Need to monitor uptime and downtime

> So....is there a way I can set things up so I can see when/if my
> internet connection drops, and for how long [...]

   Built into your router?  Unless you count the logs, I know of
nothing.

   Visit http://netgear.com/support , put in your model number, and look
for Documentation.  Get the User Manual.  Read.  Look for "View and
Manage Logs of Router Activity".

> [...] is there a Mac s/w I can download that will help me acquire this
> info?

   I know of nothing, but I haven't looked.  I'd be a little amazed.

   It ought not to be very difficult to write a program which checks
network connectivity or router status periodically, and records the
results, or sends an e-mail notfication when an interesting event
occurs.

> [...] I'm still quite a newb when it comes to networking generally

   If that means that you've never written a computer program, then you
might not be well prepared to embark on such a project.

   I'd expect your Mac to come with some basic network programs, like,
say, "ping" and "wget", with which many basic (or more elaborate) tests
could be built.  As a quick example, here's a one-line shell script
which uses "ping" to test basic connectivity to a destination of your
choice.  (Around here, "8.8.8.8" succeeds, "8.8.8.9" fails):

$ if ping -c 1 -q 8.8.8.8 > /dev/null ; then echo OK ; else echo BAD ; fi
OK

$ if ping -c 1 -q 8.8.8.9 > /dev/null ; then echo OK ; else echo BAD ; fi
BAD

   Launch a Terminal window, type (or copy+paste) the commands, and see
for yourself.  (Start at "if", not at the "$" prompt.)

   Plenty of more complicated things could be done, of course: more
complex tests and actions.  In any case, I'd expect this to be a DIY
task, not something you'd find on a shelf, but, as I said, I haven't
looked.