Free citywide and municipal wi-fi is growing faster than ever with new downtown hotspots popping up every day. While these networks provide a great public service, coverage typically extends only a limited distance beyond Main Street. Learn how to find and connect to your local free wi-fi networks.

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[edit] Steps

Find out if your city has a public wi-fi network by checking Wi-FiHotSpotList.com.
Download a free wi-fi finder program such as the one at NetStumbler.com.
Make or buy an inexpensive directional wireless booster cantenna and connect it to your computer's wi-fi card, PCMCIA card, or your access point.
While using your wi-fi finding program, scan the horizon with your cantenna and look for the free network you found in the directory. It is best to point the cantenna out a high window with a clear line of sight to the public network
Once you find the network, connect and set up your antenna in the position that gives you the best signal strength.