541 - Ode to Dial-Up Bandwidth
September 3, 2008 Learning TRENDS by Elliott Masie - Sept 3, 2008.
#541 - Updates on Learning, Business & Technology.
54,378 Readers - http://www.masie.com - The MASIE Center.
Host, Learning ‘08 - Oct. 26-29 - Over 1,308 Colleagues Registered!
Save Money: Early Registration Still Available
Ode to Dial-Up Bandwidth
Funny how things change and we quickly forget. This edition of TRENDS comes to you via a 24K dial-up connection. We’re up at our cabin in the Adirondack Mountains of New York State — far away from an internet connection or iPhone access.
I must say that I started to twitch a little when I realized that the week would pass without access. It passed, and I am enjoying the quiet and reflective times - looking at the lake in the day and seeing stars with incredible clarity at night.
Yet, there is a bit of work to do and I wanted to send out a TRENDS. I could drive to the library 5 miles away and sit in the parking lot with my laptop. However, I decided to recall the humble roots of my internet history and return to dial-up for a few days.
With distance and static, I am sending this note at a humble 24K. And, it costs about 10 cents a minute for the long distance line. But, it works…1995 style.
Bandwidth that is always on truly spoils us. As we watched a movie on satellite (yes, we do have some modern devices in our 100-year-old cabin), it was way too much of a slug to dial in to look up an actor’s resume. And, when my office wanted to me to look at the mock up for our Learning 2008 staff shirts, I asked them to include it in the overnight package that is coming every day.
Actually, my roots with dial-up go way back. My first Radio Shack Model 100 laptop had a pair of rubber cup modems and we communicated at 12 KPS. Then, I went on a 2-year rampage to add plug-in cords to hotel telephone wall connections, serving as a digital Johnny Appleseed. My worst memory was trying to download a 2 meg file that took 8 hours and dropped 5 minutes before completion.
But, these reminders are helpful and refreshing. Think of our past and of our future. Think of the danger of allowing a digital divide between connected and non-connected to grow. And, remember to turn off the connection every now and then to relax, refresh and connect with the people in your life - live and in person, without IM or email interruption.
So, I welcome the twice-a-day sound that wafts from my cabin as the modem struggles to connect. It is a sound that makes me smile.
Regards to you,
Elliott
Contact Elliott Masie: emasie@masie.com
Upcoming MASIE Center Services & Events:
* Learning 2008: Oct 26-29 - Orlando
* 0ver 5,700 Learning Colleagues on LearningTown. Join us today: http://www.learningtown.com
Information and Registration at http://www.masie.com