Attendees of my seminars have likely heard my claim that my primary editing location is the nearest Starbucks while jacked in wirelessly to the net. This is not exaggeration. I'm more hooked on the Intnernet access than I am the caffeine, if that's possible.

For those of you interested in joining me for latte-enabled scoping, first you need a PC card for your laptop. I highly recommend the 3Com model, as it's the only one I've found with a retractable antenna. I have a collection of those damn gray Socket serial card dongles that I've mangled, so one less thing to snap, rip or grind off my laptop is a great thing!

Step two is to find a location that offers access. Currently you can find WiFi at many airports, damn near every Starbucks in Harris County, and I saw an ad the other day that Marriott Courtyards now come with free unwired net. If you're curious where the nearest AP (or access point) is, Intel Corporation has now established a worldwide WiFi database. Yeah, where was that six months ago when I was wandering the streets of central London trying to e-mail my scopist?

Lastly, I must give credit to Kaveh Kanes Coffee in downtown Houston. They were the first location on the Texas Gulf Coast to set up free wireless access for their patrons, they make one mean chai tea, and your ass will thank you for every second you leave it in the leather chair by the front door. Definitely check them out on Prairie between Travis and Main.

"My favorite thing about the Internet is that you get to go into the private world of real creeps without having to smell them."-- Penn Jillette