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    What public places have the fastest wireless speed?

    Discussion in 'Networking and Wireless' started by _Cheesy_, Sep 3, 2011.

  1. _Cheesy_

    _Cheesy_ Notebook Hoarder

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    I want to download my games from steam but my DSL internet is beyond dreadful. I was wondering if there are public places (e.g. pub, starbuck, macdonald) that have a much faster internet and I can use to download my games? If so what are the download speed usually?


    Thanks
     
    _Cheesy_, Sep 3, 2011
    #1
  2. H.A.L. 9000

    H.A.L. 9000 Occam's Chainsaw

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    Usually, the McDonald's/Starbucks/WanPub speeds are going to be 1.5-3Mbps. McDonald's uses T1 lines.
     
    H.A.L. 9000, Sep 3, 2011
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  3. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    there are so many variables to public/gratis wifi including the very real possibility that some (many?) places will be throttling or completely blocking large downloads that it is impossible to tell in advance or even from day to day.
     
    newsposter, Sep 3, 2011
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  4. Krane

    Krane Notebook Prophet

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    These kinds of establishment only give you free wifi to foster their business. For that reason there's not need for them to be anything other than dismally slow.

    On the other hand, librarys are still free; and many cities and municipalities have added wifi to their transit buses and trains. They're even some sections in and around public parks and area that offer it as well.

    I suppose you might be able to download a game or movie or two while you have a picnic or if your commute is long enough.
     
    Krane, Sep 3, 2011
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  5. _Cheesy_

    _Cheesy_ Notebook Hoarder

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    Thank you for the input.

    I really hope you guys are right cause I'm dying to play my newly bought games and running benchmark, etc...
     
    _Cheesy_, Sep 3, 2011
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  6. whitrzac

    whitrzac The orange end is cold...

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    IMO go to your local tech college, not exactly "public" but with a few hundred people there no one will notice/care. ;)


    I was getting a 6-7mb download with a crappy intell 5100 through steam. IRRC it was in the 10+range when I had my 6200 last year...
     
    whitrzac, Sep 4, 2011
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  7. Qing Dao

    Qing Dao Notebook Deity

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    They don't require MAC authentication? Very unusual and shame on them.
     
    Qing Dao, Sep 5, 2011
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  8. whitrzac

    whitrzac The orange end is cold...

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    nope... most of the ones I've seen have at least 1 unsecured network for students.
     
    whitrzac, Sep 5, 2011
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  9. newsposter

    newsposter Notebook Virtuoso

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    MAC authentication is easy to bypass. So easy that it can't even be called a hack. Childs play really.
     
    newsposter, Sep 5, 2011
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  10. Susan

    Susan Notebook Guru

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    In my area ( N.E Oho) Panera stores have the fastest connection. I don't know the actual speed but I go there for iOS updates. Each is 650 MG and the download finishes in 18-22 minutes.

    Hope that helps.
     
    Susan, Sep 5, 2011
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  11. Pac-Man

    Pac-Man Newbie

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    I would try a cell phone store. I always have good luck at ATT's phone store 1.5 - 4.5 MBPS, Yes I know the M and B are uppercase that's right Mega Bytes per second. Subway usually has around 600kbps which is alright if I'm Facebooking or something, Sucks for torrents though. Public library's usually block steam and bittorent data as well as Publix and any park connection. Publix does have a pretty fast connection though McDonald's is about the slowest I've come across, Limited to 350kbps at one and 150kbps at another here in New Port Richey Fl. Happy Hunting and Try This http://www.metageek.net/products/inssider/
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 29, 2015
    Pac-Man, Jun 16, 2013
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  12. baii

    baii Sone

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    Second university , go to computer lab and grab a lan if you cant get on wifi.
     
    baii, Jun 17, 2013
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