The final countdown...

Someone in a previous comment thread asked about the digital television transition - specifically, what happens to analog cable when the TV stations shut off their analog transmitters on Feb. 17, 2009.

Nothing. Nothing happens to analog cable. If you have cable or satellite, you're sitting pretty - for at least a few more years. If you, or your mom or your gram-ma-ma has a TV that's not digital and not hooked up to cable or satellite, you need to get a digital conversion box. They cost about $50.

Thing is, the government offers coupons to pay for those boxes (well, $40 of them) at www.dtv2009.com. But unless you apply for the coupon now, it won't reach you in time to buy a converter box.

Alles clar der commisar?