ICYMI Series: Benjamin Tan on 25 years of internet in the Philippines

Summary

The speaker recounts his experience installing a Cisco 7000 PLD in a data center and gaining access to Cisco's internal email system through an X.25 bridge, which allowed him to have early internet access in the 1990s. He emphasizes the transformative impact of the internet and the web, highlighting its potential to provide information and opportunities without geographical barriers. The speaker expresses hope that internet access can be used to meaningfully improve lives beyond mere social media interactions.

Takeaways

• 🛠️ The speaker was involved in installing a Cisco 7000 PLD in a data center and received training and tools to access Cisco's online resources.
• 📚 They discovered that with the provided tools, they could access Cisco's internal email setup and X.25-based commands, which allowed them to access a public internet gateway.
• 🌐 In the early 1990s, the speaker had live internet access from their bedroom, which was a significant advantage for downloading software from Cisco.
• 🕘 The best time for downloading software was during dinner because it would be completed by the next morning, reflecting the slower internet speeds of the time.
• 📦 The speaker describes a tight deadline for the equipment delivery and installation, emphasizing the pressure of ensuring everything worked correctly upon arrival.
• 🔧 With the help of a technician, the speaker successfully mounted and powered up the equipment, with everything appearing to work fine from the terminal screen.
• 🌅 The following morning, the speaker confidently declared the job done to the residents of Dr. Dos Villarrica, showing a sense of accomplishment and relief.
• 🌍 The speaker's experience with internet access during their PhD in the States highlighted the vast world of information available online, breaking geographical barriers.
• 🌐 The advent of the web, HTTP, and browsers like Netscape opened up a floodgate of information, making the internet more accessible and user-friendly.
• 💡 The speaker expresses hope that internet access can be used by individuals, such as students, to improve their lives beyond just social media and self-expression.
• 🙏 The speaker prays for the potential of the internet to meaningfully improve people's lives, reflecting a belief in the transformative power of technology.

Q & A

What was the speaker's role in the installation of Cisco 7000 PLD in the data center?

The speaker was the fellow responsible for installing the Cisco 7000 PLD in the data center and had undergone training at Cisco for this purpose.

What benefits did the speaker receive from Cisco during their training?

The speaker received all the necessary tools to access Cisco online, including a booklet with a series of telephone numbers that allowed access to Cisco's internal email setup.

How did the speaker gain access to the public internet gateway?

The speaker discovered a series of commands on the X.25 bridge that allowed them to access a public internet gateway.

What was the significance of having live internet access in the early 1990s?

Having live internet access in the early 1990s was significant as it provided the speaker with the ability to download software from Cisco, which was a considerable advantage at that time.

Why was the best time to download software from Cisco during dinner?

The best time to download software from Cisco was during dinner because the downloads would complete overnight, and the software would be ready by the morning.

What was the speaker's experience with the delivery and installation of the equipment?

The speaker experienced a tight deadline with the equipment being delivered the day before it needed to be installed and operational.

How did the speaker ensure that everything worked after the installation?

The speaker checked everything from the terminal screen and confirmed that the lights and other indicators were working as expected.

What was the speaker's reaction to successfully completing the installation?

The speaker considered it just another job and did not see the point in bragging about it, treating the successful installation as a matter of course.

What impact did the speaker's friend's experience have on their view of the internet?

The friend's experience impressed upon the speaker the vast world of information available online, emphasizing that geographical barriers were no longer an issue with the advent of the web and browsers.

What does the speaker hope for regarding the use of the internet by students or others?

The speaker hopes that individuals, especially students, will use the information available on the internet to improve their lives in a meaningful way, beyond just posting pictures and selfies.

How does the speaker reflect on the internet's potential impact on people's lives 25 years after its widespread use?

The speaker reflects on the internet's potential to provide possibilities that can improve a person's life in a true and meaningful manner, maintaining hope for its positive influence.