AirportExtremelyAnnoying

[ellenkushner]

Just spent about, like a million years (dog time) reconfiguring new Airport & Extender because our old one broke and we've been pirating signal from the only nearby apartment that didn't have their locked . . . . God bless Michael, whoever he is - and down with mean neighbors like Helena and Tabasco! And god bless our kind & patient friend who talked me through the whole thing - using the magic of AIM ScreenSharing, which is truly spooky - and at one point we did a Video with Delia's laptop screen facing mine so he could see what hers said . . . . Arthur C. Clarke would be proud.

Our new connection is called GOLUX. It is not a mere device. And the little do-wa is called Fiorinda. She flashes when she's moved.

Comments

[ecmyers.livejournal.com]

Glad you got that straightened out!

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

You know, it's rude to keep a home wireless network visible to everyone if it's locked. There is a way to hide it from all but authorized machines and I wish more people would do that.

You're lucky that "Michael's" friendly signal went through the walls to reach you in your hour of need.

Tech stuff is great when it works but what a time vacuum when it doesn't...!

Point the laptops with cameras at each other sometime for recursive fun.

[ellen-kushner.livejournal.com]

I never knew it was rude; I certainly know it's aaaaaaaagony to see one and not be able to get to it in one's hour of need. And now and then I want to meet (or at least IM) the person who has given theirs a particularly clever name - I am hoping that even now my neighbors are saying "'Golux'? Oooh - didn't know anyone else had read that!" and hoping they'll run into me in the lobby and give a secret Hi sign.... I can see it now - like old East European spies on a train, while getting the mail: "Punted any kittens lately...?"

[movingfinger.livejournal.com]

I never knew it was rude; I certainly know it's aaaaaaaagony to see one and not be able to get to it in one's hour of need.

This is my reading of this modern problem. As I see it, it's like not bringing enough cupcakes to class for everyone. If the network owner is not going to share the treat, don't display it. The fact that you felt frustrated by seeing networks you were unable to access confirms my feeling that it's impolite.

We too are surrounded by networks---one of which appears actually to step on our Airport, as our signal deteriorated when it appeared in the continuum---which we cannot access. We just got a new wireless thing to replace the Airport; its signal is stronger so we can use our network in our own house.

A silly analogy to psi in Golden Age SF comes to mind but it is too silly to explore...