Post by Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe on Sept 29, 2010 5:39:39 GMT -6
Lost my Internet connection temporarily and "Tethering" my Smartphone to gain access to the net
This bill got away from me...and I got knocked off the internet.
Usually, I pay the utility bills mid-month...Gas, Light, CC cards, water and phone/internet. For some reason, I forgot to to pay the internet bill...due on the 23rd.
Early this morning, while working on the Chicago Astronomer at 5:00 a.m., I found that I could not get on...and getting an error page.
Yea.....I knew why. Sigh.
So, as a back up...I use free Netzero...
I like Netzero, and used it waaay back in the 90's - on dial up!...
It's s o s l o w ...but it gets me on-line when the DSL is on the blink. And it has come in handy often, especially last October when my DLS modem/router went on the blink and it was my only way to get on-line for two days.
So, as I found myself isolated from the net by my own forgetfulness, and I log-on to Net Zero and pay the DSL bill. But it will take a while for the hacks to process the payment and maybe sometime this afternoon things will return as they should be. But I got things to do now!
I try to continue to use Netzero, but on dial-up....I just can't take it...
We are talking minutes to accomplish tasks...and uploading pics...forget it! (I started the "Chicago Astronomer" on dial-up in 2004 and wonder how I managed to sit through all the wait.)But now, Chicago Astronomer Joe is on the technological edge...and has a Smart Phone...and I'm constantly impressed at all the things it can do.
Two weeks ago, I downloaded a free Android app called "Easy Tether"...
And used the phone to scan the QR Code..and within seconds...
...it was on my phone...and then I forgot about it - maybe it'll come in handy one day.
"Damn" I thought, "if this works..it would be so cool", as I remembered that I had this app on hand.
And it is... ;D
Locating the app among the many now on board the LG ALLY, I activated it, but needed to download supportive software onto the laptop via the phone..which is connected by USB cord...
Some fiddling around with settings and permissions, I was ready.
But will it work?...
I disconnected from Netzero and removed the RJ-45 phone cable from the back of the laptop..(really glad it's there...and I was nostalgic at listening to the modem buzz again...
) I tried to open up a browser window, but I was getting the same error window. Damn.
I had noticed that I did not select the "Android" option in the "Easy Tether" Menu options on the laptop. So I did.
...and Viola!
I was on!
Sweet! ;D
I surfed a bit and it is so quick, even on 3G. But, then I hit some wall and was getting errors again. Damn.
Checking settings again, all looked as it should be and then I got on successfully again. I ain't digging this intermittent connections...
But.....
I noticed that the "Wi-Fi" icon was activated on the Smartphone and it was trying to access the net on the cut-off DSL signal - switching between Wi-Fi and 3G. I deactivated the Wi-fi on the phone, having it run strictly on 3G....and got on-line for good. And it's soooo smooth.
I surfed, checked emails, uploaded pics and created this thread entirely via 3G and through my Smartphone...
Now...I am seriously thinking and playing with the idea of using this as my sole internet connection. I do have an unlimited data plan through my cell phone provider and it would be an extra 50 bucks I could save on the DSL - and it would pay for the cell phone bill. I could take the laptop anywhere, especially to observation sites to gain access to astronomical data fast. (The Smartphones are nice, but still not there yet on easy user interface.)
This manner of internet access is very tempting indeed.
