Spring Break
Lessons from the U.K.: U.S. needs to play 'catch-up'
Technophile
Jonathan Harrop
Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: Life & Style
I had to miss a considerable amount of school last week because of an unavoidable trip to the land of my fathers, the United Kingdom.
While in the motherland, I discovered something I did not expect: the U.S. is deplorably behind the rest of the world when it comes to technology.
While I made the mistake of staying with my aunt and uncle, who do not have Internet access, I was unable to e-mail some assignments I thought I could have. But having my iPhone with me, I noticed something I've never noticed in the U.S.
Wireless Internet. Everywhere.
When I say "everywhere," I'm using a hyperbole, because it doesn't exist in the countryside where my family lives. But go into any city center, turn on a WiFi device and you will pick something up.
It might not be free, but it's there.
Naturally, this didn't do me any good because I don't (or can't, in most circumstances) lug my laptop around everywhere and I can't afford a Macbook Pro to slip into unassuming manila envelopes.
It's also unveiled a large downside to the iPhone - I can't sync documents. If I could carry a Word, Excel or whatever to my phone and then e-mail it to someone from any WiFi point, I'd be very pleased.
Apple, take note.
All that is an aside, though.
I had free WiFi on the train to London. I poked people on Facebook, checked my e-mail (but couldn't, as I said, e-mail anyone my assignments) and perused my favorite Web sites.
The U.S. also lacks a developed public transport system. I don't mean that UA Transport buses don't let me look up articles about random superheroes or the entire storyline of the "X-Files." I mean the existence of it.
I caught a train from Melton-Mowbray to London: King's Cross for £30 roundtrip (about $60 right now) and I had an entire days ride on the London Underground, giving me access to the entire city for £5.70 (or about $11).
The trip from Melton-Mowbray to London took an hour for an X Mile journey.
While in the motherland, I discovered something I did not expect: the U.S. is deplorably behind the rest of the world when it comes to technology.
While I made the mistake of staying with my aunt and uncle, who do not have Internet access, I was unable to e-mail some assignments I thought I could have. But having my iPhone with me, I noticed something I've never noticed in the U.S.
Wireless Internet. Everywhere.
When I say "everywhere," I'm using a hyperbole, because it doesn't exist in the countryside where my family lives. But go into any city center, turn on a WiFi device and you will pick something up.
It might not be free, but it's there.
Naturally, this didn't do me any good because I don't (or can't, in most circumstances) lug my laptop around everywhere and I can't afford a Macbook Pro to slip into unassuming manila envelopes.
It's also unveiled a large downside to the iPhone - I can't sync documents. If I could carry a Word, Excel or whatever to my phone and then e-mail it to someone from any WiFi point, I'd be very pleased.
Apple, take note.
All that is an aside, though.
I had free WiFi on the train to London. I poked people on Facebook, checked my e-mail (but couldn't, as I said, e-mail anyone my assignments) and perused my favorite Web sites.
The U.S. also lacks a developed public transport system. I don't mean that UA Transport buses don't let me look up articles about random superheroes or the entire storyline of the "X-Files." I mean the existence of it.
I caught a train from Melton-Mowbray to London: King's Cross for £30 roundtrip (about $60 right now) and I had an entire days ride on the London Underground, giving me access to the entire city for £5.70 (or about $11).
The trip from Melton-Mowbray to London took an hour for an X Mile journey.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
Trevor
posted 3/05/08 @ 3:35 AM CST
Why? It's partly because England (being larger in area than Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland combined) is the size of Arkansas, but with 1000 people per square mile instead of 50. (Continued…)
Bman
posted 3/05/08 @ 12:09 PM CST
Trevor has an obvious point that this author failed to either grasp or mention. The author's country side where internet access was not available is like 90% of Arkansas. (Continued…)
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