DAN THE COMPUTER MAN

By Dan Miller 

March 3, 2009 

Ah, these computers and the internet are not only enjoyable, they've become indispensable in our society. 

And while I'm clearly not a computer wizard, I've gotten OK with the basics.

 

I can type faster than ever before (thanks to the marvel of backspace, delete and spellcheck)... and I know how to print a page of text. 

I can navigate websites fairly well... I've even conquered "copy and paste".... 

And, except for a few pigheaded, uncooperative attachments, I can handle email. 

Even when I'm struggling to understand a particular computer function, I can always turn to my 10-year old daughter, who can patiently walk me though what I need to do. 

It was all just getting too easy.... until recently. 

Ever since I made the big switch from dial-up to cable for my internet connection, everything had been downloading quickly and efficiently. 

But then, several weeks ago... everything..... started........ downloading......... slowly.......... like........... pouring............. mo... lasses......... and..... it............ was...... maddening. 

A friend asked me if I had "password protection" on my wireless setup in the house. 

"No" I said, "do I need it?" 

"Well" he said, "you might be supplying a wireless network for your entire neighborhood, and that could eat up your bandwidth." 

Hmmm... would people do that? 

Would they click into my wireless network? 

I confess that -- on one or two occasions -- I have looked to see what wireless internet connections might be putting a signal onto my computer.... 

I've also noticed that some of the available networks bear the names of some neighbors.... things like "Bob's network." 

I've also noticed that if -- accidentally, of course -- I tried to click into one of those networks, they -- everyone of them -- have password protection. 

So my new mission was to set up password protection for my wireless network at home. 

I struggled until after 4 am.... that's 4 in the morning.... trying to figure it all out. 

Today, I have reason to believe that I have password protection.... though I'm not certain. 

I guess I could listen out for any neighbors bellyaching about losing their internet access. 

Or I could humble myself and ask my 10-year old if she could give her daddy a little help.

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Comments

[Van Sales]

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