Correct - many people choose entirely unsuitable visual fixes and far too many. You shouldn't really need more than 2 or 3 on a 50 mile leg, I would suggest. Even when you've graduated to basic, non-IFR TSO'd GPS use, a good confirmatory visual feature adds a lot of confidence!
I find GSM/GPRS internet access quite slow and unreliable with the original Vodafone Mobile Connect card and only ever use it as a last resort.
We will be upgrading our computer at the Flying Club and intend to add a wi-fi router which will be MAC-address restricted so that any member who provides their MAC address should be able to access the internet using their own laptops.