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So recently, my (very) tech-challenged parents decided to get a fiber broadband connection at home. The decision was inspired by our neighbour, who enticed mum by saying that the connection is so good that she hasn't faced any issue with Ludo ever since.
Two days ago, after I reassured mum that 100Mbps internet connections can indeed run Ludo smoothly, the internet guys were called over. While this would usually be a professional affair, the difference here is that this is Kolkata.
Naturally, pandemic or not, if a guy comes home at 9am, you can't just ask him to give you internet and leave. Tea was made and everyone sat strategically to ensure there's no social distancing issue.
Soon after, the broadband guys got to work. In the meantime, my dad called with a burning question – "how will they activate internet at my home without my email ID and password?" He was quickly reassured that installing the connection had nothing to do with his email.
Some time during this installation, neighbour auntie asks mom to come over and see for herself how good the video looks on her TV. Not one to take things so easily, mom calls remote tech support (me) and sends a photo, asking if it is indeed any good.
Verdict: Picture quality is fine. It's a fast enough broadband line.
As the connection is installed, Dad is told that he doesn't need to switch the router off every time it isn't in use. This leads to him making a frantic call to me – "what if someone else starts using our internet then?" Can't deny, that's a legit question.
Dad is then assured that we'll set a strong password and configure the router securely, to reduce the risk. To this, he asks, "So this will need my email password?"
After he's told that his email still has nothing to do with the router password, he then goes on to discover that the connection has also come with a landline connection. Dad is elated at the prospect of making landline calls again, that too for free.
Some time later, the connection is activated. The internet guys return and offer to download the network's app on my parents' phones and help them configure the network. Mum gets skeptical and denies. Dad asks if this will require his email ID and password now.
Another frantic call to me leads to me telling them that I can configure the SSID/password from here and send them the details. For some reason, Dad assumes that this has to be his email password, and says it out loud to me over phone, with the internet guys still at home.
After another round of explanation and now a password change of dad's email, mum now asks if she will be able to use the same password too. She's reassured that she will, indeed.
As the internet guys leave with lots of blessings from my parents, a new debate starts over what should the password be. Dad advises that we should keep it simple and put his name as the password.
After he's told it's a bad idea, he then says the password should be his dad's name, because this will show respect towards elders too. Mum suggests her mum's name be added too. They agree. Frankly, this isn't an entirely bad idea.
After the ID and passwords are configured, they proceed to call over neighbour auntie, who's disappointed that our TV isn't connected to the internet already. She offers to help, and dad readily offers her our newly appointed password.
Mum, realising the blunder, informs me. Another password change happens, and auntie is strategically asked to leave from home. She is not impressed at all. After all, she's the one who suggested the idea.
Finally, a new and more strategic password is set, which dad manages to key in on his phone after a fair few attempts. Mum succeeds faster. Dad's not impressed by that, and feels like he came second in a school test.
Finally, the internet is working, TV has been configured (with help from yours truly), and phones are working fine too. Dad has been instructed to NOT say passwords out loud. He says he couldn't even if he wanted to, because he already forgot what it is.
The end.
The end.
Y'all, I'd never thought my dad's email password obsession and mum playing ludo would explode like this on Twitter. We should all start a collaborative story project based on tech adventures with our parents!
