How Much Does Your Work Depend on the Internet?

malord asks: "I work for a small company that has recently had problems finding a stable internet connection. It started when we moved our office in order to upgrade our connection speed. We decided to go with cable internet through Comcast, since they offered the best speed for the price and told us that it would be available before we moved. Unfortunately, Comcast did not provide any service for two months after we moved, so we piggy backed on an existing (slow and unreliable) wireless account with another company in the meantime. When Comcast finally came around, the service that was provided was far from adequate with a consistent 30% packet loss and multiple disconnects everyday, which was confirmed through Comcast's tech support. Throughout this process, we have realized that having a reliable internet connection is more important than having a phone line and almost as necessary as electricity. What would you do if your internet was suddenly like dial-up for weeks at a time? How much money would your workplace lose if it was out for an hour or an entire day?"

Comments

Newsletter subscription request

[Anonymous Coward]

we have realized that having a reliable internet connection is more important than having a phone line and almost as necessary as electricity.

Wow, what an amazing conclusion. Next thing you'll be explaining that lower contention and higher service levels are why business class DSL is sold at premium. Please, keep us informed of your awesome discoveries.

All the Time

[Greyfox]

I think the sales and marketing people in my company probably use the Internet more than the programmers do. Us programmers look up an API reference or nifty articles about things going on in our field every so often and we push distributions between offices fairly regularly, but e-mail is the life blood of the sales and marketing people. I think if our internet connection were to go out we'd have a bunch of those guys wandering around looking lost and confused, like small furry animals after a natural disaster.

'Course I have a backup connectin through the bluetooth connection on my cellphone and T-Mobile's unlimited data service. Which leaves me in the perfect position to score with the hot sales babes if our provder's border routers ever go down. Aww right!

None at all

[Terminal Saint]

How much money would my workplace lose if we didn't have connectivity for an hour or even a day? None. In fact, we don't have an internet connection or even a dedicated fax line.

Hooray for state parks!

Re:Irreversable Damage

[Anonymous Coward]

Uh dude, the "World Wide Web"? Have I been teleported a decade back in time?

Re:100%

[CthulhuDreamer]

"If my Internet connection is down- I go home."

If my Internet connection goes down, then I have to go to work.

Answer to the question

[starrsoft]

What would you do if your internet was suddenly like dial-up for weeks at a time?

Commit suicide.

Re:How timely!

[mgabrys_sf]

re:"Tech support, however, seemed happier beating off than trying to help"

I think that would apply to just about everyone on the planet (and many animals from what I've seen at the zoo). Why single out tech support?

Re:How timely!

[Monkelectric]

The juvenile elements of society always have a stupid comment to make :)

Comcast

[ezwip]

Your IT guy should be fired. If you don't have one you should consider it. Also, tell your boss to stop using AOL, because it just makes you want to leave the company and work for someone intelligent.

Don't. Want. To. Think. About. It.

[fm6]

I'm a technical writer. I use the web to research the stuff I write about. It's essential. I seem to recall that I was able to do research before I had an internet connection — but I'm damned if I remember how!

Hang on...

[Colin Smith]

The ISP placed their data centre near a major fault line. OK i've heard of bravado but that's taking the piss. "Hahaha mother nature, we have six lines. SIX! Mwhaahaha... Do your worst!" CEO gestures at the ground cackling wildly.

Re:Hang on...

[WebCrapper]

I worked for an insurance company that had a call center that was down for a week due to a car accident. When they moved buildings, they made sure to pull double everything. Double water, power, phones, etc... Spent millions on the extras. They claimed it was the most up-to-date call center in the city. 3 days later, the whole thing was down again. This time: A car ran into the _1_ pole that ran the power, cable and telco lines into the building - some people are just stupid.

The Horror...

[Benzido]

The internet is super-critical to my job - philosophy. If the internet went down for a day, I would have to go to the LIBRARY!

Well...

[8ball629]

When our T1 (internet and digital phone) went out, we watched the newly released Pink Floyd Pulse DVD if that tells you anything.

Lose?

[Muggins the Mad]

> How much money would your workplace lose if it was out for an hour or an entire day?

For some of us, we'd probably make massive *gains* in productivity.

- MugginsM

Re:Redundancy for home

[Brewskibrew]

Does stealing my neighbor's unsecured wireless AP count as a redundant connection, if he's on Comcast cable and my primary connection is BellSouth DSL?