Rather than create a new post, I will copy from and paste from my posts at a difference website. Please understand these were in response to a question "How are you doing with your Earthlink DSL?"

Here goes (lightly edited — errors exist):

Yep. And it's all Phil's fault.

When we were exchanging information regarding his new high-speed DSL service, I dimly remembered that in order to get Earthlink high speed, you needed a dedicated line. They had four programs, including a high speed IDSL that would give you the same upload speed as download speed. So, I thought, now is the time for me to see what Earthlink offers now.

Wow! On my second line, I could get all the way up to 3.0Mbps at the same price!

Just to verify, I called DSL tech services an spoke with one of them Filipino ladies who quickly confirmed that I could. I requested that she check with upper tier tech to be certain because I was currently running about 450-600kbps and I had HomeNetworking. Once again, the answer was "Yes."

So, I started down the path to what I thought would be Hog Heaven, but has turned out to be Hell on Earth.

The journey begins around 1 PM of 2 February.

First, I called (I could have gone on line, but I like to hear the soothing and assuring words right from the horse's mouth. This time, it seems, I was talking to the other end of the horse.)

The task at hand: Transfer my DSL from the line I was told I should not even be receiving DSL on to the other line, approved for 3.0 by their techs. This was entered, with a stop date of 2/7/05, so I can get some stuff done with DSL connection to finalize mail modifications.

Then, I called HomeNetworking, (my service was entered on 25 Feb 2002) because a different tech told me that the modem and router were no longer supported and I needed a new router, one that would work through e-net or wireless, and an addressable modem and router so I could turn hard-coded MacPoET off in the modem and to deselect wireless for the router if it would interfere with other equipment.

I explained this to that woman and she put me on hold for about 20 minutes and returned to advise me that she could not send out the new equipment because there was not a "place" on any online form to check off such a request. She could cancel HN from her site, then I would have to go online and place a new order. She could not take an order for new service, and she did not think to transfer me to the sales department for HN so I could explain what I was doing and enter a new order.

As we spoke, the synch light went off on the router, HN now being terminated, and I hung up, identified the e-net cables from the Ti book and the 8600 and located in the rats nest of wires under my desk the telephone line leading from a splitter, leading from a splitter, and connected both phone and e-net and...was not able to make connection.

After about 45 minutes on hold, another tech advised me that install their complete software package but I declined, advising him that I would consider doing that after I was able to connect, because, Please, how did he think I could install the software I had to download without being able to go on line. >FLASH!<

"If you do not have MacPoET, you will have to wait for a CD to be sent to you and that should arrive in about 7-10 days." Ah! A search of all partitions revealed that at some time I HAD downloaded MacPoET's installer and had it moved to the desktop. A quick install and re-boot and we were ready to go.

He walked me through the TCP/IP setting and I established a connection. All is good.

The following Wednesday, the third day after the cut-off was supposed to happen...it did. So, I reverted to Dial-up.

In the meantime, two days I had entered the order for transfer, I was advised there would be $99.95 DSL fee that would be rebated after I received the modem and submitted a coupon, and there also would be a $50.00 service fee for moving my service.

After a phone call to advise them what they could do with their charges and that when the Amex bill arrived, I would contest the charges because I was notified ex post facto, this had not been explained to me, and it was too late to go back.

But let us return to Halcyon day I made first Earth contact. I did go on line and enter the new order for HomeNetworking, working my way from page to page, and when it came to Additional Computer, I clicked Yes, and that brought up an option of in same room or different room. I clicked different, and a charge of $99.95 appeared. I left the window, and called HN sales and was advised that was so I could connect to my electrical circuit.

Now, the service that I just terminated connected through my phone lines, so if I wanted to use the Book in another room, I used the $39.95 connector and made a settings change and I was on.

So sorry. This not work that way. After a few more questions, the woman could tell I was not pleased at learning of this change, so she transferred me to a tech. (By this time, I have spoken to roughly 5% of the population of the Philippines.) The tech advised me that that was not correct: In order to use the computer in another room, I needed TWO of these $99.95 devices, confirm the fear I expressed to the chic about "How this stuff gonna get TO the electric circuit? Through the router connection because they had a footnote advising you to NOT plug the router into any device other than a wall socket. Ah! (A favorite Filipino term, it turns out) that is why you need two...one for your computer in and one for an e-net converter to electric plug out.

I went back and passed on the connection. You see, the tech told me that HN was HN, and if I wanted to use my OLD equipment, I could still use the phone line. I found out later that he was full of Mrs. Marcos' shoe scrapings.

[And, by the way, just between us, if you go to Earthlinky's equipment page, surely you will find that $99.95 device and you can order when you like. For fun, I clicked on the link, that took me to Amazon, recognizing my cookie, welcoming me, and advising that this was a Linksys product and THEIR cut-rate price was $79.95, a $20.00 savings. Ah ha — missed a screwing by Earthy.]

I scrolled down the page and there was a link for Specifications (floating around the usual Amazon recommendations of other things you can buy, ads, reviews, etc.).

Hmmmmm.........this requires a software installation and they do not support Mac anything. A quick call to Linksys confirms this. So, no matter which course I would have taken, I would have been screwed, blewed and tattooed

I finished my order. All is well.

Now, I go back to the mail and there is a link leading to current status. I published that jpg earlier. My order had been placed 12/27/2099.

There were two radio buttons for HN. Both showed the same thing: I had cancelled HN effective 2/25/2005.

Now begins the long journey into the labyrnthine world of various sales and support areas of Earthy's F-pino telephone numbers, departments, hours on hold and almost each time being booted up the line because someone cannot understand American.

I have a HN order. I don't have a HN order. I was billed for early termination of HN (another $99.95), and again I had to work my way back through the channels and explain to them that since I had HN since 2002, I was starting my 4th year, and the early termination did not apply. We will credit your account. Pardon me lady, but Bull**** — you will credit my Amex card.

Two days later, a credit is e-mailed, showing credit to the card.

TIME OUT

You must understand that we are only half-way through the Golgothan walk, this trail of tear and frustration, that led to my ultimate choice. Read on, Doc.

TIME IN

To cut things short, I was told to disregard whatever was on the now four progress screens. Everything was in process.

In the meantime, I am getting warnings that I am exceeding my free time and will be billed for each additional hour over the maximum, which I found out was 10 hours, no matter their constant screwing around.

Well, by Heaven, the modem changed the flickering dsl light from blinking orange to blinking green. Something wonderful is about to happen. Like in the movie 2001. I was notified by the revised new DSL screen that the service order to trurn ON the service was entered on the 14th, my new modem was UPSed on the 15th, and my service would be hot on the 16th. However, on the afternoon of the 15th, it DID go hot. No connection.

More time waiting for service. Since your service is not supposed to start until tomorrow, we cannot help you. Call back.

I did. Tried for a few hours (yes HOURS) to get the modem to synch. No go. A Higher Being, working in the Vendor Relations division would have to help me, here is your trouble ticket, and I will transfer you now. The line went dead.

A while later, after feeding the cats, hitting my head with a hammer (because compared to what I was going through, that felt much better), snarling at Carolyn over the phone during the interim, I was able to connect to what is called "Vendor Relations," which used to mean Highest Tier DSL Tech department. It is now around 11:00 PM.

Miracle of miracles! An obviously American guy answers the phone. Omaha, Nebraska. Cool. Easy. No translation required. The trouble ticked freed me from Filipino bondage!

They do not work with BellSought: Covad is the provider. He will call me in about two hours. If I don't answer the phone, leave a message. I certainly will. Next morning...no message. Has this Filipino thing become a scourge of the land of Earthy?

-to be continued due to size restrictions-