How long can you last without your computer...better yet any computer?

[NFS4]

Hehe, I was just thinking about this. I can't go too long without being around a computer (especially one that is tuned in to Anandtech/Anandtech Forums))

Even when I'm not at my computer at home, I manage to use the ones at school.

And if I'm away on a trip, I carry my PDA around with me to access the internet, etc.

How long can you guys last?

 

[BoberFett]

If I'm not near one it doesn't bother me. Without one within arms reach I'm sure I could go for weeks without missing anything.

But...

If there's one nearby I feel drawn to it. All the better if it's got 'net access and doesn't already have the RC5 client loaded on it.

 

[The Stigenator]

Let see, the last time I went on vacation to India I couldnt use my laptop during the first 2 weeks of my stay - cause my mom was afraid someone would get hold of my puter. I finally got it, but no NET access until I reached the university.

I guess those 2 weeks were long enough.

 

[Vegito]

I went to disney, had 28.8 connection
but my stock quotes came from the cell phone so wasn't soo bad.. but missed a week of news and discussion.. 28.8 sucks

 

[NFS4]

The longest I have gone is a week when I went to the Bahamas with my parents.

It didn't bother me 'cause there was sooooo much to do down there

 

[pdo]

I never leave home without my laptop.. I would go into shock and have a heart attack or something if I go without it for 10 hours. hehe

 

[Scorpion]

I am constantly around one. It's practically a necessity in my life.
And now I'm an AnandTech Forum addict, so I don't know what I would do if I couldn't log on here.

But I also realize enough to distance myself from it everyonce in a while, and I've done well doing that. I can leave it for a week and not feel drawn to it. As long as I'm doing something else. If I find myself bored though, then I start thinking about it. That's when the addiction starts to take over again.

I also think it has a large portion to do with what Bober said.
"If there's one nearby I feel drawn to it."

I think that's the main thing. I've gone away and not been around a computer at all before, and done just fine. Yet being around one compells me towards it.

Here's a good example. I go to college. Fast connection. T-3 to an OC-3. I'm an online gaming junkie. Got on CS from the beginning, then started to get into Q3. I played it constantly. Before class, after, after dinner. Whenever I had free time I was dicking on my computer. But over the summer I don't have a sweet connection. So after 9 months of being addicted and having this as my lifestyle, I can drop it for 3 months without need. Which I'm doing right now. Of course, work has brought some of that back. Now that I have free access at work I'm drawn to this board. But I've done it 3 months without need before. It gives me time to think about other things and to make changes to who I am. I really don't want to be so wrapped up in my computers. It's just so easy to do. So taking a break once in a while is really a good breather.

 

[AMB]

I generally spend at least four weeks in total away from it per year, I suppose if I realy wanted to, it could be longer.

Infact, this Monday, I will spending two weeks away from it to a trip to the US & Bahamas

 

[medic]

Went on vacation last month with a Dell laptop and cell phone for the internet and came home to a $568.00 cellphone bill! :Q

Next vacation....no computers!

 

[Howard]

Maybe a month, then I'd die of boredom.

 

[hubbs]

I got w/o computer 1 day a weak and that is on Saturday. It's the only day I'm not on ther computer because I got to the lake.

 

[Goi]

Well, I was in Cancun for spring break this year for a week, and the freaking computers there can't even telnet, so I didn't even use them.

Also, from beginning of May to end of June I didn't have access to my computer, except for a short 3-4 day period at the end of May. I didn't frequent this BBS because of that, despite having access to some internet cafes(the rates were insane so all I did was check my email quickly when I had the chance). That explains my absence from this BBS during that period, and made my average post per day drop by almost 1.

It sux not to have my comp

 

[Slacker]

I am afraid I dont understand the question, what do you mean "How long can you last without your computer" I dont get it, wait, do you mean like those four to seven hours when I am sleeping?

 

[Mday]

depends. computers are everywhere. i use mass transportation, so i'd be dead without a computer. and then there is the metrocard in NYC, so...

and since i go shopping, and the cash registers are computerized, well... and then the movie theatre.

and since television studios and broadcasters use computers for their programming, i'd have to live without television.

and print publishers use computers, so no reading there...

the above has been a reply to the latter part of the question.

anyway, i'd last as long as anyone. i can just go out and not have my computer with me. i don't use computers during class, unless it's programming, but then i did not have a CS course last semester, nor the summer class i took. and between classes during last semester, i played pool, so no computers there... so i was without a PC for half of the day, 5 days a week.

 

[bigjon]

Being without a computer? That's a terrifying thought. Heck, I wouldn't be able to find my way around town if I didn't have Mapquest to guide me (what, organic maps?!).

Guess I'll find out for sure this weekend though. Had to pull the plug on both my computers last night so I could tear down the panelling in the computer room this weekend and redo the walls After I go home from work today, no more computing til I come back Monday Not even a DVD movie!

 

[Sohcan]

The longest I've been without any computer was four weeks when I was in Africa last month...after a few days, I didn't notice the absence (though I did stop at an Internet Cafe in Ghana to email some friends ).

 

[Prodigy^]

hmmm.....well it sucks not being able to check your mail and such.....I can live without IRC, the forums and the general news (I mean, there's an endless resource of it all).....but i GOTTA have some kind of electronic device, like a gameboy, minidisc and such.

 

[mpitts]

Being without a computer wouldn't bother me at all. I have gone months without one.. I build them, play with them, then sell them.. It is a cycle for me..

 

[MWink]

I can only last about the amount of time it takes to get to Best Buy and back. More than that and I start having problems. My idea of a vacation is a lan party. Come to think of it, I just got back from one yesterday.

 

[dszd0g]

I start getting serious computer withdrawl after about 4 days, after about a week it subsides a bit.

 

[firehawk2]

if i go to vist some family its np for me to stay w/o a computer cuz i already feel good enjoying time w/ my close people. if i was in some hotel or anyplace we have to stay temporary away from home i prob last about a week or two maybe at most

 

[konichiwa]

My record is about 12 minutes I think. I sleep with my laptop.

 

[arthurb1]

Probably 3 days of no computers...I could do with others but only for a while till I wanted mine back: My OC'd 700 wipes the floor with te 450's at school....so I kinda get an itch for mine in between classes

 

[Scifione]

*Smack* Don't even think about it! I can go 8hrs for sleep and work. 24hrs about max.


I love that signature bigjon. LOL
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

 

[apoppin]

Well, I went more than 20 years without a computer (my first 20 plus years). I guess I could do it again (shipwreck in a deserted place). BUT WHY????

My life does not depend on computers. However, I'd hate to lose my web site, my customer database, my main form of entertainment. No doubt IF I WERE FORCED to give it up - I'd survive without insanity (well any more insanity) - I'd read more and probably move back to the beach so I could again surf every day.

However, if we were forced to do without ANY computers, civilization would have to take a big step backwards and there would be chaos - for example, if they just all stopped functioning.