Rant about technology
I need to share this and I've picked this Forum for sharing this. Sorry if it isn't exactly RV related but it touches on some of the things we do with our RV's.
This morning, I installed a new modem and router at the house for Internet service. I'm now wise enough to break out the instructions and follow the set up steps to better complete the process. The modem also has a wireless and wired connections for access.
Everything actually went fairly well, I only needed to move a few boxes of ancient electronics and wiring that was stacked in front of our "computer center". Modem configuration over a wireless connection and the Motorola browser interface was again, fairly painless.
Why it didn't work was a mystery but I was confused if I had entered the correct PPP.e info into the correct place. Again, wisdom and research had showed me that manually entering this user name and password was essential. I obtained it by a call to Century Link's CS phone number and a few transfers to the tech dept turned up the info.
I called Century Link and verified that the DSL connection was live to my location. In the conversation, I was offered the PPP.e user name and password info again. I already had what was given to me written down but told the CS rep to give it to me again. This password is a combination of letters and numbers in both upper and lower case. It turns out, I had one letter wrong from my first conversation. Changing the password in the modems PPP.e settings enabled the modem to reach the Century Link servers. Success, back onto the web and able to do all that I do while on there.
Here comes the rant part: I'm growing really tired about all the devices and electronics I need, both in the house and while on the road. There are just too **** many intricacies and security issues with operating all these gizmos.
One of my hobbies is making and fixing electronics, mainly stereo stuff and mainly, the older stuff. This Internet and electronic complexity is dampening that hobby. Maybe I need to get back on the bench with a soldering iron in hand.:? That is, if I don't need to spend time on configuring my new phone or downloading apps, and making sure that it's all synced. Yes, some of it makes life easier but some of it is beginning to be a burden. I think I'll spin a record. ;)
That's it--too **** much complexity with gizmos and I need to remove a few boxes of old stuff we'll never use. The good news is that I'll be outside with roof rake in hand removing a foot of snow from my trailer. We are expecting some mixed rain and sloppy snow in the next few days. 6" of that on top of what's already up there will start bending the roof. Come on Spring, I want to get traveling and working on the old Starcraft!
This morning, I installed a new modem and router at the house for Internet service. I'm now wise enough to break out the instructions and follow the set up steps to better complete the process. The modem also has a wireless and wired connections for access.
Everything actually went fairly well, I only needed to move a few boxes of ancient electronics and wiring that was stacked in front of our "computer center". Modem configuration over a wireless connection and the Motorola browser interface was again, fairly painless.
Why it didn't work was a mystery but I was confused if I had entered the correct PPP.e info into the correct place. Again, wisdom and research had showed me that manually entering this user name and password was essential. I obtained it by a call to Century Link's CS phone number and a few transfers to the tech dept turned up the info.
I called Century Link and verified that the DSL connection was live to my location. In the conversation, I was offered the PPP.e user name and password info again. I already had what was given to me written down but told the CS rep to give it to me again. This password is a combination of letters and numbers in both upper and lower case. It turns out, I had one letter wrong from my first conversation. Changing the password in the modems PPP.e settings enabled the modem to reach the Century Link servers. Success, back onto the web and able to do all that I do while on there.
Here comes the rant part: I'm growing really tired about all the devices and electronics I need, both in the house and while on the road. There are just too **** many intricacies and security issues with operating all these gizmos.
One of my hobbies is making and fixing electronics, mainly stereo stuff and mainly, the older stuff. This Internet and electronic complexity is dampening that hobby. Maybe I need to get back on the bench with a soldering iron in hand.:? That is, if I don't need to spend time on configuring my new phone or downloading apps, and making sure that it's all synced. Yes, some of it makes life easier but some of it is beginning to be a burden. I think I'll spin a record. ;)
That's it--too **** much complexity with gizmos and I need to remove a few boxes of old stuff we'll never use. The good news is that I'll be outside with roof rake in hand removing a foot of snow from my trailer. We are expecting some mixed rain and sloppy snow in the next few days. 6" of that on top of what's already up there will start bending the roof. Come on Spring, I want to get traveling and working on the old Starcraft!
