Okaaaayyyy...... If I run HDMI, I would also want the Cat5 for the IR (since the TVs would be on different levels of the house). If I did HDMI over Cat6, I'd probably also need another line for IR in that case too, plus expensive "converters". Does (can) the Cat 5 run along with the HDMI cable? Where would you have them located in relation to each other? If I use HDMI for the main HDTV where the cable box/DVR will be located, I can't then use the component output at all for other TVs--I would have to split and use HDMI, right? It's one or the other signal? Thanks! I'm meeting the LV guy at the house tomorrow to mark what I want and where. Maybe a few more questions: I think we'll use TWC telephone, but I only see the need for 1 actual phone location, the rest will be "satellites" of this. This will be Cat5, right--and you just plug the plug the phone into it? If there are other Cat5s run for computer, do we need to differentiate these (from that used as phone line)? Anything else I need to keep in mind, or consider, or ask of the LV guy??? Thank you all for your help! Tracey

The problem is ALWAYS TDS! I did get a fourth account, this time with Yahoo, and I can send mail from TDS to Yahoo. Another example of the lousy service from an ISP when they know they don't have any competition so they don't care what the customer thinks of them: I got my monthly email that my TDS bill was available on line and ready for payment. My payment is taken automatically from my bank so I really don't need to do anything when this alert is sent. I do look at the itemized bill that is for my home phone, my DISH and my DSL service. From the time I moved here and established phone service with TDS, I specifically did not take long distance service. Almost all my LOCAL friends are considered long distance from my TDS home phone, so I use an MCI pre-paid long distance card that costs less than 3 cents a minute. There should NEVER be a long distance fee charged to me by TDS. So--this month I have a $5 and change fee listed as long distance. I immediately called customer service and eventually reached a rep who found the problem. The story I was told was that once in a while a lot of customers who don't have long distance service DO get charged. They said that since I had called to complain they would apply a credit against my next month bill. Duh----Apparently, even though TDS knows they have said "glitch" that charges unnecessary long distance fees, they don't bother to audit their records and automatically fix the problem. My invalid fee will be addressed only because I caught the "error" ?????!!!!!! I wonder how many unsuspecting customers just pay the fee without noticing it. I have automatic withdrawal for their fees and if I trusted TDS I would not have taken the time to log on to my account and find my itemized bill! My cell phone reception, first with AT&T and now with Verizon, often drops calls at my house so I feel I have to have a land line with TDS for security reasons. Also, their DSL is the only way I can get high speed internet except for maybe Hughes Net, which I am told is not a good company either. Nancy

I assume this is the statement that is causing the questions 2) 802.11g / 802.11a adapters must be USB 2.0. Not every PC / notebook has USB 2.0. USB 1.1 is not fast enough for 802.11g / 802.11a. USB 1.1 is the standard that all usb ports can use it is the older standard however and is much slower, newer computers for the past 4 yrs or so have all come out with the USB 2.0 standard which is a much faster version, most things made for usb ports will be backward compatible and can be also used on usb 1.1. So depending on the age of the pc you likely do have USB 2.0 standard usb ports. You can run a belarc on your pc and it will tell you everything about it. Belarc

Yeah, not really my idea of 'living' either, dlm. I can't imagine spending all those hundreds of dollars a month for all this stuff. I used to pay $155 for internet/VOIP/cable tv. I thought that was an outrageous amount to spend on these things! I also have a cell phone strictly for emergencies that costs $25/mo. I've since switched to a landline $17/mo (only $8 for the landline but another $8+ surcharges). I need this for security system/fire, incoming calls, and power outages. I use Google Voice (free) for all outbound calls (usually works just fine though certainly not as convenient as just picking up a handset). Switched from broadband to DSL which is half the cost at $30/mo. It usually seems to be faster! As for the tv, it's not something I really enjoy or want to spend my time on. I will use the DVD player when I want to spend my time watching something really good (once I get it set up). Or read, play music or even watch select shows that are available on the net. I am however paying $22/mo for the antenna service at this point (the digital box and indoor antennas I tried aren't working very well). I think I'll be getting a roof antenna installed to rid the monthly fee for that expensive service. I am also changing over to a $100/yr prepaid phone card for the emergency cell (has a $1 daily access fee when the phone is used). So, $8-$10/mo for that instead of $25, reduced by $200/yr. So, down from approximately $180/mo (ridiculous) to $78. Hopefully $56/mo in the near future when I've got an outdoor antenna installed. Boy that sounds good. More like the old days!