New to laptops

[Adam]

Hi everyone! I'm familiar with desktop systems, but I just got my first
laptop (IBM/Lenovo Thinkpad T60 refurbished -- holiday gift to myself!)
and I feel almost like a newbie again. Would anyone be able to post
some nice links that explain -- well, just about anything that an
experienced desktop user wouldn't know, either generally or specific to
ThinkPads or my T60. Everything from choosing a case/backpack/pouch to
securing my data, and how to connect to public Wi-Fi (I know how to
connect to my own) to good sources of accessories and information. I've
set it up as multiboot, Windows XP and Linux, and expect to use it at my
home, public Wi-Fi sites, and at a few friends' homes. Thanks VERY much
in advance!

Adam

[Maurice Batey]

how to connect to public Wi-Fi (I know how to connect to my own)
to good sources of accessories and information. I've set it up as
multiboot, Windows XP and Linux, and expect to use it at my home, public
Wi-Fi sites, and at a few friends' homes.

I've used my Tosh all over Europe and on cruise ships.
The method of connecting away from home is essentially the same as the
first time you connected at home:

(1) Select the desired SSID from whatever list appears
(Away from home, you need to ask the establishment providing
the connection which SSID to select.)

(2) Most likely you will need to ask for the connect code.

On the other hand, sometimes you have to start your browser, which will
automatically present the host's Connect page, where you just follow the
instructions.
When checking in at a hotel, ask if they have WiFi (and check if
there is a charge!), and if so ask for the connect key/code.

WiFI reception can vary in e.g. hotels. At one in France, I couild get
no signal in the room, but if I went out onto the landing and put the
laptop on top of the piano, I did!

[Frank Berger]

Post by Maurice Batey

how to connect to public Wi-Fi (I know how to connect to my own)
to good sources of accessories and information. I've set it up as
multiboot, Windows XP and Linux, and expect to use it at my home,
public Wi-Fi sites, and at a few friends' homes.

I've used my Tosh all over Europe and on cruise ships.
The method of connecting away from home is essentially the same as the
(1) Select the desired SSID from whatever list appears
(Away from home, you need to ask the establishment providing
the connection which SSID to select.)
(2) Most likely you will need to ask for the connect code.
On the other hand, sometimes you have to start your browser, which
will automatically present the host's Connect page, where you just
follow the instructions.
When checking in at a hotel, ask if they have WiFi (and check if
there is a charge!), and if so ask for the connect key/code.
WiFI reception can vary in e.g. hotels. At one in France, I couild
get no signal in the room, but if I went out onto the landing and put
the laptop on top of the piano, I did!

Also to remember that there's less security when connected to a public web
site than you likely have at home.

[Adam]

Post by Frank Berger

how to connect to public Wi-Fi (I know how to connect to my own)

Also to remember that there's less security when connected to a public
web site than you likely have at home.

Yes, I'll have to keep reminding myself. No shopping from the laptop
(or anything else with personal info I don't want shared)... that'll
have to wait until I get back home. :-)

Adam

[mike]

Post by Frank Berger

how to connect to public Wi-Fi (I know how to connect to my own)

Also to remember that there's less security when connected to a public
web site than you likely have at home.

Yes, I'll have to keep reminding myself. No shopping from the laptop (or
anything else with personal info I don't want shared)... that'll have to
wait until I get back home. :-)
Adam

Single use credit card numbers.

[Adam]

Post by mike

Post by Frank Berger
Also to remember that there's less security when connected to a public
web site than you likely have at home.

Yes, I'll have to keep reminding myself. No shopping from the laptop (or
anything else with personal info I don't want shared)... that'll have to
wait until I get back home. :-)

Single use credit card numbers.

Thanks, Mike! I hadn't thought of that.

Adam

[Mark]

Post by mike

Post by Frank Berger

how to connect to public Wi-Fi (I know how to connect to my own)

Also to remember that there's less security when connected to a public
web site than you likely have at home.

Yes, I'll have to keep reminding myself. No shopping from the laptop (or
anything else with personal info I don't want shared)... that'll have to
wait until I get back home. :-)
Adam

Single use credit card numbers.

Do they exist?

[tb]

Post by Mark
Do they exist?

If you live in the USA, look into Discover Card Secure Online Account
Numbers:
https://www.discover.com/credit-cards/member-benefits/security/web-online-account-number.html

Unfortunately, not every online retailer accepts Discover Card but Bank
of America's Visa/MasterCard card has a similar program:
https://www.bankofamerica.com/privacy/accounts-cards/shopsafe.go

[Adam]

Hi Maurice! It's nice to see a name I recognize here (from a.o.l.mandriva).

Post by Maurice Batey

how to connect to public Wi-Fi (I know how to connect to my own)

I've used my Tosh all over Europe and on cruise ships.
The method of connecting away from home is essentially the same as the
(1) Select the desired SSID from whatever list appears
(Away from home, you need to ask the establishment providing
the connection which SSID to select.)
(2) Most likely you will need to ask for the connect code.

Thanks! That sounds straightforward enough, and I'm sure it will be
after the initial confusion. :-)

Post by Maurice Batey
WiFI reception can vary in e.g. hotels. At one in France, I could get
no signal in the room, but if I went out onto the landing and put the
laptop on top of the piano, I did!

Unfortunately I don't get to hotels or cruise ships very often, but I
had that same problem with my cell phone at home until I switched to a
provider with better coverage.

Adam

[Maurice Batey]

Post by Maurice Batey
I've used my Tosh all over Europe and on cruise ships.

If you have a gmail address, there can be an additional problem when
trying to fetch gmail and/or login to gmail.com when out of the UK.

We struck this in the Greek Islands in September.
Although I had no problems fetching email from my ISP's POP server,
the SO was unable to do so from the gmail POP server (or login to
gmail.com).

I found later that this was gmail's 'Overseas' security wall, and to get
through it one needs either an extra one-time login password or a strong
POP/SMTP server password, all available only via the Security option in
one's Gmail account (when in the UK).

Separate from all that, sometimes when trying to use Port 25 to access
an SMTP server, one needs to change from the blocked 25 to 587.

[Adam]

Post by Maurice Batey

Post by Maurice Batey
I've used my Tosh all over Europe and on cruise ships.

If you have a gmail address, there can be an additional problem when
trying to fetch gmail and/or login to gmail.com when out of the UK.

Thanks, Maurice! I'm in the USA, but I'll keep that in mind should I
get to visit other countries. I suppose some other email providers may
also have similar security restrictions when out of one's home country.

Post by Maurice Batey
Separate from all that, sometimes when trying to use Port 25 to access
an SMTP server, one needs to change from the blocked 25 to 587.

It looks like many SMTP servers have switched from port 25 to something
else. I also have some set for 465 and 995 IIRC.

Adam

[the wharf rat]

Post by Adam
It looks like many SMTP servers have switched from port 25 to something
else. I also have some set for 465 and 995 IIRC.

I pick a random port at boot and make my users run nmap to find it.

[Adam]

Post by the wharf rat

Post by Adam
It looks like many SMTP servers have switched from port 25 to something
else. I also have some set for 465 and 995 IIRC.

I pick a random port at boot and make my users run nmap to find it.

That sounds like security at the expense of alienating users. :-)

Adam