I have have a new home (about 1 year old) in a new development and cable is poor here as well. I had digital for a while but it continued to have degraded service and finally cancelled it and went to satellite. Had cable techs out 3 or 4 times and they said it is a problem outside of my development. More people need to complain before it will get fixed. Satillite signal is great. Can't find the down side to switching. Still have analog cable since I have their internet service but don't really use it much for TV and will be getting rid of is as soon as fiber optic from Verizon is comple in my area. Analog cable is still snowy sometimes.

OJ, I'm guessing you have your dial up ISP with YOUR phone company...right? Anyway, it is the actual ISP that has the free accelerator. I think Net Zero is about $10 a month, and then another $5 for their accelerator. Someone told me though that they charge for customer support...grrrr...that could get expensive. I'm not sure if it is true though. There may be other ISPs out there with accelerators too. Well, if you find a free accelerator or one very affordable and get speeded up, you will get off easy on the dinner. I am a family of one, with a DBF an hour away. Outback Steakhouse is my favorite. I'm in southern Indiana...not sure how far that is from you though. I too have ownership in MY phone co. I worked for them 30 years and for a while they had quite a good deal for employees buying stock. Needless to say, I have too many of my eggs in one basket, and need to redistribute them. Whoopie! I almost forgot. I got a survey in the mail yesterday from my Rural Electric Cooperative. They want to know if I would be interested in getting the internet over the power lines (would able to be 'on' all the time)at a speed of 256kbps for $29.95. I'm sending it back, saying "Bring it on fast! I'd like to be the first to enjoy it." Sue

They used to talk it up. Perhaps there was consumer resistance. I know when I got my Miele coolers, my wi-fi was internal only, mostly for the stereo, and the remote vision module was expensive. It can do things like call you if someone leaves the freezer open, and phone home to tell the techs what the trouble is, but I've had a few reasons to call the techs and they speak human very well, and are very helpful and accommodating without the gizmo. The apps are newer, but I don't even use the Anova app for my circulator. It seems like a bother. I look up the times and temps I want and just set it manually. While there is potential there, it's more of "toys for boys" kind of thing so far, the gizmo that gets the missus her double the price of the big box store appliance. That's a standard kind of marketing tool that predates the world wide web. ;)

"Have you known anyone whose house was broken into during the night?" YES! My SIL was burglarized twice, while she was in bed. Once shortly after she retired for the night, the other time in the wee hours of the morning. And she lives in a residential section that is considered very 'safe'. She says she did the only thing she knew to do, and just stayed very very still, pretending to be soundly asleep. And the police told her that was a wise decision on her part. Don't think I could have done that! Yes I have a phone with me at all times. My smart phone is clipped to my jeans' pocket or belt at all times during the day, and on my night stand at night. Before I had a cell phone, the land line was on my night stand. Back then it was because my husband was a trucker so I kept the phone close in case he needed to contact me about anything. Also in case one of the kids or grandkids needed me. Husband is deceased and kids and grandkids are grown, but I still keep it close for the same reasons. Also because my kids (and Grands) want me to for their peace of mind. They know my balance is very bad, along with other health issues. I really do feel much safer with a phone within arms reach. Rusty