internet access abroad

[under par]

My dad is totally computer illiterate but has just bought a lap top to take to South Africa for his 2 months holiday.

He wants to have internet access for Radio 4 and email and some internet usage.

He will not be staying in one of the large cities but will have a telephone line.

I am not sure if there is broadband in the area.


My quest is to find out
1.what he needs on his lap top to take to africa to be able to set up easily and are there any leads connectors required?

2. where to locate info re broadband in Barrydale South Africa.?

3.Are there any particulr common problems /faults using lap tops abroad to be aware of. ( I do not have a lap top myself!)

I am almost as computer illiterate as he and as I have to translate to him in words of one syllable so the use of plain english preferred if at all possible.

[Trousers]

mr par you'll either need to find a local service provider for the connection else he'll be phone long distance to get on his ordinary dial in.

I use aol (i can hear the derisive comments already) but they are a global company - select ya country and connect and for me so far (as i pay aol way too much) when I have been in europe my calls have been free.

international phone line adapters - definitely should take those and if its not a major town i'd slip in a circuit breaker plug too in case of spikes on the mains.

Wouldn't a short wave radio and internet cafes be easier?

[philsmove]

Does your dad have a mobile phone?

TEXT is a cheap, quick and reliable way of staying in touch abroad

Make sure text roaming is set up before he goes

turn off voice mail

If he has a hotmail account or similar

You can text him to go to an Internet café to say he an email

[Nick M]

Originally Posted by under par

My quest is to find out
1.what he needs on his lap top to take to africa to be able to set up easily and are there any leads connectors required?

2. where to locate info re broadband in Barrydale South Africa.?

3.Are there any particulr common problems /faults using lap tops abroad to be aware of. ( I do not have a lap top myself!)

Does he have a wireless modem? If so, then all he needs do is find a hotspot, eg from this list http://www.ezgoal.com/hotspots/wirel...u=South+Africa

If not, then I recall buying a CD from a petrol station in SA that bought me metered access to a service provider through the phone lines.

I cant recall what telephone sockets they have in SA, or whether his modem cable should be OK withouth an adapter, but have a good look for a converter for the power plug. These arent always easy to find, and I recall searching heathrow in vain for one a few years back. SA uses a three round pin plug of an unusual size.

HTH

Nick (online in Texas at the moment)