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Former member 17885

Last reply Dec 23, 2006 · posted in Cable Television and Fiber Providers

An Argument Against Consolidation

Check out the story here, then read on...

This is a pretty compelling argument against consolidating your phone/cable/internet with the same folks. Worse still, I am disgusted to know that Time Warner hasn't invested in any redundancy. I'm on the other side of the city and I was affected by this little mishap. The Internet was designed so that redundancy could be built into the infrastructure. I mean, if they can find time to raise my bill AGAIN, they should find some time build out the redundancy.

Folks, I'm telling you... do not fall for the current TWC marketing campaign. Three from one is *not* a great idea. At least, not until TWC builds some redundancy into their network.

Quickly, a dump truck snapped an aerial wire and 250,000 people were without internet and phone for over 4 hours.

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terryfoster

Dec 22, 2006

I've been with a (non-cable co provided) VoIP service for almost two years now. I wouldn't mind dumping the land line phone, but my wife still prefers having one. We switched originally because the Cincinnati Bell service was pretty lousy in the townhouse we were renting. Then when we moved our cell coverage was lousy in the house so a land line was required.

I see advantages to still having a land line, but when comparing prices between POTS and VoIP, VoIP wins hands down. Service outages are extremely rare for me (knocking on wood) so they're a non issue and when they have happened (due to a power outage) I haven't been at anymore of a loss than if my regular phone went out. Yes I know regular phones don't go out with a power loss, but hey outages happen occasionally and when they do you get to remember what life was like before all of this silly connectivity.

Hall

Dec 22, 2006

VoIP requires a broadband connection, so you have to factor that cost into the "cost" of your VoIP service.

I think Vonage has a $25/mo plan. In order to get DSL (for your broadband connection), you have to have a voice line from the telco (SBC land). Kinda defeats the purpose.... Cable internet (non-promo rates) are $40-45/mo.

terryfoster

Dec 22, 2006

Not exactly since I require broadband service regardless.

EDIT: I've also heard that "naked" DSL is available from some providers so it isn't unheard of to get DSL w/o voice.

stevenl

Dec 22, 2006

nateman99 i wasnt trying to insult you i was just letting you know its not the norm,

You are correct in your orignial argument (i didnt get to read the story as it was down now i have) and its ALWAYS good to have your own backup. Rather you are with 1 company or three. Any land based lines could be damaged, For instance Just yesterday i was in a neighborhood repairing a feeder line and the phone guy was in the hole next to me repairing the main phone line. Some idiot decided to put in a pool without locates so not only was BHN out but the local telco was down to, because our lines follow the same "easement" or /path/ if you will. So usally if our line gets it, the local telco will to.. Granted their are areas where we take differnt routes for logistic purpose, and so do they but for the majority of the time we are both in the same trenchs (or at least the same easement areas)

A cell phone is also a good backup no matter what provider you have, and if you read BHNS phone disclaimer it says clearly that they recomend having a backup phone source for 911 emergencies, even if you get one of those "911 phones" that only let you dial 911 and are usally free to own.. Id recomend this option to anyone in ill health or anyone who just wants to be safe..

HDTVFanAtic

Dec 23, 2006

Unfortunately Consolidation usually means something different than what the OP meant - it usually means the bigger cable companies buying out the smaller companies - and many people are against that and complaining to the FCC - thus the topic is somewhat misleading.

I agree that from a strategic standpoint its nuts to put all your eggs in one basket - but I am also the king of redundancy and overkill when it comes to those things.

A more disturbing example for me is telco service from cable. After the 2004-2005 Hurricanes in Florida, I found my power cut twice (once, the power was cut to the County prior to Charlie as it was in the bullseye 4 hours before landfall - the second time wasn't planned). Both times, my backup systems kept me going - however the battery backup on the routers didn't - so several hours later my cable internet was down. I would have been SOL if my wired telephone service was connected through that as well as obviously you could not dialout to get dialup service

I do think its a great convenience and money saver - but I think its a horrible idea from a redundancy standpoint.

As for the built in redundancy at the cable companies for every customer - I really don't think you'll see it for decades.

As for your last comment about the internet built for redundancy, there is a lot of fallacy in that statement as well, fwiw. I won't get into it in detail, but by taking out 3 OR LESS locations - it would come crashing down in the USA.

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dishstaller

Pub Member / Supporter Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 14 minutes ago · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Color blind man sees full colors for first time at age 66

Videos like this can make you appreciate the things we take for granted.

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/a2cgQidHQJI

6 Replies · 142 views

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Bobby

Wednesday at 10:10 PM

dishstaller said:
Videos like this can make you appreciate the things we take for granted.

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/a2cgQidHQJI

That brought tears to my eyes.

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dishstaller

Wednesday at 10:12 PM

Bobby said:
That brought tears to my eyes.

Really...REALLY hate to do this to you Bobby, but....

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LsOo3jzkhYA&pp=ygUed29tYW4gaGVhcnMgZm9yIHRoZSBmaXJzdCB0aW1l

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dishstaller

Wednesday at 10:15 PM

Okay....if you think you can take it....this one brought tears to my eyes when I first saw it and did again just now.

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/i5UCDwHMatg?feature=share

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dishstaller

Thursday at 11:32 PM

This came up in my suggestions probably because of the video I posted. I had NO idea exactly what being color blind actually was. Now I understand why that man was so blown away with seeing the trees......a lot of color blind people see green as brown, so grass, trees, etc all look brown.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i18_RngKJDQ

Juan

20 minutes ago

Its a shame nobody told him orange was blue and red was purple etc etc etc

telstar_1

14 minutes ago

Often people who have organic vision or hearing activated as adults after never having had it cannot practically utilize it because their brains never developed the massive neural network needed to make sense of any of it.

Well, he sees in color, just differently. Can't he just enjoy that? My granny had anachromatic color blindness, meaning pretty much like a b&w tv

Bruce

Supporting Founder Lifetime Supporter

Last reply 18 minutes ago · posted in Internet Television (IPTV) Discussion Forum

Traditional/Streaming Live TV Providers Losses, 3rd Quarter 2026 Edition

Comcast is the first to report, with a massive 274,000 loss in video subscribers.

In the 3Q of 2016, Comcast had 21.42 million video subscribers and was the #1 provider, now at 10.39 million and is the #3 Provider, YTTV is #2 ( who also surpassed DirecTV-8 Million and Dish-under 5 Million), Charter/Spectrum is #1.

Comcast Just Lost 274,000 TV Customers & 144,000 Internet Customers In Just Three Months | Cord Cutters News

Comcast Corporation reported its third-quarter 2026 results on October 22, showing continued erosion in its domestic residential broadband internet and video customer bases as competitive pressures intensified across the connectivity market. The company recorded a net loss of 144,000 domestic...

cordcuttersnews.com

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ncted

Yesterday at 12:06 PM

All my parents had to do to get a discount on Spectrum Internet is say the words "Verizon Home Internet," and they cut the price by $30/month.

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NYDutch

Yesterday at 12:38 PM

ncted said:
All my parents had to do to get a discount on Spectrum Internet is say the words "Verizon Home Internet," and they cut the price by $30/month.

I don't think they'll go below the current $30 price since it's part of a deal they have with the non- profit that owns the apartment building.

Reactions: MikeD-C05 and ncted

ncted

Yesterday at 12:46 PM

NYDutch said:
I don't think they'll go below the current $30 price since it's part of a deal they have with the non- profit that owns the apartment building.

Yeah, I was just saying Spectrum suddenly wants to keep what customers they can.

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Tom Speer

Yesterday at 1:26 PM

Optimum, which bought up our previous cable company, Suddenlink (originally COX), replac ed all of their coax disdribution with Fiber several years ago. They ran new fiber links to the house, but installed RFOG (RF over glass) devices on the outside of the house, which makes the house coax system look like a cable system. They used DOCSIS modems and of course we had the same assymetric bandwidth of cable internet. When I called them a couple years ago, and said I had installed a connection to the local Fiber provideer, MetroNet, They panicked and offered me the 300 MBit "Fiber powered" cable service for $20 per month. They were bleeding customers. I cancelled my Metronet and went with the $20 deal for a year, even though I didn't like the old cable technology.

Then T-moble Fiber struck a deal with Metronet Fiber where T-mobile would take over the marketing, billing and customer relations for residential Customers. They offered a "Founders Deal" for 2 Gigabit service, symmetric speeds, for $70 per month for new customers. That included all taxes and fees and was guaranteed for 10 years. I couldn't resist. That deal is no longer offered, but I am set for 9 more years.

Now the successor to the old local telephone company, Brightspeed has also installed a modern Fiber system in the neighborhood, but won't be getting my business. But their Fiber technology is also superior to Optimums cable based system.

With Fiber competition, the cable companies are eventually doomed.

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Foxbat

Yesterday at 4:26 PM

Meanwhile, my neighbor 300' away has gigabit fiber, and I'm stuck with copper solutions.

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savarese04

18 minutes ago

Foxbat said:
Meanwhile, my neighbor 300' away has gigabit fiber, and I'm stuck with copper solutions.

similar situation. almost every neighborhood around me has fiber, but our 3 block area. I called AT&T and was like, how hard is it to bring fiber over about 200 feet (I am closest to the folks with fiber and can see it on the poles from my front door); crickets and very frustrating.

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b4pjoe

Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge

Last reply 25 minutes ago · posted in Computers and Gadgets

Fox Is Buying Roku in $22 Billion Deal

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harshness

Jun 25, 2026

Given that Tubi is one of the hottest FAST services out there, I don't expect it to go anywhere. Building up intolerance for ads takes a while, and as long as the advertisers are willing to foot the bill, why not?

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Neutron

Yesterday at 3:04 PM

Another reason I'm glad we are swapping or Rokus out for Apple TVs. I was already planning on ditching the Rokus earlier this year and had been waiting on Apple to announce the new one last month. Our Rokus have had issues the last year or so with freezing video and reboots, and one with an HDCP issue randomly.

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dishstaller

Yesterday at 3:06 PM

harshness said:
Building up intolerance for ads takes a while, and as long as the advertisers are willing to foot the bill, why not?

That is what I have to explain to customers all the time. They want it free with no ads :facepalm

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TRG

Yesterday at 9:50 PM

Neutron said:
Another reason I'm glad we are swapping or Rokus out for Apple TVs. I was already planning on ditching the Rokus earlier this year and had been waiting on Apple to announce the new one last month. Our Rokus have had issues the last year or so with freezing video and reboots, and one with an HDCP issue randomly.

Hmmm... I don't have any of those problems with my Roku devices. I have 3 of them.

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navychop

Yesterday at 10:36 PM

I suspect Fox will make me consider 2-3 more Apple TV STB purchases.

Jimbo

Today at 9:55 AM

TRG said:
Hmmm... I don't have any of those problems with my Roku devices. I have 3 of them.

I have the Roku's, 2 or 3, I just rarely use them ... I prefer the Google/Android Sony set up.

People tell me that the Apps on the TV will end thier usefulness as they age ... They are doing ok for me so far ... I also have the TV take the App Updates whenever possible ... then again, I don't know how often App updates come to it.

So, so far, I'm doing ok, but if they start to get sluggish, I'll eventually change to a Roku ... I don't want to, but eventually ... (Or buy another new TV :eeek

reubenray

Today at 12:50 PM

navychop said:
I suspect Fox will make me consider 2-3 more Apple TV STB purchases.

As long as my Roku Ultra works I will use it. I use it for all of my streaming apps except for Prime. I read that Prime works best with Android TV's.

navychop

Today at 1:03 PM

Hmmm. Not watching much Prime, but it would be on our Apple TV STB.

You know of any drawbacks using Ultra and Prime?

osu1991

Today at 1:11 PM

navychop said:
Hmmm. Not watching much Prime, but it would be on our Apple TV STB.

You know of any drawbacks using Ultra and Prime?

Prime seems to have a problem passing the DV/HDR metadata to Roku and Apple devices, but no problem with their Fire devices.

Juan

25 minutes ago

dishstaller said:
That is what I have to explain to customers all the time. They want it free with no ads

The ads are boring and repetitive...same ad over and over...bring back 1970s ads..might not be as big an issue

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

44 minutes ago · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Google’s Space Data Center: What Can It Actually Power? #shorts

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/rXqreoAsve8

Direct YouTube Link - Google's Space Data Center: What Can It Actually Power? #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

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Scott Greczkowski

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 12:48 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Song Name Game Part 3!

Sometimes a thread gets so many posts in it that is can cause issues for the server so that why today we introduce The Song Name Game Part 3!

So let the game continue!

The last song was added by Bobby who posted...

One Meat Ball - Andrews Sisters

CONTINUE ON AND HAVE FUN! WELCOME HOME TO SATELLITEGUYS.US!

Here are the original rules for the game as posted by WebbyDude back in 2006. http://www.satelliteguys.us/threads/68645-Song-Name-Game

Just name a song title and the band who performed it. The next person does the same thing, but needs to list a song title or band name which includes a word from the previous entry. Pick songs from any genre.

Example:

Long Live Rock and Roll -- Rainbow

Rainbow in the Dark -- Dio

Another example:

Ride the Lightning -- Metallica

Lightning Strikes -- Ozzy Osbourne

Get it?

An additional note: we all know that song titles, sometimes, use profane words. Because this is a family friendly website it is advised that you clean up that title up a bit. This is accomplished by using something like sh!t instead of the real word. Thanks....

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long_time_Dish

Yesterday at 9:21 PM

Really Wanna Know You - Gary Wright

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hwkn

Today at 2:43 AM

Don't WANNA KNOW-Maroon 5

harshness

Today at 9:51 AM

I Want to Know What Love Is - Foreigner

Reactions: RaiderPower and FTA4PA

Bobby

Today at 11:11 AM

Oh What A Night For Dancing - Barry White

sdfntx

Today at 12:48 PM

It's a Good Night for Singing - Jerry Jeff Walker

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dfergie

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU!

Last reply Today at 12:47 PM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

Gas Price Info With National Gas Temperature Map

Stumbled across this ... http://www.gaspricewatch.com/USGas_ZipSearch.asp
I found no local prices, although it did show stations at my location...
Added these to this post...
USA National Gas Temperature Map
State By State Gasoline Taxes
Gas Buddy

Ethanol Free Stations

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Bobby

Yesterday at 11:49 AM

Regular$5.459
Premium$5.899
Diesel$7.999
at Costco, Rohnert Park.

Reactions: harshness

dishstaller

Yesterday at 11:59 AM

Billboard along I-10 had reg at $3.81 and diesel at $5.54

Bobby

Today at 11:10 AM

Regular$5.399
Premium$5.899
Diesel$7.999
at Costco, Rohnert Park.

osu1991

Today at 11:49 AM

$3.55

reubenray

Today at 12:47 PM

$3.45 in Jane, MO.

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Linus Tech Tips

Today at 12:22 PM · posted in Linus Tech Tips

I’ve never seen this before (and it’s 20 years old.)

Time for another AWESOME video from Linus Tech Tips!

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hlTu95nOCw

Direct YouTube Link - I've never seen this before (and it's 20 years old.)
Linus on Facebook
The LTT Store

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TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Today at 11:22 AM · posted in TWiT Tech Podcast Network

Claude Designed a Linux Kernel Exploit in 53 Minutes #shorts

Time for another AWESOME video from the TWIT Network!

View: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/H5w96sy17FM

Direct YouTube Link - Claude Designed a Linux Kernel Exploit in 53 Minutes #shorts
TWIT's Website
TWIT Live Feed

0 Replies · 12 views

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KyL416

Staff member HERE TO HELP YOU! Pub Member / Supporter Cutting Edge

Last reply Today at 10:46 AM · posted in DIRECTV Programming Forum

Genre Packs from DIRECTV

https://www.directv.com/insider/mysports-changes-the-game/
https://streamtv.directv.com/mysports/ (You might have to logout or open a private window to see the details)
As of now this is only available for streaming customers in select markets. Existing streaming customers can switch to it for $69.99, but they are not eligible for the $20 off for 3 months discount. More genre-specific packages will launch during the first half of the year.

At launch, MySports includes 40 sports and broadcast channels and is initially available in 24 metro areas, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, and others. Click here for more information and the list of initial launch markets. The availability of MySports will expand into additional markets as DIRECTV adds more local stations to the package.

The streamlined MySports package includes national and local channels in select markets, as well as live news channels.

National sports channels immediately available through MySports include ACC Network, Big Ten Network, DIRECTV 4K Live, DIRECTV 4K Live 2, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNews, ESPNU, Fox Sports 1, Fox Sports 2, Golf Channel, MLB Network, NBA TV, NFL Network, NHL Network, SEC Network, TBS, TNT, TruTV and USA Network. Local channels will initially include any stations owned and operated by ABC, FOX, and NBC, with additional stations coming online soon.

Additional networks, local stations and ESPN+, will be included in MySports at no extra cost in the near future.

Consumers who sign up online for the contract-free package before Feb. 28, 2025, can receive MySports for $49.99 monthly for the first three months, a $20 monthly savings. After the free trial, it auto-renews monthly, and consumers can cancel anytime.

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KyL416

May 26, 2026

They recently split the news channels off of MySports, so CNBC, CNN, FBN, FNC and MSNOW are no longer part of it.

MySports was decreased to $64.99, and a new "MySports+MyNews Duo" pack is $79.99, which will also give you Bloomberg, CNBC World, CNNI, the C-SPANs, i24 and Newsmax.

Tennis Channel also joined MySports at some point over the past year.

Curtis0620

Jun 16, 2026

KyL416 said:
They recently split the news channels off of MySports, so CNBC, CNN, FBN, FNC and MSNOW are no longer part of it.

MySports was decreased to $64.99, and a new "MySports+MyNews Duo" pack is $79.99, which will also give you Bloomberg, CNBC World, CNNI, the C-SPANs, i24 and Newsmax.

Tennis Channel also joined MySports at some point over the past year.

AMC+ now included in MyEntertainment Pack. I guess we know why the $8 price increase.

KyL416

Jun 16, 2026

Here's the Insider article. Shudder is now part of MyCinema and Fanatiz1 was added to the Spanish packages last Friday. PX Sports was also added a few weeks ago.

It's not just AMC+ driving the price increases on the genre packs, the rest of the AMC Networks (AMC, WE, IFC, Sundance, BBC America), along with Paramount/CBS, Hallmark, Weigel and others joined since they debuted last year.

Reactions: mario315 and Mr Tony

KyL416

Yesterday at 10:35 PM

MySports now has some CW affiliates, and MyNews now has some CW affiliates and the MyNetworkTV O&Os.

At quick check, it looks like the CBS and Sinclair owned CW affiliates are missing.

Curtis0620

Today at 10:46 AM

KyL416 said:
MySports now has some CW affiliates, and MyNews now has some CW affiliates and the MyNetworkTV O&Os.

At quick check, it looks like the CBS and Sinclair owned CW affiliates are missing.

No Hearst owned CW in Orlando

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osu1991

Pub Member / Supporter

Last reply Today at 10:29 AM · posted in The Chit Chat Club

EV News

America’s Fastest-Growing EV State Isn’t California—Not by a Long Shot

New data shows electric vehicle adoption is increasingly driven by state policies, electricity prices and charging access—not federal incentives

www.autoweek.com

The number-one US state for EV growth, according to the June 22 Yardi report?
Oklahoma.

:eek

It has no ZEV mandates and "minimal" incentives, Yardi says, but also has cheap electricity, high multi-car household rates (so, for example, a non-Lightning Ford F-150 pulls their trailers), and a consumer base willing to switch.

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meStevo

Oct 31, 2026

View: https://youtu.be/z1-G2Qn9F1Q

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osu1991

Sunday at 2:08 PM

View: https://x.com/itskyleconner/status/2116861127883702684?a=dBYY7Yu2XtKD-LA0vzo&s=20

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osu1991

Yesterday at 11:30 AM

The Tesla Cybertruck Is Dead, The Ford F-150 Lives - The Autopian

The Cybertruck was supposed to make the F-150 obsolete. It wasn’t supposed to be boring, like a Ford or a Chevy. It was supposed to be “more truck than truck.” It turns out, people just wanted trucks that were trucks, and CEO Elon Musk announced on X earlier this morning is that the Cybertruck...

www.theautopian.com

The Cybertruck was supposed to make the F-150 obsolete. It wasn't supposed to be boring, like a Ford or a Chevy. It was supposed to be "more truck than truck." It turns out, people just wanted trucks that were trucks, and CEO Elon Musk announced on X earlier this morning is that the Cybertruck is dying.

Ending production in middle of next year at gigatexas for cybercab production.

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dishstaller

Yesterday at 12:09 PM

IF they had made the cyber truck more like a conventional truck, more would have bought it. There is a REASON trucks all have a very similar layout....it's what people want AND it serves the purposes those of us who have a truck needs.

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harshness

Today at 10:29 AM

dishstaller said:
There is a REASON trucks all have a very similar layout....it's what people want AND it serves the purposes those of us who have a truck needs.

As it is, most consumers buy trucks as comfortable transportation rather than commercial utility. The Cybertruck approach to that goal was way out in left field. It turned out to be more of an austere sedan with awful daily-driver attributes (visibility, parking). The expectations regarding truck durability were dashed early on.

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