If you lived on a remote island, which modern conveniences
would you consider most important?

Although easily (but not cheaply) reached from Auckland, Great Barrier is a world — and a good 50 years — away. The island has no supermarket, no electricity supply (only private generators), no main drainage (only septic tanks), most roads are unsealed, and petrol costs nearly double the Auckland price. Mobile phone reception is very limited and there are no banks, ATMs or street lights. Still, the great god Internet has found its way here — practically everyone has their own website!
—New Zealand, Lonely Planet, p. 141

While these aren’t big businesses on Great Barrier Island, the same principle seems to apply to larger companies: the Internet is at least as important as any other service, perhaps more so.

-jsq