INSTRUCTORS: Steve Koehn, Tom Gonser
The purpose of this seminar was to address a number of Internet related topics of interest to RVers; to exchange information and experiences among the seminar participants; and to see a live demonstration of Internet uses.
EQUIPMENT:
While some RVers travel with a full size computer system on board, notebook computers (sometimes called laptop computers) are usually preferable for RVers. They take up very little space; can run on their own batteries, as well as AC current or (with a power adapter) DC current; and are easily portable. Portability is almost essential for most RVers, because it's easy to carry a small notebook computer to a place where there is a phone jack. Unless an RV park has phone service to every site -- and does not require phone company service (and charges) to turn it on -- it is not possible to access online services. The computer must be equipped with a modem -- preferably an internal modem. When selecting a modem, be sure to get the fastest speed offered by most Internet service providers. Today that is 33.6 bps (though 28.8 bps is nearly the same). While some modems tout 56 bps, they should be avoided at the moment until there is an acceptable industry standard. The ideal system for those who are not full timers would be a full size desktop computer at home, plus a notebook computer for travels. Before leaving on an RV excursion, one simply needs to "update" the notebook computer so you'll start off with current information on such items as email addresses, financial information, or other records you'll want to take along. When you return, you simply use the notebook computer to "update" the desktop computer at home, so your home computer will have all the information you've added, deleted, or changed since you left.
INTERNET AND EMAIL
While email uses the Internet for sending and receiving messages, these are totally different capabilities. People access the internet to find information. Thus it's essentially an information resource. Some RVers may find that they really only want to use email -- electronic communications -- to stay in touch with family, friends, and business associates. However, most are likely to conclude that they want to have access to the vast information resources of the Internet's World Wide Web. And beyond the Internet based communications and information resources, other types of new online services are available. For instance, many major banks will provide their customers with access to their personal financial information; provide for paying bills by computer, etc. And brokerage firms too offer access -- either directly or through their Internet sites, to investment information. These typically allow online trading at a discount. A good example several seminar participants mentioned is Charles Schwab, which offers its customers free 800 access to investment services through its StreetSmart software (both Mac and Windows).
THE TERMINOLOGY IS SOMETIMES BAFFLING
Many RVers are intimidated by the jargon of the Internet. A few of the concepts discussed in some detail during the class were:
1. "URL" This odd acronym stands for "Uniform Resource Locater" -- but it really just mean an Internet address. In almost all circumstances these complex looking addresses will begin with "http://www." What follows is sometimes short, as in the case of the Trailer Life "URL" (http://www.tl.com); or they can be long and rather awkward, as we've had to use for RVers Online. Note that commercial sites will end with ".com" (as in the Trailer Life example). Other ending "code" is ".edu", which pertains to educational institutions; ".org", which tells you the site is an organization (typically non-profit); or ".gov", which connotes a governmental site.
2. "BROWSER" This strange word really just describes the software that one needs to "navigate" (some say "surf") the Internet. Said otherwise, the browser software makes it very easy for you to find what you're looking for. It can take you to various Internet "search engines", which are free services that can find and quickly direct you to precisely the type of information you're looking for. The two most popular browsers are "Netscape" and Microsoft's "Internet Explorer". In the context of the seminar, we were able to demonstrate this "live", tracking down a number of information requests suggested by the students.
3. "BOOKMARK" At least this word is somewhat descriptive! Because Internet addresses (URL's, right?) are so strange sounding and looking, every browser offers the capability to let you "bookmark" an Internet site you'd like to go back to again sometime. The browser will keep a running list of all your favorite sites. And when you want to visit there again, you simply select it from the list of bookmarks you've compiled. No need to look it up again -- or even type it. Slick.
4. "ADDRESS BOOK" -- or similar terminology, is a similar concept, but it occurs in the context of email addresses. Email addresses can look strange, too. And sometimes they're a bit long. The address book is to email what the bookmark is to Internet surfing. It compiles a list of the email addresses you'll want to use again in the future. When you want to send an email to someone, just go to your address book, select it, and you're ready to start typing in the message. No need to memorize email addresses, or ever type them again either. Also slick. By the way ("BTW" in Internet lingo), you can always identify an email address because it will have an "@" symbol in it. Internet addresses (URLs!) will never have the "@" symbol in them.
ONLINE SERVICES
A quick survey indicated that about 75% of the participants had some type of on-board computer; and that well over 50% already subscribed to one of the online services. Approximately half those using online services subscribed to one of the "value added" services (AOL, CompuServe, Prodigy, Microsoft Network), with AOL claiming the most users in this category. The other half subscribed to a pure "ISP" (Internet Service Provider). The "value added" services, such as AOL, offer their own proprietary services, including a wide variety of information resources, in addition to email and Internet access. The ISP's are essentially a doorway to the Internet, including email, and typically provide little if any additional proprietary information. Both the value added services and local ISPs typcially offer 800 access, though always at a charge, var;ying between approximately $5 to $15 per hour. All the value added services, and some of the ISPs also offer local dialup connections in a large number of US cities. This is an important consideration for RVers, who typically want to make an online connection using a local phone call from a variety of locations during their travels. Virtually all of the value added service users, as well as the ISP users, were satisfied with the service they received. Said otherwise, from a class sampling it did not appear that there is a clear preference for either value added services or ISPs. There was some discussion about the use of the AT&T WorldNet service, which offers extensive local phone connections throughout the county, has what appears to be the least costly 800 access option, and offers 5 hours "free" Internet access (at least for one year) for users who are AT&T long distance users. They are also well known for excellent customer support, which is accessible via an 800 phone call. Mention was also made of Juno, an email only (i.e., no Internet access) service which is completely free, and currently offers free 800 access as well. However, since it is supported by advertising revenues, be prepared to for as measure of commercial solicitation along with your email from the kids. Perhaps more sinful, the service is reportedly not compatible with Macintosh.
GETTING ONLINE ON THE ROAD
Predictably, this is a topic of great concern to RVers who want to take their online access with them in their travels. Our readers here at RVers Online know well our campaign to make more RV parks "Modem Friendly". Perhaps not all realize that the phrase "Modem Friendly" was first created and used at this site. The problem, of course, is that most RV parks still do not recognize the need for a growing number of RVers to access their online services on the road. However, and while progress is slower than we'd like, the landscape is indeed changing. More and more RV parks are taking steps to provide access for RVers. Very few parks have in-park "instant" phone service to each site -- though that number too is growing. More typically an RV park will designate a phone line in the office, or other facility, which RVers can use to get connected. We've encouraged our readers at RVers Online to always ask the RV park owner or manager if they're "modem friendly" -- and if not, to explain to them the reason they should consider becoming so.
While "modem friendly" RV parks offer an increasing part of the solution, other means of access need to be considered. One favored method while traveling the Interstates is to patronize the large truck stops which often offer phones at each table in their restaurants. One simply needs to disconnect the phone line from the table telephone, and plug it into your notebook computer -- and you'll usually be able to get online. Remember that some phone lines you'll use, whether from an RV park or a truck stop, might require dialing a number to get an outside line. Usually it's a "9". If this is the case, be sure to change your software to reflect this fact. It's also usually a a good idea to follow the access number (e.g. "9") with a comma. In most software programs, this causes a pause long enough to get to the second dial tone. For example "1-800/123-4567" would become "9,1-800/123-4567". Beyond truck stops, some RVers will often look for a "Kinkos" or similar chain store which specializes in printing, faxing, etc. They almost always understand your needs, and often will let you make an 800 access call from one of their phones -- sometimes without charge.
A solution advocated by some is the use of an acoustic coupler. This is a device which attaches to the handset of any pay phone, and plugs into the modem port on your notebook or laptop. To use it, one needs to manually dial up the number of the online service provider, then turn on the acoustic coupler. Because it is quite slow and often unreliable (lots of disconnects, etc.), it should only be contemplated for use of email -- not internet access. While acknowledging a few RVers have found this method an excellent solution, this writer is of the opinion the acoustic coupler is not an acceptable option for most RVers with online needs.
The bottom line of getting online while RVing is that it remains a significant challenge -- though as reported earlier the landscape is improving. RVers Online maintains a listing of "modem friendly" parks that are brought to our attention. And increasingly you'll find ads for RV parks which openly state "Modem Friendly". Further, RV parks which you find on the Internet are more likely to be modem friendly. But there is a significant difference between those which simply "advertise" on the Internet (e.g., a listing in Woodall's or another commercial "listing" service), and those which actually have their own home page. You can usually tell one from the other by checking to see if there is an email address for the RV park on the web site. If there is, they almost certainly will understand your need for online access.
BE COST EFFECTIVE!
Because getting online can be challenging for RVers, it's extremely important to make efficient use of online time. In many cases you'll be accessing your online services via an 800 number -- and paying the cost of using it. But this cost can be minimized by taking advantage of the full capabilities of the software which you use to get online. Usually "surfing the internet" is something you will want to do only when you have a local phone connection to your service provider. However, using the Internet (or your value-added online service provider) for email is something that you can do with minimal cost -- even if you're paying for the 800 call. The key is to compose and read your email "offline". And go "online" only for the purpose of sending and receiving email. Once you've sent your email, and received any email messages that were waiting for you, sign off the system. In other words, hang up! Typically one can send several messages, receive several messages, sign off -- and only actually be online for two or three minutes. Two minutes at $5 per hour for the 800 service is about 17 cents. Not bad when you think of the comparative speed and cost of phone calls or buying stamps.
We've seen a phenomenal growth in RVers use of the Internet just by watching the growth of this site. But the obstacles to getting more RVers to participate in the new world of online services are many. Perhaps the greatest is the present lack of *understandable* training available for RVers. The lexicon of Internet terminology is not really very intuitive. And the lack of simple "hands on experience" opportunities for RVers no doubt maintains the distance between some RVers and the opportunity to enjoy the benefits that email and Internet access can provide. We commend the University of Idaho's "Life on Wheels" conference for providing this initial experiment in what we hope was "nuts and bolts" training for RVers on the topics of email and the Internet.
UPDATES FROM 1998:
The Internet has continued to expand at a phenomenal rate since last year, as have the number of RVers who travel with on board computers -- usually a laptop, but as rigs get larger and roomier, full size desktop computers are now more easily accommodated.
Web based email is something that all RVers who subscribe to an online service and have a "POP" email account should consider. Examples are ExciteMail and HotMail. And there are others. They all have common characteristics: they are accessible through a local internet connection from anywhere in the world; they are free (supported by your indulgence in the advertising which rolls by as you send or receive email); and they can retrieve email not only addressed to your web based email address (e.g. tom@hotmail.com), but also from your "home" ISP (e.g. tom@pacificrim.net). And if you tell it to do so, it will leave the orginal message on your home ISP so you can retrieve it again later when you're in your own home area. This provides a supplemental way to get email while you're on the road. Many libraries have free internet access. And if you're visiting friends, likely they'll have internet access to their local ISP which you can use to get your email -- or send email to others. Web based email is not a replacement for your regular service, but it can be a very helpful additional tool for getting your email when you're away -- and always by using a local phone call. This avoids having to pay long distance charges back to your home ISP, or to pay the added cost of using your ISP's toll free number. For more information, see our article on this subject elsewhere at this site.
Another new product this year is being considered by Good Sam and Camping World. It will likely be called "The RVers Mailcard". This nifty new software is, essentially, email on a floppy disk. The disk contains the necessary settings to access your "home" email server. If you have access to a computer with Internet access (e.g., at a library, a cyber cafe, or a friend's house), all you need to do is insert your RVer's Mailcard (i.e., the floppy disk), and it will both send and receive email messages without your having to reconfigure the computer you've borrowed. And of course when you're done, all the email messages you download are on your disk. This also allows you to create your email messages on one computer -- for instance a desktop in an RV -- and send them using another computer which has local internet access. This technology is already available, and can be seen at http://www.mailcard.com.
For the first time, this year's LOW Conference offered a computer lab for interested RVers. All the University of Idaho computers have Internet access. RVers with little or no online experience were given an opportunity to "test drive" the Internet with the personal supervision of a number of experienced users. The lab portion of this year's program appeared to be greatly appreciated by RVers who were new to the world of online services.