DSL Divine Comedy: Purgatory

The BBQ Pit
1

A few months back I told you of my mostly bad experiences with Verizon DSL, under the title thred name DSL Hell. This is the further adventures of capacitor’s quest for trancending the Internet via broadband.

I disconnected (so I thought) Verizon service. I thought I was getting cable soon, bu tmy landlord dashed hopes of that, forbidding me from connecting anything from cable to my computer, not even my Win TV. Sigh.

I went to Circuit City one day, and I noticed that they were selling USB-based DSL modems, which acquiring one is contingent upon subscribing to AOL service. I actually considered to try AOL, even with their “no concept of privacy” policy. But there were some negatives, including the 20-day hookup, and the $54/month price. Sadly, I had to pass on that.

Then online, I noticed that my ISP, Earthlink, was offering free modem system with hookup to DSL. I decided to try that. I asked some more, and the sales person said that the modem system won’t be sent until the line was deemed ready.

So, I waited patiently for the notice that the line was established and connected. Nothing was forthcoming. So I called Earthlink Tech, and after a long wait listening to Yanni and so on, I got somebody. It turned out that the request was cancelled because, get this, Verizon was still holding the line.

What the…? I cancelled the service eight months ago!! Why those greedy monopolistic, fiber optic munching cause they didn’t get their daily Metamucil, line coil around their necks so that there is no blood flow to the brain, bstrds!! I called Verizon, and it took two weeks for them to finally release the line. Another week later, Earthlink announced that my line is good and ready for DSL. Just wait for the modem set and I’m all ready. Wait 7-10 business days.

On the eleventh day, I called Earthlink to track down my package. Turns out that UPS doesn’t know my work address. This is despite the fact that my workplace is three blocks away from the nearest UPS hub. Stupid UPS, there is a book detailing each building and address for each of the five boroughs. Why don’t they consult them before determining that city government agency repair garages don’t exist? Grr, now I have to wait 'til Monday to get the set from UPS. I got angry in the meanwhile, and took it out on shopping for new shoes.

More updates later.

2

Is you landlord a total idiot or something? I would just do it and not let him see it.

3

Actually he is not. He read reports of Verizon modems causing shorts in houses, sometimes with tragic results. He looked at my modem and he saw at once that that was the brand that was implicated. He knew when I was using the modem; lights would dim all around the house. He figured that the amps input listed on the modem was a total lie. Instead of .09 amps as listed, it was probably soaking around 2-3 amps, about as much as my monitor!! Also at the time, the house wasn’t wired for a power user like me. It took But now the house has been re-wired (which I paid for), my computer system stands alone from the rest of the house, and now I can commence on my quest for fire, I mean power.

4

I see someone else is getting shafted by the large corperate phallus that is the DSL industry.

Better luck for you.