How on earth did we survive before the internet?! Since a thunderstorm Friday night, my internet connection has been down. Dozens of times in my apartment today, I found myself wondering about things. But I've become accustomed to instant answers. More after the jump.
There was a sharp crack and a bright flash Friday night, as lightning seemingly struck the outside of my apartment building. I was watching TV at the time, but later I tried to use my computer. No net. I reset the cable modem, all the usual things, took my Airport Extreme out of the chain, tried the modem via Ethernet to my laptop. Nothing would work.
Figuring it was a local outage, I decided to wait until morning. Nothing had changed. Time to call the cable guys. I get my internet from Comcast. That's all I get from Comcast. The CSR had me go through many motions. I patiently went through them, although when she tried to explain to me what an Ethernet cable looked like, I began to become a bit short tempered. Although Comcast could see modem activity from their end, I remained connectionless. Comcast scheduled a visit between 8am and noon Sunday.
10am Sunday. My phone rings. It is a computer at Comcast. It says that a problem was found in my neighborhood, and they would be canceling the appointment. Press one to accept the cancellation, press two to repeat the message, press pound to speak to a support representative. As I rushed to check my computer, I pressed two. The message repeated. I pressed two. The computer read off a phone number to call for technical support (which I am in no position to write down) and promptly hangs up.
Damn! Didn't get the number. No internet service. I call Comcast again. Go through the same rigormorole as the day before. Now they won't come until Monday. I demand to speak to a supervisor. I am told none is available. I say I'll wait. Eventually, I am told they will take my name and number, and a supervisor will call me as soon as possible. As I write, 8 hours have passed. No one has called.
I've been recommending Comcast to my friends for Internet service. That may be changing soon. Oh, great FiOS, when will you be in Chicago?
welcome to the world of being an independent! My livelihood depends on these cable crooks!