Extreme IT: Accessing technology in unique circumstances

We're all accustomed to daily Internet use, but what happens if you find yourself in extreme circumstances? Here are a few situations worth considering ...

1. You're sailing the high seas and want to email your mother.

If you're on a cruise, Princess, Carnival and most other cruise services offer high speed Internet. If you're sailing your own boat, you can call Mom from the open seas by using satellite phones or short wave modems. Prepaid dial-up time can cost $1/minute. This gets into serious money since data transfer speeds are only a few thousand kilabits per second. Solution: send brief, occasional text messages.

Better yet, pull into a marina. Most marinas now furnish DSL access for WIFI Internet within a 25-mile range. Marina WIFI requires a clear line of sight, as sailboats and other objects passing through the line of sight will disrupt signaling. So will the unsteadiness of floating on the water, and the radio-wave resistance of metal hulls. "Staying in a good range for connections with marina DSL modems is a challenge," said John Navas, a San Francisco technologist and long-time boater. "You can easily double signal range by disabling your normal wireless access card, and purchasing an antenna and adaptor."

2. You're on a flight to Japan, and need to email your monthly status report.

You will find in-flight Internet access on Japan Airlines. Airlines presently testing Internet access service offerings for passengers are Alaska Airlines, American Airlines, Virgin America Airlines and Jetblue.

The historical price has been a little steep at around $30 per flight-and travelers say that connections are slow-but airline Internet is a way to check email, surf the Internet and file that status report while you're enroute.

3. You're on an expedition in the Amazon and need to email for supplies.

You can't get much deeper into the heart of the Amazon than Manaus. Before you leave on your expedition, check for cybercafes at Websites
such as cybercaptive.com. If you key in "Manaus," you will see that there are two Internet cafes there.

However, let's say that you can't get to Manaus. What then? New technology can solar-power your Internet connection. Of course, you might have to pack a solar panel and a generator.…and find a sunny spot in the
jungle!

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