Herculodge:

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January 31, 2013

Is US Improving in Broadband Performance?

Doug T writes:

Actually, the US has somewhat improved in recent years in broadband performance (and that isn't the issue anyway, because sometimes Jeff has fast downloads)

http://www.sfgate.com/technology/dotcommentary/article/U-S-Internet-speed-better-but-still-lags-4226130.php

The problem is more likely on the server side. If the server is getting hammered, it will deliver downloads more slowly. In particular, some servers are programmed to download slowly -- especially with older podcasts.

Posted at 03:33 PM in Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)

Internet Speed in the United States Exposes How Lame Our System Is

Here's a Huffington Post article about the interent speed variations across the globe. A NYTimes opinion piece explains how American monopolies make Interent speeds and service vastly compromised.

Regarding this topic of slow Internet speed, Dan HL writes:

You have monopolies like Time Warner and Comcast running the show in the USA. They can charge a fortune for crappy service and get away with it because they have no competition.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=competition-and-the-internet

Posted by: DanHL | January 31, 2013 at 02:38 PM

Here's an excerpt from the article explaining why:

"A decade ago the U.S. ranked at or near the top of most studies of broadband price and performance. But that was before the FCC made a terrible mistake. In 2002 it reclassified broadband Internet service as an “information service” rather than a “telecommunications service.” In theory, this step implied that broadband was equivalent to a content provider (such as AOL or Yahoo!) and was not a means to communicate, such as a telephone line. In practice, it has stifled competition."

Posted at 03:27 PM in Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (0)

January 30, 2013

Sometimes a 1-Hour Podcast Downloads in a Few Seconds; Other Times It Takes 5 Minutes

What gives?

Posted at 08:51 PM in Web/Tech | Permalink | Comments (4)

Dear Herculodge, If You Had No Watches, Where Would You Begin?

For me having strong professional grade Superluminova sharply contrasting a dark dial is a must. Price shouldn't be much more than $200.

There's three I'd recommend, two of which I own:

The Seiko SKA427 Kinetic in gunmetal.

The Seiko SKA371 Kinetic in stainless steel, a clone of the SKA427, don't own this one.

The Seiko Black Monster

Posted at 06:44 PM in Manly Watches | Permalink | Comments (15)

I Took Advantage of the NY Times' Subscription Education Rate

I go to the NYTimes Book Review every day and found I needed a subscription. I had no idea what the cost would be and was taken aback to find it was $200. Then a week or so later, while wrestling over the $200 fee, I discovered an education rate, requiring an email ending in .edu, which I have.

The discounted rate is $90 a year. I decided to do it. That's about 25 cents a day, not bad.

Posted at 06:40 PM in Personal Chronicles | Permalink | Comments (2)

Some Answers to Getting Your Gym Membership Cancelled

Regarding my preference of training at home over going to the gym, Gary wrote:

You might be able to get out of your gym contract. It's worth looking into.

http://www.avvo.com/legal-answers/i-am-trying-to-cancel-my-gym-membership-and-i-noti-119517.html

http://www.dca.ca.gov/publications/legal_guides/w-10.shtml

http://community.lawyers.com/forums/p/92602/445813.aspx

http://www.wikihow.com/Get-out-of-a-Gym-Contract

http://www.tri-cityherald.com/2012/02/02/1810521/man-gets-out-of-golds-gym-contract.html

Posted at 03:16 PM in Personal Chronicles | Permalink | Comments (0)

After Blowing $720 on a 3-Year Gym Membership, I Fell in Love with my Kettlebell Home Workout

My wife warned me after the fact: You should have paid for 3 months to see if you like it, because after signing for 3 years (no refunds), I fell in love with kettlebell workouts at home. I went on YouTube and learned several kettlebell exercises, which I find addicting and very sweat-producing. I'm so satisfied and so drawn to my new home workouts that I'm not motivated to go to the gym and mingle with the public.

I'm a Lone Ranger when it comes to working out.

Also, that's money that could have gone toward a Benarus Megalodon or a Seiko Tuna. Dang, man.

Posted at 08:41 AM in Personal Chronicles | Permalink | Comments (4)

Amazon selling CC SW Pocket AM/FM Shortwave Pocket Radio for $40.60 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping.

CC SWPocket AM/FM Shortwave Pocket Radio

Thanks, Vimal:

Amazon selling CC SW Pocket AM/FM Shortwave Pocket Radio for $40.60 & eligible for FREE Super Saver Shipping.

Posted at 06:33 AM in Radio Lovers Can't Be Cured | Permalink | Comments (6)

Dan Patrick Says If Tornado Watch Turns Into a Warning, We're Abandoning Ship

I was listening to Dan Patrick's opening this morning and he said that he and his crew could be going underground and cancelling the radio show if a tornado watch turns into a warning. Already the bad weather is affecting the sound quality.

His show is conducted out of Connecticut, but the tornado warning is affecting much of the country, as Jason writes:

It's been a mess here in Nashville. They actually recorded 100 MPH wind at the airport around 3AM. Luckily, we didn't get that where I am about 30 miles due east of the airport. Plenty of damage between here and there, unfortunately. Next up, snow on and off for the next three days!