Any technology advice, whether cellular …
Any technology advice, whether cellular or modular or interactive-odular…
1/29/11 España Sheriff writes in a comment:
First thing that springs to mind that is not obvious unless you’ve been there is that the LAX Marriott has crappy reception in the convention area, so don’t rely on being able to get calls, text messages or 3G access while downstairs. There are some spots where it works, but popping up to the lobby or outside is your best bet.
Very true. Last year they had a cell extender with the antenna running outside, but those are designed for 5 people, not 1500-2000.
1/29/11 @gallifreyan notes: Bring your chargers and extra cables, if you can. If you can’t, the Fedex Office store in the hotel may have chargers at a fair price (I got mine with multiple tips for $25 last year). And ALWAYS plug in if you can. Laptop, phone, PDA…
The hotel network service is $12.95 per day and includes local and long distance calling as well as wired or wireless Internet service. (I believe the service is limited to one device/MAC address, which means you can use wireless *or* wired but not both, without tech support nightmares.) Cellular data options (Rover/Clear/other USB or MiFi-style connections, tethering, smartphones, etc) should be usable from the hotel rooms and upstairs lobby, but connectivity in the lower level (where the convention is) may not be consistent or even usable. 2000 people with 1-2 devices each will tax even the best network.
Whomiga, and 2 others are discussing. 
The Secret Guide To #gally1 (formerly #gally) 
Nightsky 6:20 pm on February 2, 2011 Permalink |
The nearest Fry’s Electronics is in Manhattan Beach. This is not particularly close to the Marriott, but it might be handy to know in emergencies.
Whomiga 4:10 pm on February 7, 2011 Permalink |
I make a regular trip to Fry’s every year (Usually, between the time I pick up my car and when I go to the hotel) – I stopped buying certain electronics items last month and have started making notes to myself to look at Fry’s 🙂
rsts11 3:38 pm on January 26, 2013 Permalink |
Another possibility… if you know you will need something but don’t have time to get it in advance, Amazon and other online retailers will often ship to a third party address. So if you realize at 6pm on Wednesday that you need a replacement laptop charger and a case of gluten-free cereal, you could order with your Prime membership, have it shipped overnight to your hotel, and get it upon arrival on Friday.
This has saved my butt at a couple of other places (Disney World and another conference hotel).
rsts11 6:28 pm on February 2, 2011 Permalink |
Good pointer. There are also, about the same distance away, a Best Buy, Office Depot, and a bit farther, Radio Shack.
Electronics Retailers near 5855 W Century Blvd
But if you’re a geek coming from outside the land of Fry’s, it’s worth making a pilgrimage at least once in your life. 🙂
eyesdelight 9:33 pm on February 2, 2011 Permalink |
There is complimentary wireless internet available in the hotel lobby, and I found that it was also available in and around the meeting rooms. There’s a fee to have internet access in your room, but if you’re lucky, the room might still be in range of the lobby internet.
I also found out that sometimes in our room, my laptop could pick up another complimentary wireless network, which actually belonged to the hotel across the street!
oh 3:00 pm on October 7, 2012 Permalink |
Around LA 4g and wimax are available no-contract monthly for as little as $35 from ClearWire (clear.com) often with a mifi that can be shared with up to 7 other persons. 3g no contract monthly for $5 and $0.04 per meg from truconnect.com
verizon wireless, ATT, tmobile, and sprint all have 30 day trials of their respective mifi offering *wink*
be sure your mobile device has installed
XMPP client capable of OTR – secure instant text communication (sms is not-free)
** Jabber ID : http://Jabber.me
Glympse — to more easily find one another, and group transit
oh 3:01 pm on October 7, 2012 Permalink |
Find eating places with Waze
http://m.waze.com
(iOS, android, win, BB)
rsts11 3:40 pm on January 26, 2013 Permalink |
One thing to be aware of is that you may not get very good reception in the conference levels of the hotel. It was flaky to impossible back when we had around a thousand people there (most without mobile devices)… 3200 people with 2-3 devices each on average should make it a real challenge. 🙂
Also, for any of the no-contract services, you’ll likely have to purchase your equipment if it’s not built into your laptop already. But check return policies (or ebay for used equipment).