Internet access
Most of the internet cafes are located in the eastern part of town or Grønland. Look for small shops selling telephone cards - they usually have internet terminals. If you carry your own laptop, WLANs will be easy to find at cafes, hotels, bars and even in parks. For a good overview of free WLAN sites look here: (http://no.freewlan.org/in...) in norwegian. There are several open wifi connections on the upper level cafes at the train station Oslo Sentralstation and the subway station at Grønland.
Deichmanske Bibliotek (Library)
Free wifi and 30 minutes of free use of computer terminals at all locations.
Unginfo
Free use of computer terminal for 30 minutes for people 26 and under, although age is rarely checked.
Arctic Internet
The most complete Internet cafe - business center with full spectra of services and personnel onsite.
Oslo S Train Station
On the first and second floor, there are several automated stand alone computers setup for basic internet surfing, as well as an Internet cafe in the bus terminal next to the central station.
7-11
Many 7-eleven shops have terminals you can use for a small fee, although this is not a very convenient way to surf if you need to use the computer for a long time.
Internet cafe
Oslo City Shopping Center
Internet kiosks.
Cafe Tiger
Free wifi with purchase.
cope
It is easy to get around in Oslo, and almost every Norwegian speaks English. Most people will respond in English to any question you may have. Some Norwegians also speak some German or French, due to the proximity of the language, and that you may study it in school.
The Youth information Unginfo runs an independent information desk in Møllergata (http://use-it.unginfo.oslo.no/) aimed at budget travelers. This service is free and they also provide free internet access. On their web page there is an online guide to Oslo for budget travelers.
winter conditions
In winter watch out for icy patches, and when wandering in the forest beware when crossing snowy clearings - they may well be frozen lakes with snow over them, which may look safe but could crack. Finally, beware of snow falling from the roofs in Oslo - there are usually red/yellow signs upwards, and some areas are occasionally cordoned off.
water
The tap water of Oslo is among the cleanest in the world. Do drink tap water instead of bottled water, which does nothing but drain your pocket of much needed kroner.
traffic
Cars are required to yield to pedestrians at marked and signed crossings, and will be heavily fined if they don't. However, this rule does not apply to trams streetcars; the trams have the right of way. Oslo has a web of tram lines downtown and as the trams are fast and heavy, you will certainly lose if you attempt to challenge one.
scams
Common scams occur in Oslo, and there are recent 2008 reports on the "guessing game" being perpetrated on the street - don't get involved in street-betting as it is certain to be a scam.
politics
Politics is a none-too-sensitive subject in Norway, and is often discussed in public. Like in other western countries, political views differ, and most people seem to tolerate this. There are both far-right and far-left opinions in the everyday crowd, but true extremism is rare. Pay normal attention when expressing your political opinions; violent and autocratic ideologies are generally not tolerated in Norway. In addition, being a highly diverse city, racism and sexism is generally not tolerated among most people in Oslo. In environmental policies, Norwegians have a fairly European-minded attitude when climate issues are discussed, but fewer people including activists will be vegetarian.