I (Heart) Internet Access from the Field

by Michael Bear · 2009-02-19 13:02:00 UTC
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I've had a relatively easy NGO life, at least and especially measured by internet access.  The advantage of working mostly in capital cities, as opposed to outposts much further out towards the edge of beyond.

(As much as I like to think I've been there and done that, so to speak, the rather sad fact is that I can't last much more than a week without flush toilets or hot showers.  The lack of just one I can live with; the lack of both eventually makes me go fetal.)

(They say the truth shall set you free.  Personally, I have my doubts.)

That somewhat personal aside aside, have also spent enough time in Congo and Darfur and South Sudan to get a sense of how completely, mind-numbingly frustrating it can be to try and access the internet from the field.

Which is why this recent post from Aid Worker Daily - about viewing websites over low-bandwidth connections - caught my eye:

"I am not sure how many of you are familiar with Loband but it is one of the best options for viewing websites over low bandwidth connections.  It strips out all images, formatting, etc and leaves with a text only rendering of the page which is still quite legible."

Hallelujah.

(More over-sharing - I do love ESPN and celebrity gossip, anywhere and anytime.  Even without the pictures.)

To read the rest of the post, see here.

[VSAT dish in Africa - Photo from whiteafrican.com]

Michael Bear
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