Here's the lowdown. I have a Dell Inspiron 8500 with all the gizmos and doodads, which I purchased almost two years ago. I'm sure it's outdated by now, but I don't care. The computer had more power than I really needed at time of purchase. Anyhow, it has a PC card slot. I'm assuming this is where you put in a wifi card. Just some silly questions:

1. I understand a wifi card will give me Internet access, granted that there is a signal nearby. Does having a wifi card mean I have Internet access regardless if I have a sbscription or not?

2. I'm seeing USB wifi. Are they better than a wifi card?

3. What say you about cheap (around $30) wifi cards? I know they will be slower, but I'm more concerned with security than speed.

4. Recommendations?

Thanks.