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2007.01.02 1:24 PM
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Away from home
2007.01.02 1:24 PM

I’ve been having a blast for the most part from our holiday trip to the US. I actually started posting pics in the gallery… which is a work in progress.

The only bummer in this trip is that it’s so hard for me to get an internet connection. My aunt and uncle’s house only has one PC which can connect, and it has a couple of issues:

  • It connects via dial-up (the MPB doesn’t have a dial up adapter)
  • It had a resolution of 640×480
  • It had 16 colors (yes, 16 colors, not 16-bit color)
  • Its OS is Windows 98

There’s also the disturbing confirmation that a MacBook gets better WiFi reception than a MacBook Pro. My sister’s MacBook can surf from the second bed inside the room we’re in. I have to be by the window to get a sporadic signal at the very least – which is too unreliable to surf with. The kicker is that there are actually at least three open wireless signals from the surrounding houses. I know this because I can access them when I step out on the veranda.

No problem right? I just have to step out of the veranda! WRONG! This is Seattle… during winter! Then I just go out fully covered right? WRONG! While I can surely cover-up the rest of my body – buy my hands need to be exposed because wearing gloves renders the trackpad useless.

Bottom line is that I can only go out for about 15 minutes at a time before my fingers start hurting (and fear of frostbite sets in) Simple enough right? WRONG! The door to the veranda is a pain in the arse to open and close!

And let’s not forget to mention the fact that it’s probably illegal to be wardiving1 for a signal to begin with.

As if it wasn’t bad enough to not be able to be with my girlfriend during the holidays – now even the simple fact of communicating with her regularly and easily has been stripped from me!

I can’t wait to get back home!

    1. The act of scanning for signals to be used without permission.

5 Responses
post a comment Email author at January 3, 2007 11:54 pm, Ria said:

Hi Carlo! Ano gamit mo, Airborneaccess or Netgear? Or ano? I installed the starter pack of Airborneaccess pero limited lang yung hotspots pala. Mas madami ata ang Globequest? Anyway, at least your last post made me feel good about my MacBook. I really want to go Pro but it’s just a want as of now, not yet a real need, since I really just need a portable notation gadget, hehehe. Bakit kaya ganun yung MBP? I think it’s a serious issue.

post a comment Email author at January 4, 2007 2:09 pm, Carlo said:

Hi Ria,

I’m actually just leeching off whatever WiFi signal is available – so I’m not certain if your question is applicable to my case. Most homes here have WiFi here (as common as telephones and TV) – minalas lang ako na sa mismong bahay ng Aunt/Uncle ko wala hehehe.

About the reception: I’m guessing it’s because of the MBP’s metal enclosure, maybe that has something to do with interfering with the signal. I really don’t know hehehe.

Have you seen the pics of my cousin’s “studio?” I’m sure maapreciate mo yung mga gamit niya doon :)

post a comment Email author at January 4, 2007 10:06 pm, ria said:

Nope, haven’t seen it yet, you have pics/links here? :)

post a comment Email author at January 5, 2007 3:08 am, Carlo said:

Yep, right here.

Enjoy

post a comment Email author at January 6, 2007 6:10 pm, katelyn said:

That was sad holidays w/out Cris T. around. This year when you go abroad this December bring her with you. Just do take care of her always you will never tell what might happen in the future. Just do take care of her happy new year, just dropping by be happy always!!!!

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