Arthro Theoreio (The BOX) v.1.0.158

DSL nowadays

DSL report

Today I will be discussing the broadband problem here in country. Lately I have been seeing an all out promotion in almost all forms of media. One of the leading companies in broadband promotion is PLDT and its sister company, Smart Bro. the broadband plans are also making a very big dip in price. A couple of years ago, DSL rate is at P1995 for an entry level speed or 265kbps. Today, if you offer DSL packages at that rate you won’t be able get any subscriber. The going rate for a DSL plan is less than P1, 000 for a 300+ kbps connection. This sounds good at first, but with prices this low we can expect that almost everyone in the neighborhood could afford a DSL connection.

Ok, so what if everyone in my neighborhood could get DSL? You might ask. Well, this is bad for many reasons, but the main reason why this is bad is because the speed of the DSL connection that you have will definitely go down. Why? It’s because the server of the DSL connection will get over whelmed, especially when all of your neighbors will connect to the net in the same time that you want to go online. Let me put it this way, so that you can get what I mean about this. Let’s say, the server is a waiter in a fast food chain. He is the only server around, and the food chain is packed with, let’s say 50 very hungry and demanding Americans. And these people would demand that they be served as soon as possible. Most likely, the server will go outside and quit or commit suicide. If the waiter is tough enough, he’d serve each and every one of the costumers, but it will take longer.

Now, if this kind of stuff happens to a DSL network, the result will be either of the three;

1. The server will commit suicide;

2. The server connection will be slow (and in some times as slow as a Dial-up connection);

3. And lastly, the connections will be intermittent.

All three results that I mentioned above happen to both PDLT’s MyDSL plans and Smart Bro connections. But, I’m not saying that these problems are not felt by subscribers of other DSL providers. It’s just that these two connections are notorious in over working their DSL servers. Have you ever wondered why their plans almost always have some kind of freebies? Well, now you know.

So, how can DSL providers prevent this kind of problem? Well, it’s simple. It’s either they put more servers per area or they upgrade their servers to better one. ISPs with overloaded servers should really think about upgrading their hardware so that they won’t have bad press from people like me.

Some Thoughts

Today am to tackle some issues in the tech world that I may have ignored or was too busy to write about. So, let’s start.

Microsoft extending Windows XP’s retirement day

As most of you may know, Microsoft has announced a couple of months ago that XP will retire next year. This means that the Windows Version will not be supported by Microsoft. Hmm… so, why is Microsoft doing this? It’s because they wanted XP users to ‘upgrade’ to Windows Vista. Well, why is Microsoft extending the service of XP?

I can think of quite some reasons. Here are some of them.

• Microsoft actually realized that Vista      is so messed up and they would want to save their ass by keeping XP alive      while Bill’s gang tries making a better version of Vista or a completely      new OS. This means that Vista will eventually suffer the same fate as      Windows ME.
• There’s just too much demand for XP      that Microsoft would still like to capitalize in it, while Microsoft is      waiting for the next version of the Mac OS so that they can copy it.

Whatever the reason is, I’m pretty much sure that Microsoft will put all their efforts to improve Windows Vista. They also might release a new version of Windows and trash Vista all together. Because rumor has it that Microsoft is already baking up another operating system and this is the successor to Vista.

Now, many people are asking me whether or not I think Vista will eventually go mainstream like XP. I’d say it will, if only Microsoft will admit that they have messed up Vista and put all efforts in making it work like Windows 98SE. I’m not saying Windows 98SE is perfect, but, so far it is one of the more stable versions of Windows that I’ve seen, plus it’s not a resource hog like Vista.

I really wish that Microsoft would be able to produce an OS that will not require users to spend too much on upgrading their hardware just to be able to enjoy all the features of the latest version of Windows. I think this is one of the biggest problems of Vista; it is just too expensive for most PC users to upgrade to Vista. Another is its price, Vista is more expensive than XP.I have a Vista-ready laptop, but I’m still running XP on it. Mainly because my hardware can run XP faster and more reliably than Vista. And why would I run Vista on this laptop is I can run MAC OS in it? After all, I’m using my laptop more for multi-media content creation.

Another news that I would like to touch is the I-Phone issue where Apple is turning the Hacked versions of the I-Phones into I-bricks.

Well as I have written in my previous post here in my blog, the I-phone is sold ‘Locked’. Meaning, you can only use the I-phone if you agree to get a plan with whatever Apple–approved-telecommunications provider.

Now, this is kind of a turn-off for most users who wants to have the I-phone but does not want or need to change providers. So, some people in the net came up with an ‘I-phone Hack’. This is mainly a set of instructions that will unlock the I-phone.

This quickly became a hit. After a couple of hours or so, some I-phone owners have unlock their I-phones. Apple eventually discovered this and so they decided to do something about it. And so, when Apple released a patch for the I-phone, they included codes that will ‘brick’ the hacked I-phones or render them useless.

Lots of owners installed the said patch and in just a few seconds they now have an I-brick. Naturally, users were pissed about this and some of them are actually planning or already suing Apple regarding the patch.

My take on this? Well, I strongly think that Apple will earn more if they ‘opened’ the I-Phone. I’m sure, the very moment that Steve Jobs opens the I-Phone, it will sell more. Who wants to be stuck on a telecommunications provider just to enjoy a phone?

Update:

I-Phone goes to China and Chinese I-Pods

Wow! This is news, Apple is finally releasing their I-Phone in China. This is great, I guess. I agree with what John Dvorak said about this, expect I-phone clones from China. I predict that the clones of the I-phone will be like the Chinese versions of the I-pod. The Chinese I-pods basically look like I-pods only, they do not have hard drives like the real ones and they use Flash Cards. Craftsmanship is crappy and the casing feels cheap. Sound quality is also very poor. Man! If you like the I-Pod buy a real one. If you only want an MP3 player, buy a phone that has MP3 playback capabilities.

Microsoft, Advertising Company

A couple of weeks ago, Steve Balmer, an executive from Microsoft said that Microsoft will be venturing into the advertising industry. I was just thinking, will Microsoft ever be able to stick to one thing for very long? I mean, Microsoft has been venturing into the gaming business with the Xbox, the  

Emotions Poems

How… (No matter what) I don’t know but I’m very disappointed about what happened between the two of us. I felt that I was used by you, but I know that I let you do that to me. How could you be so insensitive to the things that I have shown you? How could you ignore the small things that I did for you? My time, my effort and half my attention; Are all these meaningless? Are they too meager to see? So insignificant to be felt? This other one, are you sure he’ll treat you like I did? Will he care? When you’re scared, will he comfort you? When you’re worried will he even understand why? When this world doesn’t want to listen, will he shout for you? Are you that he’s not like him? The one you hurt you to death. The one that made you feel you wanna’ die. Deep inside of me, I’d like to have you. But goodbye is never forever, It’s just saying that I’ll always be here caring for you… No matter what. ………… Night of noisy silence I’m still reminiscing those times you made me feel alive. Those times you’d say that I can do it. I can do it. It felt so good. I knew you believed. You were my life. And now. I am Dead. You’re long gone now. You killed me with your insensitive heart. Like a blunt knife that pierced my lungs and left me grasping for my life. That life that I have earned is lost and now I’m a walking creature struggling to live. Lost, I thought that was a word deep enough to describe my feeling. Even Webster’s can’t give me words. This pain, it’s not the first time I felt this. Loneliness now knows me by name. No more loves songs, no more quotes, no more love. But that’s until I realize that I am human. I need love. Like a zombie that craves for flesh or a beggar begging for spare change. Please give me love… Please give me love. ....................................................... I got to move on I want to move on, But your memory sticks to me like sand on my feet. Am I crazy? Thinking that every girl I see is you? I’m so messed up. I know I got to keep on moving. Left right left right. Go up straight and turn back. I need to…

How to make your computer A lot safer in the web

July 26, 2006 at 9:22 am (Tech Blogs)

By: Blaise Cedrick Gomez

There are many ways on how to make a home computer safer from viruses and hackers, and it all actually boils down to how much you are willing to spend or invest in you precious computer.

First, you must have an anti-virus program.

What’s an anti-virus?

Basically an anti-virus is a program that scans all of your files and programs and

Looks for a virus threats in your hard drives. These programs can be updated regularly. They usually have what they call “Virus Definitions” that should be updated.

What’s a virus definition?

The virus definition is one of the most important part of an anti-virus. This is the file with which your Anti-virus depends upon when scanning your hard drive for viruses. It’s like a cartographic sketch of a criminal that the police officers rely on to recognize them, and eventually catch them. 

Where can I get an anti-virus?

Well, right now there are many places in the web where you can download an anti-virus. You can start searching at Yahoo, Google and Ask Jeeves, there you can choose from a large variety of software vendors i.e. Symantec, Mac Afee and many more. Or you can opt to go the nearest computer shop to buy one.

Do I really need to buy one?

The answer is yes and no, yes because you might need a better type of virus protection that most likely the commercial anti-virus have, features like a more comprehensive log of viruses. This is most likely the best choice if you want more control in your computer’s activities. And no because you can get FREE anti-viruses, one that I could give to you is AVG free edition; it’s a decent program with most likely one of the best virus definitions there is (that is in my opinion…). You can get it at www.grisoft.com and if you would like to upgrade your AVG into the pro edition you can easily do that too.

Pro. Or Home?

Now, this question can only answered by the user himself, because as I have said earlier it boils down to your own needs and your budget. Most of the time the Professional Editions are more expensive mainly because they have more functions than that of a Home Edition. If you are only planning to buy one for a home pc then you can buy the Home edition. Same goes to other editions of anti-viruses. Just always remember that you first need to know your needs in buying this software, because if not you might be just throwing your money for an over kill anti-virus. And most likely you won’t be able to use all of the functions of the Pro. Edition if you’re just an ordinary home person.

What should I look for?

First you should look for a software that have has an update function, for your virus definition (refer to the earlier paragraphs for the meaning and use of this). Then for outlook users you might want to look for an e-mail scanner function, this basically scans your incoming and outgoing e-mails for viruses. And then look for the expiration dates, some of the anti-virus programs has their expiration dates. And you might need to renew your license at least once a year. I think Norton has this kind of thing. One more function you might want to have is ”Quarantine” functionality because with this function you’d have an option to just quarantine the infected file and just deal with it later or if the file that got infected was important you would not accidentally delete it. As far as I know these are the most basic functions that you should look for.

I have an anti-virus that is outdated should I update it or just buy a newer one?

It all depends on your preferences, I have once run a Norton 4.0 in my computer when my computer accidentally uninstalled my 2004 version and could not re-install it because my installer was missing. So, I got to take the risk of running a 4.0 version in it though it was outdated it protected my pc very well, and the only thing I did was to update it regularly. Though Norton 4.0 did not have those more advanced functions it worked for me. I think you should buy a newer version if you’d like to have the more advanced function t

How to make your computer A lot safer in the web

July 26, 2006 at 9:22 am (Tech Blogs)

By: Blaise Cedrick Gomez

There are many ways on how to make a home computer safer from viruses and hackers, and it all actually boils down to how much you are willing to spend or invest in you precious computer.

First, you must have an anti-virus program.

What’s an anti-virus?

Basically an anti-virus is a program that scans all of your files and programs and

Looks for a virus threats in your hard drives. These programs can be updated regularly. They usually have what they call “Virus Definitions” that should be updated.

What’s a virus definition?

The virus definition is one of the most important part of an anti-virus. This is the file with which your Anti-virus depends upon when scanning your hard drive for viruses. It’s like a cartographic sketch of a criminal that the police officers rely on to recognize them, and eventually catch them. 

Where can I get an anti-virus?

Well, right now there are many places in the web where you can download an anti-virus. You can start searching at Yahoo, Google and Ask Jeeves, there you can choose from a large variety of software vendors i.e. Symantec, Mac Afee and many more. Or you can opt to go the nearest computer shop to buy one.

Do I really need to buy one?

The answer is yes and no, yes because you might need a better type of virus protection that most likely the commercial anti-virus have, features like a more comprehensive log of viruses. This is most likely the best choice if you want more control in your computer’s activities. And no because you can get FREE anti-viruses, one that I could give to you is AVG free edition; it’s a decent program with most likely one of the best virus definitions there is (that is in my opinion…). You can get it at www.grisoft.com and if you would like to upgrade your AVG into the pro edition you can easily do that too.

Pro. Or Home?

Now, this question can only answered by the user himself, because as I have said earlier it boils down to your own needs and your budget. Most of the time the Professional Editions are more expensive mainly because they have more functions than that of a Home Edition. If you are only planning to buy one for a home pc then you can buy the Home edition. Same goes to other editions of anti-viruses. Just always remember that you first need to know your needs in buying this software, because if not you might be just throwing your money for an over kill anti-virus. And most likely you won’t be able to use all of the functions of the Pro. Edition if you’re just an ordinary home person.

What should I look for?

First you should look for a software that have has an update function, for your virus definition (refer to the earlier paragraphs for the meaning and use of this). Then for outlook users you might want to look for an e-mail scanner function, this basically scans your incoming and outgoing e-mails for viruses. And then look for the expiration dates, some of the anti-virus programs has their expiration dates. And you might need to renew your license at least once a year. I think Norton has this kind of thing. One more function you might want to have is ”Quarantine” functionality because with this function you’d have an option to just quarantine the infected file and just deal with it later or if the file that got infected was important you would not accidentally delete it. As far as I know these are the most basic functions that you should look for.

I have an anti-virus that is outdated should I update it or just buy a newer one?

It all depends on your preferences, I have once run a Norton 4.0 in my computer when my computer accidentally uninstalled my 2004 version and could not re-install it because my installer was missing. So, I got to take the risk of running a 4.0 version in it though it was outdated it protected my pc very well, and the only thing I did was to update it regularly. Though Norton 4.0 did not have those more advanced functions it worked for me. I think you should buy a newer version if you’d like to have the more advanced function that the newer ones have.

Is it true that anti-viruses slow the Computer down?

Some of them do slow the computer specially if it has lower memory and has a slower processor and only meets the minimum system requirements for the anti-virus. One detail that you should also look at is the minimum system requirements of your PC. Because if you over-looked this one; then you’ll have a bit of a problem on the performance of you PC.

One more thing it is not always true that the more expensive the anti-virus is; the more effective it will be and one more! check the user-friendliness of the programs.

For comments and Violent reactions and corrections about this blog pls. feel free to send me a message… of e-mail me @ blaise.gomez@gmail.com
thanks for your time to read this…

This one came from my blog:

http://7thwave.wordpress.com/2006/07/26/how-to-make-your-computer-a-lot-safer-in-the-web/