BM outside communications....

incunity · Post by **incunity** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:20 pm

this is my first time on the board here guys and I haven't searched through all the topics nor have I found the answer to my question....

This is year four for me and I have always loved the fact that you basically cannot communicate with the outside world. This year, however, it is absolutely crucial for me to stay in touch with my fiance due to things happening at home. I know that one guy built a satellite phone booth the last few years... is there any other place with a phone or way for me to contact home that anyone knows about?

Any help would be great.... thanks everyone...

Post by **Eric** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:40 pm

The consensus I've seen on the board over the years is that if you absolutely must keep in contact with the outside world, then you need to rent your own satellite phone. It's the only way you can guarantee that you both actually have access to a phone and can use it when you need to.

As far as I know the phone booth will be out there, but in years past I've never been able to make a call as there has always been someone on it. It wasn't a "need" for me so I didn't hang around & wait, but there's no way to know if it will be there when you need it.

Do a search for satellite phones on eplaya- there was a thread last year that gave some company names for rental.

The only other option is the phone booth in Gerlach, but you have to take the bus to it & will wait in line for quite a while until you get to use it- and even then there will be an impatient line behind you waiting for their turn. Plus you waste most of a day to do it.

Hope this helps.

tisha2 · Post by **tisha2** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:21 pm

there is also wireless internet access set up. it's also spotty and unpredictable, but i've already gotten a couple of emails from the playa!

and that, ladies and gentlemen, is (i believe) my last eplaya post before i head out! not leaving till tomorrow night, but leaving work/computer reality now!!

kisskisskisskisskiss

bdeywoo · Post by **bdeywoo** » Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:18 pm

[quote="tisha2"]there is also wireless internet access set up. it's also spotty and unpredictable, but i've already gotten a couple of emails from the playa!

and that, ladies and gentlemen, is (i believe) my last eplaya post before i head out! not leaving till tomorrow night, but leaving work/computer reality now!!

kisskisskisskisskiss[/quote]
LOL I'm out saturday as well!!!!
Tisha's right the wifi works mostly especially if you make the trek over to center camp. I stayed up to date on the outside world with no probs last year that way.

goathead · Post by **goathead** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 10:58 pm

There is also the Green Tortise for a ride into Gerlach/Empire, to use a phone if you have to. Bruno's and the Empire Store both have pay phones to use.
Kinda a fun bus ride also.

incunity · Post by **incunity** » Sat Aug 26, 2006 11:59 pm

so where is the best wi fi spot? im bringing a laptop and using skype to contact home... thanks for the help guys!

Post by **Eric** » Sun Aug 27, 2006 9:37 am

incunity wrote:so where is the best wi fi spot? im bringing a laptop and using skype to contact home... thanks for the help guys!

Theoretically you can try anywhere, but best coverage tends to be around Center Camp. Here's the lowdown from Jack Rabbit Speaks:

JRS wrote:Once again, the friendly geeks from the "Internet at Burning Man"
Project will provide WiFi access to the Internet throughout Black
Rock City. Look for the networks named "internet", "internet2" and so
forth.

We've had success most years, but sometimes it can take a lot of patience. I would recommend just getting what you need done quickly- I've had the service drop on me in the past.

It's a wonderful thing IBM (Internet at Burning Man) set up for us, but just remember- "It's Burning Man": nothing works the way it's you want it to all the time.

And, I think that's it. I'm off to the playa!

tisha2 · Post by **tisha2** » Tue Sep 05, 2006 8:58 pm

allright, i DID stop by to bug you not once, but TWICE in the AM, and both times....no Eric.

hmph.

Post by **Eric** » Wed Sep 06, 2006 12:07 am

tisha2 wrote:allright, i DID stop by to bug you not once, but TWICE in the AM, and both times....no Eric.

*pout*

I slept more than I ever have this year, and I don't think I got up before 11am once- very unusual for me. Did you at least abuse the cute boys in the dome with a megaphone, or were they all off sleeping too?