Cellular link lets computers access the Internet

Tag : USB Connection Cable

That said, I was surprised to find transferring files (such asdigital photos I shot) often seemed faster than my Clearwirenetwork at home. Uploading the final files for my book projectwasn't the grueling test of patience I expected.
Pricing depends on the device and carrier; the KPC680 can bepurchased online for $50 with a two-year contract; broadband accesscosts $60 for 5 gigabytes of data transfer per month, or $40 for amere 50 megabytes, with per-megabyte charges applied if you exceedthose limits.
If I traveled more, I would consider using one of these devices,but currently that's more expensive than what I'm paying forInternet access at home; plus, as I mentioned, I'm surrounded byinexpensive Wi-Fi most of the time.
Sharing the connection: Although I'm the resident geek in the family, it wouldn't havebeen nice for me to hog all the Internet access on vacation. Mysister-in-law brought along her MacBook — which does notinclude an ExpressCard slot.
No problem. Once connected via the Verizon card, I enabled Internetsharing on my MacBook Pro.
In System Preferences, I opened the Sharing preference pane andclicked the Internet Sharing box in the left column; under Mac OS X10.4 Tiger, you'd click the Internet tab.
Next, I specified the ExpressCard from the "Share your connectionfrom" pop-up menu. Since the Internet connection was coming inwirelessly from the Verizon card, my built-in AirPort was unused,so I specified AirPort in the "To computers using" field. Finally,clicking the AirPort Options button gave me the option to create myown personal Wi-Fi network.
The MacBook immediately saw my network and asked to join it, whichgave my sister-in-law the same Internet access I was using. I couldcontinue finishing my project while she checked her e-mail, lookedup things to do in Santa Barbara, or let my nephew explore anamusing kids Web site from Disney called Club Penguin ( www.clubpenguin.com ).
Internet sharing works on any network connection. That capabilitycomes in handy when you're staying in a hotel that providesInternet access to just one computer (usually via Ethernet) and youwant to share with family members' or colleagues' computers.
Then again, if you're getting online using a cellular modem, youmay not need to bother with what the hotel offers you (often for anoutrageous fee).
Jeff Carlson and Glenn Fleishman write the Practical Mac column forPersonal Technology and about technology in general for The SeattleTimes and other publications. Send questions to carlsoncolumn@mac.com . More Practical Mac columns at www.seattletimes.com/columnists .