1st post! Can my iMac "hit the road"?

[pebblepoint]

My dial up downloads at 26,000kbs.
Too slow to do updates, or to update my GPS.
Can't afford a laptop.
I have a truck camper with a table.
Idea- Take my iMac 17 to a local McDonald's or Paneras parking lot and do the above chores using their WiFi.
What do I need to buy in order to do this?
My OS is 10.4.8, Airport, Bluetooth.
As you can tell, I'm new at his so be kind.
thanks.
don

 

[zap2]

Assume McDonald's Wi-Fi is open, just run in, plug you're iMac in, start it up, do the updates, shut down(well make sure everything is running from the updates first), then leave.


You might get a few weird looks, but who really cares?


Oh wait, you're camper has power outlets in it? If so, seems pretty easy. Just park, start up the Mac, look for the Wi-Fi network. Assume you find it and its unlocked, you'll be good to go!

 

[Rhalliwell1]

Assume McDonald's Wi-Fi is open, just run in, plug you're iMac in, start it up, do the updates, shut down(well make sure everything is running from the updates first), then leave.


You might get a few weird looks, but who really cares?


Oh wait, you're camper has power outlets in it? If so, seems pretty easy. Just park, start up the Mac, look for the Wi-Fi network. Assume you find it and its unlocked, you'll be good to go!

If you do this, film it or take some pics. It will be hilarious!

 

[Willis]

All Mcdonalds here in the UK have free Wifi... when my internet was down, I spent 2 evenings in there haha. Although, at the time, I did work there but, I go in there all the time with my Macbook if some of my friends are working. (Pub across the road too, so, pop there after for a few drinks)

good times

 

[jmpage2]

You can buy a DC to AC power inverter for your truck. Plug it in to the 12V outlet in your truck and drive to some place with free wi-fi. Generally wi-fi is good to around 30-70 meters so as long as you park very close you should have no problem picking up the signal.

Plug the Mac into the power inverter and you're off to the races.

It's worth noting that in the States there are a few cases of people being arrested for using "free" wi-fi in this fashion as it has been argued that if you're not in the business buying stuff it is trespassing.

 

[adrianblaine]

It's worth noting that in the States there are a few cases of people being arrested for using "free" wi-fi in this fashion as it has been argued that if you're not in the business buying stuff it is trespassing.

I would warn about this too. I would pull up to either place and start your downloads, then go in and get some food and either eat it in there or in your truck while it finishes. That would basically be the same as taking a laptop inside. It's the least you could do.

 

[Sambo110]

How fast does dial up download? 26 kb/s? Some people over here have broadband that fast, we used to and it was fast enough to leave it over night to download stuff. But dial up that fast? That's crazy.

 

[dmmcintyre3]

How fast does dial up download? 26 kb/s? Some people over here have broadband that fast, we used to and it was fast enough to leave it over night to download stuff. But dial up that fast? That's crazy.

For it to be considered broadband it has to be 768KB/s you are probably confusing KB with MB

 

[Sambo110]

Umm, no I am not.

http://www.bigpond.com/internet/plans/adsl/plans-and-offers/

Look at the plans at the top of the chart.

 

[lordsion]

Mcdonalds in Australia where i am only gives you like a 1GB or 2 Gb limit!

 

[OrangeSVTguy]

I know that places like Starbucks offers free access to Apple.com.... I don't know why that is as I can surf the Apple Store or their site but everything else is blocked if you don't purchase their WiFi.

Now I don't know if that's true about downloading updates? I've never tried that

 

[trose]

How fast does dial up download? 26 kb/s? Some people over here have broadband that fast, we used to and it was fast enough to leave it over night to download stuff. But dial up that fast? That's crazy.

His dialup is 26,000 kilobits. That means it downloads at 2.6/kilobytes. A substantial difference.

The broadband you are referring to, that downloads around 26kB/s, is most likely 256,000kilobits.

It's rather confusing, because companies & people always refer to their connection speed in kilobits/sec, but refer to their download speed in kilobytes/sec.

And actually, dmmcintyre3, you are incorrect- "Broadband" does not have an official definition. In some areas, it's marketed as 128kb+/sec, in some it's 256... I've even seen 64kb/sec ISDN rated as broadband.

 

[fohawk17]

ou should be fine.... just make sure to enjoy a big mac while it is updating.....