TYTFG * #2: Internet

*Things you took for granted

A short one this time, since I need to get to sleep pretty soon. And the first in several days. Sorry 'bout that. We've discussed the time thing, though.

What I haven't mentioned is the reason this piece is backdated. I'm parked at a truck stop typing. I will have a post in a moment. But I won't be able to put it up. That would require a connection.

Finding a way onto the Internet out here is either expensive or amazingly spotty. "Expensive" involves a wireless card and a contract with Verizon or Sprint or the like. The cheapest I've seen that didn't look truly fly-by-night was $100 for the card and about $70/month for the contract.

Dirty secret: I started driving because I was (and am) broke. If I had that kind of money I wouldn't be out here.

So that leaves "amazingly spotty." Some truck stops have wi-fi, even in their parking lots. The problem is paying for it. By the day, it moves back into the "expensive" class. Monthly, it's a little more bearable, but then you're stuck going to that truck stop, or (more likely) that chain. So if you park for the night anywhere but Flying J (for example), you're all alone.

My solution, such as it is, involves monthly payments to IdleAire. What's that, you say? I'll describe it later, when I have some time, I answer. Short form, it's a nice solution to the truck comfort problem I mentioned earlier--at a price. The important thing right now is, they also run a wi-fi hotspot at any truck stop that hosts their other services. I don't know that I find more places to hook up, this way, but there's a little more variety.

But it ain't here. So I'm just typing. And when my little icon has the right magic words pop up I will post it. In the meantime, I prepare to shut down and sweat myself to sleep. Night, all.