Confessions of a Dial-Up User
Sunday, June 14, 2009 at 11:20AM 
(Let's give a warm TDL welcome to Carolyn. She'll be sharing her adventures and misadventures as she becomes a Mac owner for the first time.)
I feel I am the only individual left on Earth who can relate to The Slowsky’s especially since I share first name with the reptilian wife, Karolyn. When you check your mail in the morning, how long does it take? Five minutes? Six? Any longer and you'd be calling your local Internet provider in a fury. When I check my mail I could brew a pot of coffee, pour my cereal, make my bed and still make it back in time before the infamous "You've got mail!" greeting! (Yes, I still use AOL!)
My friends have finally accepted me as a dial-up abuser. I've officially been blacklisted from being sent funny YouTube links. I'm the prank caller at the Chinese take-out place, my name and number scribbled in Sharpie on the side of the freezer: DO NOT ANSWER! DO NOT SEND FUNNY VIDEOS TO THE DIAL-UP USER! HER COMPUTER WILL EXPLODE! I go to friend’s houses not for their friendships but for their high-speed connections! While everyone watches Jon & Kate’s relationship unravel on the TV, I sniff out the computer and catch up on all the high bandwidth videos I’ve had to skip. I’ve said about every curse word in the book when it comes to my dial-up. I’ll admit, I cried like a baby the 3rd time I had to restart my computer while uploading pictures (three at a time!) to Facebook.
But despite my tears and wasted minutes I am in some ways grateful for my delayed arrival to the fast lane. In a world where “Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger” proves true, (Daft Punk not Kanye!) I think it would benefit us all to take a step back, slow down and remember we survived centuries without Twitter updates in our inbox. We picked up the phone not knowing who sat on the other end. We played games outside with people, not through a headset in our parent’s basement. Our ancestors actually traveled the Oregon Trail! Technology is great, really, I’m totally psyched about joining, but please, remember us slow folks. We’re not all lame turtles. We’re actually pretty cool people.
Reader Comments (8)
And what is the real reason you have dial up? My understanding from the few dial ups that I meet; the reason fall into three categories ; 1) Where I live cable and dsl isn't an option. 2) Price 3) What hell is the internet. The first two issue are the most common reasons. I should also say the first issue is the most legit reason but even that situation is quickly becoming a non-issue. With all the deals now available price is quickly becoming a non-issue. With you having email you know about the internet. So unless you just enjoy slow, old dying tech you really have no reason to have dial up.
is that a banana in your ear or . . .
Gary, there are still a lot of places in this country where #1 still holds, unless, of course, you consider satellite high speed. Sure for 10 times the cost of dial-up you can get, perhaps, 2 or 3 times the speed. You are just showing your ignorance. Get a clue or shut up.
I think they should list high-speed as a requirement for Leopard (and Windows 7, for that mattter) or make accomodations for those with dialup. It is impossible/laughable to try to download the system updates over dialup.
"...in the Old Entish as you might say. It is a lovely language, but it takes a very long time to say anything in it, because we do not say anything in it, unless it is worth taking a long time to say it, and to listen to.”
-Treebeard, LOTR
Fmlogue, You sound you need to find a few clues. I suggest you read my comment first before you show your want be tech knowledge. If you are as informed as you think are; you would realize the price of high speed is being force down. No you are not going to find a high speed connection for 9.95. If you combine you phone or cable with your internet connection it can be a nice deal. I did not speak about satellite because of the premium price. For the many satellite isn't a option.
My main question was not answered what is the real reason you use dial up? I realize that some one like yourself Fmlogue would not waste the time to answer the question.
Whoa whoa, fellows. There's plenty to spread around! Before we start drawing blood..the reason for my dial-up is in no way mine. My parents welcome the future of technology, just don't like paying for it. We just recently got cable (it was only supposed to be basic but we lucked out and got it all for the price of basic!) My parents have just not yet set something up for their household. They share the same frustrations as me but not nearly as much. I try telling them all the time that I'm sure they could find a decent price plan out there and they welcome me to do the research and find a good plan, but alas, I have not. Maybe Gary or fmlogue can help! We have cable and one phone line. Our cable is a good deal so I don't think we'd want to mess with that. . .
I'm glad this sparked a little controversy. ;)
Carolyn; with on the going battle of the service providers chance are very good you can find a great deal. The first thing I would suggest is to take a look at your over all communications and media bill. Chances are you may find that by combining say your phone, internet and cable into one bill could say you a nice bit of money. Even just combining your phone with DSL can save a nice dollar. All you need to do is shop around and do some research. The best deals right now are with DSL providers.