Did you ever notice how people with fast Internet connections are always gloating? In recent weeks, there's been little to gloat about. Lots of broadband users are reporting problems, price hikes, and belly-up DSL providers.

But trust me on this folks, it's worth the hassle. The fact is, everyone in my user group who has broadband--even if they've had super-duper trouble with ordering, installation, and support--said they'd never go back to dial-up. Because once that high-performance line is set up and running, you become addicted.

First, the news no one wants to hear. Some users get duped into ordering DSL, they wait for installation, and then they're told they're not going to get it. Verizon tried that--but they picked on the wrong customers. Yep, two attorneys. (That put you in good spirits, eh?) Read their tale in "Broadband Users Still Sing the Blues."

Verizon didn't stop with bad service. They also decided to hike their price. (I figure if you'd changed your name to something kinda dumb, you'd lower your price--but what do I know?) The story is that over 700,000 users are getting hit with a $10-per-month increase. Read it and weep: "Verizon Joins Broadband Price Hike Parade."

And as if you didn't have enough to worry about, one DSL provider couldn't stand the excitement of getting more funding to operate its network. So it eighty-sixed its 110,000 customers, a pretty ruthless thing to do. (BTW, my DSL is with XO Communications, formerly named Covad. I haven't had a minute of downtime in over a year!) Find out more about the problem in Tom Spring's "DSL Hell: NorthPoint Strands Thousands."

And then check out "NorthPoint Sale Leaves DSL Users Out in the Cold."

How to Protect Yourself

The key to getting high-speed service is to know what to expect before you order it. I've lined up bunches of articles and resources for you to look over.

Now don't be alarmed if some of the articles appear old. I promise, they're still worth the read. My article, for instance, provides solid tips that'll help you deal with installation hassles. So start there: "Move Over, Cable--DSL Has Arrived."

Then breeze over to my "High-Speed Survival Guide," where you'll find 14 pages of meaty high-speed details.

Zip to "Do-It-Yourself DSL" to see if hooking up your fast connection can be done without a technician.

Dig this: If you don't have a high-speed connection, cut out this image and glue it to the side of your PC. (Or your spouse's PC if that's where the roadblock exists.)

Dig this II: Okay, so you weren't enamored with that cute DSL image? Neither was my editor. So try this incredible kung fu animation. If you're at work, lower the volume on your speakers.

Scott Spanbauer, our Internet Tips guy, is always full of predictions and advice. Zoom in on his article "Warp Speed Web Access: Cable vs. DSL vs. Everything Else."

Contributing Editor Anne Kandra lays out the problems some people face with DSL installations in "Avoid the DSL Runaround."

There's also a small interactive mail list with a cadre of bright broadband experts. I moderate the list, so I know how to get you in. To subscribe, send an e-mail or visit the site.

Dig this: Think Microsoft doesn't have a sense of humor? They do, really, given that they're providing Barney tech support.

Wireless Broadband: The Next Frontier

It's happening in Boston, then in New York, and later on in Los Angeles. It's wireless and it's fast, about 1.5MB per second. Get the details in "Bringing Wireless Broadband Home."

What happens if you can't get any of these services? Internet access is available by satellite, and it's two-way, so there's no need for a phone line. Start by perusing "Consumer Two-Way Satellite Internet Service Unveiled."

Then you can learn how satellite Internet access works by reading the aptly titled "How It Works: Satellite Internet Access."

BTW, some analysts think two-way satellite service will increase substantially in the next few years. Read why in "Satellite Broadband Will Surge."

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