When I got up yesterday (1/10/2020), my cable Internet connection was down. So I waited a couple of hours, and called by provider. Got a message that there was a widespread problem across the whole town.
Later in the afternoon I went down to the saloon to have a couple of beers and check the news out on one of their TVs...
They have the same cable Internet provider as I do (one of largest in town).
No TV (bummer, I wanted to see if the world had ended without anybody letting me know)
No Jukebox (which saved me a few bucks)
No "slot machines" (which I never play)
No Credit Card sales (which I never use anyway)
No ATM (which I never use)
Aside from the Jukebox issue, it was a lot like the "good ol' days"
Several folks had to walk CLEAR ACROSS the Street to the bank and get CASH.
I loved it!
Internet came back on at my house just before midnight last night, so I am back in the loop.
🙂
Loyal
Smart phone is cable internet backup here. And sometimes it's primary when I'm too lazy to walk to a computer and want to see who that familiar-looking-but-young actor on Perry Mason is.
I think this country would come to a crashing halt if we ever had something like a large solar flare as described below...
I still have my T2 and steel tape...
Laughlin Ridge, a mountain top comm site in Mendocino County near Willits, was burned over by the Redwood Fire in 2017. We were assigned hotel rooms in Willits. The internet was out and no phone, no cell phone but power was on. We had a heck of a time finding dinner, every restaurant including Mickey Dees was closed due to they can't even collect cash without internet. Finally went to Safeway which was open but pretty bare, found some vittles there, they were able to accept cash and we took it back to hotel. We didn't even have internet 20 years ago and now businesses can't operate without it.
Pathetic.?ÿ Absolutely pathetic.
Could have been a Twilight Zone episode 60 years ago warning us of our foolish way of putting too many eggs in one basket.?ÿ Then Perry Mason could have shown up (with that familiar looking young guy) and saved the day by having the true villain confess on the witness stand while Hamilton Burger collapses in shock.?ÿ Then Alfred Hitchcock would have appeared to relate a similar tale of mankind's amazing stupidity.
I think this country would come to a crashing halt if we ever had something like a large solar flare as described below...
I still have my T2 and steel tape...
Yup!
One of the items of conversation yesterday at the saloon was the Carrington Event.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solar_storm_of_1859
Another was Roberto Vacca's 1973(ish) book, "The Coming Dark Age" (which is still on my bookshelf after 45+ years).
I have read several articles and such, about the US Defense Department, FEMA, et.al concerns about a possible CMA and the potential effects thereof not only on infrastructure, but civilization in general.
I still have my T2 and 200 ft. tape as well.
Loyal
Laughlin Ridge, a mountain top comm site in Mendocino County near Willits, was burned over by the Redwood Fire in 2017. We were assigned hotel rooms in Willits. The internet was out and no phone, no cell phone but power was on. We had a heck of a time finding dinner, every restaurant including Mickey Dees was closed due to they can't even collect cash without internet. Finally went to Safeway which was open but pretty bare, found some vittles there, they were able to accept cash and we took it back to hotel. We didn't even have internet 20 years ago and now businesses can't operate without it.
Why would anybody be unable to collect CASH just because there was no Internet???
Inability to calculate/count change?
We still have several business's around town that ONLY accept cash (although not many).
Loyal?ÿ
can't even collect cash without internet.
That's just plain wrong planning.
OOPS...that should read CME (coronal mass Ejection) not CMA (Country Music Awards???).
Old age sucks.
All of those are reasons, but add accounting and inventory to the list. WalMart was built on instant collection and replenishment.
But the point is well-taken. There has to be back-up.
Backup for a small business can be a legal pad and pen.?ÿ When the net comes back up somebody enters the item #s and $.
Yer lucky Loyal....
When the internet connection goes down at our house SWMBO starts yellen' at me. I'm sittin' there with my coloring book minding my own damn business and PHOOOF!!!! it's MY fault the thing's down. After she cools off, becomes normal again (I still do not know what a normal woman is) and realizes she just has to wait is when I unplug the router. ?????ÿ
I agree, I had no idea every last restaurant in town would be closed, ridiculous.
