Way back in the day before computers and the internet "Ma Bell" provided a local information number to call if... [View all]

you needed a plumber or AC tech etc./there was also the Yellow Pages. Does anyone know if there is such a thing or anything similar?

The reason I'm asking is that my internet service was down for nearly two weeks and I just got it restored yesterday (Cox, my service provider had ot send four guys...the first three couldn't fix it. Finally they sent the cavalry to the rescue yesterday, a competent one.

I've got a couple of old Yellow Page books but all the computer tech repair persons listed are out of business. Even the 'Geek Squad at Best Buy which used to provide in-house service seems to be a racket now. I called them and got a guy in Brazil, not local, who sent me a link to buy a component I would have to install myself. I didn't bite as I figured that would be a kiss-my-money-goodbye scam.

Anyway, getting back. to my original inquiry, is there a thing as a 1-800-information number or some such? It's kinda frightening how dependent we become on the internet to provide info on goods and services.