The agent let me know that they would have to schedule a technician to come out and look at my system to figure out and fix the problem. After we choose the date the agent asked me if I wanted an a.m. or p.m. time window. I told her the earlier the better. She scheduled me for an a.m. appointment. Then proceeded to let me know the time window would be between 8 a.m. and 10 a.m. - I wasn't too disappointed with this as I've been used to other companies giving a window of four or five hours - this one was only two hours.
When the day arrived fortunately, for me, the technician showed up at 8:45 and was done by 9:45. He had to change the modem and all was working like new again.
Windows have come a long way since they first showed up in humankind. The earliest windows were merely a hole in the roof of one's dwelling (this was in the 12th or 13th century). It could have been a hole made in the side of a straw or mud hut. These holes were covered with animal hide, cloth or wood. Shutters that could be opened and closed came next.
With time windows were made to protect people from the elements of the weather such as the sun or the rain. Windows were made of paper, translucent flattened pieces of animal horn, thinly sliced marble and other various materials.
Mullioned glass windows, which were small pieces of glass joined together with lead, was the window of choice for many decade, primarily in European countries.
In the 20th Century windows became more advanced. The glass used for windows was more durable - able to withstand heavy winds - yet it seemed to be thinner. Windows from the first 70 to 80 years of the decade were primarily single paned, which did not do much to decrease cold, heat or sound from coming through them. Although they were able to withstand the wind, singled paned windows did break and crack easily.
In the past 30 years double and triple paned windows, which use materials with more energy efficient properties, have become commonplace. Modern double-pane and triple-pane windows often include one or more low-e coatings to reduce the window's U-factor (its insulation value, specifically its rate of heat loss).You can tell when a window has the low-e coating by it's slightly greenish hue.
Modern windows also help to reduce the amount of sound coming in from the outside. They also help to keep the heat in when it's cold outside and vice-versa. Some windows also have a factor which decreases the possibility of the sun causing your furniture and carpet to fade. Most contain properties (gases) which can improve the thermal performance of the window and/or prevent cracking or damage in high altitudes or in extreme cold area.
The most widely used windows nowadays are constructed in a vinyl frame which holds up extremely well in all types of weather. The vinyl is of high quality and does not crack, discolor or fade. It's easy to keep clean and remains looking "like new" for a very long period of time.
There are also retro-fit and nail-on windows. A retro-fit window is one which goes into the existing window frame and is easily installed with little effort. The nail-on window is installed by completely removing the existing window and nailing the new window to the foundation of the outside of the building/home and then applying stucco, wood, or whatever the building finish is over the nail on fin.
Double Paned Window
Single, Double and Triple Paned Windows
Stain Glass Window
Missing Persons - Windows (1982)