"The future is in the modem," said my Dad. Ten years ago? Twelve years ago? I think it might be more. I thought he was mad.

Dad gave me my first modem. I was using Windows 3.1 and this was a blistering fast 2.4 kps modem. 4k4 modems were on the horizon but mere mortals like us didn’t have them. I wasn’t sure about this online thing, afterall I had a double speed CD-Rom drive, a Sound Blaster 16 and a fairly good video card and monitor (ie I could do more than 256 colours). I had spent a cool grand upgrading the flash 486 that Dad had given me.

 "The future is in the modem," said my Dad.

So I plugged in and configured the 2.4k job and found Fido-Net. Found bulletin boards. Found shareware (at a cheaper cost than buying it snail-mail). Found Net-mail and chat). WOW!

Then Dad gave me a 14k4 modem. I installed it and that night we had a massive electrical storm. I had gone to bed congratulating myself on my ability to install and configure high speed modems. I lost it. The lovely people at Dynalink gave me a replacement.

Fast forward a few years, a few lifetimes. Sharing a 56k connection between four computers. Then, our first 128k ADSL connection. Shared between several more computers.

 "The future is in the modem," said my Dad.

Today, I’m sitting on my leather lazyboy chair with my laptop computer on my knee. At present there are three computers connected to our 2MB ADSL connection. We sometimes have several more computers connected. No matter, we have the bandwidth to manage. We print to a common laser printer with a colour multifunction fax / scanner / printer if we need it. I’ve just sent an email to Dad. I’ve attached a few photos that I took with my phone and I know he won’t be bothered about downloading them. He and Mum have a decent ADSL connection that they share, accessing it via their wireless laptops.

This week, while we discussed our wireless networks, our iPAQs and our GPS connections, Dad reminded me about his prediction: "The future is in the modem." 

Years ago I didn’t quite believe him. Now? I am hooked. Not just on access, on being online, but on the idea. On the discussions that I enjoy with friends (some of whom go back to Fido-Net), on the quick email / text message, on sharing a cool photo, on blogging, on spreading a half-formed idea and watching others take hold of it and run far, far away with it. On having that cool idea return and getting a second go at it.

Thanks Dad, I’m listening now! 

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