Adventures in Technology | XpressNet · Central Alberta · circa 1998–1999
Working for an early internet service provider meant solving problems that didn't come with instruction manuals.
Working for an early internet service provider meant solving problems that didn't come with instruction manuals.
Sometimes the solution involved a server. Sometimes a cable. And occasionally, a communications tower.
When Sylvan Lake News lost its wireless backhaul connection, we needed to install or align equipment at a tower west of Red Deer.
Fortunately, we had a technician who knew about the tower.
Unfortunately, he was afraid of heights.
I wasn't.
This created what management consultants might describe as a resource allocation opportunity.
The technician possessed the technical knowledge.
I possessed an apparently defective sense of self-preservation.
So he remained safely on the ground while I climbed.
In hindsight, I have come to appreciate something important about that arrangement.
Of the two of us, the technician was probably the smarter one.
He got to keep his feet on the ground. I got a fantastic view of Alberta.
And several excellent opportunities to reconsider my life choices. 📡😂