I have a wireless

legally - you would have to go where there is a free hot zone - our city gives eveyone (and visitors) in the zone 2 hours a day - after that you have to pay.
I know a number of guys that drive around looking for open nodes - that's more like stealing and spying IMO.

I don't think I'd even want wireless in my home yet - I heard it's still not that secure - but I could be wrong.

husker, Many coffee shops and airports now provide 'free' wireless connections. I think our city installed wireless connections, and my computer notes I have wireless connection with a strong signal. I don't think I'm talking illegal.

you are already geting a signal from your city where you live? that's cool - I had heard that starbucks has wireless but you have to pay for that there, there is a deli here that offers it free and our airport has it but that's a pay situation.

Whatchya gotta do is set up a connection on your machine to the wireless network. If it is a free public network, your city hall - or your library - should be able to give you the necessary info - network name, access point name, primary channel, MAC Address configuration, any encryption requirements, logon requirements, that sorta stuff. After that, its just a matter of configurin' your WiFi adapter (consult your wireless adapter's documentation) to access that network. In fact, your wireless card's Site Monitor function will prolly give all the info ya need to connect to an open, unrestricted network. I'm constantly astounded by the number of wide-open wireless nets I stumble across - good thing I'm not a badguy - I could really have some illicit fun