He fixed it, but also cheerfully said that this year SciFi Channel will become digital-only.

We switched to a digital cable box this year for that very reason -- so many channels are broadcasting only in digital now that most of our reception during prime time looked like shit.

You're probably not interested in upgrading your TV, but Cablecard is another option, if you don't want a set-top box.

also cheerfully said that this year SciFi Channel will become digital-only.

Gargh. I'm waiting for Comcast to do that in my area, as well. Bastards. If they do it, I may go all cable, then -- internet and tv. Earthlink's been great, but I'm chafing at paying a total of $100/month for cable and internet service.

I have Speakeasy DSL and have had them for 5 years. Their customer service has been EXCELLENT in my experience.

He fixed it, but also cheerfully said that this year SciFi Channel will become digital-only.

WHAT? Oh, that's not designed to make me happy.

That's my Comcast, Dana; I don't think it's a nation-wide policy. They just really, really want to move us from the basic cable rate to the basic digital rate.

Oh, you're right. I trust Time Warner not to screw me over.

t cries in advance

I have Speakeasy DSL and have had them for 5 years. Their customer service has been EXCELLENT in my experience.

Thanks Spidra. I was hoping someone would say that.

I'm pretty confident about switching dsl companies, but I'm still tentative about voip (internet phone). The upside is that it is (hopefully) cheaper, the downside is, if the power goes out, the phone won't work. Then again, I've got great neighbors with cell phones!

Oh, you're right. I trust Time Warner not to screw me over.

I have Time Warner

Which isn't to say that you won't be able to view the digital channels once they make the switch, they just won't look very good. There was a lot of noise on my set before we upgraded to the digital box.

The good news is that they let us have the digital box without subscribing to DTV -- we've got the same channels as our old standard cable, but much, much better reception.

Well, Beej (or anyone else), if you end up going with Speakeasy, tell 'em "spidra" referred you. I get a credit for referrals. But I'm telling you the honest truth regardless of kickbacks (heh). I've had something like 5 ISPs since first getting on the net in '95. I've had cable both when it was Excite@Home, ATT@Home and Comcast. Speakeasy has been the best customer experience of any utility I use. I'm a pretty broke person, but I am willing to pay more for an ISP just to have that pleasant experience instead of the hell that, say, Comcast was.

The wait times on the phone are usually negligible and sometimes no wait at all. The people I've talked to on the phone are very knowledgeable. I've never felt like the first line CS people are just reading off a script. They know their stuff. They don't treat you like a dummy. If you go to them saying you've already done (a), (b) and (c) in the way of troubleshooting maneuvers, they don't make you do it all over again just because they figure you couldn't possibly know what you're doing. They have a nice ticket system which allows you to check status online for anything that doesn't have an immediate solution. So you can see what the CS rep entered and you can make additions to the ticket yourself if necessary.

I'm with you on being willing to pay for good CS. These days, it is a lost art.

The Speakeasy rep I spoke to today was quite helpful. And, the multiple emails I got 'from the president' (right), helped solidify at least their intention to provide good customer service in my mind. I appreciate that.