Our PCs and other technologies to which we've become so accustomed seem trivial compared to the injured and lost lives and the destruction caused by the tragedy of September 11. Yet, amidst the rubble of crumbled buildings and the horror of shattered lives, even in tragedy our "toys" served a higher purpose.

We take so many of our instruments of convenience for granted we sometimes lose sight of their greater potential. For example, in the hours after the attack on the New York World Trade Center, authorities had now defunct Ricochet turn its system back on in order to help facilitate better communications at the site. They also used cell phone signals to try to pinpoint potential survivors whose phones might still have been active under the debris.

These were the more obvious examples but there was so much more. With the phone system jammed and, in some cases, destroyed, many used e-mail and messaging to locate friends and loved ones. Amazingly, even though many couldn't be reached by phone, the Internet and the radio frequency electronic messaging system seemed to hold up rather well.

This doesn't even take into account the many people who made cell phone calls from hijacked planes to alert loved ones and authorities. It was these calls that gave the first indication to authorities of what was really going on as well as giving them some idea of the number of planes involved.

While planes crashing into each of the twin towers in the same time frame should have been warning enough that an act of terrorism was being carried out, those calls gave authorities an early indication not only of the scope of the problem but precisely what was going on. As tragic as this event was, it might have been much worse. This allowed for quicker assessment which led to an immediate grounding of airplanes across the nation.

The fact the impact was global in scope again showed the strength of our communications apparatus. Even though we have come to take these things for granted, the fact we have so many means of communication gives us a redundancy that works to our benefit.

As a resident of Southern California I know all too well what happens in a disaster. I've lived through two major earthquakes in my area and several intermediate and small such events. It's amazing how much has changed. The last major earthquake in Southern California was in January of 1994.

The Internet was still in its infancy and while I've been involved with computers and technology for years, I didn't even own a computer at that time. Cell phones were just beginning to take off as an instrument of necessity as opposed to an interesting luxury. It is now clear, cell phones and messengers are not just interesting luxuries anymore, they can be lifesaving necessities.

Regardless of the number of lives lost in these disasters, consider the lives that have been saved because of one of these devices. Obviously, these devices have their limitations. If the wired network is down, a wireless device may only connect to a dead zone. If the wireless base station is destroyed, again, the user is unable to connect. Still, having the device gives you one more option, one more potential lifeline you wouldn't ordinarily have and that lifeline has made the difference to many people.

Not only were these devices a lifeline but they also helped ease the minds of many. From laptops to cell phones, from cells phones to PDAs and electronic messengers, many were able to find a way to get a message to loved ones that they were ok or hear the same from loved ones as well.

From time to time we've all bemoaned saturation coverage on television but even that could be viewed in a positive light. Today, portable televisions are becoming more ubiquitous and certainly much less expensive than in the past. Consider the people who were unable to get home who, because of traffic or other restrictions in New York found themselves temporarily stranded.

That saturation coverage was a boon to the stranded. In New York, a few of the broadcast networks lost their transmission towers. The fact the information was available on so many stations enabled even those stranded without cable connections and the ability to access all news outlets the ability to remain connected to a source of information.

When catastrophe happens we sometimes overlook the most obvious sources of information. While this type of tragedy is best covered by television, radio did an outstanding job. Once again, filling the gaps, keeping people stuck in their cars informed and providing information to many who may have been cut off because of power loss in and around the World Trade Center site.

We sometimes overlook these simplest of devices such as the radio but at times of catastrophe, these simple devices can be our lifeline to the outside world. They provide information and keep us from being completely cut off.

Most of you have probably never lived through an earthquake and probably never will but if the tragedy at the World Trade Center shows us anything, it shows us we never know when something might happen that might cut us off, something that turns luxury into necessity or the simplest of devices into our primary source of information until help arrives.

If nothing else, it can be reassuring.

My deepest sympathies and profoundest condolences to those who lost family, friends and acquaintances in the horrible tragedy of September 11, 2001.

The spirit lives, the flame still burns.