Jan 10 2009
Satellite Internet Sucks!
OK, satellite internet is the best option we have out here in our tiny little town as we have no broadband options available and the dial up is literally at about 13K speeds. However, satellite internet is not without issues. A completely different set of problems from dial up or other broadband options mind you. There is the whole increased cost issue, and the wind issue (we live in Wyoming no less) among others. Well, yesterday at about 6:30 pm we broke the cardinal rule of satellite internet usage. We surpassed the amount of “internet” we are allowed thus tripping the Fair Access Policy and had in effect our internet connection turned off. Yeah, that was not pretty at all when we realized what had happened. Oddly our satellite internet provider offers a “free download” period from approximately midnight to 4 am and doesn’t ban you from the free time even when you have tripped the FAP. So, I set the alarm for midnight and got up to make use of the free period. I downloaded my videos for Boot Camp and now have them saved on my computer for use in case we trip the FAP again during the Boot Camp Challenge. I also got on my www.entrecard.com account and dropped the max number of cards which is 300 - I swear that the whole E-Card dropping this is totally addictive!! So today up until now we have had no internet access as we had to wait in excess of 24 hours for it to get turned back on. Needless to say there will be no freelance article research and writting done tonight, nor will a number of other typical internet based activities happen.
I also have been running a low grade fever and just generally feeling pretty miserable today. I did still manage my 10 minute Boot Camp video and also did an extra 15 minutes of Wii Fit even though today was an off cardio day. I also kept my calories in range even with eating an entire bag of Kettle Baked Potato Chips. Not sure how I managed that one, but I will take it!
Depending on how I feel I might do the whole midnight free internet usage thing again tonight. I know that I will not be able to do it on Sunday night/Monday morning as I have been asked to cover a shift at the job from which I am not on the actual schedule for on Monday from 6 am to 2 pm. UGH! But what can one do, except take the money when you can!
I feel your pain with the Internet Satellite. I had it for 3 years, I think. I just switched to an Internet Air Card, I think that is what it is called. It just became available in my area. I can use it in my laptop or my desktop, so it’s nice. I have a monthly limit of 5 gbs. I was “punished” as I call it a few times for going over my limit with the satellite. My SIL also has the satellite and we laugh about being punished for going over the limit.
Have you experienced snow yet with the satellite? It doesn’t work well with snow and ice or heavy rain.