The Amusement of Technology Problems
Doesn’t matter what year, there are always strange tech problems that we fix so frequently it comes to seem natural. When I was a tween/teen I had the most marvelous ten-speed bike. I even named it: Ums. I constantly biked around the small college town where I lived…except for when the chain slipped off the derailleurs and I had to get off the bike and fix them. Years later an in-law commented that every time he saw me with the bike I was fixing it, not riding it. I hadn’t thought about it until he said that, but he was right. I was so proud of that bike and so much enjoyment from it that I didn’t even notice how much of my time went into the basics of keeping it running.
And now there is my freaking modem and Internet connection. In an evening of using the Internet I find it necessary to stop 8 to 10 times because I lose my Internet connection. I unplug the modem, wait about 20 seconds, plug it back it back in, wait for it to negotiate, and then check my connection by launching WeatherBug all before taking the risk of returning to using my browser. And that’s when I don’t have to disconnect, turn off the computer and start everything back up from base level.
Bicycle — Modem. It’s the same thing. Maybe I should name my modem Ums, Jr.
Some WD-40 might have helped the bike. I have requested my ISP to send me a replacement modem, and if that doesn’t work I’ll be switching my account to either cable of satellite in spite of the hassle of changing my e-mail address and etc.
Aargh!
