So I made it, some may say, an impressive 6 months without an internet connection at home, and it has definitely been interesting. I have made due accessing the internet from work, friend’s houses and coffee shops. I found it to be another one of my “life challenges” in which I stubbornly tell myself and others that I am a minimalist and can make due with barely anything. (Somewhat similar to my current living situation, but that is an entirely separate post… I will save it for next time.) Basically after the whole Firesheep debacle I finally decided I could complicate my life a little with a secure internet connection at home. Thus far I have been quite pleased with my decision. Granted it has only been 3 days, but I am happy to know I will not have to endure any more caffeine overdoses or any more awkward situations in which I shamelessly ignore my friends by becoming glued to my computer having not been able to casually surf the internet for two weeks.
I am not only excited to have a secure internet connection at home but to try out this whole internet access via my cell phone provider Verizon. I purchased their Verizon Wireless Fivespot and am curious to see how it goes. The device is smaller than my phone, but seems to be just as reliable and fast as any other internet connection I have ever had. I admit the price plans 
seem high, but I am only planning on using the thing for surfing the internet and blogging. I am thinking I can swing under 3GB a month… Which makes it 35 bucks a month for internet access wherever I want to be, making it pretty competitive with my local cable/internet options which include AT&T and Charter. I can continue to do my heavy duty downloading, music and video streaming etc. at coffee shops and friends’ houses… I mean that has been my lifestyle for the past several months. I guess I have become pretty adept at being somewhat of an internet connection nomad. Anyway, like I said it is day 3 of my Verizon Wireless Fivespot trial, so I will keep you posted, but basically I am pretty ecstatic at this point in time. I will try to take the thing off-roading this weekend, maybe do some web work out on a pier or something? Should be fun. I will make a point of locating somewhere that it does not work. I assume tunnels and caves would be a no go… again I will keep you posted. Yay for my own personal, movable wireless hotspot. I wish it luck fulfilling my expectations. The bar has been set pretty high due to the rocket high compliments its Verizon reps and ads have paid it.
November 16, 2010 at 11:23 am
OOh, interested to hear how this goes with fivespot. I too have challenged myself to see how long I can go without both internet and cable at home. 1.5 months and going strong.
November 14, 2010 at 11:07 am
When my neighbor moved and took his unprotected wifi network with him I was forced to fend for myself, and was in the same boat as you. I opted to buy a Nexus 1 Android phone for AT&T, swap my sim card out of my iPhone, and bingo bango, I have my cell phone and wifi router all in one. Since I have an unlimited data iPhone plan, I’ve been able to exceed 11Gig of data a month using this set up for no added monthly cost. You will love being able to bring the internet with you always.
My big debate is… i just bought home internet service… will I keep my Nexus 1, or swap back to my iPhone, I’m so torn.