This may be a dumb question, but is wireless internet the same all over?
Will a laptop computer from the US work with an Aussie WiFi connection?
Are wifi hot spots widely found or only in the big tourist areas and large cities?

Can't decide whether to take or leave it, but sure don't want to take it if it will be useless!

Thanks!

As far as I know WiFi standards are the same everywhere.

Free WiFi is widely available in Autralia - this site provides a region-by-region listing of locations.

www.freewifi.com.au/hotspots_wifi_info.htm

Thanks for that, Neil.

So if we have your own laptop, with internal wireless thingamajiggy, will we be able to grab a signal wherever we get one, or pay for it, or be given a password to use it?

Sorry, KimbyMT, you've reached the limits of my very thin knowledge of this subject.

I'm assuming, but have never put it to the test, that you should be able to fire up your laptop in a McDonalds, say, and get immediate free access. I was hoping that someone with actual experience would chime in.

I travel around Australia with my laptop Kimby, and there are numerous "hot spots" including, as Neil says, McDonalds. Most hotels either have free or charged wireless internet access, and there are often wifi hotspots in coffee shops. In remote areas, as you would expect, access is more limited.