September 7, 2010
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Unconnected
I lost my internet connection during the late afternoon. After trying the usual reseating of cables, unplugging the modem, swearing at the modem; I called the internet service provider. They tried to do some problem determination over the phone but couldn't get it to work. The person thought it might be the modem that I rent from them so I made my way to a store to get it replaced.
What hit home was how dependent I am on a decent high speed internet at home I couldn't get through to the store so I wanted to look for another store. I had to dig out the White Pages! I don't remember the last time I did that. I do a lot of work at night so the connection is vital. Otherwise I would have to be at work. I pay my bills, read the usual new sites, food porn, your blogs, weather, mail etc... I was actually in a bit of a panic. Thankfully the replacement modem is working fine.
I wouldn't know what to do with out a high speed internet connection from home. It's pretty well become a part of my life. On my way home, I started to think about those that aren't as lucky as I am. Do a lot of schools assume that their students will have their own PC and internet access at home? If I was still in high school now, I know my family wouldn't not have any money for a PC - let alone internet access. I'd probably be dependent on the school's lab (if they have one) or the public library. I feel for lower income families. A computer and a fast, cheap access to the internet will certainly help close the gap.
Comments (31)
Some idiot left a phone book on my doorstep the other day and it went promptly into the recycling bin. What a waste of paper!
I'm quite sure in the future, free wi-fi will be the norm.
We are fortunate to live in a majoy city with all these high tech gadgets. But think about this, how about losing power? That's even worse, I suppose
@CareyGLY - Oh, Carey, I think I got the same yellow cover phone book at my door step too! It went to the recycling bin as well!
@CurryPuffy - I remember the outage we had a few years ago - that was brutal.
@CareyGLY - we get a pile of phone books every year at our condo.
Yeah I know, I get frustrated during my road trip coz i cannot connet to the internet. i feel i got cut out form the internet. I have blackberry but that is just different.
I think schools do assume that now, or at the very least have access through public libraries.
Couldn't agree more with what you wrote about dependency about the Internet. My provider here has hiccups sometimes, and it drives me insane. I have a UMTS backup Internet from a different provider. OK, I am a little paranoid.
i'm totally dependent on the internet and computers... everything i do is computer related, particularly with regards to work. colleges generally assume that students have internet access, and it's starting to get to the point where high schools and even middle schools make that assumption too! crazy.
"Hydraulic despotism: central control of an essential energy such as
water, electricity, fuel, medicines, melange . . . Obey the central
controlling power or the energy is shut off and you die!" ~ Frank Herbert, Dune
Internet Access is the new "Spice" in our universe? A toxic addictive substance we cannot do without?
@vsan79 - we sort of have this need to feel connected even if it's just for routine stuff.
@Roadlesstaken - my bf's nephew and niece are in high school and they are expected to have a pc for some of their homework. I think that's putting a lot of pressure on the parents.
@beowulf222 - if your primary service is spotty then having a backup isn't a crazy idea.
@kunhuo42 - J's nephew and niece both need a computer for some of their high school homework. That's a lot to ask for I think - I don't know how my parents could afford buying a PC for us.
@ZenPaper - I love the Dune reference!
I recently changed internet provider and went an entire week without the internet. It was pretty hard at the beginning but ultimately you have way more time to do other things like being physically active
I suspect you aren't going to find anyone on Xanga who will disagree with you, Matt. We are, after all, bloggers and as such are addicted to our DSL lines! Living in a developing country, I am frequently reminded about my dependence when we have power interruptions of inexplicable dropping of the internet connection. There's nothing to do except read a book, write a letter, go for a walk, take a nap... Actually, it sounds like there is plenty to do!
@ZenPaper - Nice reference!
@kachino - there's life w/o the internet?
@christao408 - as one of the ultimate mobile workers - that must drive you nuts since you depend on it for communications. mai pan rai? I'm so used to everything working whenever I need it.
What I took away from this entry:
"...(blah blah blah)...internet........(blah blah blah)...is......(blah blah blah)......for.....(blah blah blah)....porn......................."
.........
Just kidding
Speed reading 101! Yahoo~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~!
Yeah, losing power is unbearable!!! Also, when my computer has trouble booting up (sigh) I feel the same panic as if I cut my finger or suffer a foot spasm...
@Wangium - lol! The word porn did stand out to me while I was reading it!
@Wangium - @Senlin - you two academics... I was so tempted to put in Japanese porn somewhere in the entry.
@ElusiveWords - I usually see it as a sign that it is time to fold the laundry, wash the dishes, do some stretching, etc.
@Wangium - I don't think you were kidding... =P
I need my internet connection, I'm highly dependent on it! When it stops working sometimes- I have no clue about what to do.
@christao408 - It does..sometimes I still do those things lol
@Wangium - Lol..you might be right there..lol
I am dependent on the internet for just about everything. I found out here there is a section of the county that does not have high speed internet - they rely on dial-up. Well the school these kids attend is also attended by kids who live in an area that had high speed broadband connection as does the school. Project take 2 1/2 hours with dial-up as opposed to 1/2 hour using broadband. The school presumes all have the broadband connections. I am talking about middle school and even primary grades to a extent. We are ruled by machines.
Even I, the un techno, un savvy person, who calls Jeff ( her puter guy ) for every single thing, get so so so panicky when my internet is down. Yes we are so fortunate in having this service.
it's very interesting indeed...as little as 10 years ago, the internet was nowhere near as accessible or relied upon...who knows where we'll be in another 10 years???
The internet's for porn.
Perhaps look into a MiFi device for back-up?
I spent all summer on my smartphone 3G connection because where I'm from we still can't get high speed (thanks SO MUCH verizon, ugh). Still having to deal with dialup in this day and age is a nightmare.
"food porn" or "food, porn"?
@Dezinerdreams - it's a great reason to procrastinate when the internet is down.
@Hinase - hahaha - no he isn't.
@Fatcat723 - while I think technology is wonderful, there's still a lot of folks that don't have access to PCs and internet. They and their kids will fall further and further behind.
@ZSA_MD - yeah, I get pretty stressed out about it when my computer or internet is not working.
@onmovement - 3D skype?
@yang1815 - porn on the internet? really? so what sites do you check? hahahaha.....
@carolinavenger - I can't imagine using dial up anymore.
@tomatoboi - I always misplace a comma .... you naughty boy. hahahaha
I would be lost without my connection at home.
I spend far more time at my computer then I really should.
(specially since I haven't created a post of my own in some time)
*~matthew~*
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