The world we live in has truly gotten smaller since the advancement of modern technology. The Internet, for instance, has really bridged the gap between nations and cultures around the world. However, what happens when your connection to the world wide web malfunctions? Internet usage has a plethora of benefits and many of us have truly become dependent on the convenience of using the internet in our day-to-day chores.
So what do we do when our Internet is down, or perhaps the Wi-Fi isn’t working? The short answer is “I have no clue.” Just last week I was all set to make a diaper cover as a gift for a baby shower. After browsing the Internet for ideas, I finally narrowed down my selection to a design idea inspired by a blog on the website Scrapality. I purchased fabric, trimmings and sketched out a quick design of the diaper cover. The following day, just as I was about to print out my pattern, I realized that my Internet appeared to be down. Luckily, the issue was an easy fix. After implementing the tried and true “turn the modem off and on again” trick, I was back up and running.
Okay, obviously the latter example was not a life or death situation, but it made me wonder; what if it were an emergency situation? Having a reliable Internet and Wi-Fi connection plays a major role in our lives. Individuals from all walks of life rely on their Internet and Wi-Fi service to function properly. There is even a sock that monitors babies for seizure activity. The sock is connected to an application that can be monitored on a smartphone or other device. Just imagine being a mother that relies on the accuracy of her Wi-Fi connection to ensure the well being of her baby.
Most people have a decent understanding of what the Internet is and its purpose. However, what exactly is Wi-Fi? Wi-Fi links two or more devices using wireless communication to form a local area network within a limited area such as a home, school, office building, etc. Simply put, Wi-Fi enables you to connect all your electronic devices to the Internet wirelessly. For the Wi-Fi to function properly, a wireless router is also needed. For an additional fee, most Internet service and Wi-Fi providers will include a wireless router when you sign up for their service.
We all know how important our electronic devices are to us, but let’s imagine a world without the ability to access Wi-Fi service at our leisure. Would not being able to connect your phone or laptop to Wi-Fi really impact your life? If you’re not sure, just think to yourself how many times a day you’re utilizing the Internet via Wi-Fi. There are countless ways in which we use Wi-Fi on a daily basis. Some of these ways are:
- Using your phone as a remote control
- Sending documents to a printer wirelessly
- Streaming movies online
- Smart TV’s
- Gaming Consoles
- File Sharing
- Streaming music
The latter are just a few ways in which most of us are using Wi-Fi connections daily. However, depending on your profession or usage habits, the Wi-Fi equipment you’ll need can vary greatly. Businesses or even avid gamers often rely on fast and efficient Internet speeds. However, the downside to this is that fast and efficient isn’t always affordable. For the average Internet user, having lightning speed Internet service probably isn’t a necessity. However, no one wants Wi-Fi that’s “spotty” and unreliable.
Recently a new craze has come about in the world of Wi-Fi and Internet equipment. Mesh home networks seem to be the newest topic in the conversation of at home Internet connectivity. These networks are great for consumers who have large homes and have issues with their Wi-Fi connectivity. According to an article in the New York Times, mesh network software ensures that your devices will be able to pick up the strongest signal possible regardless of where your router is in your home.
Whether you’re playing your favorite first-person shooter game, binge watching that zombie show everyone’s talking about, or relying on the Internet for health reasons, having a reliable Wi-Fi connection is vital in our lives.
