I really need to replace my TV.

I could come over, get drunk, stumble into it, knock it over and break it, if it helps get you a new TV that plays well with a Harmony.

Just sayin'.

FAQWife\'s cell phone contract is just about up and I\'m thinking of using the opportunity to join the aughties and get myself a cell phone as well. There seems to be a really good deal going on right now with Amazon (via Wirefly) where I can get a Blackberry Pearl 8100 for minus $50 (free plus a $50 rebate) with a two year service contract. Service is with T-Mobile. The service plans look comparable to other carriers\' plans. Here\'s the deal: [link]

My questions:

• Is this a good deal? Am I missing something?

• How\'s T-Mobile compare to Cingular, Virgin, etc.

• Will FAQWife be able to move her current phone number over to another carrier? I thought there was an FCC regulation about this, but i can\'t find any information on how she would do this.

As I\'ve been writing this, I\'ve started to wonder if I might be better off with a pay-as-you-go plan for now. Especially since I don\'t know how much I\'ll be using my phone (answer: probably not much since I can use my office phone during the day). Even if I had to pay for the phone, PaYG might be a better deal for me.

• What are some good PaYG companies? I think tommyrot uses Virgin and is happy with it, yes? Anyone else have suggestions?

Will FAQWife be able to move her current phone number over to another carrier? I thought there was an FCC regulation about this, but i can't find any information on how she would do this.

Yes, she should be able to. The last time I switched carriers, it took them about 10 minute to port the number over.

I think tommyrot uses Virgin and is happy with it, yes?

Yes. The worst thing about them is their whole marketing scheme is geared to trendy people in their teens and 20s.

Hey hivemind -- ever since we moved into our new place, the wireless network has been all wonky (randomly disappearing for a few minutes and then coming back with no explanation). I'm pretty sure it's our wireless, and not the cable internet, because there are WAY more competing wireless networks in this area than our old place.

So my question is, would upgrading our router to 802.11g possibly make a difference? (We're on b now.) And even if it wouldn't, doesn't this sound like a great excuse for a new router anyway?

It's my understanding that upgrading to g mostly gets you more range. If the problem is competing networks, I'd think messing with the channels would be the way to fix it. But my understanding is extremely shallow, so, liberal serving of salt with that.

I\'ve had a problem like that in the past, Jessica. I kept having to reboot the router. Buying a new router solved the problem. Plus, routers aren\'t very expensive. Be sure to check dealnews.com.

Buying a new router solved the problem. Plus, routers aren't very expensive. Be sure to check dealnews.com

You win at enabling advice!

That's funny, because we used to have that problem, but procrastinated and never bought a new router. Then when we moved, it cleared up. I don't have any idea why, because we were so far out in the middle of frakking nowhere. I guess maybe we were getting interference from the giant towers on the sacred mesa near us.