Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town

Had promise, but squandered it.
There are two stories here, and I didn't really see any reason for it. Alan's family troubles, and interactions with his neighbours, made one. And it was quirky and interesting and I wanted to know more.
The wi-fi network story was completely pointless, except as an excuse for Doctorow to spout his views on free speech. The whole thing could've been dropped without making any difference on the other story at all.
And Mimi's actions make no sense. She switches positions for seemingly no reason at all.
I was willing to cut the stories a little more slack, but I just don't see how Kurt and Krishna (and Link and Lyman) fill the same roles, like everyone else with matching first letters in their names. I feel like Doctorow cheated the reader by breaking his own rules.