Editing Melbourne (section)

=== '''Internet / Wi-fi''' ===

'''Free Internet/ WiFi locations'''
[[File:Adel_202.jpg|thumb|right|Melbourne Museum ...]]
The [http://www.melbournelibraryservice.com.au/ City Library] and the [http://www.slv.vic.gov.au/ State Library of Victoria] allow free internet access - once you are a library member. This is easy to become if you have a letter confirming your address and another form of ID, such as a passport. The City Library allows an hour of free usage per day (more if you are a student), while the State Library has free 15-minute sessions, which you can join together providing there are not many other patrons waiting in line. 

* Check out the City of Melbourne's [http://www.thatsmelbourne.com.au/Gettingaroundthecity/Internet/Pages/InternetAccess.aspx free wifi] list
* There is free wi-fi in restaurants listed on [http://www.urbanspoon.com/t/71/14/Victoria/Free-Wi-Fi-restaurants Urbanspoon] 
* Check the [http://www.onlymelbourne.com.au/melbourne_details.php?id=10425 Wifi Hotspots] from OnlyMelbourne
* ANZ-sponsored free wi-fi at various cafes, [http://www.anz.com/Documents/AU/BrandNew/ANZSponsoredFreeWi-Fi.pdf Cafescreen Cafes]
* [http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/sunday-heraldsun/wifi-hotspots-in-melbourne/story-e6frf92f-1225821231115 Hotspots List] from the Herald Sun newspaper
* CouchSurfers have found that [http://www.magnation.com/index.php?do=storeLocation Mag Nation] on Elizabeth Street has free wifi, and are happy to have people stay there all day without buying anything.
* Another recommendation is [http://www.bigmouthstkilda.com.au Big Mouth Cafe] in St Kilda. Upstairs during the day it's pretty quiet (well it used to be, I'm assuming it still is). Then you can cross Acland St. to La Rouge and get cheap drinks when you're done studying :-)

'''Prepaid USB/ Post-paid Connections'''

Like mobile phones the three main Internet providers are Telstra, Optus & Vodafone. Telstra has the greatest range of services because they're the primary provider around Australia but they're also the most expensive. In cities Optus is quite fine, and Vodafone is just ok but both are often unreliable in the suburbs where they tend to over subscribe their service (too many users per tower). 

There is a thread [http://www.couchsurfing.org/group_read.html?gid=707&post=13219337 here] that will offer more insight.