The Street of Broken Broadband Dreams
This is a summary page that outlines the saga — nay, the epic saga — that has been my experience of trying (and in many cases, failing miserably) to get broadband service in the boonies of eastern Sonoma County.
The names have been changed to protect the guilty.
- Prologue
- Chapter 1
- Chapter 2
- Chapter 3
- Chapter 4 - 4a - 4b
- Chapter 5
- Chapter 6 - 6a
- Chapter 7
- Chapter 8
- Chapter 9
- Chapter 10
- Chapter 11
- Chapter 12
- Chapter 13
- Chapter 14
- Chapter 15
- Chapter 16
- Chapter 17
- Chapter 18
- Chapter 19
- Chapter 20
- Chapter 21
- Chapter 22
- Chapter 23
- Chapter 24
- Chapter 25
- Chapter 26
Cast of characters:
- The Boss: simply, my wife. Also the co-owner of the ranch on which I live. My confederate and colleague in all things having to do with day-to-day life with two small kids.
- TBB: The Boss’ Brother. My brother-in-law and the other co-owner of the ranch. Currently living in Tokyo and working for a peculiar company named after a ubiquitous fruit.
- BIL: My other brother-in-law (my sister’s husband), who happens to work in telecom out in Arizona. Feed him well and provide endless quantities of MGD, he’ll move mountains for you.
- Clueless Broadband Co.: The current broadband suitor that we’re hoping will install wireless broadband for us. If I were a competitor of theirs, I’d be eating their lunch in this market.
- Mr. Flaky: The retard who has been assigned to install our wireless broadband connection. He values body piercings more than customer service, and is more cocky than competent.
- Wunderkind: Formerly known as “Fiber Guy”, the independent contractor who was referred to us by Clueless Broadband Co. to do special technical work, apparently beyond the reach of their normal clueless staff. Also has proven himself to not want to work on our house through a ridiculously priced bid for running fiber optic from the antenna to the house.
- Solar God: Our savior, a god among solar installers, and now a good personal friend. His divine grace allows us to live a life free from the earthly bonds of Pacific Gas & Electric. Through our devotion to him, we are blessed with long battery life, a bounty of Maximum Power Point Tracking hours, and good laughs to boot.
- Mr. Handy: A down-to-earth fellow, always happy to help, always works late and always goes beyond the call of duty. Currently he’s living in the cabin up the hill from us, and is critical in getting the project done.