Quote from DMcWilliams:
Can anyone give me some tips for someone who is going to be trading while on the road and staying at various hotels, and using the hotel internet connection?
Not sure what you are looking for. I do that from time to time (while on vacation. ;-) ).
In major cities in the USA and Asian countries (I have done that) shouldn't be an issue. Internet access is quite common. But...
If the provide a wireline access Internet (a RJ45 cable in the room) that would be the best. But these days most of them like to use wireless. (Though some provides both - like Courtyard Marriott). Probably because wireless is cheaper to for their installation and maintenance. But here is the problem:
1. How far is your room away from the WAP (Wireless Access Point, meaning the wireless router). They have a few on each floor probably... they are strategically located to cover most of the floor space. The thing with wireless: the farther you are from the WAP, the slower the bandwidth would be. If the WAP is right outside your room... that would be fantastic.
You may want to check with the hotel staff about this. But most likely they will give you a blank look and not know what you are talking about. Ask them if they know which rooms have better wireless receptions than the others. And when you check in to the hotel room, test out the wireless connectivity first before you unpack anything and switch rooms if necessary. That's my lesson learned.
2. With wireless connections, each wireless device shares the same bandwidth from the same WAP serving them. So if you happen to have a neighbor who likes to download gigabytes of stuff in his room, it will affect your throughput. As it happened to me once. The IT staff at the hotel had to cut off the other guy and give them a notice. But I already lost one morning of time trading due to very slow connection speed.
3. If your destination is domestic USA, it helps to check if there is any FedEx/Kinko locations nearby as a backup plan. I did resolve to using their LapNet stations sometimes during my trips.
4. I always bring an external LCD monitor along with my laptop. And usually I bring 2 sets: 2 laptops and 2 LCD monitors. And a MUX (a switch) to share the landline. If wireless, each laptop has wireless capability. If you go that route, it's best to ask the airline staff to label your check-in luggage as "fragile" so the handlers won't toss your bag around with the LCD monitor(s) inside. I got one LCD monitor broken because of that (and I saw them do it too).
