I am unable to get suitable internet service at my home, because of the   
   rural location. I can only connect with a modem and all that is good for   
   is email and newsgroups.   
      
   Because I am retired I get a free Tracfone flip phone with 500 min per   
   month. It's a government program for low income. This program does not   
   allow smartphones though. I probably make 10 calls a month and use 20   
   minutes of the allowed time. But it's free and it is good to have for   
   emergencies and an occasional call when I am away from my home phone. I   
   mostly keep the house phone because I do not get a cell signal at home.   
   Again, it's a rural area and I am too far from any towers.   
      
   Once and awhile I need to use the web. That means I have to go to the   
   public library.   
      
   My neighbor kid, who is 19 or 20 has smartphones and spends a fortune   
   every month for all the latest apps and phones. He probably gets a new   
   phone every 6 months or so. He seems to know a lot about them, and he   
   told me that I can buy any smartphone, not get service on it, and still   
   use the web at any Wifi spot. I know of at least 3 fast food places, and   
   4 or 5 bars in town that have free wifi, as well as the library, and a   
   few businesses.   
      
   Is it true that I can go to any of those Wifi spots and use the web   
   without having any service on that phone? I just wanted to check, He   
   said he will sell me one of his older phones for little money. I can see   
   that being a benefit when I travel, so I can get weather reports and   
   maps, nd I do like to look on ebay at times for stuff. Of course I   
   suppose I could not buy on ebay if the phone has no service, but at   
   least I can check for stuff, and if I want to buy, I'll have to go to   
   the local library.   
      
   Thanks   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)