Report from la Frontera

Report from the Frontier

Yes, it is the frontier here in el norte. Those of you who live where everything works and television is the backdrop to life would be utterly lost, just as I was for several years. It isn’t an easy place to live, but I don’t ever want to leave now.

Be that as it may, my Internet connection sucks. After months of juggling modem scripts and pulling every other trick I could think of, I finally gave up and called Qwest:

“Yessir Mr. Farr, what can we do for you today?”

“YOU HEAR THAT BUZZING???”

“Yessir, I sure do.”

And I wonder why I didn’t call earlier. The buzzing was so bad that sometimes I’ve been connected at less than 14Kbps, and many times the modem just gives up. Qwest’s remote testing apparatus couldn’t even access the line. When a friendly Qwest repairman did show up, he discovered that the line was bad. [Duh!] That is, the buried cable from the “post” at the road to my network box needs to be dug up and replaced. This however must wait for a contractor to do, and that may take a while. But at least the repair is scheduled!

I can hardly imagine what something in the neighborhood of an honest 49-50Kbps will feel like. That will seem like broadband after all this time, I’m sure. It’s gotten to the point with me where the tiny pipe is hurting my creativity and possibly my livelihood (such as it is), since uploading the large sound files I’m creating now literally takes hours. As for high-speed access itself, my choices have been limited to two wireless services, either one of which I’d love to sign up for, but the antenna, etc. goes for $400-600! And I’m out of range for DSL.

This will change soon, however. That same Qwest repairman told me that installation of whatever equipment allows DSL for my address is only awaiting the settlement of an easement dispute with a nearby property owner. Maybe, maybe … I’d still rather have wireless, though. And guess what? I *have* cable TV from Comcast, though I hardly ever watch anything. But Comcast doesn’t offer Internet access in northern New Mexico. For that matter, I don’t know if they do elsewhere, but geez, you would think this is a no-brainer. The whole town is wired for cable: wouldn’t large numbers of those subscribers also sign up for cable Internet?!?

And that’s what it’s like in the boonies. Thank God, too.