The down side of being on the road is being away from the information technologies we''ve become so accustomed to in our homes and offices. Luckily, today''s technology makes it easier than ever to communicate, no matter how far away from home you are. Lightweight laptops, wireless Wi-Fi Internet connections and computer friendly hotels have made sending an email while traveling as easy as it is when you''re at home.
Internet cafés are growing in popularity and can be found in cities around the world. In addition to offering food and drink, Internet cafés also offer access to the World Wide Web. Some Internet cafés charge for computer use, but a growing number of locations offer patrons free Internet access.
Some Internet cafés have computers wired and ready for use, while others offer a place to plug in your laptop and surf. Others offer wireless service, also known as Wi-Fi, inside the café. Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that allows multiple devices to share a single high-speed Internet connection. In other words, if you have a wireless card in your laptop, you can surf the Internet and send emails without plugging in any wires.
Many hotel chains are well aware of the importance of having Internet access at customers'' fingertips at all times. They offer both wireless connections and easy-to-use high-speed options.
If you''re visiting a technology-minded hotel that offers high-speed or wireless Internet access, ensure in advance that your laptop is equipped with the tools necessary to access these services. If you have only dial-up access, you can often plug right into a phone jack and send email using a dial-up provider.
If you plan to spend a lot of time away from home, a web-based email account is your best option. A web-based email account allows you to access your email from any computer around the world.
When you use a web-based email account, all of your account information is stored on a server so that you can access the information from any computer. If you''re accustomed to getting your email from your office network, arrange to have your mail forwarded to your web account for the duration of your trip.