Skimming
Having untrustworthy internet has caused me to change the way I use the internet. Sometimes we have a whole uninterrupted hour or two, but most of the time it's five or ten minutes of interneting before the signal strength craps out and then it's a fight to try to get back online again.
It's interesting (to me anyway) how this has impacted the way I internet.
First I look at email, and I don't even open the ones that probably don't say anything I really care about. Personal ones I open eagerly. I answer only those I really really need to answer since sending email seems to crap out the internet connection quicker than any other activity. I no longer check work email at home unless there's something specific I need there.
Then GreatJournal to see what my mom and my sister-in-law are up to.
Then as many moves as possible on Scrabulous, sometimes I get through a whole list of "it's your turn" messages in one sitting. Last night I got through TWO whole rounds.
And then, if I have any internet left, it's LiveJournal.
That's where my habits have changed the most. I read every word of the people I'm closest to - you know who you are.
Now I'll be honest about the rest. Entries that start with "Not much to say really" don't get read. Entries longer than a couple of paragraphs get skimmed. I might as well drop out of communities because they never get read anymore.
And commenting is almost completely out the window. I take a chance on losing the connection every time I do, so my comments stay mostly in my own head.
Here's my confession - I'm actually enjoying my internet time more now than when it was unlimited and wholly reliable. Just another way cabin life has made me slow down and re-prioritize.
It's interesting (to me anyway) how this has impacted the way I internet.
First I look at email, and I don't even open the ones that probably don't say anything I really care about. Personal ones I open eagerly. I answer only those I really really need to answer since sending email seems to crap out the internet connection quicker than any other activity. I no longer check work email at home unless there's something specific I need there.
Then GreatJournal to see what my mom and my sister-in-law are up to.
Then as many moves as possible on Scrabulous, sometimes I get through a whole list of "it's your turn" messages in one sitting. Last night I got through TWO whole rounds.
And then, if I have any internet left, it's LiveJournal.
That's where my habits have changed the most. I read every word of the people I'm closest to - you know who you are.
Now I'll be honest about the rest. Entries that start with "Not much to say really" don't get read. Entries longer than a couple of paragraphs get skimmed. I might as well drop out of communities because they never get read anymore.
And commenting is almost completely out the window. I take a chance on losing the connection every time I do, so my comments stay mostly in my own head.
Here's my confession - I'm actually enjoying my internet time more now than when it was unlimited and wholly reliable. Just another way cabin life has made me slow down and re-prioritize.