MishisM

So my little experiment with living without internet went okay, for the most part.  I managed to find an unsecured wireless signal that I could log on to if I sat close enough to the front door of my apartment.  It was a bit uncomfortable but I managed to stay on long enough to get done what I needed to – check email and forums, pay bills and such.

The people who owned that connection moved out in the beginning of July, however.  So much for that.

There was a second signal I was logging on to since then, but I would lose it anytime the wind blew.  Plus, since the people with the Belkin G network moved out, I guess everyone else who didn’t want to pay for internet was also trying to log on to this second unsecured connection, and since I was the furthest from the range, I would get kicked off after less than a minute.

As that situation got worse and worse, I started toting my laptop to work with me and using the Penn State wireless.  This meant, though, that I’d have to stay on campus up to three hours after I’d finished work, and because it’s been so hot and I usually get drenched in dishwater anyway, I usually had to sit there still in my soggy, stinky uniform.  Also, I was driving to campus on my days off just to get online, which was not only a waste of time but of gas as well.

So, I finally broke down and ordered my own internet service again, which got installed yesterday.  Not only am I able to use the internet from a more comfortable spot – my futon! – but I can do it while watching TV AT THE SAME TIME!  No more running to the door to finish checking the forums during commercial breaks of House!  It’s also quite a speedy connection that I know I’m in no danger of getting kicked off of.  Look how much work I can get done now – zoom zoom!

The best part of having internet again and being able to use it anywhere in the apartment is…!  I can listen to episodes of This American Life while going to sleep again.  Being without it for 6 months means I have plenty of new episodes to catch up on!

And yes, my network is secured.