The short answer

The short answer is (in the words of Aerosmith): Hotspot is like Ad-Hoc, but not quite. Okay Aerosmith never said it like that, but if you know which song I’m referring too, leave your answer in the comment. HotSpot and Ad-Hoc can both be used to share your internet connection, and in some respect they are two of the same. They differ in what they are intended for.

The slightly longer answer

First, let me try to define what an Ad-Hoc and a HotSpot is:

HotSpot

Generally speaking, a HotSpot is what you are using when accessing Internet when you’re at a Café or a Hotel. Usually you need a username and/or password to log on through a web-Portal to be able to connect to the Internet.  HotSpot requires a Wi-Fi connection and works like your Wi-Fi Network at home. The HotSpot will normally only allow you to use the Internet. Not interact with other computers or gadgets using the same HotSpot.

Ad-Hoc

The Ad-Hoc is a wireless network without the need of a big Server, or a Router. A Router is preferable the easiest way to go, but you are able to do without. Ad-Hoc rely on each computers Wi-Fi Card to set up and Connect to other computers through one of the other, which for the sake of argument, is the Server (or main Computer). If this Computer has a Wireless Internet (USB modem etc.) then the Ad-Hoc Network can share the Internet Connection as well.

If you have multiple computers in your household, and all are running Windows 7, you might be using an Ad-Hoc Network already, otherwise known as HomeGroup.  The Ad-Hoc gives you much of the same functionality you would come to expect from a wired network, like Printer- and Filesharing.

I did promise an answer to my choice of title

The answer is simple. The main purpose of the article in mind, was to let other computers share your internet Connection. Not dealing with all the hassle with security, sharing, permissions etc. Though arguably you do the same as setting up an Ad-Hoc Network, you are only giving away Internet Access. And, besides, Rich would have a handful of 404 errors to handle If I were to change it now.

Tethering

Tethering is a word that began surfacing around 2009 when SmartPhones started appearing. In short, Tethering is using your phone (or other device) as an Internet Modem through an USB-Cable, Bluetooth or Wi-Fi Connection. Allowing your Laptop to connect to the Internet, no matter where you are. With 3G (and 4G) standards, this is almost as good as using a Wireless Internet, but will in the long run cost your more. But for that one desperate moment when you really need Internet – well, then that is a great solution.

Be aware that some Internet providers require you to sign up for an extra Tethering Service if you want to connect more than one device to their service.

The technique is by far new, and has been available before the world even knew what a SmartPhone is. But back then, it was called: “Using your Cellphone as modem” or something similar.

Every month we take a look around some of the most interesting windows-related web sites. We collect the best free stuff and write tips to help you get more out of Windows. Below you’ll find wallpapers, icon packs, fonts, screensavers, and freeware we’ve found over the last 31 days. We’ve also put together our most popular windows guides.

Enjoy the overview of stuff you shouldn’t have missed in December 2009.

Desktop Wallpapers (More Wallpapers)

Icon Packs (More Icon Packs)

iDVD Replacement Drive

Free Multimedia Vector Icons

Monofactor Icon Set 1: 25 Free & Scalable Icons

Business

Social networking Icons

Icons Cloud

Orange Jelly Social Networking Icons

High Res Dark Denim Social Media Icons

File Status

BLACK

Cinema Sigma Icons

Aviation Icons

Polaroid icon set

Free Vector Icons Pack 03

Iconshock Security

Leopard Style Drive Icons 2

Mail icons

Adobe:Round icons

CMT iPhone Icons

Free Vector Icons Set

Black Vista Icon Pack

Fortune 500 Badges

OSX Refflective Iconset 1

Mobile Device Icons

150 Badges

Dimension Of Deskmod Cds

Antique Glowing Copper Orbs Social Networking Icons

IconsETC Black Inlay on Steel Social Media Icons

Monsters Inc

Country Flag Icons

Danish Royalty Free

Icons ETC Twitter Icon Promo Pack

WebAppers: Free Web Application Icons Set

1006 Quality Icons for your websites

Drop Box Icon

Cristal Intense

Page Peel

Photoshop CS3 icons

MinIcons

heart_PNG

Fonts (More Fonts)

Simplistic

Cranberry Blues

Gubblebum

Vinegar

Thurston the Font

Evolution

Kingdom Font

Avant Garder

Contempory – Modern Font

Font bola

Modeno font

ABC – Version 2

Often tf

Estrya’s Handwriting

NOxWAY Font

GHOSTTOWN

Loveable Scruff

Cash Font

Monster Hunter

AB Exp

Software (More Software)

• EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition Manages Your Hard Drives
• DShutdown Gives You Control Over When Your Computer Shuts Down
• Jarte Replaces Wordpad as a Simple Word Processor
• Dragon Voice Dictation iPhone App Rocks!
• Texter Automates Commonly Typed Phrases/Scripts

Tutorials & Guides (More Guides: XP | Vista | 7)

• Change the Background in WMP12 (Part 1)
• Change the Background in WMP12 (Part 2)
• Steps To Solving PC Problems Caused By Missing DLL Files

THE END

Every month we take a look around some of the most interesting windows-related web sites. We collect the best free stuff and write tips to help you get more out of Windows. Below you’ll find wallpapers, icon packs, fonts, screensavers, and freeware we’ve found over the last 30 days. We’ve also put together our most popular windows guides.

Enjoy the overview of stuff you shouldn’t have missed in November 2009.

Desktop Wallpapers (More Wallpapers)

Icon Packs (More Icon Packs)

Moleskine Helvetica Icon

IconTexto Web 2.0 User

Colourflow : 225 icon set

Wild Wild West

Onebit

The Browser Icons

Cook Icons

Pink Jelly Social Networking Icons

Transparent Glass Social Bookmarking Icons

CoffeeBreak Icon

Developer Library Icon

Glossy eCommerce Icons: 32 Free Icons

iSuite Revoked Animated PNG

2experts

Windows 7 DVD-Box’s

140 Stone Tile Icons

Colourflow : Folders – Blue

Colourflow:lovesamy custom set

Colorflow Unique

MS Office 2007 Icons Pack

3D Glossy Black Button Social Networking Icons

Project Icon Set

Credit Cards

Glowing Neon Social Networking Icons

Ultra Glossy Silver Button Social Media Icons

Survival Icons

TextEdit

Tools Icon Set: 8 Free Icons

Boxes

Browsers Compass Icon Pack UD

Web Injection

Islamic Icon

iSuite Revoked

Jacky D Icon

Steampunk Twitter Logo

30 free office Icons

Mini Coke

Blue CD Icon

ColorFlow Art Project Folders

MinIcons

Fonts (More Fonts)

Philosopher

Layer Cake

Neighbourhood Type

Whiteboard Modern

Peace

Analogue vs. Digital

Tash

House M.D. Font

Trash co

Origram

fontHMG.01: re-noise

advent

Twilight Font

manu font

TYPORM01 Round ans Square

Alpha 1 Font

Barnes

TYPORM01R

bobsmade font

squair font

Software (More Software)

• Team Viewer Gives You Access to Friends’ PCs
• Threatfire Protects You from Viruses & Malware
• How To Save Documents Straight To SkyDrive – Office 2010
• Watch Your Favorite TV Shows on Your PC with Miro
• Zip Tools: The Best Alternatives to WinZip and WinRar

Tutorials & Guides (More Guides: 7 | Vista | XP)

• Triple/Quad-Boot Your PC With Windows, Ubuntu, & Mac OSX
• Use Virtual XP Mode in Windows 7 [How To]
• Customize Aero Peek in Windows 7

THE END

Enjoy the overview of stuff you shouldn’t have missed in October 2009.

[Image Credit]

Desktop Wallpapers (More Wallpapers)

Angie’s mintywhite Wallpapers

See all 16 wallpapers here.

National Geographic Wallpapers

Icon Packs (More Icon Packs)

Â

Finance

Office Tools Icons

Nova

Icons Set 1

Blue and White Pearl Social Bookmarking Icons

Matte White Square Social Networking Icons

Food Icons

Sailing Icons

Basic Set

Blue Jelly Social Media Icons

GP iCons

Sketchy

Green Jelly Social Bookmarking Icons

Red and White Pearl Social Media Icons

Stunning 128 free icons by wefunction

Stationery Icons

Badge-it Yourself

Lord of the Ring

Lucid: Icons

Flavour Extended

Slurpee

Joost

Samsung TV

Coquette 4

Space Icons

Circus

Cute Critters Free Icon Pack

256×256 Icons Set 8

Russian Icon Set

HydroPRO v2

Web Social Icons

Pixel Kitty Icons

Media Icons

Pretty Office Icons

Retro Grunge Stripes

Fresh Add-on

Glossy Black Comment Bubble Social Networking Icons

Flavours

Glossy Waxed Wood Social Networking Icons

Qure for Adobe Creative Suite

Fonts (More Fonts)

Slant

Steinzeit

Pepsi

Chunk Open Source

CartoGothic

Flaminia Type System

Bergamo Std

Danube

Poster

Neon Lights

RvD Printplate

Junction

Baby Blocks

Nadia Serif

Age 11

Pappo’s Blues

Taco Box

Bedini

Soraya

Pastas

Nevis

Sausage

Prototype

Levi Brush

HVD Spencils

Painty Paint

309

Rowdy

Tattoo Ink

Taco Modern

Software (More Software)

• Windows Fonts Explorer Organizes Your Font Collection
• XdN Tweaker Customizes Windows XP, Server 2003, Vista, and 7
• Jarte Replaces Wordpad as a Simple Word Processor
• Rollip Transforms Your Photos into Classic Polaroids

Tutorials & Guides (More Guides: XP | Vista | 7)

• How To Series: Windows Desktop Theme Customization
• Create Custom Desktop Themes in Windows 7 [How To]
• 41 Windows Vista Custom Desktop Theme Packs
• 48 Windows XP Custom Desktop Theme Packs

THE END

Every month we take a look around some of the most interesting windows-related web sites. We collect the best free stuff and write tips to help you get more out of Windows. Below you’ll find wallpapers, icon packs, fonts, screensavers, and freeware we’ve found over the last 30 days. We’ve also put together our most popular windows guides.

Enjoy the overview of stuff you shouldn’t have missed in September 2009

Desktop Wallpapers (More Wallpapers)

Icon Packs (More Icon Packs)

Kidaubis Chinese Wind Icons

Delikate-Lite

WP WooThemes Ultimate Icon Set

Chalkwork Payments

Realty Icons

Hydrogen

CSSGlobe Icon Set

Chalkwork HTML

Web Blog Icon Pack

Graphic Peel

iD

Sleek XP Basic Icons

Slick Drives Remake

Reality

iPhone Toolbar Icons

Enjoy the overview of stuff you shouldn’t have missed in August 2009

[Image Credit]

Desktop Wallpapers (More Wallpapers)

Icon Packs (More Icon Packs)

Vista Style Ultimate

Aesthetica Icon Set

Ruby Extended Icons

Wraith Dock Icon Pack

HP Dock Icon Set

1024, 512, and 256 px PNG Icons.

Radium Icon Set

Fold iCons v1

DeskMundo Live Icons

Fold iCons v1

Q’s Vista Ready Icons

Vista Icon Pack

iVista Icon Pack

Vista Toolbar Icons

Antares Icons Pack

Aire Icon Pack

Vista Style

Air Icons

Alpha Dista

3D RSS

stock icons

free RSS/Feed icon set

8 icons which you can use for private and commercial projects, blogs and web-sites for free. The icons are available for both Mac and Win-users in resolutions 16×16px, 24×24px, 32×32px, 48×48px, 128×128px, 256×256px and 512×512px.

Glass Style RSS/Feed Icons

8 colors in various sizes and formats

(max)Icone Blog – Set 1

30 Icons in PNG format

(max)Icone Blog – Set 2

25 Icons in PNG format

Feedicons 2

Feedicons

Free Web 2.0 style RSS feed icon. Free Psd.

Feedicons

Grunge Style Rss Feed Icons

Grunge Style Icons

Color RSS icons

Colored RSS Icons

RSS Icons

RSS Icons

RSS Feed Badges / Icons

Feed Badges

RSS Icon

RSS Icons

Rss icon (png) freebie!

Free RSS Icons

A Rainbow of Free Round RSS Icons

Contains a 16px, 32px and 64px of each color below (PNG files)

Free Feed icons

16 Free Feed icons set in PNG,ICO,ICNS(256×256 px, 128×128 px,64×64,32×32 Sizes)

A Nice Collection of Feed Icons

Feed Icons

Social Bookmarks

Google and Facebook

Glossy Web 2.0 Icons

Google Tango Icon Set Vol. 2

WebDev Social Bookmark

Set of social icons

Dellifeed: A Free Icon Set

Free Download Social Icons

The Leaves Fall: A Social Icon Set For Bloggers

Set of social icons no.2

Free Hand Drawn Doodle Icon Set for Bloggers

Social Icons hand drawned

Heart: A Free Social Icon Set

Socialize Icons

Web 2 Icons

Social Icons Made of Wood

Web 2.0rigami

Social Bookmark Iconset

34 (ou plus) boutons gratuits pour votre site

Social Media Icons Pack

Fonts (More Fonts)

Andiron Outline

Depraved

Impact Label

Masquerade

RVD Printplate

Dot Com

Jersey Letters

Mohawk

Sandwich

Sho Card Caps

Spitfire

Empire State

Jungle Fever

Neoprint M319

Street Cred

Kitten Meat

Nightmare 5

Today

Top Speed

Tungfont Alpha 003

Freeware (More Freeware)

• Volumouse Controls Your System Volume with Your Mouse Wheel
• IE Collection Puts All Versions of IE on Your PC
• Yuuguu Helps You Collaborate Online with Screen Sharing

Tutorials & Guides (More Guides: XP | Vista | Windows 7)

• Remove Shortcut Overlay Arrow Icon in Vista [How To]
• Stop Windows Update Restart Now Prompts
• Encrypt Files on Your Hard Drive in Windows XP [How To]
• Persistent Acquiring Network Address Notification XP
• Encrypt Files on Your Hard Drive in Windows Vista/Seven [How To]
• Creative Folder Shortcut Links in Vista [How To]

THE END

Enjoy the overview of stuff you shouldn’t have missed in July 2009

[Image Credit]

Desktop Wallpapers (More Wallpapers)

Icon Packs (More Icon Packs)

Distortion Icons

Dellipack 2

I-KID Icons for iPhone

SLR Lens Icon

Pirates Theme Icon Collection

Glossy Member Icons

DESIGN for: psdbox.pl

Carbon Gloss

De Freu Icon Pack

Qure for Adobe Creative Suite

Paperclip Icon

ZeroOne

Ecommerce Icons

Website Icons

RSS Feed

Drop Box Icon

Green and Blue

Finance and Applications Icon Set

Colorabo Icons

Onibari Leopard Made

Tango Icon Library

Flag Icons

165 Vector Icons (5 Colors)

Email Me

Google and Facebook

Stickers Icon Set

Blossom Icon Set

Doctype Icons 2

Paper Docs

Pixelicious

Free Web Development Icons #4

Grungy Olive Icons

Grungy Asphalt Icons

Biticons

Google Tango Icon Set Vol. 2

Web Application Icons Set

Fonts (More Fonts)

Aero Jones NF

Black Oak

Chocolate Box

Nougat

Vinnie Boom Bahnf

Varsity

Vila Morena

Graphic Attitude

God Save the Queen

Paisley Caps

Wolverine

Console

Hamburger Heaven

Mark

Patches

Pez

Blue Plate Special

Dancing Donuts

Freeware (More Freeware)

• EASEUS Partition Master Home Edition [Featured Download]
• Restoration Recovers Deleted a Lost Files [Portable]
• Tunnelier: An SFTP and SSH Client
• Battery Bar Monitors Your Battery Life and Health

Tutorials & Guides (More Guides: XP | Vista | Windows 7)

• Change Default Power Button on Vista’s Start Menu
• See an Infinite View with LogMeIn [Geek Trick]
• Change Wireless or Wired Network Icon in Vista [How To]
• Troubleshoot Networks with Multiple Access Points
• Fix Internet Connection with Release RenewFix Internet Connection with Release Renew

THE END

Enjoy the overview of stuff you shouldn’t have missed in June 2009

[Image Credit]

Desktop Wallpapers (More Wallpapers)

Icon Packs (More Icon Packs)

The Last Order Plus

AlumiGlax 2, Special Folders

avXicons

Monsters

Blue whales 2006

Snowe Doc 2

Azenis IP

Black glamour

“ecqlipse” PNG

Movie Icons

Elegant icon set

Arzo Icons Vol.2

Hiddenmx Win

Leomx Win

Antares Complete Pack

Browsers Compass Icon Pack UD

CSSEdit Black Icons

Life Saver

Miscellaneous

Exempli Gratia

FRESH Add-on

UMI Icons

Blueset Icons

Scrap Icons

Mini Pixel Icons

Old School Icon Set

Hand Drawn Doodle

Archigraphs Porcelain Icons

Coquette Icons

The Graphs

Turqua 3d Isometric Vector Icon Pack

Free Glossy Blogging Icons Set for Bloggers

Function Free Icon Set

Web Browsers Icon Set

Web 2.0rigami

Phuzion Icons

Web 2 Icons

Feed Me Animals (RSS)

Practika Icon Set

Nice ‘n’ Simple Subscribe Badges

Fonts (More Fonts)

Dirty and Classic

Jellyka Castles Queen

Als Script

Arab Dances

Argor Got Scaqh

Bastarda K

Badonk a Donk

Manga Speak

Rzrarti

Sweeet

Reflet Electrik

Shellhead

Sliced Juice

Detroit Ghetto

Vandalism

Urban

Tutorials & Guides (More Guides: XP | Vista | Windows 7)

• Screen Goes Black After Changing the Resolution
• Open Old Document Formats [How To]
• Restore Quick Launch Shortcut Icons in Windows Vista [How To]

THE END

Enjoy the overview of stuff you shouldn’t have missed in May 2009

[Image Credit]

Desktop Wallpapers (More Wallpapers)

Icon Packs (More Icon Packs)

Futurama Icons

Shoe Stacks

Just in Case – LP Case Icons

Yeti Box

Onyz Leopardized

Caffeine Replacement Icons

Slika File Cabinet Icon

Arzo Icons

GVS iconset

MINUM CALABI Mac

Milky – Part 6

Ipod Nano Icons

isabi for Windows

Adjust’s Glass Folders

MICRO + NickelCobalt Mod

iPlatinum

TiCons 3

globe-white icons for browsers

PSP Icons

the last order:candy

Dock Icon Set VI

Dock Icon Set XI

eico 1 Year

Hardware

WEB

Leomx

Hardwaremx Plus

Hardwaremx

Elite Icoms

IconTexto WebDev

VannillA Cream Icon Set

VLC Beam

Weathered Apple Icon

Dirty ShoeBox Version Zero

So-real Fruits Icons

Reflective Dock Icons

Staned Aero

Icons 12

icon

HALO Dock Icons

Fonts (More Fonts)

Octin Spraypaint

Stunfillawenka

Trashed

Scrubbed

Retro Rock Poster

Core

Negotiate

Delicious

Fontin

Fontin Sans

American Participants

Acens

Carbon

Aller Sans

Mayberry Pro

Advent

Freeware (More Freeware)

• FastAero Gives Aero Effects in Windows XP

Tutorials & Guides (More Guides: XP | Vista | Windows 7)

• Remove Microsoft Groove Folder Synchronization [How To]
• Turning Your Computer into a Local Web Server [How To Series]

THE END

Enjoy the overview of stuff you shouldn’t have missed in April 2009

[Image Credit]

Desktop Wallpapers (More Wallpapers)

Icon Packs (More Icon Packs)

August Iconset

W R E N

Blend

Aqua & Blend

Coversutra 2.0

Application Pack Volume 1

Neige

Creme

icons(red)

3D Blue

Mirror

Ruby Multimedia Icons

WYSIWYG Sapphire Icons

WYSIWYG Classic Icons

Blue Velvet Icons

Pirates Icons

Fonts (More Fonts)

Evolution

YoungDantes

cow.cow

Grunge Serifia

Advent

Arista

Brand New Burn

Broken Ghost

Old Typewriter

Freeware (More Freeware)

• RightDelete and SDelete Delete Your Files Permanently
• USB Lost and Found Helps You Get Your Thumb Drive Back
• XP Scene Gives You Windows Dreamscene in XP
• MP3 TagScanner Renames Files, Tags and More

Tutorials & Guides (More Guides: XP | Vista)

• Change Your Vista Logon Screen (Method 2) [How To]
• Change Vista’s Computer (OEM) Information [How To]

THE END