Need opinions online tool/gadget

[pkyorkbeach]

Hello
I need some advice

I have an old verizon cell phone plan very cheap and adequate. I do not want to change, add or cancel it. It is just basic phone. I seldom use the phone. So that I am keeping with no changes.

I would like to be able to go on line while at work without using the computer at work- you know big brother is watching. Is there an item that I can purchase that will allow me to go online with my own account while at work???

My goal is to get something not too costly per month $$$.

Any thoughts, guidance is appreciated.

 

[hvacrsteve]

How much do you want to spend and how large or small of a device, my android phone does it or you can get an Ipad!
Just check to make sure you can get a signal in the building first!

 

[Kal]

...I would like to be able to go on line while at work without using the computer at work- you know big brother is watching. Is there an item that I can purchase that will allow me to go online with my own account while at work??? ...

If you get a phone, it might be free or very cheap, but the data plan (needed to go on line) will be the big ticket charge. Check those numbers out first.

 

[Luanne]

If you get a phone, it might be free or very cheap, but the data plan (needed to go on line) will be the big ticket charge. Check those numbers out first.

I'm not aware of any way to get to the internet on a "dumb" phone. Meaning that you do need a data plan. Cheapest I've seen is about $10/month. And you may need to upgrade your phone, if it really is an old one, to be able to do it.

 

[Kal]

Think about an iTouch which will work using Wi-Fi, but those aren't cheap devices.

 

[UWSurfer]

This is the joy of trying to benefit from advances of technology with yesterday's equipment.

What many, if most people do is get a smart phone & use it to do what you ask. Phone run anywhere from free to $400 the required data plans run from $50 - $80 a month depending in the provider and commitment terms.

If you want to do it cheaper (long run) you could get a tablet computer like the iPAD and so long as you can utilize a wifi connection, you can surf on that. The problem is whose wifi signal and what permissions you have to access things. Firewalls and security settings of the owner can vary. You could pay for access to someplace like AT&T or the many other providers out there. If you are already an AT&T internet customer (DSL, UVerse...), this is often included.

To do it on the cheap there's been a running thread on TUG about taking the e-reader NOOK, converting it to operate under the andriod platform (like the smart phone) and utilize it via a wifi connection for less than an iPad. It just depends on what you are willing to spend and how much aggravation you will tolerate.

 

[pkyorkbeach]

If I need to purchase a new what ever to use that is fine. I do not care how much it is. Just that I want to look at my email while at work or TUG. I think it safer not to use their network here. All goes into one server where they can track and see where I/anyone has gone.

 

[Luanne]

If I need to purchase a new what ever to use that is fine. I do not care how much it is. Just that I want to look at my email while at work or TUG. I think it safer not to use their network here. All goes into one server where they can track and see where I/anyone has gone.

Dh just got a new phone (which his company is paying for). It's an LP and it cost $49.99. With it he has a data plan so he can access the internet, do email, etc. I don't remember how much the data plan is, but I think he got an upgraded one as he needs a lot of "stuff". But again, his company is paying for it. I'm just using this to illustrate you don't have to spend a lot of money for the phone itself.

 

[pkyorkbeach]

Maybe looking at a tablet with a wifi plan-if there is such a thing....Ideas are good...
Thanks

 

[geekette]

If I need to purchase a new what ever to use that is fine. I do not care how much it is. Just that I want to look at my email while at work or TUG. I think it safer not to use their network here. All goes into one server where they can track and see where I/anyone has gone.

so your company equipment usage policy is NO personal use? I would find it odd to be totally restricted from personal email but it's not unheard of.

My personal opinion is that if you are doing your job, what is the harm in checking your email or Tug during a break or whatever? If you plan to hang out on Tug all day, then, yeah, you would need more privacy. or not a job.

Spend money on a gadget to use at work if you wish, but I sure wouldn't. If someone cares to check that I've checked email 3 times today or spent 10 minutes on Tug, fine by me. I'm doing my job and thinking about soemthing else every so often enhances my ability to do my job. Only if I believed I were doing something wrong would I bother to try to hide it.

I don't know your environment, but if it is restrictive, perhaps there is a reason for that? Maybe just by having your own surfing gadget you will be obviously interested in things other than work during the work day? just a thought.

 

[PigsDad]

Folks -- a wifi device is not going to work for the OP, as he/she does not want to use the company's network.

And, if the OP has a really old cell plan, getting a new phone most likely will not meet the OP's requirement of keeping the OP's original, inexpensive cell phone plan. My wife has a very cheap plan -- less than $20/mo. and it is "grandfathered" in. But if she wants a smart phone, she would be required to give that plan up and pick up a current plan. Same with my provider.

So I think it comes down to getting a cellular-based tablet that has it's own data plan. I think the 3G iPad's data plans start at $15/mo., and you can turn them on/off on a month-by-month basis. Another option is a cellular-based netbook.

Kurt

 

[pjrose]

If you can get ahold of a used iPhone, just set it up but do not put a SIMM card in it, and it will be like an iPod Touch with wireless but NO phone plan. Start with a cheap or free used iPhone (I have DS's hand-me-down), and no cost for accessing a wireless network. No data plan or phone number needed. I use it for solitaire and TUG and news online and email when I wake up but don't want to bother to come downstairs to use a big computer.

How would you get a cheap or free iPhone, when the little beasties are costly even used? I guess you'd need to know someone who had upgraded from a first or second generation one, but who didn't want to bother selling it or whose old phone was too beat up / scratched to be worth selling.

However, even though it is your own device, you will still be using your work network....and "big brother" can still see what's going in and out on the network.

oops - just noticed that the OP at first said not wanting to use the work computer, but later added not wanting to use the work network.

I'll keep this post up anyway, as someone else might want to know how to surf cheaply!

 

[Luanne]

How would you get a cheap or free iPhone, when the little beasties are costly even used? I guess you'd need to know someone who had upgraded from a first or second generation one, but who didn't want to bother selling it or whose old phone was too beat up / scratched to be worth selling.

I'm pretty sure I saw a new one free at the AT&T store. Of course this was an older model and I'm sure it was tied to getting a 2-year contact and a data plan.