thinkingbouteurope
Full Travel Member
There's comes a time in every man's life, and I've had many of them.
Posts: 39
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Post by thinkingbouteurope on May 21, 2007 19:07:03 GMT -5
What determines if email and websites are accessible in Europe (or outside the US)? The email provider? The webmaster? Is Google's gmail accessible? Is Google (but probably defaults to the language of the country you're in)? Was wondering while reading why you need to set up an email address for a trip to Europe? Perhaps AOL, others are not accessbile in Europe? ... a wandering, wondering mind  |
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Post by WillTravel on May 21, 2007 20:22:39 GMT -5
Unless the country practices web censorship, which so far as I know no European country does, these email programs will all be available if they have a webmail access option.
In many cities you can ask for an English-language keyboard at the Internet cafe, which makes life easier. If Google comes up defaulted for the country's language, it is easy to change it to the language you want. But even if you don't, searching is still very easy.
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Post by Eagle on May 22, 2007 19:09:51 GMT -5
As WT mentioned, you shouldn't have any trouble with GMail or similar E-mail services. I had no problems accessing my "home" webmail service while travelling around Europe.
WT brings up another interesting point, regarding Keyboards. I didn't bother asking for an English keyboard, but just tried to adapt to whatever was being used. I found the Keyboards in France were the MOST difficult and slowest for me to use. I did find one Net Cafe in Switzerland that had most of the computers already configured with English / North American type Keyboards.
One other point to mention regarding Internet access, is that in some countries you will have to "register" before you can access the net. This is especially true in Italy (part of the "security regulations").
Cheers!!!
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Post by scribbledhearts on May 23, 2007 13:49:04 GMT -5
In the U.S., you can go to a coffee shop and get free wi-fi/wireless internet...is there any place like that in Europe? I'll be in Milan if that helps...I'm wondering if I should bring my laptop.
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Post by WillTravel on May 23, 2007 17:07:08 GMT -5
Yes, many places have free wi-fi. I seem to recall Burger King is one such place, and possibly McDonald's, and no doubt local places too, but you'll have to double-check.
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Post by Eagle on May 23, 2007 23:56:00 GMT -5
scribbledhearts,
Unless you need your Laptop for school or business, my preference would be to leave it at home. In addition to the extra weight and nuisance of hauling it around Europe, Laptops tend to have a high "worry factor" when travelling, both due to damage or theft. You would have to ensure that it was locked up during the day when you're out touring. Also, you might find that Wi-Fi access is somewhat "random" or have a fee associated with it. In other words, you wouldn't be saving much (if any) over the cost of using an Internet Cafe.
Happy travels!!!
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Post by scribbledhearts on May 24, 2007 11:18:41 GMT -5
I'm au pairing for a family in Milan, so I won't really do dragging it around Europe. How the "random" wi-fi charge a fee? I can usually just plug a laptop in at a coffee shop and the internet starts working
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Post by WillTravel on May 24, 2007 15:38:30 GMT -5
They can charge you a fee if there is password access to the wifi. Here's a list of free spots in Milan: milano.tonight.eu/locali/free_wi-fiIn general, I'd agree with no laptop when traveling, if you don't absolutely need it. If you are going to be away for the summer in one place, maybe you'd appreciate it, though. |
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Post by scribbledhearts on May 25, 2007 17:49:16 GMT -5
Does if matter if I buy my laptop from the US? I wouldn't have to change anything or hook anything up right?
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