Slashdot Mirror
The Fastest ISPs In the US
adeelarshad82 writes "PCMag recently put Internet browsing speeds to the test to see which ISP was the fastest. The results were based on a quarter million tests run between May 1, 2009, and April 30, 2010, by more than 6,000 users. The tests were carried out using SurfSpeed, which takes into account the complete, real-world download time of a web page to a browser. According to the results, Verizon's FiOS took the top spot as the nation's fastest ISP, with a SurfSpeed score of 1.23 Mbps. Interestingly though, of all the regions where Verizon's FiOS is available, its dominance is only seen in the northeast and the west, whereas cable service from Cox and Comcast won out in the southern region. Moreover, cable through Cox and Optimum Online beat AT&T's fiber optic service in the nationwide results, with SurfSpeeds of 1.14Mbps, 1.12Mbps, and 1.06Mbps respectively. The worst results mostly consisted of DSL providers, bottoming out at 544 Kbps from Frontier and going up to 882Kbps by Earthlink. Other interesting facts noted in the test were that broadband penetration was highest in Rhode Island and lowest in Mississippi, while the average Internet bill was highest in Delaware and lowest in Arkansas."
Is this a joke? I thought that with a fibre cable, you could get at least 10 Mbps, minimum.
I'm more interested in cap numbers these days
For best results, avoid doing stupid things.
Although their rates have increased, Surewest has 1/20/50 and I THINK 100 megabit plans available, and while I don't know coverage, I do know they cover a LOT of Sacramento, overlapping ATT and Comcast, both of which offer cheaper services, but lose out when you cross the 1 megabit symmetric barrier.
Is there any metric for which Mississippi is not the worst state?
If you don't understand any of my sayings, come to me in private and I shall take you in my German mouth.
So what's the relation between actual network throughput and "SurfSpeed score"? Cause I think we can all agree 1.23Mbps is apalling..
I would rather measure the available bandwidth with, say, google services, network latency and a few round trip timings with known hosts.
This sounds more serious to me than anything else.
Maybe Computers will never be as intelligent as Humans.
For sure they won't ever become so stupid. [VR-1988]
Even though Speakeasy was slashdot recommended, a lot of my geek friends used it, I had to cut them this year.
I never got the advertised speed out of them for what I was paying. My business was close to the CO, but when I'd complain their answer would always be "Replace the wire going from the pole into your building"
Why should I have to do that? I'm old, I hurt when I fall. NO thanks.
So after 6 years with SE, I called up Comcast. They sent an installer who made sure everything was working right. My speeds were out of sight, 20mbps down and 5mbps up. My bill is $20@mo less too.
DSL can compete, but they have to give up a little margin for better customer service.
I came just to say this.
Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.
Any more I find network latency to be alot more important to me than the actual throughput of my connection. Being able to use my remote service software without as much lag is proving to be more useful to me than being able to download all the porn on the internet at 20 Mbps. I am quite happy with my current provider for that.
Personally I'd rather have my idiots at home glued to the TV than out doing idiotic things
VERY good question. QWest in Portland, Oregon is currently advertising 40 Mbps. There is, however, very fine print saying "Connection speeds are based on sync rates."
Of course, QWest knows that most people won't understand that. QWest is saying that the advertised speeds are only the speed that the customer's modem synchronizes with QWest's equipment. The actual speed that QWest supplies data over the internet can be anything QWest likes, with those fixed synchronization speeds.
The same ads call the service "Fiber Optic Fast Internet". The fine print says, "Fiber optics exists only from the neighborhood terminal to the internet." That means NOT to your house or business.
The quotes are transcribed from an ad I have on my desk.
Despite using bandwidth units (Mbps), their "SurfSpeed" "benchmark" actually depends heavily on latency, as it tries to simulate a web browser fetching resources sequentially from a site as it discovers them.
Found this report analyzing the article and the benchmark: http://blog.ookla.com/2010/06/23/the-fastest-isps-not-quite/
More than 10 years ago, I had an ADSL Internet connection with a 1.5 Mb connection speed. (384 Kbps upload) Now, some 10 years later, we still find that the *average* is only just slightly faster than 1 Mbps?
The Internetz is right - the nerds HAVE won!
I have no problem with your religion until you decide it's reason to deprive others of the truth.
So my 100Mbps line only gets around 1.12 Mbps? Or did the just have a terrible sample size?
This is interesting, considering the ad-hoc testing I did recently. I'm a Comcast customer in northern De, and DSL reports' speed test consistently gives me about 8Mbps down bs 1-2Mbps up.
My parents, I. Southeast PA, have FIOS. For giggles, I did the same DSL reports test, and got about the same results.
Do any other slashdotters have similar experiences?
I would like to know how much more spam they are getting now. Nice data harvester. I knew the article was a fraud when it said,"...cable and phone companies compete to provide fast connections..." What they possibly compete for are exclusive franchises.
I bet if you block the ad servers, your speed would double
For justice, we must go to Don Corleone
Oh wait, I already knew th <carrier disconnected>
I'm having trouble believing that this test is useful for anything, if I'm understanding their methodology.
They should be giving TOTAL TIME to download a web page and all its assets, including DNS lookups. That's the only measurement that matters for web browsing.
Transfer rate is such a small importance to most people -- as an example, their slowest transfer rate (Frontier DSL) would download one of their ~21KB review pages in about 31ms. Their fastest (Verizon FIOS)? About 14ms. The difference is negligible, and I bet most people will take far longer to perform DNS lookups and initiate the connection than it takes to actually transmit the data. Transfer rate is not the right measurement.
A year and a half ago, 100 times that speed was considered good and in a year and a half from now Korea expects to have ONE THOUSAND times that fucking speed. I know people in US states who can still only connect with a fucking 33.6Kbaud modem.
I'm currently in Switzerland. And I can assure that ISPs here don't give a rat's ass about neutrality. Most have nice HTTP speeds, but suck at everything else, especially P2P. I wish someone goes about measuring speed including non-HTTP traffic in all the planet if possible. I'm sure many in America would agree.
When you have a cap? ( or worse cap + overage charge ) It just means you get there faster.
---- Booth was a patriot ----
I live on Brazil, a Third-world country. And i have a working 3Mbps download / 1Mbps upload. Houston, the north-americans have a problem!
Religion: The greatest weapon of mass destruction of all time
No kidding on that, only 1 choice (other than cell providers) and that's Comcast, and it costs me $67.xx for 8to12mbps/3mbps service. I'm not really worried about speed at home, just wish cheaper, I'd be happy with a 3mbps service for $19.95 if someone offered it. I just use it to remotely log into servers, check security cameras, read slashdot. (ie. surf porn) Meanwhile across the border in MD, I get Comcast Business for $74.95 and get 32mbps/8mbps service. So 4 times faster for $7 more a month. (and no business class isn't available at my home)
I noticed that web pages were loading the info-line at the bottom of my browser was going out to an ad server. The page would not load hardly anything until the ad server finished. So I installed an ad blocker and the speed to load a page increased quite a bit. There are some web sites I support and I give them a pass and let their ads come through.
Did we take into account all the bittorrent clients flooding the upstream and choking the downstream? No? O'Rly!
They must have measured the time it takes since the browser makes the request until you get the full page back... that's why they got such low numbers. So, they ignore things like RTT and TCP Slow Start. We're not talking about sync speed here.
(No, I didn't RTFA)
As everyone has pointed out, this test in this article really isn't measuring the bandwidth that your ISP is providing; it's like saying "let's see how fast you can run - oh, by the way, you'll be wearing this heavy backpack, dodging traffic." They say it's real world surf performance, but there are so many variables at work here that it really isn;t a very useful metric.
You can use the JAVA or Flash based speed tests at places like www.broadbandreports.com (which is a great site BTW if you aren't familiar for it) those tests are fairly accurate - but not always.
The best, most accurate way I have found to test whether I am getting the speeds I am supposed to, is to use newsleecher and download a bunch of binaries from my premium newsgroup provider. I use Giganews, and I have been really happy with them, but I assume the other top tier newsgroup providers are similar..... With most premium news providers, you get multiple connections and most of the good ones can max out your connection at anytime, provided you are using multiple connections.
I'm sure that most people here know this, but if not: - to figure out if you're getting what you're supposed to, once you're as certain as you can be that you are maxing out your connection, take youy average download speed in megabytes and multiply it by 8.
I live in Philly and have a 22 megabit at home, and 50 megabit at work.
When downloading at home I get about 2.8 megabytes/sec.....when downloading at work I get about 6.2 megabits per second.......so 2.8 x 8 = 22.4 and 6.2 x 8 = 49.6 So all is well...if I notice that something seems to be off, or slow - the first thing I do is queue up some binaries and check....
The reality is that no one is experiencing speeds anywhere near to what their ISP claims to offer, at least not when it comes to Web surfing. This isn't entirely the ISP's fault. The ISP's claimed throughput rates are for sustained downloads of an individual file. Web pages are typically made up of several files: the HTML code, graphics, Flash elements, and so forth. For each file, there's latency, essentially the time it takes from when your computer requests the element and when the Web site's server starts sending it to you. And then there are all the vagaries of the Internet as data from the Web site hops from router to router down to your computer. This is why, when ISPs advertise download speeds, they're only referring to downloads directly from their own servers.
The claimed throughput rates are generally a maximum and may include a burst maximum. The maximum can be reached on a file that is a few hundred KB as are many components of modern over-loaded websites. The real problem here isn't this phantom "latency" as latency isn't calculated into speed determination. That may affect very slightly your browsing experience, unless you're connecting to a server on the other side of the planet. The last bit here is also completely incorrect.
The internet isn't just a "pay for a speed and you get it everywhere" device. Your ISP sells you a connection which has a maximum of X Mbps. When you request some file from some remote server, how fast you get it is determined in part by your connection speed, but also by the speed at which the server is willing to or is capable of sending it. I have 10Mbps which I verify as I consistently download at 1100+ KB/s. But I often find downloading files (be it large images, installers, or even other web related files) from various web hosts at anywhere from 20KB/s to 250KB/s, I rarely find one that's willing to go over 300. It's not your connection that's at fault, it's the bandwidth limit set by the server itself. The added latency on a badly built website may be ~100-200 ms, and for web browsing this is completely acceptable. What's not acceptable is when you connect to a webpage that may require ~1MB of data to be downloaded for rendering to be complete when the server won't serve you more than 50KB/s, in that case it can take up to 20-30 seconds and appear "slow."
Run a bandwidth test at a place like www.speedtest.net. It'll test it with a server that has a very large bandwidth and with a transfer that'll be uncapped. If the speed there, to a server most likely not owned by your ISP, matches or exceeds your ISP's advertisement, then you're fine. If it doesn't, consistently, you're being screwed. Don't base "my internet connection is slow" complaints on the fact that websites and files aren't being downloaded at an insane speed like you expect.
I live in Japan. /wins
(On a serious note, I get ADSL 50Mbps for about $60 a month in a small Japanese city. I could also get a fiber connection if I wanted to for slightly more)
What matters a lot is the time of day, especially on comcast. I had a comcast 12Mbs line and indeed I could get 8MB/sec in the middle of the day. but from 6pm to midnight it was normally 800kbs with bursts of twice that if you were lucky and sometimes droughts too.
Basically when I was home, so was everyone else.
What comcast does not advertise is that they will sell you an economy 1.5Mbs line for half the price of their cheapest "high speed internet". Since all you can actually get is 1Mbs if you are like me it'sall you need.
downgrade today and get what youre paying for.
Some drink at the fountain of knowledge. Others just gargle.
Speed? Is speed the only criterion to judge an ISP? I do not think so. Provided the speed is reasonable, with regards to the price and other similar offers, there are a lot more things that matter for an ISP. A few at random:
- How often do their systems break down and leave you without network access?
- If a router breaks down at 6 a.m. on a Sunday morning, do you have to wait until 9 a.m. on Monday to hope someone will fix it?
- And do you have any information during or after the breakdown, or are you left wondering it it will happen again any moment?
- If you call the hotline, do you get a nice music and an incompetent droid reading a checklist, or a competent technician?
- Do they offer cool services, like native IPv6 or reverse-DNS customization (and IPv6 reverse-DNS delegation)?
- Can you get someone's attention for unusual problems, like your IP range getting into a spam blacklist?
As for me, I am happy to pay a little more and have a little less max bandwidth to be on the good side for most of these points.
....FIOS is the ballz.
In the "old days" I would download ISOs and service packs at the client site. Now, I download them at home because *my* connection is worlds faster than their "business class" DSL.
They say "unlimited", then they kick you out if you actually dare to download more than 100G. And they lie about it in pre-sales: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintjcl/76331293/
-Clio
Karma: Bad (mostly from not giving a fuck)
Blog: http://clintjcl.wordpress.com
They claim "unlimited", then they kick you out if you actually dare to download more than 100G in a month. And they lie about it in pre-sales: http://www.flickr.com/photos/clintjcl/76331293/ -- And oh, they threatened me with a $300 early termination fee for THEM terminating ME, they told me they'd waive it only if I didn't talk about it online. Hah.
-Clio
Karma: Bad (mostly from not giving a fuck)
Blog: http://clintjcl.wordpress.com
The governmnet of singapore is rolling out gigabit-to-the-home everywhere in singapore, as well as wifi everywhere.
...I had a couple of friends stop by for a taste test. I blindfolded them, laid out a pear, an apple, an orange, a kiwi, a mango, and a banana, and asked each of them which tasted closest to a pear.
Wouldn't you know it...the pear came out #1! Closely followed by the apple. For some reason, the lowly orange ended up last. I'm thinking about writing a blog article about this. Might even make Slashdot...
... going up to 882Kbps by Earthlink.
Shouldn't this read 882KBps ?
Qwest might be slightly underrated. I am not sure how recent this survey is or rather how recent PCMag claims. About 10 months ago, Qwest began rolling out FTTN (Fibre To The Neighborhood) in much of the Phoenix and Tucson greater metro areas. Each subdvision has a fibre junction. My ADSL2+ is quite literally 500 wire feet from the fibre box and I get some really good speeds. I hit a download rate of 2.36MB/s. This was incredible for DSL!
and getting a kick out of these replies.
You guys are so CUTE with your little download speeds!
Honestly the best thing I can say about FiOS is I never have a single complaint about my connection, which has never been true with every other ISP I ever had. I was upset daily by other ISPs.
Check yours with http://www.bandwidthplace.com/
I'd like to buy homeland for our 10 million people. http://twitter.com/mahadiga
You could try Business cable internet service instead. Anyone can buy it, it costs a little more than double, but instead of speedboost it is just twice as fast all the time. You can also add multiple IPs to your account.
People often complain about various things in the context of gaming, without every questioning if what they are doing is even appropriate for gaming.
“Common sense is not so common.” — Voltaire
i am running around with 100mbit/s (flat) on cable with landline flat and tv stuff.... 50 bucks/month. and then i rofl when usfags pay up to 150 bucks for tv+internet and internet being some crappy crapcast with something x-mbit/s.....
Holland is not the only one, there are more countries with even much more speed: Japan (Nippon Telegraph) has 1Gbps (FTTH) and just for $40 in 2009.
And consider:
And why should the US citizens care about the speed of their bandwidth i hear you ask... Fast communications will encourage more employees and employers to make greater use of teleworking. This can deliver benefits both to the firm and the worker, as well as the wider economy, society and the environment. I would day instead of bailing out AIG, consider a bandwidth upgrade that put's America out of the digital equivalent of the stone age !!
It's pathetic speed is still a metric, Koreans and Japanese are realistically pulling down 30+ MBPS.
We're way too far behind to catch up except with better technology (VDSL, Fios, etc).
In the short term though we need lower latency, the latency is high because of packet sniffing and low consumer demand.
We do need it though, clearly cell prices aren't dropping and VOIP is the only way out (unless we band together to buy a chunk of spectrum)... so we'll see I suppose!
Is it 1.23 Mbps or 1.23 MBps ?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_device_bandwidths
I'd like to buy homeland for our 10 million people. http://twitter.com/mahadiga
"I bet if you block the ad servers, your speed would double" - by countertrolling (1585477) on Saturday June 26, @01:59PM (#32703448)
Per my subject-line above, I agree, and know it's true (and, you'll not only surf F A S T E R by far, but also safer)...
How so?
Ok, some "proofs thereof via testimonials" (in regards to using a custom HOSTS file to do what you are speculating about):
---
RESURRECTING THE KILLFILE:
(by Mr. Oliver Day)
http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/491
PERTINENT EXCERPTS/QUOTES:
"The host file on my day-to-day laptop is now over 16,000 lines long. Accessing the Internet particularly browsing the Web is actually faster now."
"From what I have seen in my research, major efforts to share lists of unwanted hosts began gaining serious momentum earlier this decade. The most popular appear to have started as a means to block advertising and as a way to avoid being tracked by sites that use cookies to gather data on the user across Web properties. More recently, projects like Spybot Search and Destroy offer lists of known malicious servers to add a layer of defense against trojans and other forms of malware."
---
So do the folks @ MVPS.ORG, BlueTack/BISS, & other sites that are dedicated to use of a HOSTS file, as well as myself, & those who use "Spybot Search & Destroy" also (because it populates a HOSTS file vs. known bad sites &/or servers too), & also there is this "pertinent quote" from a user who tests it for me as well & his results:
"the use of the hosts file has worked for me in many ways. for one it stops ad banners, it helps speed up your computer as well. if you need more proof i am writing to you on a 400 hertz computer and i run with ease. i do not get 200++ viruses and spy ware a month as i use to. now i am lucky if i get 1 or 2 viruses a month. if you want my opinion if you stick to what APK says in his article about securing your computer then you will be safe and should not get any viruses or spy ware, but if you do get hit with viruses and spy ware then it will your own fault. keep up the good fight APK." - Kings Joker, user of my security guide @ THE PLANET http://forums.theplanet.com/index.php?s=80bbbffc22d358de6b01b8450d596746&showtopic=89123&st=60&start=60
---
SO - you're probably wondering WHY do I elect to use a custom HOSTS file over say, a browser addon (like Adblock alone)? Ok:
Because HOSTS FILES ARE ADBLOCK'S SUPERIOR ON SEVERAL GROUNDS (& in combination/together? Pretty much the best "browser level" security, in "layered security fashion" you can do currently)!
----
1.) HOSTS files eat A LOT LESS CPU cycles than browser addons do no less (since browser addons have to parse each HTML page & tag content in them)!
2.) HOSTS files are also NOT severely LIMITED TO 1 BROWSER FAMILY ONLY... browser addons, are. HOSTS files cover & protect (for security) and speed up (all apps that are webbound) any app you have that goes to the internet (specifically the web).
3.) HOSTS files allow you to bypass DNS Server requests logs (via hardcoding your favorite sites into them to avoid not only the TIME taken roundtrip to an external DNS server, but also for avoiding those logs OR a DNS server that has been compromised (see Dan Kaminsky online, on that note)).
4.) HOSTS files will allow you to get to sites you like, via hardcoding your favs into a HOSTS file, FAR faster than DNS servers can by FAR (by saving the roundtrip inquiry time to a DNS server & back to you).
5.) HOSTS files also allow you to not worry about a DNS server being compromised, or downed (if either occurs, you STILL get to sites you hardcode in a HOSTS file anyhow in EITHER case).
3.6mbps is the national average in the uk, including rural areas, and the uk is far from broadband leader.. http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/features/brspeeds
Lowest cost of living. It is cheap to live here since there isn't much to do unless you gamble.
You're that binspammer that pops up occasionally with those way too long, copy and paste...whatever you wanna call that there... What the hell are you selling anyway?
I'll be right back. Let me tell the guys you're here. I'm sure they all want to say hi...
For justice, we must go to Don Corleone
Admittedly, I only get ~30 GB/month, but I run my line near maximum capacity 24/7 and I haven't had trouble.
Granted, this is only 144 Kbps IDSL.
Also, there's the matter of other nearby services having a cap of 20 GB buried in their ToS, namely the local cable co.
"What the hell are you selling anyway?" - by countertrolling (1585477) on Sunday June 27, @03:10PM (#32710372)
See subject-line above...
---
"I'll be right back. Let me tell the guys you're here. I'm sure they all want to say hi..." - by countertrolling (1585477) on Sunday June 27, @03:10PM (#32710372)
This is sounding more & more like YOU are trying to "troll" me, and with your pals apparently as well: See my P.S. below in regards to that much (because I've had the "best of trolls" try to "get the better of me" here on this very subject, many times, & they always ended up with egg on their faces).
(HOWEVER, & above all else - IF you can't handle this yourself? Well... lol!)
---
"...It is you, right? I mean it would be kinda embarrassing if you were just some poser tryin' to start something, y'know what I'm sayin'?" - by countertrolling (1585477) on Sunday June 27, @03:10PM (#32710372)
Again: IF anyone appears to be trying to "start something" here? It's yourself!
(However: I have no problem with that, because I'll just end up finishing it is all... easily. After all - documented facts ARE on MY SIDE here in my initial post your responded to...)
---
"You're that binspammer that pops up occasionally with those way too long, copy and paste...whatever you wanna call that there..." - by countertrolling (1585477) on Sunday June 27, @03:10PM (#32710372)
If you have difficulties reading, then I suggest "hooked on phonics" or some sort of remedial reading therapies (if not ADD/ADHD meds or dyslexia treatments etc./et al).
APK
P.S.=> IF you're trying to "troll me"? Good luck! Again/once more/after all - You're going to have to deal with documented & verifiable facts above in my initial post (and I recommend you actually TRY a custom HOSTS file yourself, before you go & talk of things that it appears you have NO CLUE about)... apk
"Great! Now try coming up with something we haven't heard a thousand times already." - by countertrolling (1585477) on Sunday June 27, @05:03PM (#32710948)
No, I don't really have to, as I have thought out pretty much everything that applies here, long ago (like around 1995 onwards)... & all you're left with/reduced to, is name tossing or other forms of off topic ad hominem attacks on myself, rather than the points I make in my first post here.
(Also, I'd like to add that you asked "What I was selling" & IF you'd actually seen this post from myself here before? Why would you ask that?? No, your "trolling performance" is DOWN lately, & badly!)
APK
P.S.=>
"Nah, I'm not gonna "troll" you. I'm bored already..." - by countertrolling (1585477) on Sunday June 27, @05:03PM (#32710948)
No, I think it's more along the lines of "you cannot attack my points with anything valid" on your end...
---
"I just wanted to see how goofy you were.." - by countertrolling (1585477) on Sunday June 27, @05:03PM (#32710948)
Yup: As per usual? When I have you reduced to blatantly off topic replies, & name tossing ad hominem attacks?? That pretty much proves my points above in this reply... pretty simple, & just "too, Too, TOO EASY" (too easy)... apk
"You're pretty dumb besides.." - by countertrolling (1585477) on Sunday June 27, @05:48PM (#32711336)
See subject-line above, + URL below... & "rinse, lather, + repeat":
http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32711272
(Because as anyone here can see? I am NOT the one "tossing names", going off topic, & using ad hominem attacks (as you are... & to each of those points of which you are clearly guilty of))
---
"Honey, if you want an argument, go down the hall.. This here is abuse.. Jeeze!" - by countertrolling (1585477) on Sunday June 27, @05:48PM (#32711336)
FIRST: I don't argue with ad hominem attackers. I just use facts (because they serve the purpose of "silencing" trolls like yourself, & force you to resort to typical "trollish tactics" like name tossing etc.)
SECONDLY: Those like you (obvious trolls)? You only abuse yourselves here, publicly... which you have been doing here, rampantly, in your off topic trolling of myself.
LASTLY: I am NOT your "honey", so get that outta your mind already... Go find another dish, because I am NOT on "the menu"! So, sorry to disappoint YOU (or anyone like I suspect you to be), because I am NOT interested nor am I a homosexual.
APK
P.S.=> Evidently I was correct in my 2nd reply to you (see URL above), for YOUR trolling here: You cannot read, because once more, all you have is off topic ad hominem attacks on myself (rather than YOUR attacking & disproving my points in my initial posting here http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32709564 )... apk
Look, darlin'... You know I shouldn't have to tell you twice. Now you take that little bee-hind of yours, and go find somebody who gives a damn.
For justice, we must go to Don Corleone
"Look, darlin'... " - by countertrolling (1585477) on Sunday June 27, @07:29PM (#32712014)
Again, since you obviously have reading troubles:
I am NOT your "darlin'", so get that outta your mind already...
(Go find another dish, because I am NOT on "the menu"! So, sorry to disappoint YOU (or anyone like I suspect you to be), because I am NOT interested nor am I a homosexual).
---
"You know I shouldn't have to tell you twice." - by countertrolling (1585477) on Sunday June 27, @07:29PM (#32712014)
Speak for yourself, see above once again &/or this reply I made to your obviously WEAK attempts @ trolling myself -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32711884 where I stated pretty much the same as I did above.
APK
P.S.=>
"Now you take that little bee-hind of yours, and go find somebody who gives a damn." " - by countertrolling (1585477) on Sunday June 27, @07:29PM (#32712014)
I don't "take your orders", though your mama may when you rattle your playpen or crib rails though, so get that possibility out of your head as well as the above!
Addtionally/Again: Evidently I was correct in my 2nd AND 3rd replies to you (see URL above), for YOUR trolling here:
You cannot read, because once more, all you have is off topic ad hominem attacks on myself (rather than YOUR attacking & disproving my points in my initial posting here http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32709564 )... apk
Wow - Browsers don't parse HTML?
HOSTS files don't let me replace content with a tab to click on to view (eg: videos).
My browser caches DNS requests, you insensitive clod!
Hard-coded HOSTS files also crap out maintenance interval and fail-over schemes, as well as client-IP-based server redirection to the fastest server for that location.
My browser caches DNS requests, you insensitive clod!
HOSTS files are easily altered on unsuspecting users. Been there, done that, works like a charm when one of your friends complains about her husband spending too much time on porn sites.
HOSTS files also allow an easy way to compromise machines on a per-domain-request basis.
FALSE.
Been false for more than a decade. The Russians aren't that stupid.
Simple solution - stop the BS spam :-)
"Yeah, sure, whatever you say, sweetie.." - by countertrolling (1585477) on Sunday June 27, @08:23PM (#32712290)
Ugh, yet again: What is it from you w/ this "sweetie", "honey", "darlin'" stuff that you that you keep directing MY way here?
(I keep telling you, & for the 4th time now - I am NOT "interested" in your homosexual advances (OR whatever those "strange comments/terms of endearment" of yours directed to me are about))
---
"Looks like you don't take a hint either.." - by countertrolling (1585477) on Sunday June 27, @08:23PM (#32712290)
Once more/again, for the 2nd time now on THIS particular note: No, I just don't take an off-topic trolls' orders (like yours)... &, I'll post what I like, where I like. Get it?
(Especially when they seem rather "queer" etc./et al, per which I just typed in my last paragraph above in reply to you, especially considering I am NOT a homosexual!)
APK
P.S.=> What is it you are trying to accomplish here, countertrolling? Seriously: GROW UP already, please!... apk
They missed Verizon, they drop you from 768 kbps to 512 kbps after FIOS comes to your area. No doubt to encourage you to sign up for FIOS.
I connected my DSL modem to the phone box outside so they couldn't claim it was my house wiring.
From now on I'm going to log my DSL speed every day. Of course it has not been fixed yet, at least day 10 and counting.
"FALSE." - by tomhudson (43916) on Sunday June 27, @08:12PM (#32712240) Homepage
Per what I stated here in my 1st post, between the dashed lines below (as my "POINT #10" in favor of HOSTS files, vs. ADBLOCK), which you quoted also?
---
10.) HOSTS files are NOT BLOCKABLE by websites, as was tried on users by ARSTECHNICA (and it worked, proving HOSTS files are a better solution for this because they cannot be blocked & detected for, in that manner), to that websites' users' dismay:
---
Tell us, won't you tomhudson, how to detect that I am using a HOSTS file and to try to block it as arstechnica did then to their users which royally ticked them off??
APK
P.S.=> There's no way to determine I use a HOSTS file, vs. adblock (or usually really anything else for those purposes of blocking adbanners or other content) remotely, tom... apk
Your hosts file crap has been thoroughly debunked elsewhere. Honestly, nobody gives a sh*t any more - the Internet has evolved since 1995. Your "solution" is more of a problem than it's worth. Really, the world has changed. Get over it. Learn something new for a change.
Besides, those of us who don't use Windows don't give a crap. We use our hosts file to configure our local networks if we're too lazy to do it via assignments at our router, and a few hard-coded external entries for when there's a dns failure. For the rest, dns works fine - and if we don't trust it, we can always run our own.
"Your hosts file crap has been thoroughly debunked elsewhere." - by tomhudson (43916) on Monday June 28, @10:09AM (#32716076) Homepage
Where's THAT then, tomhudson... fantasyland?
Also, & on what points of mine from my original posts in favor of HOSTS files over adblock or other browser addons alone -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32709564 have been 'debunked'? Not in your post, that was certain, lol...
(After all - You didn't do a decent job of it above/earlier here http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32715870 , lol, & screwed up on your so-called "points" to the point of even contradicting yourself!)
Of course, tomhudson will avoid providing proofs of his statements, as he always does... hilarious! Watch him avoid answering this by all means... he always does when he's cornered on his mistakes (which are, as anyone here reading can see, numerous & erroneous).
---
"Your "solution" is more of a problem than it's worth" - by tomhudson (43916) on Monday June 28, @10:09AM (#32716076) Homepage
Others tend to disagree, tomhudson, see here (material from my 1st post here):
---
RESURRECTING THE KILLFILE:
(by Mr. Oliver Day)
http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/491
PERTINENT EXCERPTS/QUOTES:
"The host file on my day-to-day laptop is now over 16,000 lines long. Accessing the Internet particularly browsing the Web is actually faster now."
"From what I have seen in my research, major efforts to share lists of unwanted hosts began gaining serious momentum earlier this decade. The most popular appear to have started as a means to block advertising and as a way to avoid being tracked by sites that use cookies to gather data on the user across Web properties. More recently, projects like Spybot Search and Destroy offer lists of known malicious servers to add a layer of defense against trojans and other forms of malware."
---
So do the folks @ MVPS.ORG, BlueTack/BISS, & other sites that are dedicated to use of a HOSTS file, as well as myself, & those who use "Spybot Search & Destroy" also (because it populates a HOSTS file vs. known bad sites &/or servers too), & also there is this "pertinent quote" from a user who tests it for me as well & his results:
"the use of the hosts file has worked for me in many ways. for one it stops ad banners, it helps speed up your computer as well. if you need more proof i am writing to you on a 400 hertz computer and i run with ease. i do not get 200++ viruses and spy ware a month as i use to. now i am lucky if i get 1 or 2 viruses a month. if you want my opinion if you stick to what APK says in his article about securing your computer then you will be safe and should not get any viruses or spy ware, but if you do get hit with viruses and spy ware then it will your own fault. keep up the good fight APK." - Kings Joker, user of my security guide @ THE PLANET http://forums.theplanet.com/index.php?s=80bbbffc22d358de6b01b8450d596746&showtopic=89123&st=60&start=60
---
ADDITIONALLY:
Layered security IS the "trend" tomhudson, & it works (it's the best solution we have currently is why & how)...
(That's all HOSTS are in combination with other methods (but, they not only provide extra security, but also more speed, and a single one that covers ALL webbounds apps too... browser addson CANNOT do that, period, as they are restricted to single browser families only typically/usually (not in ALL cases though))).
(Tom, give up - you rea
Do like I did - work for the Russians for a few years. Impossible is just another word for "okay, your job is to find 3 different ways to do it," because when something is "impossible", there's an economic and technological advantage ripe for the plucking.
Problem is, you wouldn't get past the first interview.
You can't even figure out ONE way to remotely detect the use of a hosts file - you're just retarded. Go fling your monkey poo elsewhere. Or keep on - nobody else cares.
Or I'll tell you what - how much are you willing to PAY to learn how? Put your money where your mouth is. The price is $6k.
"Do like I did - work for the Russians for a few years." - by tomhudson (43916) on Monday June 28, @11:09AM (#32716798) Homepage
Uhm, Tom? That allows you to detect for usage of a HOSTS file, how, tom??
(You are as per usual for you, avoiding questions... why's that tom? Said something you can't back up as usual???)
Incidentally/also, tom:
I've worked for international concerns alongside MANY foreign folks over time, & that's in Fortune 100-500 companies as well as the goverment (via contractors that do work for them, like Lockheed Martin & others)... plus, I actually have multiple degrees in this art & science & I have been internationally published in MANY reputable publications in this art & science of computing also - do YOU? No, because I've cornered YOU specifically on that before too - you're just another "wannabe"... lol!
(Additionally, I also have had my work in commercial softwares too that were also finalist @ Microsoft's TECH ED 2000-2002 as a FINALIST 2 yrs. in a row in its hardest category - SQLServer Performance Enhancement).
I can also "top off" that data, with the fact I have been @ this professionally on many levels from network tech/engineer/admin, up thru Programmer-Analyst, into Software Engineering titles too!
Have you done the same & do you have those types of qualifications, tom? I did the above while you were probably still in diapers no less (1996-2002)... & you had the gall to state what you did below next?? LMAO:
---
"Problem is, you wouldn't get past the first interview." - by tomhudson (43916) on Monday June 28, @11:09AM (#32716798) Homepage
Sure tom - tell you what:
---
1.) When you can even show you have a degree or even a cert. in CSC, CIS/MIS etc.? Then, we'll listen to you.
2.) When you can show you've done more of good note in respected reputable publications as I have as far back as 15++ yrs. ago up to nearly the present?? Then, you can talk...
---
(Maybe then, someone will listen, & take "the likes of you", seriously vs. myself, because most folks I know @ least don't listen to underqualified boobs playing "I am smart" when they in fact do NOT even have degrees around the sciences involved, which I am pretty sure from others times you've tried this, that YOU personally, do not have said degrees even!)
APK
P.S.=> You surely aren't much on providing evidences, & you avoid points like mad, & make technical errors galore here through this exchange - tom, a piece of advice: Don't go trying to "get the better of YOUR betters" in folks like myself - you always end up with egg on your face everytime you've tried this type of trolling of myself, everytime... lol! apk
"You can't even figure out ONE way to remotely detect the use of a hosts file - you're just retarded. - by tomhudson (43916) on Monday June 28, @11:17AM (#32716906) Homepage
No no, tom: I ASKED YOU TO SHOW ME A WAY YOU CAN DO THAT, here -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32715990
(As per usual? You f'd up & ran from it, avoiding it like MAD, lol! Fact is, I don't think YOU yourself know how, and also that you certainly did NOT write the software for the solution for it IF it indeed exists!)
---
" - you're just retarded. - by tomhudson (43916) on Monday June 28, @11:17AM (#32716906) Homepage
Well by way of comparison? You're just reduced to frustrated childish name tossing in your usual manner when you are 'knocked the f out' in a tech debate, which is the 'sure sign' of the defeated troll, everytime... lol!
(Adhominem attacks, which are now coming out of you by the truckload now, tom, in case you didn't know?? Are INVALID in logical debate... & yes, that includes "foaming @ the mouth" name-tossing such as You are utilizing, now above...)
---
"Go fling your monkey poo elsewhere. Or keep on - nobody else cares.by tomhudson (43916) on Monday June 28, @11:17AM (#32716906) Homepage
Tom, see the URL above, answer its questions, ok?... "You can run, but you can't hide"... & keep up the childish name tossing & what not - it's only "showing us your tell".
APK
P.S.=> LASTLY: You also failed to provide proof of my entire HOSTS file's 11 points being "debunked" & specifically how/where + on which of its points it was debunked on here -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32716428 and, as per your no degree in CSC or CIS/MIS usual? You RAN... lmao! Oh man... "too, Too, TOO EASY!" (just too easy)... apk
"We just don't care for bullshitters" - by countertrolling (1585477) on Monday June 28, @12:09PM (#32717526)
See my subject-line above, because you definitely ARE off topic here, and you have not managed to disprove a single technical point in my 1st post in this exchange here either -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32709564 have you?
ANSWER = No, you have not.
APK
P.S.=> LMAO: And, You called ME a 'bullshitter'? It seems that is the case, but I am only using facts, not bullshit like you are in your off topic name tossing ad hominem attacks on myself, rather than the points I made with their evidences backing them, vs. your clearly off topic ad hominem attack based replies, which in fact, makes YOU the "b.s. artist" here, not myself!)
So pay up or shut up, because there ain't no such thing as a free lunch. But now the price is $8k, not $6k - and it will only go up, not down.
You are being slaughtered here tomhudson and the amusing part is watching you open your mouth and insert your foot here on almost every thing you have said. You are making yourself look really bad with your technical errors and evading answering questions that are put to you. The funniest part is where you said this ac apk couldn't make it through an interview working on computers and he'd get a job before you would based on your awful performance here on technical matters. Ordinarily I would post under my registered name here but I don't need your kind, a troll, trolling me as you have this ac apk.
That is entirely meaningless to the customer, since the customer only cares about the speed with which data is delivered over the internet, which is less that 2 Megabits per second, as the PC Magazine story said.
"You can believe what you want. Everybody else knows better." - by countertrolling (1585477) on Monday June 28, @01:22PM (#32718744)
RESURRECTING THE KILLFILE:
(by Mr. Oliver Day)
http://www.securityfocus.com/columnists/491
PERTINENT EXCERPTS/QUOTES:
"The host file on my day-to-day laptop is now over 16,000 lines long. Accessing the Internet particularly browsing the Web is actually faster now."
"From what I have seen in my research, major efforts to share lists of unwanted hosts began gaining serious momentum earlier this decade. The most popular appear to have started as a means to block advertising and as a way to avoid being tracked by sites that use cookies to gather data on the user across Web properties. More recently, projects like Spybot Search and Destroy offer lists of known malicious servers to add a layer of defense against trojans and other forms of malware."
---
So do the folks @ MVPS.ORG, BlueTack/BISS, & other sites that are dedicated to use of a HOSTS file, as well as myself, & those who use "Spybot Search & Destroy" also (because it populates a HOSTS file vs. known bad sites &/or servers too), & also there is this "pertinent quote" from a user who tests it for me as well & his results:
"the use of the hosts file has worked for me in many ways. for one it stops ad banners, it helps speed up your computer as well. if you need more proof i am writing to you on a 400 hertz computer and i run with ease. i do not get 200++ viruses and spy ware a month as i use to. now i am lucky if i get 1 or 2 viruses a month. if you want my opinion if you stick to what APK says in his article about securing your computer then you will be safe and should not get any viruses or spy ware, but if you do get hit with viruses and spy ware then it will your own fault. keep up the good fight APK." - Kings Joker, user of my security guide @ THE PLANET http://forums.theplanet.com/index.php?s=80bbbffc22d358de6b01b8450d596746&showtopic=89123&st=60&start=60
---
So much for your off topic b.s. & trolling... because as you can see above from testimonials, & users who frequent websites noted above + users of Spybot Search & Destroy? There are 1,000's of folks that use a HOSTS file and DO know better (than your b.s.).
APK
"Do like I did - work for the Russians for a few years." - by tomhudson (43916) on Monday June 28, @11:09AM (#32716798) Homepage
Yea, ok... you mean by writing malware for them perhaps? I say that, because the ONLY people I can figure that would bitch against using HOSTS files as a layered security precautionary measure vs. malware WOULD be malware makers themselves!
APK
P.S.=> Avoiding answering my questions as you have only shows me you really don't know what you're talking about @ these levels!
That, along with your FAILED (& badly) attempts @ disproving only PART of my original list of points in favor of HOSTS files usage -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32709564 & your failing miserably here -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32715870 ?
That just says it all for me, or anyone else reading here... "too, Too, TOO EASY" (as per usual? Just TOO easy)... apk
"I only say you're full of shit because you're a spammer." - by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 30, @01:26PM (#32747350)
You're reduced to name tossing ad hominem attacks (attacking myself, rather than my points here http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32709564 in favor of HOSTS files usage).
That much is apparent in your reply here easily.
Instead, why not TRY to disprove each of this points on a technical level then, instead:
http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32709564
(Good luck - you'll NEED it! Tomhudson already HUGELY failed on that account here -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32716428 , & he only attacked 1/2 of my points to boot, & had to leave the other 1/2 alone (there is no disproving those, any of them, is why))
---
"And you most definitely are." - by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 30, @01:26PM (#32747350)
Really? Well, I am not the one getting all the "down mods" here, am I? No... that'd be 'countertrolling', not myself!
---
"And I'm perfectly aware of the purpose of a hosts file and how effective it is." - by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 30, @01:26PM (#32747350)
Then why are you giving me a hard time about them then?
---
"I just don't feel like talking to idiots" - by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 30, @01:26PM (#32747350)
Then you must not like talking to yourself.
---
"Lots of mod points you and your sockpuppets have.. " - by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 30, @01:26PM (#32747350)
I don't have any: We "AC's" don't get those...
---
"Keep it up :-) I have other accounts" - by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 30, @01:26PM (#32747350)
And, you're accusing ME of using "sock puppets"? Please...
APK
P.S.=> When you can disprove all of the points in my initial posting -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32709564 AND, beyond the shadow of doubt? Well... until then?? I wonder who is the off topic troller here?? Not I... apk
"Didn't say you are trolling.. You are spamming.. quite different" - by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 30, @02:01PM (#32747904)
Ahem: No - You are trolling, without question, you're entire OFF TOPIC approach shows this cleanly. I am not "spamming" anything or anyone. I only made points that are clearly in favor of HOSTS files in my initial posting here -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32709564 which are only facts, & I am NOT "selling anything", etc. et al (as HOSTS files are FREE & you already have one).
(HOWEVER: I still challenge you, or anyone else, to disprove each of those points in that URL I just posted above, & beyond a doubt... Good luck, you'll REALLY need it. tomhudson tried to here, & failed, badly, in only trying to attack 1/2 of them -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32716428 )
APK
P.S.=> Additionally: If you're trying to get me to "burn up" my AC "10 posts per 24 hour period"?? Good luck on that too... I have a fast way around that (takes only literally seconds) & I can post as much as I like... apk
I'll try to keep it simple for you. If what you allege was so effective, the whole world would be doing it and rejoice in the conquest of unwanted advertising. However, as obvious as the nose on your face, you actually are full of shit, because it's the advertisers who are rejoicing, and leave you eating the crap that you spew. Please, do tell. Who's winning your little arms race there?
Oh man! I wouldn't have it any other way. In fact I was wondering where you were. Hit me! Hit me! but don't leave me... I got nothin' but time... But your lack of originality with your simple copy and pasting is starting to bore me again.. so if I drop out, you'll know why. Rest assured you will have the last word... and you know what that means
"I'll try to keep it simple for you." - by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 30, @05:35PM (#32750428)
No, I think it's the other way around...
---
"If what you allege was so effective, the whole world would be doing it and rejoice in the conquest of unwanted advertising." - by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 30, @05:35PM (#32750428)
Many folks do, I noted the sources I use to populate my own hosts file in fact, & I even cited the sucesses of those who are both pros @ computing, and amateurs also, enjoying successes in both speed & security online via HOSTS files usage.
(However, not everyone knows "things IP" well enough, because not everyone out there is a "PC Expert").
---
"However, as obvious as the nose on your face, you actually are full of shit, because it's the advertisers who are rejoicing, and leave you eating the crap that you spew.." - by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 30, @05:35PM (#32750428)
I could care less if they are, or not (somehow I think the reverse though) - I am about moving faster online, because I pay for it out of pocket (like most others) so I want to max out my investment by NOT downloading & viewing things I don't need to be is what it comes down to (that includes malware, or even adbanners (which not only slow you down, but have been shown many times the past few years alone to harbor malware in malicious scripts & such)).
(By the way: Your profanity on this note? It's your "tell": Are you some disgruntled maliciously scripted site's webmaster or malware maker? They're some of the types of people I can see raving vs. HOSTS files, this is certain...)
---
"Please, do tell. Who's winning your little arms race there?" - by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 30, @05:35PM (#32750428)
Myself & others whose testimonials I cited are... we're going faster, AND SAFER too, from a single file online & getting our money's worth out of the internet, safely & as swiftly as possible by using HOSTS files!
APK
"But your lack of originality with your simple copy and pasting is starting to bore me again.. so if I drop out, you'll know why. Rest assured you will have the last word... and you know what that means" - by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 30, @05:35PM (#32750428)
That's true, I will have that last word, because all you've had here is off topic trolling & you were unable to technically disprove my points in my very first post here http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32709564 , & when tomhudson (who regularly trolls me now with a guy named clone53421, probably same guy & a multiple registered slashdot account user like you admitted to being actually) failed badly, & on 1/2 of them only, & still was unable to disprove a SINGLE one of my points in favor of HOSTS file usage, here -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32716428 ...
Trolls: You're ALL the same - easily routed by facts your b.s. cannot disprove! apk
He who insists on having the last word only proves he is the more retarded. So, who's it gonna be?
"He who insists on having the last word only proves he is the more retarded. So, who's it gonna be?" - by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday June 30, @06:39PM (#32751080)
Gee, what a CHILDISH 'trick': Is that supposed to be "clever" on YOUR part? LMAO... no troll, all I have asked is that you disprove the points I put up in favor of HOSTS files on a technical level, & you clearly cannot.
So, I will have that last word, because all you've had here is off topic trolling & you were unable to technically disprove my points in my very first post here -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32709564 , & when tomhudson (who regularly trolls me now with a guy named clone53421, probably same guy & a multiple registered slashdot account user like you admitted to being actually) failed badly, & on 1/2 of them only, & still was unable to disprove a SINGLE one of my points in favor of HOSTS file usage, here -> http://tech.slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1699526&cid=32716428 ...
Trolls: You're ALL the same - easily routed by facts your b.s. cannot disprove!
APK
P.S.=> Me? Hey - I am about moving faster online, because I pay for it out of pocket (like most others) so I want to max out my investment by NOT downloading & viewing things I don't need to be is what it comes down to (that includes malware, or even adbanners (which not only slow you down, but have been shown many times the past few years alone to harbor malware in malicious scripts & such)).
(By the way: Your profanities in this exchange, especially on THIS note in HOSTS files? It's your "tell": Are you some disgruntled maliciously scripted site's webmaster or malware maker? They're some of the types of people I can see raving vs. HOSTS files, this is certain...)
Myself & others whose testimonials I cited are doing all that, in that we're going faster, AND SAFER too, from a single file online & getting our money's worth out of the internet, safely & as swiftly as possible by using HOSTS files! apk