I'm a long-time broadband user. I started with both dial-on-demand and nailed-up ISDN services for my business. Later I switched to ADSL for my office - but I couldn't get it at home. So I got Comcast High-Speed Internet as soon as it was available in our area, and have had it for several years.

Just recently I had Verizon install FiOS, the fiber to the premises Internet service that's rolling out in a few markets. I got the "low-speed" option (5Mbps) and have been very impressed so far. For $10 more a month I can triple the speed, and more options are promised in the future.

This week Network World published an article about FiOS here in Fort Wayne, with emphasis on how the mayor worked to get Verizon to install FiOS locally. Interesting read.

Here's something a little different that ran recently in the local newspaper about a husband and wife team running a dog poop scooping business. The husband is the brother of an old friend of mine. Welcome to the service economy!

Here are my predictions for the NFL Divisional Round:

• Seahawks over Redskins, 35-14
• Broncos over Patriots, 24-21
• Colts over Steelers, 28-14
• Bears over Panthers, 17-14