Sunday, August 23, 2009

No Internet on Interway

I know I've realized that I (and many others) are very dependent on Internet connectivity. I just had a reminder when we lost our connection for almost 24 hours in a storm-related mishap. Ten years ago that would have been an inconvenience. Today it's a bit more than that. When you realize how many functions one performs with the web - including email - you start to wonder what your options are for these functions AND the all important time killing. Can't do banking, can't order tickets, can't check weather, can't check movie listings, can't read the NY Times, can't certify unemployment. Just like the pioneers..unhitch the horses!!

As a fail safe I can use my iphone which has very reliable Internet connectivity a la Blackberry. I use it to check e mails when I'm away but for me it's a bit clunky trying to return a message that has more than one sentence OR checking the web browser. I think that is generational as my son seems to have no issues with that mini keyboard and can text the Gettysburg address in 2 minutes. And since I was a trained US Navy teletype operator I stand behind my 85 wpm final test with a cast on my wrist (another story). On the iphone I make a mistake every 3rd word. Needless to say, I need my cable connectivity.

As a side note and on theme with time killing I must have spent at least 2 hours trying to re-boot, re-start and analyze the problem with the dead web. For the first time ever I called our cable provider. This was the most automated system I've ever heard. I can't believe the variables they've programmed in there - "If this doesn't work, please say HELP ME RHONDA and we will continue to another step"... It was spooky cavorting with this robotic tech at the cable company, but here's the kicker. I finally got things working after taking a shot at rebooting a second blu ray router I have hooked up BUT before I followed the robot's latest reboot directives I had to Hang Up. This because I have cable phone and as soon as I reboot the modem the phone cuts out. So, use your iphone (or cell phone) to do this. Isn't this where I started?

2 comments:

  1. Internet withdrawal symptoms are frantic! To make sure I always have a machine that works, I picked up a new Gateway netbook... so I can even catch up on e-mails and Hulu shows in bed. The Iphone screen and keyboard are too small for my frantic style. I was impressed with your router rebooting skills.. you should write scripts for the cable company's robot voice systems.... help me Rhonda!

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  2. To be fair, the Gettysburg Address is only about 250 words.

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