Same as Brit Pete said, our thoughts are with you George, and God bless mate.
I also agree with wheel nut, if we all chipped in on here then maybe that would be of help.
Regards,
Wayne.
Wheel Nut:
[
David, is it too late to sort out an internet connection? say a quid each from all of us through Paypal. If it doesn’t go to George, than let us send it to some Charity that deals with Prostate problems.
Must say I had similar thoughts myself but how could it work? It may be that he can’t connect independantly to the phone network where he is, I don’t know.
Having said that, if there is something that we can do, wouldn’t it be more fitting to concentrate on the hospice that has looked, and is looking, after him so well?
Any thoughts on this, get back to me.
Brit Pete, thanks for your contribution, I will print off this thread and post it to George on Monday.
Where is he currently in residence? What part of the country that is… 
garnerlives:
Where is he currently in residence? What part of the country that is…
Crawley, Sussex
spardo there is probab;y a friends of group for the hopspice and i would think they will have some way of giving online
so may be worth asking the next time u phone the hospice
and if its ok post the details here and im sure most of us will give something
Good idea Farmer, I’ll mention it when I phone tomorrow.
I can’t see a problem in us all funding a wifi box so he can use his laptop to keep in touch but there may be a problem as I said before with the phone connection. It seems too simple a problem not to have been sorted before, after all in such a situation what better than to let someone in George’s position keep in touch with the world?
I spoke to George on the phone last evening. Not an easy thing now as the call has to be transferred from the switcheboard to the ward and then it depends on a nurse being free to pick up the phone and take it to the patient. Often they are too busy to do this, so the only thing to do is leaving it and trying again later. Which means organising his internet connection is even more important.
More of that later, first of George himself. He sounds great in his speech now, free of pain as he is since his admission. Unable to leave his bed for his sticks or wheelchair because of the frailty of his bones below the pelvis he nevertheless had a great treat yesterday. Somehow, he doesn’t entirely understand it himself, by means of a great hoist and many pairs of hands they managed to lift him from his bed and lower him into ‘the biggest jacuzzi I’ve ever seen’. There he spent an understandably blissful 30 minutes before being lifted back into bed. It is all the more amazing in view of the fact that his frailty is such that nurses cannot even roll him back and forth for a bedbath.
While we were talking I could hear sounds of ecstasy in the background. In a mixed general ward as he is you can imagine how my mind began to boggle. Apparently, for those who want it, there is a free aperitif at that time of day and a female patient nearby was savouring her iced Baileys.
He is certain that an ordinary wifi is not possible but did say that the only way round it was a wifi usb dongle that would connect his laptop to a mobile phone network. All double Dutch to me but he assures me that would provide him with a broadband connection. I had a brief look on the net before coming here and wonder if this is what he is talking about:
broadbandchoices.co.uk/3-mob … 80909.html
Time for a teckie I think.
Anybody?
Good news David, so the technical advice will be useful and I hope someone sees your other post and acts upon it, apart from the Dongle, it sounds like we better send bulk supplies of Baileys too 
spardo these are more like what george is needing
Farmer, I’ve read your link and as George mentioned Orange I checked out their website.
Choosing the mobile broadband option took me to
shop.orange.co.uk/shop/mobile-broadband
and it seems to contain possibilities.
My head is swimming but the Early Bird 12month option seems likely. What do you or anyone else think?
I’ll give him a ring and ask if he is already on Orange and mention it.
Could be expensive though. 12 months at £1 each would need 330 of us. 
I could give a bit more, only £2 each would cut the numbers by half, £4 by half again.
A tenner each would require 33 kind lorry drivers.
What do others think?
Also please, someone more switched on than me, please give me your opinion on the offers. 
david i was thinking more along the lines of
one of these pay as u go dongles
threestore.three.co.uk/broadband/ and chose pay as u go plan
then u could set up some way via pay pal to top it up every so often
or and im not to sure on this one but i think if we got a pay as u go dongle
u could pick up a top up card from shops like tesco and asda and the like then if u registerd the card to the mobile / dongle number u could add the topups that way
im not to sure how many cards can be regfistered to one device though
or i just might be making things complicated
but the best thing at the mo is to check which operator has the best coverage of georges hospice
farmer:
david i was thinking more along the lines of
one of these pay as u go dongles
threestore.three.co.uk/broadband/ and chose pay as u go planthen u could set up some way via pay pal to top it up every so often
or and im not to sure on this one but i think if we got a pay as u go dongle
u could pick up a top up card from shops like tesco and asda and the like then if u registerd the card to the mobile / dongle number u could add the topups that wayim not to sure how many cards can be regfistered to one device though
or i just might be making things complicated
but the best thing at the mo is to check which operator has the best coverage of georges hospice
Me too, but I think a postcode check will be the first thing, and just to confuse matters more…
top10-broadband.co.uk/mobile_broadband/
Although Martin Lewis on moneysaving expert can give good impartial advice
A quick reply to both of you.
I have already checked the Orange coverage in George’s area and for everything it is described as excellent.
I have no real idea about the merits or otherwise of the various plans but the pay as you go option seems good.
Obviously buying topup cards would not be an option for me to do in this neck of the woods.
I’ll have a look later and then try and talk to George again, it was him that suggested Orange so he may have a clear idea of the best way to go.
Had a quick look at that link Malc, and, although all this information blows my mind (for instance does he really need 7mb for downloads? 
), the Orange stick at £29 plus a monthly contract at £14.68 seems about the best of the choices there.
Spardo:
Had a quick look at that link Malc, and, although all this information blows my mind (for instance does he really need 7mb for downloads?
All this information is enough to overload me too, but this question has been asked earlier this week because of a race meeting we are planning and need mobile internet.
A wireless dongle is a piece of hardware that connects to a pc. Authenticating software is its main function. The software will not run properly without the dongle. It is also used as a copy protection or rights management tool.
The most common use of a dongle these days though is as a USB modem which is used in laptops or pc’s and enables broadband access and 3G mobile coverage. The dongles are popular with laptop users who want to stay connected even if they are on the move. The speed of dongle is a little bit slower as compared to line broadband and there is a restriction on download limit which is not advisable for those who are into online gaming. The cost of dongle is much lower and does not require a monthly line rental like most broadband services do.
Well Known broadband companies in UK such as Vodafone, T-Mobile, Orange, 3 Broadband and O2 are among the providers of dongles and dongles will work in different countries though the user will be charged an additional fee depending on the usage.
Based on dongle reviews, the software works brilliantly on all the Bluetooth devices, phone PDA, printer, and in other devices, it has an excellent range that it covers the whole house and even the next door.There are several ways how wireless dongles work; in Broadband dongle, internet dongle, and wireless dongle. Broadband dongle are used to check email and surf the web when on the move or away from their home. Though it is much slower the speed is not important for it requires only more than 1MB. Internet dongles allows one to access the internet abroad only that it has an additional charge. It is ideal for person who is not planning to stay in one place for a longer time.
Wireless dongle is not ideal for those who are into online games. The speed of wireless dongle is slower as compare to fixed broadband. Before buying or purchasing dongle it is best to read our dongle reviews. It will help the user to decide whether to avail the product or not.Nokia a leader in manufacturing cell phones has announced its recent venture to manufacture its own 3G USB dongles. Other manufacturers who are into mobile broadband are also manufacturing its own dongles. The increasing number of mobile broadband user has led to the increase in production of broadband devices to cope up with the demand. Using dongle is the safest way to protect, secure and authenticate the software.
Choosing the Right Mobile Broadband DongleYou have probably heard about the mobile broadband dongle, known in other names such as the mobile Internet dongle, the USB broadband dongle, and many more. The dongle is a device designed to allow you to connect to a broadband modem anywhere you are. Of course, the modem’s range must be taken into consideration. All you have to do is to connect the mobile broadband device, which is the dongle itself, through its USB unit to any computer or laptop. Also known as mobile models and mobile USB modems, the term “dongle” is more popularly embraced in the United Kingdom. Its spelling varies from company to company, but for the sake of this article, the term “dongle” is what we will use.
Because mobile broadband dongles are relatively new technology and are still in the process of widening its market, it is important that you find out everything you can about the companies that offer them. Looking for a mobile broadband dongle requires a certain amount of diligence on your part; you have to do some background research in order to separate the credible companies from those that have less than perfect records. Moreover, you should find out which manufacturers offer the top products. Reading dongle reviews that are posted over the Internet can help your job easier.
In the United Kingdom, the first company offering mobile broadband dongles you should definitely check out is Vodafone. Vodafone carries a wide array of several mobile USB modems; these include the USB modem stick, with a model that starts at 15 pounds and has a speed that can reach up to 7.2 megabytes, as well as a download option of no less than 3 gigabytes. The next company is 3’s, which, as its name suggests, offers a mobile broadband dongle that comes in three various packages. One of the best choices is the mobile broadband dongles with a speed that can reach up to 2.8 megabytes and a download option of 1 gigabyte; this is a great find at only ten pounds.
There are two other dongle providers that are offering mobile broadband dongles that you should consider, namely Orange and T-Mobile. Orange offers and USB device (ICON 225) with a speed that can reach up to 7.2 megabytes; meanwhile, T-mobile has a mobile USB modem with a speed that can reach up to 1.8 megabytes and a stellar 10-gigabyte download option. All the companies mentioned enjoy mostly positive feedback, as seen from online reviews. However, in order to get the best deals, you are advised to get more information about other features of the products, as well as the terms and conditions of each company’s contracts.
How Dongles StartedTo control the access to a particular application a device called a dongle must be attached to your computer. Copy protection is provided by the device. An ordinary computer dongle is attached to the parallel port of your computer or laptop and on Macintoshes it is attached to the ADB port. It passes through the data coming from the port and it prevents the port from being used for other purposes. If a person has several dongles they can be attached to the same port. It is said to be a small hardware that is connected in the computer with its usual function as authenticating the software. Without this the software your pc will only run in a restricted mode.
It uses a simple device that provides data to the Commodore PET�s cassette external port. It supplied both the data connections and the power in a proprietary connector. Dataview Ltd. of UK in Colchester is the first company to create a two cubic inch device called dongle. It rapidly involved into an active device that has a transceiver (UART) which is serialized and a microprocessor that handles transaction with its host.New modern smart cards has come out that can replaced the modern USB modem. According to online market reports the modern smart cards has overtaken the traditional MCU based dongle. Some are producing a one-chip dongle that can combine the smart card and the smart card reader in the same chip. This makes the smart card stable and easy. Rainbow Technologies now popularly known as SafeNet claimed that the word dongle derived from the name Don Gall. Although this is not true but still the myth remains as is for no reason at all.
It is termed as a hardware protection with small port parallel or USB plug that consist of small factory burned EPROM and a customized ASIC coated to prevent tampering. ASIC price are high so the seller compromise on parts to lower down the unit costs and other components are available everywhere. The return values obtained from the dongle by the issuing developer is the main idea behind its protection. Virtually without the dongles the implementations still can be broken, the developers aren�t motivated or devious to invest the time reading the dongle manufacturer�s API, they assume that will be deterrent enough.
The Importance of Careful Analysis When Choosing Mobile DonglesInternet providers like Vodafone, Orange, 3, and T-mobile are now competing with one another as to which has the best mobile broadband dongle packages in the UK markets today.
But before anybody can compare broadband dongles and their contract dongle price plans, it is important to first get to know what these dongles are. Basically 3G technologies are being utilized to its maximum potential and one of the newest ways is through mobile broadband. A dongle refers to a USB device in which you plug it into a laptop computer and access the World Wide Web through there. Vodafone, Orange, and the other leading ISPs have already started marketing and selling mobile broadband dongles to laptop users who are especially traveling and moving from one place to another. It is much more convenient than the traditional wireless LAN technology and the costs bring much more value back.The cost for internet services is one of the factors that determine a person’s choice of ISP and broadband package. Normally when a person subscribes to any of the UK ISPs, the rate is based per year and on how fast and strong the connection is. With mobile broadband dongles, all you have to do is plug it into your laptop and you have internet access of almost the same speed and strength. You don’t have to worry about extra charges for installation, technical support, and extra equipment that are sometimes required by particular internet service providers in order to connect to the internet.
It is important though that you know how to compare broadband dongles in order to make the most out of your internet package and to be able to choose the best according to one’s needs and regular internet usage. Once you are able to effectively compare broadband dongles, you will be able to both gain fast and stable access to the net for a good price and still make it to your trips and appointments on time.
Dongle Speed Tests
A dongle is a new term, still unfamiliar to some internet users, which refer to plug-and-play USB devices that provide broadband internet connection wherever and whenever the person wishes to log on. These are portable devices, meaning you can be in different countries, different areas of the city, and even in different rooms in your own home without having to worry about going offline or losing connection. The most popular internet service providers, including Vodafone, 3, T-mobile, and Orange, have already started introducing mobile broadband dongles and are experiencing significant increases of traffic and sales already. But of course, some people still do not have that much information about this new piece of technology, which is why this article aims to provide the basics and the important details about broadband dongles.
Even if you undergo a mobile broadband speed test, you’ll discover that dongles are not merely USB devices that provide weak and slow internet connections. It utilizes 3G and HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) technologies that enable laptop users to use fast and strong mobile broadband. So even if you take a mobile broadband speed test, you won’t feel disappointed with the downloading speed of mobile broadband dongles.
There are two kinds of mobile broadband dongles/modems: fixed plans and prepaid/pay as you go dongles. Fixed plans are usually more suitable to users who constantly log on to the internet, who own online businesses, and who are always communicating online. Vodafone, for instance, offers its users with a fixed price plan of £15 per month with a 7.2 MB speed already. Prepaid dongles, otherwise known as pay as you go,is best for users who would like to cut costs on internet charges, who do not always go online, and who prefer to go online only within their available budgets. Though dongles might have to improve in mobile broadband speed tests, it’s already the best of its kind to have ever existed in the UK markets.
But having said that, consult a Teckie 
Heres my input from the dongle thread
Three has the best coverage and is probably the best out of the lot for a dongle.
Orange are crap as you dont get as much data for your money
Vodafone are the same plus there contracts are 24months
T-mobile same as orange
Coverage checker three.co.uk/Mobile_Broadband … ed?id=1403
Take a look at the options here
Pay monthly threestore.three.co.uk/broadband/?id=1403
Pay as you go threestore.three.co.uk/payg/?modem=1&id=1403
My recommendation would be either the 1 month rolling contract for £15 a month for 5gb of data threestore.three.co.uk/dealsumma … 03&id=1403
or if he is a light user maybe the £7.50 a month for 1gb but it is a 18 months contract threestore.three.co.uk/dealsumma … 18MB1GD028
Take care mate.
But having said that, consult a Teckie
I await with bated breath - and bruised cranium.
Those ‘3’ links don’t work for me Bubsy, can you tell me what the cost of the dongle is on the £15/month rolling contract?
Spardo:
Those ‘3’ links don’t work for me Bubsy, can you tell me what the cost of the dongle is on the £15/month rolling contract?
Should work now mate, the dongle costs just £9.99. I think this is the best deal your gonna find.
Thanks for that. I’ve checked it out and I think you’re right, it does look like the ideal solution.
All I have to do is check it out with George, but sadly the difficulty I mentioned earlier about getting through to him reared its head again a few moments ago. Maybe the best time will be tomorrow morning, they’ll (the nurses) soon be running around getting people ready for the evening meal.
So, assuming he approves of this, and no-one comes up with different idea, where do we go from here? Is it time to start asking for firm commitments from people and then we can work out how much it will cost per head?
Then we can decide how we go about setting it in motion.