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Getting Online at a PolkaSpots Hotspot is easy.

Follow the steps below to get online. If you're having difficulties, please read the troubleshooting guide below. You can also also download the User Guide as a PDF using the link above.

Step 1

You can use any laptop or mobile device as long as it has a wireless card installed. If you don't have one you can buy them from most computer retailers. You'll also need an Internet browser, such as Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer. These usually come with your machine.

Step 2

Visit a PolkaSpots Hotspot, grab a coffee and a seat and turn your computer on.

Step 3

Connect to your local PolkaSpots WiFi Network. Go to a web site and you will see one of our login screens.

Step 4

If you are a registered PolkaSpots user, enter your login name and password. If you need a login, you can buy pre-paid Internet Vouchers from the location directly or you can also use your credit / debit card online. Click the "Sign-up" buttons on the login screens and follow the instructions.

Step 5

Now you've logged in, you can surf the Internet as you usually would.

Please make sure you logout when you are finished. Click logout on the pop-up that appeared when you logged in or visit:

www.polkaspots.com/logout

You should also turn of your Wi-Fi card, or power down your machine.

Watch the demo

Want to see what it looks like? Watch the demo here. (Requires flashplayer).

Troubleshooting

You don't need any extra software to get online at a PolkaSpots Hotspot. All you need is a wireless enabled laptop or mobile device. Check below if you're having problems.

Windows XP and Vista Users

1. First ensure that your wireless device is switched on
2. Click Start > Control Panel > Network Connections
3. Right click your wireless device and select "Properties"
4. Select the "Wireless Networks" tab and highlight PolkaSpots from the list of available networks. Click "Configure"
5. Ensure the check boxes on the following screen are all disabled. Click "OK"
6. Select the "Advanced" tab and make sure that nothing is enabled
7. Click on the "General" tab and double-click "Internet Protocol TCP/IP"
8. Make sure your settings are the same as the one in the image below. Click "OK"
9. Close all the open screens, open an Internet browser and go to a website. You should be presented with one of our login screens (see below)

MAC OS X Users

You should just be able to click the Airport icon at the top of your display, and then select PolkaSpots. If you cannot see this or are having problems, click the Apple icon in the top left-hand corner of your screen and open "System Preferences" Click "Network" and double click "Airport" in the list of networks Make sure "Configure IPv4" is set to "Using DHCP" and remove any DNS server entries Click "Apply Now"

Open an Internet browser and go to a website. You will be presented with one of our login screens.

Linux Users

There's not a lot to say really.

1. Turn laptop on
2. Open browser and use Internet
3. Be more productive
4. Repeat as required

How do I login?

Once you are connected to a PolkaSpots Hotspot, open an Internet browser and go to a website - a login screen will appear.

I've got a pre-paid internet voucher:

Enter your unique card and pin number (not case sensitive) in the boxes marked "Internet Vouchers" and click "Login"

You should see a confirmation screen and now you will be able to browse the Internet as usual. Don't forget to logout when you are finished (see below)

I'm a registered user:

Enter your username and password in the boxes marked "Registered Users" and click "Login"

You should see a confirmation screen and now you will be able to browse the Internet as usual. Don't forget to logout when you are finished (see below)

Logging Out

Please make sure you logout when you are finished.

Click logout on the pop-up that appeared when you logged in or visit:

www.polkaspots.com/logout

If you forget, or you turn your computer off, our system will log you out automatically after 10 minutes.

You should also turn of your Wi-Fi card, or power down your machine.