I could write for days about the mental and physical stresses caused by the coronavirus pandemic, but right now, I’m focusing on the technical nerdy issues home working and home schooling at the same time bring. My Husband works in IT (thank gawd), one child is 12 and doing senior school remote learning, and the other lad is 18 years old and doing his Oxford university degree online at home. The eldest live streams lectures, and also does video chats with other students on his course.
This means 3 people in this house need the internet, and I just really want it for Spotify, entertainment and such. Jen spends his school day in his room, in streamed lessons, or quietly working on his iPad. We had a basic WiFi extender upstairs, but it’s no longer working well enough for this kind of demand. It bounces enough signal for a browser window, but not a live stream. It makes a trip to the shop essential, as without sorting this there is no education and no income, so the bills won’t get paid, and shite would snowball big time.
So today we have got some plug socket faces from Screwfix and he’s being all techie for me. The plug by our wardrobe is hardly used, but it is in the centre of the upstairs, so this is being replaced with a WiFi extending socket. This is similar to having a plug-in WiFi extension, but it’s a permanent solution, and there’s nothing bulky poking out to get bashed. It has USB charger ports, which is overkill for a wardrobe, but this range only does extenders with USB. Also it’s worth noting that the extender socket will get warm, so it’s best to have it somewhere open – not behind the sofa for example.
We already had the LAP silver chrome plug sockets and light switches like this in most of the house from when we had building work, so it makes sense to stick with the same brand and range. The other plug sockets are also getting the USB upgrade, as so many things run via USB now, and will reduce the need for the big charging plugs. We can actually have 2 standard wall plugs in at the same time as something technical in the magic USB ports! If that’s not progress, I don’t know what is.
Obviously, it should go without saying but – DO NOT do this unless you know what you are doing! But if you are able (or if someone in your household or bubble can) putting in IT friendly socket upgrades could save your sanity in these weird times.
WiFi extender with USB ports. Sadly the wall needs a repaint now, but it’s fine. Up to 2 normal wall plugs, and 2 USB devices at the same time. Perfect in the eldest’s room. Another USB plug, and a fuse for the recently built office.
We haven’t got the time or patience to be chiselling out holes in brick walls, and long channels for new cabling, but this solution almost doubles the amount of crap the kids can plug in at once, without the need for major alterations. Thank goodness for having married a technical genius, and also for solar panels during daylight hours.
Have you had to make any changes like this to keep your home working?
These are things we never really thought would be an issue before all this started, it is great that you can make these fixes. Husbands can be a lifesaver in working on the solutions for these things
This is such a great idea! We are struggling as well. I have 2 laptops on the go because I miss my dual screen at work too much, my secondary age son is home schooling and then fiance is working on his laptop. That’s before you add in all the other entertainment bits running.
We’ve tried a booster but that just makes it worse, this could be a great solution x x
For us the booster made things more complicated, as it shows up on devices as a different WiFi network. This meant that we could be connected to one of 3 networks. This wall socket means it’s now all one network, yay!
I have never seen these before, but I really need to get some! They sound really great and with 5 of us in the house all consistently online, these would be a big help
We haven’t had to make changes as Steve did this when we first moved in as internet didn’t cover all parts of the house but I know of quite a few people who have had to do this.
Nothing worse than technical issues. For example my office light bulb went this morning…and no bulbs left arrgh!! So being prepared like this is great xx
When we first moved in last summer my fiance who is super techie (and an electrician) put in some wifi mesh network to ensure we had the best connection in every room. I don’t pretend to understand how it works but it means we get internet everywhere so I’m happy. That’s great that you guys were able to do something to boost yours too x
The way I scream at my WIFI is not even funny, I need an extender in my house I just didn’t know which would work.
This *should* be a permanent solution, and could add value I think. Internet connection is important these days, so having a house with no signal dead spots sounds good.
My husband just invested in one of those desks which can be used when standing or sitting which we all thought was pretty nifty!
I couldn’t be standing at a desk for a long time. Eeek
This post made me smile as it is the exact same scenario in my living room with my kids on the laptop and tablet and myself on the computer. We are running out of plug sockets and surviving with extension cords at the moment
Honestly having built in WiFi on most of the plugs now is amazing 🤣
That sounds like a good idea but like you said you need to know what you are doing to make this alteration.
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Houses Need
This post brought back so many memories of the early lockdown days—those sudden internet crashes during meetings, software hiccups, and the scramble to adapt to remote everything. I appreciated how you tackled the emotional and technical sides of it, because it really was more than just dealing with devices—it was about coping in isolation too. I remember how grounding Fajr Time in Karachi was during those days; it offered a pocket of peace before the day’s digital chaos began. Did you find any particular routine or tool that helped you stay centered through those unpredictable moments?