Today Time Warner replaced my cable modem because the one I've had for a year has been dropping signal a lot lately. It's a Moto SurfBoard (the one they issue for the 50MB service). I run a bridge via ethernet cable to a Belkin N750 DB wireless router.

But lo, the new modem includes wifi! It shows up in my wifi list, so I disconnect the Belkin and punch in the WEP key for the Moto and it's off to the races — and I'm thinkin' I just cleared another dust collector off my shelf. 'Cept it's losing the race.

With the Belkin, my d/l is consistently an eyelash over 50MB down — never under. But the Moto would not pull better than 46 + change. Who'd a thunk the bridge would be faster that the direct link.

Anywho, the Belkin is back online, and so is 50MB+ d/l.

If you can change the encryption in the modem from WEP to WPA/WPA2 it may make the difference.

BTW, worrying about 4M at 50M speed? Lay off the coffee.

Just checked in Network Prefs. The Moto is WPA2 (the Belkin is both). Not an elevation to expire upon.

Do you have the TWC "Extreme" or "Ultimate" upgrade?

I pay for the "Extreme" that says up to 30Mbps download …. I get 21 to 25 with their Arris Touchstone modem… which they charge me for each month.

I also get frequent signal loss, at least twice each week. Shut down & pulling the power plug restores it. Sometimes I need to pull the modem battery if the phone line goes out.

I've got a new Airport Extreme or Time Capsule on my list of upgrades, but now I'm thinking it may not be needed if I can get TWC to upgrade for me. Or maybe even purchase the Moto Surfboard for $70.

I have the Ultimate — 50MB. The Moto modems are now actually part of Arris. I was having signal drops because it turns out that a prolonged period of excessive signal strength and a damaged cable outside had compromised the modem. That's why they replaced it today. All the other external problems are finally solved.

The Belkin Router has been pretty decent, but I may switch back to an Airport base station in the near future.

Did you sign on with the Creative Cloud?

I was wondering how that is going with the professional designers. It is not attractive for us novices, at least for me. I am still using CS 3.

Your CS3 will continue to work. If you ever want to upgrade you'll need to either join the CC or get a CS 6 hard copy which will be the last version available sans CC.

You also have the option to go GIMP which does more than what CS3 does, for free.

I am on CS4, decided not go to CC and pay each month for a lot of apps I'll never use. I just bought a brand new disk copy of CS6 Design Standard on ebay for $830. That'll last me for several years to come. I wanted the disk, not the full license CS6 download from Adobe that is mostly available now for much more money.

I'm trialing CC and will probably make the jump next month. I have CS6, so the 1st year will only be $19/mo. Even when the intro rate ends, the overall cost will be about the same as the old model. Adobe's major upgrades have historically been a/b every three years, and the cost has been up to $1,800 depending on which suite you buy. Three year's leasing will be in the same range.

Well OK — the de-cluttering continues. I disconnected everything, reset the modem, and re-enabled the wifi function, and the readings are now consistently on par with the speeds the Belkin was delivering: 50+MB down, and 4.8 - 5.2MB up.

Anyone wanna buy a slightly over a year old Belkin N750 DB router? PM me — I geev youse gooood price!