If it turns out that we need to bring our laptop for some business - what will we need to do to make it work? we will be in riviera and provence? <BR>Thanks for any advice.

Most laptops have AC adapters ("bricks") that are compatible with europe 220 voltage power. You'll need an adapter plug, which costs only a few dollars (US). <BR> <BR>For internet connection, I recommend forget it. I have wasted more time trying to get good and affordable (got one but never both) internet connection than you can imagine. <BR> <BR>Take a floppy and locate one or more cybercafes. I find a laptop useful for "offline" reading and writing, and I carry the floppy with me when I go to a cybercafe. <BR> <BR>Best wishes, <BR> <BR>Rex <BR>

I'm afraid I disagree, but then I can't live without my e-mail. AOL has connections all over Europe, but also includes a service charge. Lots of hotels have an internet provider already arranged. But at the same time, many also have business centers you can use. Depends on how comfortable you are playing around with telphony and the like, and how bad you need your pc. Bring mine everywhere.

Bonjour, <BR> <BR>We have an apartment in the Latin Quarter and I'm always on the computer checking e-mail, and I do bring my laptop when we travel to Paris. But I agree with Rex, I go to the local cyber-cafe (there are probable 3 within a few blocks) and for a few francs ~ 10 to 20 I can get on there computer and check my email, website etc. <BR> <BR>We are just now getting a satellite hook up for CNN BBC ESPN etc. We had to wait for the annual meeting of the Copropriataires, and there was some resistance from some of the older tenants including the president of the association. <BR> <BR>We will be looking into the cost of internet access over the next few months, dsl or satellite. I will be glad to report on my findings, but it probably won't be before summer. <BR> <BR>Ciao, <BR> <BR>Randy Smith

I don't even understand what "joe t" disagrees on. <BR> <BR>He states that AOL has surcharges, that business centers are more convenient, that you have to be comfortable "playing around" with telephony. <BR> <BR>What IS your point of disagreement, joe? <BR>

Considering the number of posts on this subject, isn't there a business opportunity for an international ISP? <BR> <BR>elyse- most laptops accept a wide range of power sources, check the manual or just look at the writing beside the pwer inlet.You will need an adaptor to make the plug fit, get it locally then you know its right. <BR> <BR>For internet access you'll probably have to sign on with an ISP with a local server, also find out what call charges you may incur - local calls are not always free.(never are in the UK)You can buy a modem cord to fit the local phones easily.In some hotels you can't use the one in your room, the internal network defeats it. <BR>Overall I think Rex's method is best, use the cafe & a floppy.

elyse: <BR>While traveling thru Europe, Australia and New Zealand, I look for a cybercafe to check my email and keep in touch. Never been disappointed. Last week in London I paid 1 pound sterling for 60 minutes on line. <BR>John

I dial into my ISP when I'm in the UK. I use AT&T on my home PC, and I just had to install the software on my work laptop, and find out the dial-in numbers for the my location. Haven't had any problems at all.

Thanks everyone for the suggestions...We are going to France in a week and it is going to be a surprise trip for my husband- I have beenworking out all the details when all of a sudden he comes home the other day and says that he is going to be answering questions on our city's local website about law...and that he will be bringing his laptop on our (make-believe) trip to Key West... <BR> <BR>SO, I am trying to get him NOT to do any "work" on this trip- so that he doesnt have to bring it and I don't have to worry about it... <BR> <BR>Since I do not know much about his laptop- will it be easy if I give him one day (a Saturday) to find these converters, etc...if he needs to? He told me that he just has to dial into his firm or to load AOL on the laptop. But as I said, he thinks that we will be in the states... <BR> <BR>So-I will pass on your posts to him when I break the news that France awaits us- if you can think of anything else that I have forgotten dealing with this - I would appreciate anything. <BR>elyse

Awesome. I think the key is just making sure he has the floppy disks, as others have mentioned. Your hotel can help you find a cybercafe. <BR>

My point "Rex" was that I don't agree with your statement that its better to not try to get an internet connection. Usually at tops it cost $20.00 USD for a full month, plus whatever phone charges. Even if you are there for just a few days, that's not very expensive. If you have a problem calling a local isp, getting the dns info and setting up dun--a process of about five minutes--then yes, you are probably better off with a cyber cafe or something.

Elyse: <BR> <BR>Speaking from 9 years of experience, use a cybercafé for e-mail. Laptops can consume your entire trip to Europe, trying to set them up, etc. <BR>Bonne chance!

Better yet throw away your laptop and enjoy your vacation unconnected! No phones, no pagers, no papers, no news , no cybercafes..what are holidayts for??

Didn't mean to be flip, just was telling what I had experienced in using internet in Europe. Maybe it is better to just leave the thing at home. <BR>Ciao!

Taking a laptop doesn't have to necessarily have anything to do with being "connected" to back home. A laptop is the only way I would do any serious writing (as in journal writing) unless I had absolutely no other choice. <BR> <BR>And I don't know why it would be wrong to e-mails on the road - - or even reply, in brief, to them. If someone sent you a postcard to the thotel where you are staying - - would you not read it because you re "on vacation"? And don't we send postcards to people? I foresee the posting of photos online from digital cameras, off-loaded at cybercafes to be one of the best possible ways to say "The weather is great; wish you were here". <BR> <BR>Isn't that what we're supposed to write? <BR> <BR>Or is it <BR> <BR>"The weather is here; wish you were great" <BR> <BR>I always get that mixed up. <BR>