🚀 go-pugleaf

I (being a Cablevision customer)  received an insert with my latest
Cable bill. The headline reads: "If you are thinking of buying a new
VCR, beware of paying extra for one with the so-called 'VCR Plus+' 
feature".  It goes on to explain how this feature won't do you any good
because the VCR can't control your cable box.  The insert ends by saying:
"Look for future messages from your cable company on this and similar
consumer issues".

It almost sounds like the cable company is doing people a favor by warning
about those unscrupulous VCR makers.  I can't help but think that if
the cable boxes weren't there, this VCR Plus system would work just 
fine.  And come to think of it,  I would be able to program my VCR
to record a program into the week on a preselected channel, or watch
one channel while recording another, and I could use one remote control
instead of having to pay the Cable company extra to get a remote control
with the cable box (1-2$/month extra).

Why do we need those boxes on top of our TV?  They look ugly, they
consume energy even when turned off (mine is always hotter than skin
temperature) and they complicate TV watching in general.  Does anyone
know if they benefit the consumer in any way?

I called my friendly cable company the other day and told them that the
picture on the Pay-per-view channels was bad - interference and such.
The answer I got was: "you may come to our office and get your cable box
exchanged".  I was supposed to drive 5 miles and get another box to test
the phone operators theory that this was probably the box.  What are those
vans with Cablevision logos for?  Foreign spies tapping phones, perhaps?

While I'm on the subject of cable TV: How come the cable
company doesn't broadcast the evening program on a separate channel like
so many companies do?  Instead they have been trying to get people to
subscribe to a Cable guide for 4-5$ extra a month (which only lists a subset
of the channels, i.e. not the network programs).  And how come they
charge 23.50$ for *basic* service?  Don't they know there's a recession?

Ahhhhhh!  That felt better!


-- 
Kari Hardarson, 217 Jackson Circle, Chapel Hill NC27514, (919)-914-5910
When Cows laugh hard, does milk spill out their noses?
Does the Pope french kiss the ground of a country he likes very much?
                               - Some comedian on A&E's Improv