Re: Another WiFi question.
Is it a firewall problem?
Re: Another WiFi question.
I too am experiencing some frustration with WiFi connectivity in public places.
I'll share what little I know about this issue.
A first item relates to reception sensitivity of your device. This is a separate characteristic compared to the connectivity characteristics of the device. Your device may be fully aware of Wifi broadcasts but unable to connect to the target router for a myriad of reasons ranging from signal strenght issues, to signal path issues, to hardware compatability issues and to secuirty protocol issues.
To relate my personal experience I'll tell you that I'm using an N800, a Nokia device that has remarkable reception qualities. With the N800 WiFi broadcasts are easily located but then actually gaining access by connecting to the router is completely another matter.
You have the best chance of connecting to a Wifi router if no security protocol is being used by the router. Chances are good tho that some security protocol is being used in most settings. A working security protocol is a desirable thing in a public Wifi setting. Some security is desired in order to prevent a malicious listener from gaining any of your personal information.
The least secure protocol is known as WEP. It was the first kid on the block. A vastly more secure protocol is WAP - this is a protocol developed by serious crypto programmers. WEP is easily crackable, WAP is not. In both cases your device needs a key in order to connect to the WiFi router. Connectivity may be just a simple matter of gaining the key and entering it in a corresponding field.
Another factor could be a simple matter of the hardware involved. Some routers refuse to renumerate devices until they are rebooted.
This WiFI connectivity stuff is frustrating and complicated for me too. I just want you to be aware that others face the same problem.
In the Linux world there are keys cracking programs. One such program is called aircrack. You would able to learn more about this matter by doing a search of such programs. Also, I highly recommend that you listen to the related podcasts by Leo Laporte called Security Now with Steve Gibson.
Hopefully Wifi connectivity will become easier but we must be aware of the security risks in order to protect ourselves.
Re: Another WiFi question.
I doubt if this is a Linux problem. I think it is probably a wifi problem.
Is the signal strength strong enough in the coffeeshops? I've been in motels that advertise "Free wireless Internet," but the signal strength was so low that I kept getting dropped off and pages would take forever to load. I've learned if I have only one bar, it is a waste of time and will only frustrate me if I try to get on the Internet.
Also, check what protocol is in use at the routers. For instance, some protocols are 802.11g, 802.11e, WRT54GS, WRN150N, etc. There are many more. This gobbledegook refers to how the data is encoded, transmitted, and what the maximum speed is.
Usually, but not always, a newer protocol wifi card in your computer will work with an older protocol wifi router, but not always. But if your computer has an older wifi card and the router is newer, then you may not be able to connect at all.
I also find that sometimes I have to select the network that I want to use. For instance, in a certain downtown art gallery here, there is a wifi network for the restaurant next door, two for lawyer's offices, and one for the gallery. All of them are close enough that I pick up their signals. My computer does not know which of these I want to use until I select it. In some cases you need a user name and a password to connect to the network, but I think you would have mentioned this if it applied in yor case.
Hope this helps. Good luck.