We've been giving this seminar since 2004. We don't know how many times, but its well over 100. I swear it's always different though. This stuff changes so fast. In 2004 we still had to cover dial up a bit. The main option was Wi-Fi, Cellular data cards didn't exist, and satellite was pretty new.
Now - dial up is akin to chipping on clay tablets, Cellular data cards are mainstream, and satellite is old hat. Besides the changes in technology, new people are just taking to the road all the time. One of their very first questions is, "How am I going to get online when I'm on the road?"
We just love answering that question because we've 'been there, done that.' We've used all three methods, and helped litterally hundreds of people with their systems - so we've seen a lot. We love it that our audiences have newbies - one woman said she retired 10 days ago and has been on the road just long enough to make it to the rally. And we enjoy the challenge of the old-timers who have technical questions on the right kind of antenna, amplifier, or router. Here's our audience at the Escapade.
Here's Jim teaching the seminar in his Captain Wi-Fi shirt. It's actually a battery powered wireless signal detector - this picture shows that he's only getting one bar of signal.
And, here's where we explain exactly how Wi-Fi in an RV park works. We find it really helps people to understand exactly what is going on.
For example, why is it that you can see the message 'connected' and have 5 bars, yet still not be able to browse the Internet? Well - that's because the 'connection' is just between your computer and the hotspot's access point. That's just the first leg of the trip to the Internet. The hotspot's access point must be successfully connected to the Internet . We explain that with graphics and with stories from our experience, as well as a demonstration using our own router as a fake hotspot. Next time this happens to one of our students, they'll know what to do - report it to the hotspot's owner. Even if it doesn't get them online - their frustration level will be much lower because they know what's going on.
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