Top five technologies you miss during a power outage

Submitted by Patrick Grote on Mon, 12/04/2006 - 5:10am.

Late last week, a horrible ice storm ran through St. Louis. We're one of those who have been without power for a few days, so I'm working through it by posting.

My first post related to the power outage concerns the top five technologies you miss during a power outage. I put this list together in my head as I was driving around looking for a utility truck.

Here are the top five technologies I miss during a power outage:

5) HVAC (Heating,Ventilating and Air Conditioning): Yes, I will admit that I do like not freezing in the winter. Without power you lose the ability to heat your home in the winter. Well, heat it properly. Yes, you might have a fireplace or wood burning stove, but good luck getting the distributed to your house. The problem with losing heat is that it cascades. If you don't have heat you can't do many of the things you like.

4) Computer. For an information junkie such as myself, this is devastating. Not only do you lose the ability to gather information quickly, you don't realize how much you use Google to find answers to things.

3) TIVO. Ah, my I suggest that if you own a TIVO and have used it for more than a year, never, ever try to watch normal, non-TIVO TV again. It is very painful. You cannot skip commercials nor can you decide to record something so you can watch it later.

2) DSL. Hey, you have the computer, you might as well have the high speed connection. Just like TIVO, if you use a DSL or other high speed line for a year, and then go back to dial up, you might as well give up. It's painful and you will experience withdrawal symptoms.

1) Electric Light. Yes, we're stepping back to the grandaddy of the modern invention, the light bulb. Since the power went off in Winter we're limited to the amount of sunlight available. It's odd to think how much you rely on lights in your house.