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[Harry Edwards Company: Nu Skin Enterprises Contribution Level: 1]

Hello all,

I would like to know if anyone out there is still having to work their business on dialup, and if so, how are you overcoming the challenges.

Here's my situation: I live in a remote area. Lovely view, but the internet access stinks. No DSL and no cable. Can't get a steady, consistent cell phone signal so that route to the internet is blocked too. I could get internet by satellite but we might be selling our land sometime soon and I am hesitant to enter into their expensive contract (I think it costs around $700 to back out of the contract). So, for the time being, I have to "borrow" other people's DSL connections, which is never consistent or convenient.

It's not a problem for posting to a blog or a forum, but accessing audio and video over dialup is hell. I know I am EXTREMELY grateful when a guru lets me download a file instead of being forced to watch it streaming. When I can grab the file on the go, I have a shot at watching it. If I am borrowing a connection, my time is usually limited and I can't sit and watch hours of video at one time.

I look forward to learning if anyone else is facing this problem, and how you have creatively solved some of the challenges associated with it.

[Deborah Tutnauer Company: ViSalus Sciences Contribution Level: 4]

I am in a similar rural situation to you. I presently have a slow DSL connection, but it's very recent. Dial-up was just a short while ago. I cannot watch streaming videos either. In most cases I've found that if you let it stream and some back later, you can then watch it. I know this doesn't work for all formats, but certainly for youtube.

The real answer however it that there is so much you can learn from people online without watching the videos. I know there are some great ones out there..and many lessons are now coming in video format. I maximize my time by learning and reading everything I can that works well with my connection speed. I keep an ongoing list of videos and things that I cannot access. I then spend an hour or so at the library using their connection or take some time at a friend's house in town when they are not home..thus alleviating the pressure of spending too much time on some else's computer.

It is a challenge for sure, but you will still be able to build your business and be successful without all the bells and whistles of a fast connection. My mentor in this industry does not even use a computer.

[Jeff Mitchell Contribution Level: 4]

Hey guys, you might want to go out and see if a Sprint anywhere card will work in your area....they run about $60 a month, but they are awesome....you can do whatever, wherever....

Jeff

[Deborah Tutnauer Company: ViSalus Sciences Contribution Level: 4]

Thanks for the idea, but Sprint doesn't even exist here to my knowledge. Anyone with a Sprint cell phone gets no service. It's REALLY rural. I can actually get a faster wireless set up, but it's very pricey..much more than those in most places pay. But it changes every few months..and actually I do just fine. It's really only the videos that suffer.

[Harry Edwards Company: Nu Skin Enterprises Contribution Level: 1]

Jeff and Deborah,

Thanks for all the input!

My wife brought home a Sprint connection thingy a few months ago, but we get really spotty service. Somedays you get one bar, some days you get none.

Here's the solution I came up with: I simplified and streamlined everything about my business. I reloaded Windows on my laptop and only put the essential stuff back on my computer. Gone are all the games and doodads, as well as the Dora The Explorer game that my daughter doesn't play anymore.

Then, I got rid of EVERYTHING that was sitting on my Windows desktop. I only have a few little icons down on the toolbar: my browser, my shortcut to OpenOffice (no sense paying for MS Office), and my dialup shortcut to Netzero. All the data files and pictures that had been clogging up my hard drive for years are backed up to DVD. The hard drive is virtually empty.

The net result is that Windows is as lean and fast as I can make it without buying a new computer.

Next, I came up with some new habits: First, I declared that my computer exists only to build my business to the $1000/month level. Once I reach that level I can begin searching for a faster computer and maybe paying for satellite internet. But until then my only interaction with my computer will be business-related, and even then it will be strictly focused on one goal at a time. My goal for December is to create an online set of resources (blog, BN articles, YouTube video) centered around one simple idea. In January, I will either expand on this idea or I will branch out and cover another topic.

Anyway, the net effect is that by getting rid of all the unneeded stuff, I am able to work much more efficiently. My computer runs faster, too.

Actually, dialup may be a blessing in disguise for my business right now. It is forcing me to budget my time and resources so that they are focused on a tiny point. By avoiding the temptation to do too much at one time, I am moving ahead faster.

Thanks again for the input. I hope other BN'ers will add more creative solutions to this post.

Bonus idea: What about using the term "beaners" to denote anyone hooked on using BN?

[Deborah Tutnauer Company: ViSalus Sciences Contribution Level: 4]

Harry,
Awesome idea!!! The decisions you made and the clear plan you've laid out for moving forward strongly and steadily within your technological limitation should be an inspiration for everyone. To be honest, there are many confronting smaller challenges than you who see them as looming obstacles to their success. You instead have taken a challenge and found not only a way to surmount it, but even a way to use it as a positive aspect of your journey. You will surely succeed with an attitude such as this.

[Katrina Oakley Company: Multi-Pure Drinking Water Systems Contribution Level: 2]

HI all!
Wow! am I glad to see that I am not alone! This dial up can be an issue!

I have been only posting and answering ads from sites that have only a few graphics and videos to load. I purchased a huge hard-drive and I defrag and disk cleanup often!

Have any of you using slower internet service, built your own web-site? I am having a bit of trouble. I have a godaddy .info account and a GDI .ws account. Which one would be eaiser to put all my affiliates, my blog, and other things I have been looking at. Right now I just have my blog page with google. With all the things I have been adding to it lately, I am getting worried that they will kick me out... I really feel it is time to build a website, but I am not real sure how to do all that!