I see our payment to Cox Cable is going up again. Isn't interesting how a lackluster performer can manage to somehow convince the powers that be in Santa Barbara to grant it an unchallenged monopoly over us. And, worst of all, we have no recourse but continue to complain to those deaf ears of the powers that be!
I have considered the only other alternatives, satellite dishes. There are definitely drawbacks. In order to switch, one must grant the dish company at least a year contract, so you could be stuck. During that contract, the prices are at teaser-rates, which tend to have one overlook the issues, since the price is so low. Well, to service n TVs from a dish, one needs n heads on the dish, and n decoder boxes. I guess that isn't so bad, because all I would need would fit on one dish. Then the decoder boxes are programmed to decode different level of channels. The cheapest one, of course, does have many channels, but not ALL the ones you are used to. Soooo now you are paying for the next level of programming. Before long, the bill is comparable to cable!
When are we going to be able to get a complete smorgasbord ? I shouldn't have to pay for stations I will never watch and will probably program my TV to skip.
Then there is the issue with internet support. Many people get it from their phone company, DSL. If there are not many customers sharing one side of the switch, it is relatively fast. The cable company has the same issue, but it's bandwidth is somewhat greater and can compensate for the shares. The best, fastest internet that I can get in competition starved Santa Barbara/Goleta is from the cable company. So, if I was to switch to satellite, I would have to wire the internet from cable separately. Now I would get two bills. The cable company would want to charge me more because I don't get TV from them- in fact, I don't even know if they will supply internet only.
The best solution is fiber-optic connection directly to the house. This has begun in many areas (of course not here). The company pushing it is Verizon FIOS. And, yes, this would be bi-directional at the speed-of-light--- so interactive TV would be available.
So there you have it, dilemma du jour...
The Top 20 ways to say "Your Fly Is Open"
20) The cucumber has left the salad. I have considered the only other alternatives, satellite dishes. There are definitely drawbacks. In order to switch, one must grant the dish company at least a year contract, so you could be stuck. During that contract, the prices are at teaser-rates, which tend to have one overlook the issues, since the price is so low. Well, to service n TVs from a dish, one needs n heads on the dish, and n decoder boxes. I guess that isn't so bad, because all I would need would fit on one dish. Then the decoder boxes are programmed to decode different level of channels. The cheapest one, of course, does have many channels, but not ALL the ones you are used to. Soooo now you are paying for the next level of programming. Before long, the bill is comparable to cable!
When are we going to be able to get a complete smorgasbord ? I shouldn't have to pay for stations I will never watch and will probably program my TV to skip.
Then there is the issue with internet support. Many people get it from their phone company, DSL. If there are not many customers sharing one side of the switch, it is relatively fast. The cable company has the same issue, but it's bandwidth is somewhat greater and can compensate for the shares. The best, fastest internet that I can get in competition starved Santa Barbara/Goleta is from the cable company. So, if I was to switch to satellite, I would have to wire the internet from cable separately. Now I would get two bills. The cable company would want to charge me more because I don't get TV from them- in fact, I don't even know if they will supply internet only.
The best solution is fiber-optic connection directly to the house. This has begun in many areas (of course not here). The company pushing it is Verizon FIOS. And, yes, this would be bi-directional at the speed-of-light--- so interactive TV would be available.
So there you have it, dilemma du jour...
The Top 20 ways to say "Your Fly Is Open"
19) I can see the gun of Navarone.
18) Someone tore down the wall, and your Pink Floyd is hanging out.
17) You've got Windows in your laptop.
16) Sailor Ned's trying to take a little shore leave.
15) Your soldier ain't so unknown now.
14) Quasimodo needs to go back in the tower and tend to his bell.
13) Paging Mr. Johnson... Paging Mr. Johnson...
12) You need to bring your tray table to the upright and locked position.
11) Your pod bay door is open, Hal.
10) Elvis Junior has LEFT the building!
9) Mini Me is making a break for the escape pod.
8) Ensign Hanes is reporting a hull breach on the lower deck, Sir!
7) The Buick is not all the way in the garage.
6) Dr. Kimble has escaped!
5) You've got your fly set for "Monica" instead of "Hillary."
4) Our next guest is someone who needs no introduction...
3) You've got a security breach at Los Pantalones.
2) I'm talking about Shaft, can you dig it?
AND THE NUMBER ONE WAY TO TELL SOMEONE THEIR FLY IS UNZIPPED...
1) I thought you were crazy; now I see your nuts
