Best way to run websites while on the move in the UK please?

I’m hoping for some help.

I’m in New Zealand just now. Next year I’ll be in the UK and moving around within the UK and possibly Europe a little too. What do you think is the best portable computer / internet connection solution available so I can run my websites without having to resort to internet cafes and other potentially insecure facilities? I'll be working for a few hours each day on my sites so public facilities are no good for this reason too.

I’m thinking about a laptop and some sort of satellite or wireless connection but I really don’t know a whole lot about this and there may be far better solutions available. I've run everything from desktops so far and I just don't know what the best solution for me would be in the UK. Can anyone help point me in the right direction please?

Thank you

 

Satellite connection will cost a LOT! The other option is to connect via your mobile phone but then again some networks might not support this.

 

Yes, I'd prefer not to spend thousands on a solution.

After doing a little searching, it looks like wireless internet is only available in the South East of England.

I'd be grateful for any other ideas for internet on the move in the UK please.

 

Heres what you need really.

Built in Wifi, built in standard modem, Spare battery, european telephone connectors and plug adaptors.

The UK has ALOT of free wifi connections.

You also need a 3G datacard - that way you can deal with your secure stuff on your own mobile connection. - I have heard they are no offering unlimited access too (though its slowish). You will be able to access your net from most of the UK that way. Cards are supplied by Orange, Vodafone, T Mobile + most mobile phone providers. - Not very good for going around europe though.

Use your wifi for general use (loads of bars, public places and peoples homes have wifi setup + it will be BIG this xmas - so the new year will see loads more).

If you can then get to a position you can run your whole business from any connected machine.

I have travelled through France, Holland, Germany, Switzerland, UK, the biggest problem is weight and battery power - Hence I just a G4 - the built in bits make life a fair bit easier, not all that clutter to deal with. Also I have never had a problem connecting using macs wifi.
Just watch out for the faulty powersupplies

 

^
L---- What he said

Every Starbucks / Costa in the UK has Wifi, I think with T-Mobile. Vodafone is big on access at airports. Both are carriers available in most Western European countries (Holland, Germany etc.).

 

You have to seperate 3 things:
Paid Wifi - operated by the mobile phone companies - on trains, airports etc.
3G - Lower speed, expensive connections - works ANYWHERE.
Free wifi - Operated at many bars, clubs, restaurants, libraries, even large parts of the UK are being wifi enabled - Brighton Beach, Shoreditch (east london)

Which after 10 years of a BT monopoly its nice to see we are finally catching back up.

Expect to dial up sometimes

 

3G through orange works well - depending where in the UK you are.
You can add 'dsl connections with clueless homeowners and businesses' to Free wifi. They're not hard to find - well in my city they're not.

 

Alot of people leave it open because they 'do' have a clue

 

Thanks for these replies DA, Tops and JL. After reading them, I'm feeling even less tech savvy than usual.

If I understand things right, lots of people in the UK have wifi in their homes and most of them haven't secured it, so, if I'm lucky, I can piggy back on someone else's wifi. Yes?

If I'm not lucky and I'm trying to work from a location with no internet connection and there is no wifi for me to piggy back on, then I'd be best to go for the 3G option? If so, how expensive would this be and what's the best speed I could get from it? Is this basically a mobile phone connection/souped-up mobile connection?

As for the clueless homeowners, or "not so clueless" homeowners, if I were to piggyback on the wifi of a "not so clueless" homeowner, is there a privacy threat that they would be able to read the content of my messages / data if they are unencrypted?

From doing a little reading, it seems that clueless wifi owners may be providing a good opportunity for spammers to piggy back on.

Thanks again.

 

Yes, there are plenty of free hotspots in bars + houses..

for example:
http://www.mobiles.co.uk/vodafone-3g-mobile-connect-data-card.html

If you are worried, be as safe as you can.

Doubt any good spammer could be bothered to 'go' and find a hotspot when all they have to do is send a virus to someones machine

 

Are you running from something???

SB