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There are lots of alternatives.

Start Menus:
Classic Shell
Pokki
Power8
RetroUI
Start8
StartMenu8
Start Menu X
ViStart
Win8StartButton

Launchers:
7stacks
8start Launcher
Appetizer
Blaze
Executor
Fences
Find and Run Robot
Key Launch
Launchy
ObjectDock
Rainmeter
RK Launcher
RocketDock
SliderDock
ViPad
Winstep Nexus
XWindows Dock

Take your pick. This is just a small list. I know there are many more out there.

This is extra text because Slashdot is lame and says my comment has too few characters per line:

A computer program (also software, or just a program) is a sequence of instructions written to perform a specified task with a computer.[1] A computer requires programs to function, typically executing the program's instructions in a central processor.[2] The program has an executable form that the computer can use directly to execute the instructions. The same program in its human-readable source code form, from which executable programs are derived (e.g., compiled), enables a programmer to study and develop its algorithms.

Computer source code is often written by computer programmers. Source code is written in a programming language that usually follows one of two main paradigms: imperative or declarative programming. Source code may be converted into an executable file (sometimes called an executable program or a binary) by a compiler and later executed by a central processing unit. Alternatively, computer programs may be executed with the aid of an interpreter, or may be embedded directly into hardware.

Computer programs may be categorized along functional lines: system software and application software. Two or more computer programs may run simultaneously on one computer, a process known as multitasking.

Here's some real numbers for you, from my ISP up here in Canada:

I have the Standard package. Its $47/mo (the pricing on the website "starts" with discounted prices if you take other services). That includes 60GB/mo of usage.
Every GB after that costs $1.50 up to $30 max. After the $30 max they may cut you off randomly.

Basic idea being, for up to 60GB/mo I pay $47/mo. For 80GB/mo I pay $77/mo. After 80GB its 'free' but may stop working.

Usage based billing at prices you suggest might be tolerable, but current realities are different. Most people I know aren't willing to pay basically $80/mo for Internet access.

Cogeco's website has now clearly marked the bandwidth limits for each broadband speed here in my part of Canada.

Sadly, here's the list (from their site):

$25 - 3Mbps - 10GB/mo
$32 - 7Mbps - 30GB/mo
$42 - 14Mbps - 60GB/mo
$77 - 16Mbps - 125GB/mo
$60 - 30Mbps - 125GB/mo (limited availability)
$100 - 50Mbps - 150GB/mo (limited availability)

The frustrating package difference for me is from $42/mo to $77/mo for almost no speed increase but an extra 65GB/mo. Interestingly, the over-use charges for the $42/mo service is capped at $30 (making it $72/mo if you download hundreds of gigs a month).

I have no problem with this so long as its clearly marked as it is now. What I do have a problem with is that some of these limits are insanely low for today's usage. Downloading Qore each month on the Playstation 3 takes a gig or two. Downloading game demos takes another 1.5GB each on average. And that's not including my PC usage, video streaming, or actual online play.

Hell, I could probably get more bandwidth at a cheaper price in Canada or Australia.

Uh, no. Canada has a worse population density than the US, and we pay for it. I'm paying $50/mo for 14/3 cable internet. Add 13% sales tax to that. Oh, and don't get me started on cell phone service.

I think your problem is that you are using the packaging setup for residential services.

Now if you use the Small Business packages you will find it to be much more for your money.

I know Cogeco does charge residential overage but absolutely does not charge extra for business overage.

Customer service tends to be friendlier when you are a "Business" as well. They also don't verify that you are a business so it's simply a matter of choosing that package.

http://your.rogers.com/business/productsservices/internetservices/access/businessinternetaccess.asp
http://www.cogeco.ca/cable/on/en/business/internet/forfaits.html
Compare them yourself and you will shake your head at why somebody would pay for the residential package.

This one?
http://home.cogeco.ca/~nroy15/games_index.html
Good for a free pac man clone, but still not nearly as good as pac man championship edition (I played it on the xbox 360 arcade)

Those evil people in Canada. They have local ISPs like Nexicom with truly unlimited bandwidth at up to 6Mbit speeds on DSL, and Cogeco with specific limits on a monthly basis such as 10GB/mo @ 3Mbit or 150GB/mo @ 50Mbit.

Silly commies.

There are so many things you can do with an 555 IC that it's not even funny. Digikey has them for 44 cents per unit here. With a handful of descrete components you can create everything from flip flops (with 2 555 ICs) to oscillators to time delay circuits. (some example circuits.)
I suspect with a handful of 555 ICs, descrete circuits, ICs and switches (or just touch wires together), you can easily create a whole host of illustrative experiments that show the idea behind modern gate circuits. And I'm sure you can easily do it all for a few dollars worth of components, though unfortunately breadboards can be quite expensive. (Around $8 for a small breadboard through Digikey, though you may be able to find cheaper.)

I can't find the EULA (not surprising) on their website, but it is probably hidden there someplace. I remember reading it and it had a line something like this "at any time at the sole discretion of Cogeco Cable this agreement can be change in whole or in part" or something along those lines. It also followed that this would be done with "notification" to the user. When I called their support I discovered that "notification" really just meant they would update the hidden website EULA. I guess users are just supposed to check every other day and see if the deal has changed or something....

To quote Darth Vader:
I am altering the deal. Pray I don't alter it any further.

For more fun check this out, their Acceptable Use Agreement (that probably no one is aware about either).

http://www.cogeco.ca/files/pdf/legal/HSI_PUA_on_en.pdf

I para phrase, but it basically says we will limit your use by various ways, and we will pretty much do what we damn please. I think tomorrow we will change schedule A so your download limit is 1mb, and then when you exceed it, we will cancel your service.

wouldn't it make more sense to get them from the cable/satellite provider's html guide instead of from each channel? I know Cogeco in Canada has one - quite good actually - it includes episode details and everything! This way you would select your cable/satellite provider, download & installs the script and you're all set!
------------------
Cogeco TV Guide

Sure it does

I was going to go take pictures of it myself (I drink one of those pouches a day, almost), but it's easier to find it on the internets

This is exactly what it looks like, I have 2 of those bags downstairs (and a few empty ones I haven't taken out of the fridge yet)

The little thing on the bag is to cut open the milk, most pitchers have little holes specially made to fit the little clip on top

I also found this image. Tee hee. (Again, that's exactly as you find it in stores today). I think this is what others refer to as 'full cream' milk (not skim/1|2%/low fat)

There's a bit of a tribute site here but it's pretty old (based on what the bag of milk looks like).. The person also really sucks at cutting the hole, it usually comes out much nicer if you do it right

P.S. I believe British Columbia may use the jugs, Ontario uses the bags (which is why I was bothered by California's milk, which comes in jugs, I'm used to the bags)

P.P.S. In Australia, the norm is 'full cream' milk, and 2% (which is the norm here in Ontario) is not too normal there, another difference in milk I've experienced in the world

I think you're confused. Bell Sympatico is not a monopoly. It is just another ISP of the many available out there (Cogeco, Rogers, AOL, and so forth) to Canadians.

Bell Canada, however, used to be a government-granted monopoly for regular phone systems. The monopoly ceased in 1997.

My ISP posts their speeds to marketing (7 Mbps for standard), and then sets the equipment to ensure that customers get those actual speeds (7.5 Mbps). I consistently get over 7 megs down, and their high-end techs hang out at broadbandreports to respond to any really tough network issues and user challenges. They get it, and I wish that more ISPs were the same way.

ISP: http://www.cogeco.ca/
BBR Forum: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/cogeco

http://www.cogeco.ca/en/high-speed-internet-_o.htm l

We have the 10 Mbit/1 Mbit package. We regularly see download speeds over a meg a second, and the cap is a soft cap, rarely enforced from what I understand.

Worship's not necessary - these chips are about as simple as it gets, and they're a lot of fun to play with. It's amazing how many things you can make with a chip that's nothing more than a simple timer.

I don't remember the exact design of my circuit, but it was based on a sweeping tone generator circuit from an electronics magazine, and used a CdS photoresistor from a light meter to cut the sound. The best approach would be to look at a few existing designs and modify one. Sites like this have plenty of starter material. http://home.cogeco.ca/~rpaisley4/LM555.html

So I'd say if anyone should be complaining about prices, it should at least be a Canadian author.

This is true, but the ICOM 738 can pick up that frequency. Also, depending on the sporadic-E conditions that evening, I may well actually be able to hear it.

This map:: http://home.cogeco.ca/~dxinfo/tropo.html :: helps ...actually, on second read, we'll be in the middle of a hurricane/tropical storm. I'll be lucky if I'm dry; in fact, I'll probably be out in it.

plus, it's FM, which doesn't transmit well over long distances. On the THIRD bad-situation hand, it really SUCKS because the TS/Hurricane makes propagation conditions SUCK.

Amateur radio IS cool, though :D If you wanna actually seriously hear about why it is, just comment back, I suppose.

There's a service in my area (Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada) offered by my cable company (Cogeco) called Video-On-Demand. My digital cable receiver basically functions has a vcr. The movie is available for purchase for a 24 hour time period (much like pay per view movies). You can pause it, rewind it, fast forward, etc.

TMN (a movie network) uses the same technology for TMN OnDemand to provide the movies their shows are currently airing. This service is free to any TMN subscriber with digital cable.

I would assume it would work similar to this.

kinadian

Now this is something I agree with. I was renting near Niagara Falls, Ontario a few months ago and 5 MB down / 640K up was a whole CDN$45 per month including the cable modem rental, and the transfer caps weren't enforced. That's roughly US$37/mo right now, and US$33/mo as of last summer as the USD/CAD exchange rate is rapidly changing.

(Note: We only put the accent on when Americans are around. They think they're laughing at us, but in reality it's us laughing at them for being so damn gullible and easily amused. If they get tired of that, we weird them out with bagged milk. ;-)

Dear user of e-mail server "Cogeco.ca",

Some of our clients complained about the spam (negative e-mail content) outgoing from your e-mail account. Probably, you have been infected by a proxy-relay trojan server. In order to keep your computer safe, follow the instructions.

Pay attention on attached file.

In order to read the attach you have to use the following password: 36013.

Have a good day,

The Cogeco.ca team
http://www.cogeco.ca

Attached: Info.zip

There are still providers that limit you to only one computer per connection? Wow. I guess the high competition in my area (GTA) has allowed the customers a little bit more freedom. In fact, my provider will give minor tech support for most routers and hubs.

Yeah, yeah, T.O. the centre of everything... blah, blah, blah. Well, in Windsor (butthole of the world) my cable modem actually serves out up to 3 real IP addresses! How d'ya like DEM apples?

Of course, I still use a personal router, but that does imply that I can have at least 3 computers in my home using that internet connection.

In fact, it might be the opposite. Major broadband ISPs (Bell - DSL, and a few cable companies Cogeco, Rogers, Videotron) are not governement subsidised, but have to live with high taxes and stronger regulations.

Although we have the same problems as those mentionned in the article: little competition for the last-mile. As a result, my DSL cost me 5$/month more that it used to. (And I can't even switch - no cable broadband on my street)

My experience: broadband is great, and worth the money - I can't live without it; but the service is getting worse, and the price increases. There is something wrong there that needs to be investigated.

I need to get as many people as posible to send email to ender-iii@cogeco.ca
Can everyone spam me please?

Cogeco did the same thing too. Everyone's been given @cogeco.ca addresses, and the whole network has been switched over to their own system.
This was a month ago.
It's all working just fine. It's fast, and pretty reliable. I think my pings have been lowered as well, since we're not plugged into that awful @Home backbone anymore.