So I bitch about being on dialup. A lot.

[madamesilverspurs]

But at least I have access to the internet, and quite a few of my friends can't make that claim. For lots of reasons (age, infirmity, finances, etc.) they rely primarily on television or radio for news.

I don't live in the best neighborhood and some of my neighbors are in a lot worse shape than I'm presently in; that goes for one of the nearby buildings, primarily occupied by seniors who are dependent on an assortment of assistance programs. One of those residents just called and asked me about what is going on today. She's on her way to a doctor appointment and wanted to check the news before heading out, and she seemed to think that there simply HAD to be something other than Tiger Woods happening. So, I gave her a brief rundown on what I'd gleaned so far from the internet. She thanked me and said she hoped her 'ride' would be able to take her to the library for a while after her appointment.

As it happens, I share her view that Tiger effing Woods belongs on ESPN or any of the many other all-sports channels. But at least I can turn off the television and turn on the computer. Access to real-time information is important, even on dialup. Time for me to work on that gratitude business.

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[virgogal]

1. I had dialup until about a year ago. My high tech neighbor was horrified.

I used to tell him I loved it-----it's slowness allowed me to toss in a wash,make some tea,do a little dusting etc, while waiting.

[Tsiyu]

3. I call it my ADDSL

I open two or three pages to load, then step away and do something else, then return to the - almost - loaded pages.

Repeat.

I do miss watching video, and streaming music/radio, but i am glad to have dialup, too.

The OP understands slow news is a damn sight better than no news...:)

[DesertFlower]

2. when we moved into this house over 7

years ago the only thing available to us was dial-up or satellite. the satellite (Direct TV) was terrible. when there was a problem it was terrible. i remember hubby being on the phone for 2 hours with them. i told him i wanted to go back to dial-up. it was just as fast as the satellite.

a few years ago our phone company did whatever needed to be done and we have their internet now. the problem in our area is it's remote. we have our own well and septic system. we pay for our garbage pickup. on the other hand, it's beautiful and quiet up here.

[Greyhound]

4. Is there any broadband available in your neighborhood at all?

If so, you can easily set up a "communal connection" for the whole neighborhood, with very little expense.

[CTyankee]

5. We had dialup until 2005 or2006. What drove me to it finally was I was fed up

with not being able to use the phone while online. When we got a new computer system I said "Enough!"