From PogiLabs(tm) - our newest low-tech answer to a high-tech problem: a cheap n' easy way to protect a modem from lightning strikes.

Parts needed:
*telephone line cord (stock or custom made lenght)
*telephone line coupler (used to connect two line cords together)
*double sided sticky-back mounting tape

1) Fasten the coupler to the computer's chassis with the mounting tape anyplace where it would be easy to reach. Side, top, back, it doesn't matter, just as long as you can easily reach it.
2) Unplug the existing line cord from your modem and plug it in to the coupler.
3) Plug your new line cord into the other end of the the coupler and the modem's line-in connector.

Now whenever a lightning storm comes, it will be super-easy to unplug and reconnect the line from the modem without having to reach around behind the computer or crawl around on the floor to get to the wall jack. Make sure to unplug the side that goes to the line jack and not to the modem; I recommended mounting the coupler in such a way that only one side is easy to get to.

What makes this a "Digital Lightning Protector"? Well, you have to use your fingers to unplug the cord....


[This message has been edited by Pogi (edited October 11, 2000).]