Browsing the InterWeb on the run

OVER THE PAST five months, I've been running around sans laptop, saving my shoulder and some time at the airport security check-in lines. My circa-1997 Compaq is about one drop away from death as it is, with the plastic armoring knocked off from one hinge and one of two screws gone fastening the hinge to the top case. Ultimately, I'm going to get another laptop, but I'm feeling cheaper than Mageek and want to wait for prices to go through another downward cycle or two before I go into the BigBox and buy a Centrino-based platform.

Fortunately, if you have a few loose dollars (literally), lots of public places are offering on-the-run quick and dirty InterWeb access. Kiosks have appeared in some Yank airports. I've used the Neptune Networks (www.neptunenetworks.com) kiosks in Los Angeles airport twice during layovers. Neptune's terminals are located directly within the airport departure gate area, so with a little luck you can grab a terminal more or less immediately after deplaning or waiting for a flight. The hardware consists of a LCD screen along with a swing-down keyboard incorporating a mousepad and buttons. Feed the bill changer or swipe a credit card for a $3 minimum to get started for $0.25/minute access. If you don't burn the full time, Neptune spits out a code that you could scribble down to log back in. Actual network speed is impressively zippy, fast enough to log onto web mail services, scan, and delete e-mail without a problem. The keyboard is nothing fancy, but does the trick without feeling too industrial.

On the other hand, the Shibby kiosks installed at Denver International Airport look like something more suited for prison Internet access than comfort or convenience. The trackball is nice, but the individually isolated keys in stainless steel just lack a certain feel for touch typing. Sure, the webcam is an interesting whistle, but with DIA passengers in the background, you aren't going to have a real private conversation. And you have to stand up; the Neptune setup is designed for you to sit down and relax a little. Cost is $1 for four minutes, either cash or credit cards. As of August '03, each Shibby was generating $30 per day a la $900/month. A little around $10K/year cash flow generated by a unit that costs $5,000 before operating expenses of space, 'Net access, and electric. Not too shabby.

Vegas hotels are also into the InterWeb access game. The Las Vegas Hilton's business service center provides a nice black-box IBM PC with monitor, with pricing around $5 for 15 minutes of keyboard time. It's a cube-like setting, don't expect privacy, but you can be on, e-mail, and be off without a problem. I like the full-blown PC box because I can do a quick floppy or CD if I need to. On the other side of the coin, the no-frills business center in the Stardust Hotel plops down four used laptop computers connected via DSL line. People saddle up to the former bar, pull up a chair, pay for time on the honor system, and pound away. None of these schemes are as styling as the Laptop Lane outlets, but you don't see many of the high-end, fully frilly spots outside of the few dozen installed at airports around the States. µ