Martha,
Is Comcast your only option? Currently I have BrightHouse and have had minimal issues. The other two options I have are FiOS or Satellite. DSL would be the third if it's avail to you. As for the rain fade, the longest my TV has been out for me is about 15 min. Even when it's raining pretty hard, it stays most of the time.

 

Martha -- Because you depend on connectivity to get work done, let me suggest that you consider separating your providers into the physical network (and Comcast works fine for me in this regard -- it's certainly faster than DSL) and the Internet Service Provider who serves you email.

It's always tempting to use the network provider's ISP products, because they bundle them for free. As you've discovered, though, their functionality isn't the provider's highest priority.

For years, we've used whatever network provider was locally available (and it's been over TV cable, Comcast in more than one location) and an ISP that we started with in Santa Fe, an outfit now called Cybermesa.com. We still use them exclusively for our personal email, and they're rock solid.

Every now and then a contracter out in NM severs one of their fiber lines and they're down for a bit; but they always provide an explanation (and apology) to keep you informed. Their accounts allow multiple mailboxes, a choice of email domain addresses, or they'll host your personal domain (and even keep it registered) and serve email to that address. Further, they have a web interface for when you travel and any local email client works.

I'm sure this outfit isn't unique at all; it's just the only one with which I have experience. And I never have had the aggravation (with the email service; not, um, the other) that you're having.

It does cost, though. But since this is for work, it might be a good investment. HPH

 

Tim, thanks for the suggestions. We've been a bit skeptical of switching to satellite because of the number of thunderstorms we have here. I may have to just accept that I will have to use web mail to avoid this problem. Web mail is a p.i.a. to use because I often have long multiple attachments to e-mails, but I think it's probably my best option.

I really do appreciate everyone's ideas and advice. Thanks!

 

As we both know, they are usually fast movers and mostly during the summertime. You just have to weigh those options to make the best decision on which way to go. I also agree with most of what DrCloud has to say.

 

A couple of tech notes from another s2k nerd:

I really like Doc's suggestion to go elsewhere for email. An ISP's technical strengths tend to be more in the networking side of things since that's an ISP's main job. That's where they put their money when it comes to staffing, training, etc. Other companies are much better at email because its their bread and butter.

You might consider AOL. It's actually free if you have your own ISP and in addition to email you get anti-virus with regular updates. Their spam filters are quite good, too. And you can use their software as an email client on your PC or you can access your email with their webmail application. It might take a bit to get used to the different user interface but could be well worth while. Just one possibility. GMail from google is another (webmail only but that could change...they have a cool new web browser called "Chrome". If your employer has any IT geeks on staff one of them might also have suggestions.

About going satellite: Some of the users I work with work from home. Their entire job revolves around on-line access to our systems via the Internet. We have one who cannot work from home because she cannot get wide band in her remote location (sound familiar?) She doesn't even have access to cable. She tried satellite (Hughs, I believe) and it was a disaster. Service level was fair but the upload and download speeds were just way to slow for her to work effectively on our systems. And of course there is that weather thing you guys pointed out.

By the way, did Comcast ever get their act together or do you still have email problems?

 

Suxs that you can't get Fios. I can't get it either, even though the people 6 houses down from me can. They have the best commercials, so their service must be superior.

 

And another thing...

Jerry, at the risk of being accuesed of "piling on" let me add my fair and balanced opinion to this dogpile.

IT'S MARTHA'S THREAD! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?

BTW, Dean is always mean to me, too ...but you had it coming.

 

Thanks, good ideas and also if you hadn't posted again, I would not have seen that Dr. C posted at the same time I did so I missed his post. I'll be considering both of your suggestions seriously. And I do appreciate it. Thank you both!

 

One issue is that just about any change will involve changing your email address, a royal PITA.

That's why I registered a domain for myself a few years back. It's mine, and it's portable to whatever ISP I choose (assuming they're flexible enough to host is -- which is a determining factor in whom I choose). HPH

 

Another point to Doc's suggestion on separate email provider from your ISP.
I can't count the number of accounts that are bound to my comcast email address.
Personally, this will be extremely annoying if and when it comes time to change my ISP.

edit (gee seeing doc's post, i gotta learn to type faster)