Korean Job Discussion Forums

sperling

Hello everyone -

I'll take my first ever visit to Seoul next October when I'll present at KOTESOL, but am beginning to wonder about Internet access. Does anyone have any information on how I can get my laptop online from my hotel? Is there anything like a temporary Interent account? Running Dave's ESL Cafe means that I need to be online every day!

Thanks!

All the best,

Dave Sperling
Founder
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Dave's ESL Cafe
http://www.eslcafe.com

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

All the big hotels offer in-room net access. Even many "love hotels" also offer free or low-rate high speed net. Two weeks ago my wife and I stayed at one in Seoul that featured a computer in the room, the fastest connection you could ever want, and beer in the fridge, all for 35,000w.

Five years ago most Koreans had never heard of the Internet, and those who knew of it actively avoided it because they believed it was all English. Now Korea's the most wired country on Earth, surpassing Canada and Finland.

Net access in your room won't be a problem. Smile

sperling · Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2003 7:39 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the feedback, The Lemmon -

Internet access in love hotels? I'd better not even comment on this! Twisted Evil

When you say that most hotels offer in-room Internet access, does that mean high speed Interent via my laptop? Wow!

All the best,

Dave
* * * * * * * * * * * *
Dave's ESL Cafe
http://www.eslcafe.com

The Lemon · Joined: 11 Jan 2003

"When you say that most hotels offer in-room Internet access, does that mean high speed Interent via my laptop?"

Yes. Though it depends where KOTESOL is going to put you up, most deluxe/super deluxe hotels (and some more modest ones) offer LAN connections for your laptop either in the room, or in a business center located in the hotel. A few offer a whole computer, but I understand that wouldn't be what you're looking for. You want a jack.

Since it's a necessity for your business, you should make a special request to the conference folks to ensure you have this facility. From a quick look on the net, it seems like it would be easily arranged.

Hope you enjoy your visit!
The Lemon

sperling · Posted: Mon Jan 13, 2003 6:17 am Post subject:

Thanks for all the help and information, Lemon ...... much appreciated!

Cheers,

Dave Sperling

william beckerson · Guest

Dave.

I'll assume you already know about the PC Bahngs here. You can get pretty much all of your internet needs done there. Assuming you dont mind a lot of noise and cigarette smoke. But if your hotel has an internet connection, then you'll be best off using that.

Now, here's the thing: Do you have a lot of batteries? It's all 220v with little round plugs here.

jmbell · Joined: 15 Jan 2003 Location: Bampo, Seoul

while on the topic....

does anyone know the logistics of getting a high speed hook-up in Seoul for six months...

...or what is the rate for a pc room in banpo dong, Seoul...

just deciding if i should bring the lap top or not...

sperling · Posted: Wed Jan 15, 2003 8:55 pm Post subject:

Hi Willliam -

My Mac iBook will run on 220v, so I won't have a problem with that. As for PC Bahngs, I am assuming that they are Korean Internet cafes? Can I manage to get my laptop online via PC Bahngs? Another question, is wireless Internet via wi-fi common in South Korea ... it is here via almost any Starbucks.

Thanks!

Dave

Ka-CHING! · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

The voltage won't be a problem, as you say, but you'll still need a plug adapter. Korean plugs have two large round prongs - you can buy these here fairly easily, but not if your American plug is grounded. If you have a three-prong grounded US plug, try to find an adapter in the States.

Edited to add: That's a pretty big avatar there. How do I fix it?

william beckerson · Guest

Dave: They're something like internet cafes. Think of it more like someone's basement, except he invited everyone he knows over to play Starcraft and smoke. If you want to use your own machine, you'll have to hope your hotel has a connection for you to use. And the plugs will be a problem.

Ka-Ching: Try using photoshop or some similar imaging program. Or, get a smaller avatar. Wink

Ka-CHING! · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

William,

Um, okay, I'll try. Really, really hard. Smile

Edited to add smiley so that I sound less churlish. No churlishness was intended - I'm just embarassed at my ineptitude.

Hotuk · Joined: 10 Jan 2003

William - I like your description of PC Bangs with one modification: it's like going to a friend's house after he got all new furniture. Some PC-bangs I've been in are *really* plush. For a dollar an hour, they're great, smoke notwithstanding.

Dave- voltage and plug shape shouldn't be a problem for you - it's exactly the same plug size/voltage as Thailand. And I've seen those wi-fi things at a Starbucks in Hyewha (Seoul) as well as at the airport in Incheon. I think they're becoming a standard at Asian Starbucks. They call them hot zones or something like that..?

william beckerson · Guest

Hotuk: Oh totally. the newer places are real swanky. I spend most of my time in the older joints. Usually because the ajushi cant speak english and doesnt try to learn my life story.

I dont dislike the curiosity. I just want to stop thinking for an hour or two.

Anda · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: South Korea

All the larger Post offices have a computer access section here.

PootyTang · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Location: Valley of the sun

I've heard that one of the Tourist Information Centers has free broadband Internet access...

http://www.inq7.net/inf/2002/may/01/inf_1-1.htm