Second Opinions

How Do I Stay Connected While I'm Traveling in Europe with My Laptop?

By Jake Reichenstein

WHERE DO you turn for a quick answer, when the partner who is asking is leaving at the end of the day tomorrow?

Well I'm lucky, because our firm is a member of LawNet, an association that is an independent source of information for users of legal automation. (LawNet has more than 650 member law firms and law departments from across North America, with some members from other continents as well.) One of the benefits of LawNet is its active member listserv, with several thousand participants, where questions can be asked and you usually get a flurry of quick answers (most often very informative and helpful). I posted to the listserv, helpful answers flew in.

Here's some of the best suggestions:

Targus

The Targus Travel Connection Pack World kit (Model #PA031U) currently retails for $99.99. It offers power/telephone adaptability for more than 100 countries. Each adapter is labeled to avoid confusion about which adapter to use.

Targus also sells a kit specifically for Europe, currently priced at $69.99 (Model #PA021U), that includes nine phone adapters and three power adapters, allowing users to adapt from standard U.S. power (110v, 60 Hz).

Targus also offers a retractable phone cord, (Model #PA200U) to protect RJ-11 clips, with eight feet of phone cord; and the Targus Modem Shield, (Model# PA080U) which can protect your modem from digital overcurrent, and corrects reversed polarity.

AT&T

AT&T Global Network Services offer global access to a managed network or the Internet via 2,000 local points of presence. According to its Web site, services include managed virtual private networks, for IP, SNA and multi-protocol environments, with flexible security options. Previously called IBM Global Network, it is being acquired by AT&T.

iPass

Essentially a network of ISPs, the service offers secure, cost-effective remote access to the Internet, e-mail and corporate networks. The company, which describes itself as "a global virtual network provider," says it offers 5,000 POPs in 150 countries. Lawyers can set up accounts with one of the ISPs that is an authorized reseller of iPass; then download the iPass software that provides a menu of countries/cities with associated phone numbers.

EarthLink

EarthLink offers both U.S. and overseas POPs, and reduces configuration headaches. "The only thing we need to teach them is how to change a phone number," reports one administrator.

Laptop Travel

Laptoptravel offers advice on modems; international net access; laptop security; hotel room connections; batteries; digital/hard-wired phones.

Road News

At www.roadnews.com: Very helpful tips in the "Before you travel with a laptop" section on these topics: hardware issues, including information on nine different power plug adapters, step-down transformers for 240VAC power, 39 different telephone jacks/adapters, digital signal testers. Software issues, such as dial tones, tax impulsing filters.

Teleadapt

At www.teleadapt.com, "Mobile Solutions for the Business Traveler," you can pick the countries or regions and get specific information on power packs for those countries. Its U.S.A. site, (www.teleadaptusa.com) offers "Foreign Travel 101," detailing "everything you need to know to connect your notebook to foreign phone and power systems." It contains 11 sub-folders, including: international connectivity tips; testing and connecting modems to foreign analog telephone wall jacks; connecting to hard-wired jacks; how to ignore foreign dial tones (Windows 98 dial-up networking example); how to manually dial, teleDaptor and modem hardware set-up; foreign voltage - stepdown transformers, foreign power outlets and surge protection; testing digital lines; GSM cellular and satellite phones; hotel and office dialing checklist; new tools for the road.

The site also offers "GSM 101," a primer on roaming with wireless phones and notebooks, and "TDMA/AMPS 101" to teach you how to go wireless with your PC or Mac PowerBook on AT&T Wireless and CellularOne networks.

iGo

Another valuable site: iGo Mobile Technology Outfitter. It has a "tips and advice" menu, and visitors also can enroll in its e-mail service for "Road Warrior Deals & Tips." The site offers a range of products from batteries/power; cell phones; laptop drives; communications; printers; GPS systems; cases, and more. www.1800batteries.com.

Other LawNet members suggestions:

• Any Radio Shack can sell you a plug convertor. They would also have the phone-jack convertor if needed.

• Make sure you are familiar with phone numbers before you go.

• Be aware of local and long distance charges from hotel rooms; they tend to be much higher than the U.S.

  "I'm actually writing this email at 11:05 p.m. local time from Botswana (Southern Africa), so I am talking from experience."

• Try PC Magazine archives. Visit ZDNet and do a search on 'travel.' They've had several articles on laptop accessories for traveling."

I would not have been aware of these valuable Internet sites had it not been for my firm's membership in LawNet. You can get more information about membership in LawNet by visiting its Web site at PeerToPeer.com or by contacting executive director, Randi Mayes.

Jake Reichenstein is executive director of Cowles & Thompson, P.C., in Dallas. A member of the LTN Editorial Advisory Board, he is president of LawNet.