Sunday, March 28, 2004
UK ADSL Guide
I'm actually looking at this because our exchange, against all the odds, has reached its trigger level. Registrations have shown an exponential growth in the last few months as the low-level campaign had its effect, and we're going to get broadband soon. I quite liked the campaign - sitting in the pub talking about broadband and getting others interested - my kind of work. Others did leaflets and the odd poster, and suddenly we'd shot up to the trigger. Now waiting for an RFS (ready for service) date from BT and then will have to see what service I can get. Anything will be better than 56k dialup.
It's not just speed that is the issue - it's the always on connection, permanent access to my home and work email accounts, availability of documents and information whether they are stored on home or work machines, leading to reduced cognitive load in trying to manage my work and life between different places. It makes using tools such as Wiki's much more sensible - if it becomes a major adjunct to your memory then you need to be able to access it everywhere - and this helps that.
It's new kit time too - to take advantage of this, I'm adding in full wireless access over the house and garden, and probably a media server and new desktop. I suspect that I'll actually create two wireless networks: one secured against unauthorised access, and one open - I'll see how many neighbours use it and if it causes problems will close it down, but I suspect it'll get only marginal use, possibly even only passing use as people pause to check their email - it also means that when friends come round I can give them internet access without opening all my files up to them, without hassle.
And the virus/worm/trojan problems so prevelant now mean that using a Mac becomes the best choice for first machine: funny how things change. Just got to find the windows sidebar equivalent for it.....
I'm actually looking at this because our exchange, against all the odds, has reached its trigger level. Registrations have shown an exponential growth in the last few months as the low-level campaign had its effect, and we're going to get broadband soon. I quite liked the campaign - sitting in the pub talking about broadband and getting others interested - my kind of work. Others did leaflets and the odd poster, and suddenly we'd shot up to the trigger. Now waiting for an RFS (ready for service) date from BT and then will have to see what service I can get. Anything will be better than 56k dialup.
It's not just speed that is the issue - it's the always on connection, permanent access to my home and work email accounts, availability of documents and information whether they are stored on home or work machines, leading to reduced cognitive load in trying to manage my work and life between different places. It makes using tools such as Wiki's much more sensible - if it becomes a major adjunct to your memory then you need to be able to access it everywhere - and this helps that.
It's new kit time too - to take advantage of this, I'm adding in full wireless access over the house and garden, and probably a media server and new desktop. I suspect that I'll actually create two wireless networks: one secured against unauthorised access, and one open - I'll see how many neighbours use it and if it causes problems will close it down, but I suspect it'll get only marginal use, possibly even only passing use as people pause to check their email - it also means that when friends come round I can give them internet access without opening all my files up to them, without hassle.
And the virus/worm/trojan problems so prevelant now mean that using a Mac becomes the best choice for first machine: funny how things change. Just got to find the windows sidebar equivalent for it.....
(c) 2003-2005 Russell Beale
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