First time wireless laptop user in Europe

Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (More info?)

I will be traveling to Europe and have questions about using a
wireless connection there for my laptop.
I have a Dlink 114 (802.11b) wireless router at home and a wireless
card for my Dell 2650 laptop. As I set my system up using furnished
DLink software that has a WEP encryption option, which I opted to
use,
I was concerned if that will present a problem for me at local hot
spots when traveling.
Also if I use a hotel wired broadband option I assume I will have to
remove the wireless card and replace it with an ethernet card in the
same laptop slot.
Any help in understanding wireless or broadband connecting when
traveling will be greatly appreciated!

Archived from groups: alt.internet.wireless (More info?)

North America uses only channels 1 - 11, but Europe also uses channels 12
and 13. You may find yourself trying to use a hotspot centered on one of
these channels, in which case your US D-Link adapter probably will not work.
Otherwise, you shouldn't have a problem. Europe also limits transmit power
to a lower level than the FCC, but almost all off-the-shelf equipment
transmits at powers well below the European limit.

As for WEP, it's not used at any hotspot. Using WEP would mean they'd have
to give out the key, which defeats the point of using encryption with a
secret key. So yes, don't use WEP. Remember, this leaves you wide open.
Anyone can browse the email you exchange, or capture POP server
userid/password information. You're safe on web pages that say "https", or
if you use VPN - otherwise, assume that strangers might be watching.

Doesn't your laptop have Ethernet on the motherboard? If it does, no need to
get a PCMCIA card for that, and no need to pop the wifi adapter when you use
the Ethernet. I don't think I've ever seen a laptop that doesn't have
builtin Ethernet, although I'm sure some exist.

"victor voul" <mouln@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:30da9028.0407040507.274c6c3e@posting.google.com...
> I will be traveling to Europe and have questions about using a
> wireless connection there for my laptop.
> I have a Dlink 114 (802.11b) wireless router at home and a wireless
> card for my Dell 2650 laptop. As I set my system up using furnished
> DLink software that has a WEP encryption option, which I opted to
> use,
> I was concerned if that will present a problem for me at local hot
> spots when traveling.
> Also if I use a hotel wired broadband option I assume I will have to
> remove the wireless card and replace it with an ethernet card in the
> same laptop slot.
> Any help in understanding wireless or broadband connecting when
> traveling will be greatly appreciated!