Comcast, Why are You So Horrible, Part 2

[cbtreks]

Our Internet service goes out at least once a quarter (not counting the numerous times its goes out for just a short amount of time and comes back on its own or with a modem reset). Resetting the modem does not work. I call Comcast and they volunteer to walk me through resetting the modem. Nope, did that - I have to do it so often I could do it in my sleep - and it didn't work this time - that's why I'm calling. Then they tell me it must be a problem with my computer or with the modem and maybe I'll need to buy a new modem. Do I want a service call (which will cost me money - and will also cost me money if I don't cancel it 24 hours before hand)? No, I say - because the very first time this happened, I actually got someone helpful who did something on Comcast's end and my service came back immediately. Unfortunately, I didn't think to write down what he told me he did and apparently Comcast's customer service department doesn't note their customer's computer records when they take a call (the way every other customer service center in the U.S. apparently does - seriously, most places they say things like, "well, I can see that the last time you called it was about this..."). If I keep the CSR talking long enough though, service will suddenly come back on - like magic! But they haven't done a thing, honest, they just don't have any idea why whatever it is they're not doing suddenly made my Internet service work when resetting the modem half a dozen times did nothing - and without an expensive service call. Huh. It's been down again since Saturday evening. Haven't called yet, because I haven't been in the mood to deal with their unhelpful CSRs.

I'm not without resources - I can stay late at work or go to the public library (with an hour limit daily - two if there's no waiting list) or take my little eeepc to Panera. But I'm paying for service at home - I should be getting service at home! (Without have to fight the CSRs to get it.) So now I'm looking for other options in my area that don't require me getting a landline (or paying a small fortune every month) and feeling a little out of my depth, to be honest. My computer can get wifi signals but they're all secure, requiring a password (which is, of course, a good thing) and, unfortunately, not very strong. Is there some way I could set things up to get wifi service at home? How do you get wifi service? (Is that a stupid question?) Doing a google search hasn't been very helpful - I just keep getting told where I can get wifi while I'm out and about. I know where those places are!