In an increasingly wireless world, there are lots of places where you might connect your laptop to the internet when you are out and about. These places are called "hotspots," and if you understand where to find them, you may never want to go home again.

How To Find Public Hotspots

The first place to look for hotspots is big public institutions. Libraries are increasingly offering wireless access. And, if youre a student, chances are that your campus is already wireless-enabled, or will be soon.

Searching Out Private Hotspots

The private sector, though, is the real growth area in wireless hotspots. Businesses are falling over themselves to provide costless internet access to their customers. Cafes, hotels and airports are all starting to offer wireless access to anyone nearby. All you absolutely need to bring is a wireless ready laptop.

You may wonder how it benefits businesses to offer free of price wireless internet access. They are willing to pay the minimal cost in exchange for the new customers it brings in, especially in areas where internet access is hard to find. Customers see wireless access as a big added assessment of worth , and they vote with their feet and wallets for places that provide it.

Tracking Down The Hotspots

Even though there are thousands of hotspots, they dont advertise this accomadation well. Doing an internet search for hotspots in your town could really surprise you. In a town of any size, it would be surprising if there werent lots of hotspots to choose from.

There are plenty of web sites you can go to to find hotspots. The most comprehensive, though, is commonly thought to be JiWire.com. Or you can type your zip code into Yahoo Maps and choose WiFi Hotspots from the menu on the right of the screen.

Cant be bothered with all this? Then just look for a Starbucks. They are everywhere, and almost all of them offer wireless internet access. Borders and Kinkos are also dazzling places to try. Failing that, just ask at a place of your choice.

Not All Hotspots Are Free

Some of the larger hotspot networks require a small fee to a wireless Internet Service Provider to use them. You usually buy a prepaid card where the access is offered -- its elegant and affordable. If you want to save your funds , just stick to the smaller, independent places.

Get Your Own Free Hotspot Software

If you like visiting hotspots, you might be interested in an easier way to find them. Just download and install hotspot locator software on your computer. This software has a database of known hotspots that you might search at any measure , whether youre online or offline. Just type in a zip code or the title of the town, and the software will give you a list of the nearest hotspots, sorted by distance from you. Each instant you make an Internet connection, the software downloads the latest hotspot list, to keep your database current. How cool is that?

This hotspot locator software is available free of cost from hotspot provider sites. T-Mobile Hotspot, for example, at: http://www.tmobile.com/hotspot.