How can I use my apartment complex’s free Wi-Fi? [ASK MR. NOOBIE]

QUESTION: I live in an apartment complex with free public Wi-Fi in the lobby. My neighbors tell me they can pick up the signal on their iPads but I have a desktop computer. Is there a way I can stop paying for my own Internet service and use the free Wi-Fi on my desktop computer? – Stacy Peters from San Antonio, Texas

ANSWER: I’m going to stick to the technical answer only on this one because I don’t know if your apartment complex has any kind of policy on whether or not the free Wi-Fi in the lobby is for guests only or for residents as well. Or if they only want people physically present in the lobby using the Wi-Fi.

But the simple answer to your question is yes, it’s possible (and easy) to pick up the lobby’s free Wi-Fi as long as you live close enough to pick up the signal (which it sounds like you do). The only snag is that you will probably need to buy a wireless adapter.

I say that because I’m guessing your computer is more than 1 or 2 years old and doesn’t have built-in wireless. It’s been pretty standard on laptops for years now but desktop computers are just starting to come around.

So your best bet is to walk into your local big box electronics store and ask for something called a “USB wireless adapter”. Or if you want an even easier way, look through the selection on Amazon.com.

Once you have your adapter, you just plug it into an open USB port on your computer and you should be in business, connecting just like anyone else would with a laptop or iPad.

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