I have cable but only the 1st tier of programming. This gets me just about everything I could ever want. I need the cable subscription in order to get high speed internet. In my area DSL is not available. The quality is excellent and it is only rarely out. My daughter in Cincinnati has one of the satellite systems. When I go there it takes me a little while to figure out what has to be turned on to get the stupid thing to work. Then only a little while longer to learn how to find what I want to watch. They love it though because it has about a bazillion channels and each member of the family can make a custom preferred channel list. It works very well and rarely goes out. My son-in-law installed it himself which says loads about how easy it is to install. You pays your money and takes your choice.
Ron
When I got a big fat raise last February I sprung for DirecTV. I’m down in a little holler and get poor reception on a few stations south and no reception on the closer stations to the north. If I want to use my cell phone I have to go upstairs and I still might not get a signal.
The guy came out on a Sunday to install the dish, to my great surprise. I just got the very basic package plus the “local” stations to the north, but it’s a nice variety and I haven’t been tempted to sign up for the premium channels.
However, if cable ever came out my way, I’d snap that up for the modem speed. Oh yeah, I can’t get DSL either.
I understand the impulse to just turn the blasted thing off, but if Dale wants to watch TV (or to subsidize his family’s viewing habits), then why not?
My own favorite toy is the VCR. I record old Law & Order shows I haven’t seen before and them watch them when I get on the treadmill in the mornings. Fast forward through commercials and you’ve got a nice 45-minute workout.
M