what do I get for wireless internet?

You will need either a PCI wireless network adapter that would install into a PCI slot inside of your computer or a USB wireless network adapter that would plug into one of the USB ports on your computer.   Note that since your computer is not easily portable and since the maximum range of wireless networks is 300 feet under ideal line of sight conditions, unless you are within range of one of the wireless access points, it is not likely that you will get a very good connection.   Furthermore, most universities restrict access by some method to prevent unauthorized users from using the network, so you should check with the university to make sure that they don't have some kind of access restrictions or if they do, to find out what you need to do to connect to their wireless network.

 

Steve

Once you get the equipment Steve mentioned, here's how you set it up:

 

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/setup/default.mspx
http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9002706&source=rss_news10

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/moredone/wirelesssetup.mspx

Thanks for all the suggestions!  Any good ideas where I could browse some inexpensive wireless adapters? 

 

I'm not sure if I'll actually get it since I have a desktop, not a laptop, but I am across the street from a hot spot, so I think I may be close enough.