Living in a third world region (yes, i consider hawaii the third world), I am often disconnected from the internet at random times. Wind blowing forcefully? Internet and power go off line. Earthquake on another island? Internet and power go offline. Gerbils go on strike in Sumatra? Internet and power go offline. You get the picture. Nothing is as reliable as random outtages on Maui.
Sometimes though, I can’t be sure if the problem is with me or with the rest of the internet. To check whether my most used websites are down or if it is me.
For google related stuff, like gmail or blogger… Use this.
For everything else, use this.