A hot new trend in computer technology has Internet surfers getting connected without actually being connected. It's called Wi-Fi -- and with it, specially equipped computers can plug into the Internet without the wires.

At the University of Guelph, for example, students may still be lining up for their caffeine fix at the campus library's new coffee bar.

But there are no more lineups to use the library's computers.

Since the University installed the short-range, wireless, high-speed Internet service known as Wi-Fi, students have been quick to make it part of their regular routine.

"I like it 'cuz it just means I can go on the computer whenever I want. It's no big deal," one student told CTV News.

It's not just the 'anytime' aspect that has students buzzing though. They're just as excited about the ability to get connected anywhere.

As they curl up with a laptop in a comfy chair, or log on from among the stacks of books, the school's chief librarian says students are experiencing a sort of emancipation.

"Wireless was an obvious thing for us because it allowed students to access our resources no matter where they were in the building or even if they were outside the building in some cases," Mike Ridley told CTV.

And the wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) networks aren't just popping up in the nation's halls of learning.

Across Canada, laptop surfers can get connected in a growing number of locations -- from airports to coffee shops to hotels.

The dedicated web head can even be on a train in some parts of the country and access the Internet via one of these new wireless networks.

In fact, the technology is quickly moving into the mainstream across Canada, spurred by entrepreneurs like Spotnik Mobile co-CEO Mark Wolinsky.

He's racing to build as many Wi-Fi 'hotspots' as fast as he can.

"We just saw the explosion of Wi-Fi and what it could do for the end user in terms of enhancing productivity and providing people with a means to communicate in ways folks haven't been able to do traditionally," Wolinsky said, explaining his enthusiasm for the new technology.

Entrepreneurs aren't the only ones getting in on the action.

The city of Fredericton, New Brunswick, for example, recently became Canada's first city to offer Wi-Fi access in every municipal building.