Internet Providers (Cable v. DSL)

[RunDownHouse]

I'm seriously pissed at Comcast. I've lost a couple hundred today because my cable connection keeps dropping. So I turn to OOT for answers.

What are the differences between cable and DSL? Is there any significant speed difference, and if so, does it matter for someone not streaming/downloading large files all the time?

Is there a difference in terms of quality of connection? Does DSL drop as often as my [censored] cable has been dropping?

Mostly I'm just pissed that Comcast is the one and only option in terms of cable/internet in my area. I can see the need for a government-sponsored monopoly in the past, but in today's world of steadily decreasing physical infrastructure needs, that's pretty much a thing of the past. Feel free to disagree or rant with me about companies like Comcast holding on like grim death in the face of the coming media revolution.