Hurricane Sandy is threatening the Eastern Seaboard, and meteorologists are predicting no mercy from the Category 1 storm’s rain and winds. Apart from the water and wind damage, hurricanes have a history of knocking out the tech that keeps us going.
Datacenters are most critical. Housing hundreds of computers that power sites like Netflix and Dropbox, Amazon, Apple and Google all rely on these server farms. And we all rely on the cloud services they provide — Amazon’s cloud is powering at least one percent of the entire Internet.
The servers, housed largely in Virginia and other high-intensity storm zones, have had a history of being taken down, but companies are feverishly working to fortify their centers before Sandy strikes.
So if all goes well, those pinned down by the storm can keep busy on Pinterest and Reddit until Sandy blows away.
Check out the video above to see footage of the storm thus far and our studied analysis of what to expect.
What do you plan to do if the Internet goes down? Tell us in the comments below.
BONUS: 6 Clever Ways to Charge Your Devices in a Pinch
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If you have a car charger, plug in your device during your next drive to the supermarket. You can find very inexpensive versions compatible with most portable devices on retail sites like Amazon.
But try to preserve the environment — don't cruise your car just to charge your phone. Kill two birds with one stone and make an errand out of it.
Image courtesy of Flickr, e_walk
This may seem like an eleventh hour step, but some people choose to power their mobile devices by sucking the remaining charge from their laptops. That way, their charge is more portable and versatile.
Not just for emergency radios, a hand crank can also power your devices. This option from K-Tor, called the Pocket Socket, generates up to 10 watts of electricity at 120 volts. It can charge iOS and Android devices, e-readers, digital cameras and GPS devices.
Harness the power of the sun by connecting your fading batteries to a solar charger like the Solio Bolt. The Bolt can charge USB-powered devices, like iPhones and most e-readers. Its built-in battery can provide full charges to two smartphones. Otherwise, use its solar panels or USB port to activate the solar charger.
Image courtesy of Flickr, www.solio.com
Although your house may be dark, storefronts and other public areas sometimes run on different grids that enjoy power. During blackouts, many businesses are forgiving of residents who need to power up. Ask if you can plug-in at a local cafe, library or retail shop.
Image courtesy of Flickr, mark sebastian
It might be a good idea to pick up a backup battery for your mobile device, whether you're experiencing a blackout or just out at a concert with a low charge.
The Innergie PocketCell (pictured) charges all USB-powered devices. And with a capacity of 5200mAh, the PowerGen Mobile Juice Pack powers most cellphones. For something a little more functional, try the Kensington PowerLift backup battery and dock, which doubles as a stand for your iPhone.
If you have a car charger, plug in your device during your next drive to the supermarket. You can find very inexpensive versions compatible with most portable devices on retail sites like Amazon.
But try to preserve the environment — don't cruise your car just to charge your phone. Kill two birds with one stone and make an errand out of it.
Image courtesy of Flickr, e_walk
This may seem like an eleventh hour step, but some people choose to power their mobile devices by sucking the remaining charge from their laptops. That way, their charge is more portable and versatile.
Not just for emergency radios, a hand crank can also power your devices. This option from K-Tor, called the Pocket Socket, generates up to 10 watts of electricity at 120 volts. It can charge iOS and Android devices, e-readers, digital cameras and GPS devices.
Harness the power of the sun by connecting your fading batteries to a solar charger like the Solio Bolt. The Bolt can charge USB-powered devices, like iPhones and most e-readers. Its built-in battery can provide full charges to two smartphones. Otherwise, use its solar panels or USB port to activate the solar charger.
Image courtesy of Flickr, www.solio.com
Although your house may be dark, storefronts and other public areas sometimes run on different grids that enjoy power. During blackouts, many businesses are forgiving of residents who need to power up. Ask if you can plug-in at a local cafe, library or retail shop.
Image courtesy of Flickr, mark sebastian
It might be a good idea to pick up a backup battery for your mobile device, whether you're experiencing a blackout or just out at a concert with a low charge.
The Innergie PocketCell (pictured) charges all USB-powered devices. And with a capacity of 5200mAh, the PowerGen Mobile Juice Pack powers most cellphones. For something a little more functional, try the Kensington PowerLift backup battery and dock, which doubles as a stand for your iPhone.
Source : feeds[dot]mashable[dot]com
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