How often are you stunned by technology these days? I find it’s almost never. Yes, it’s very clever. Yes, it’s very small. Yes, it’s very fast. But, we’re so used to technology that it’s rare we actually get excited or feel amazed by it. But, this changed for me just last night…

I just bought a new wireless modem router for the house (yes, it doesn’t sound like a gateway to excitement but bear with me). I’ve had wireless internet at home for some years, but I decided to get a powerline system which also turns your electrical mains supply into a LAN. Powerline routers connect to the mains electricity (via their usual power cable) and are used with special plugs which have an Ethernet socket on them which can be plugged into other sockets around the house. The system uses the electricity cables in the house as network cables, so any plug socket can be a network port. I’d heard of the idea but didn’t realise it has been available for some time in the UK.

I set-up the wireless modem router no problem, then plugged in the special plug in my basement, connected my Xbox to it and it worked first time. So, I now have a super-fast network connection for my Xbox without the need for wireless. Having it work straight away was a pleasant surprise, but the system itself was like seeing real magic - I know what it’s doing but am amazed that it can possibly work.

Being amazed by technology is refreshingly exhilarating. It renews your faith that there are still incredible things out there. Well either that or I’m just getting old and have entered that phase where I will no longer be able to program my PVR. But, I think it’s the former…

Tags: powerline, router, technology, wireless