (places not
covered by cell phone service) you would likely need a satellite-based
Internet service. Most laptops are not equipped with satellite-based
Internet service.

I hope this helps.

(Of course, I'm using the definition of "Internet" which includes
access to web sites like Google and Yahoo. There is another definition
of internet which includes any capability of networking two or more
computers together.)
-- 
Steve Holton
sph0lt0n at gmail.com