For me, I’ve since upgraded to 6 Mbps AT&T, but only lasted for a few months.  Now, I’ve dropped their DSL in favor of Time Warner Cable’s Roadrunner broadband for three reasons:

1. Cost.  Roadrunner is running a promotional $30/month.
2. Speed. The standard one has bandwidth upto 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload¹.
3. True Unlimited. AT&T will start to cap and charge additional fees for over-the-limit use (aka overage). Cable modem does not have overages².

The biggest reason is obviously these stupid overages. They are a step backwards for internet commerce and productivity.  Bandwidth caps will stifle innovation. I don’t understand why AT&T has to do this since 98% of their customers are not bandwidth hogs. Maybe they got the numbers wrong. I don’t use that much bandwidth, and certainly don’t want to start thinking about my bandwidth use.

Anyway, I’m still hopeful to see the ultra high-speed broadband in my neck of the woods.  Cheap, or even free, bandwidth will be the dream. I sure hope Google can set the standard and lead it all the way.

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More Broadband Options, Please!

1. Versus AT&T’s upto 6 Mbps download and 0.5 Mbps upload
2. At least not yet

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Luckily, this is just a blog.  Its very nature is quick and dirty¹.  This is why Social Networking sites like Facebook and Twitter are so popular.  I can’t spend too much time editorializing and agonizing over every word or sentence.  No time to think (too much).  Like Nike used to say: Just Do It!

Here’s a comic from Chuck & Beans that sums it up quite well:

Update: Sam Shah has some really good advice on how to blog.  He writes from experience, and very practical.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Typo Fear

1. Dirty being the synonym for “error prone”.

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For one thing, as David Bradley pointed out, Facebook led its users to believe their data are private – but later revealed they’re not.  These privacy changes were rolled out quietly.  Effectively catching people off guard.

Then there were rumors Mark Zuckerberg didn’t care about privacy. He is trying to compete with Twitter who mainly publish public updates.  Come to think about it, having a completely private site is like running an email service – which is not Facebook’s original intent.

In my opinion, even with privacy problems, Facebook is still relevant.  Where else are we going to get the same number of family, friends, and acquaintances in one place?  Facebook has the tools to let us connect and share information.  I don’t see it going away any time soon.  And people will not abandon it that easily too.

What everyone needs to realize, the information shared on the internet, it’s pretty much public information.  Ever since Google, content on the internet becomes more permanent.  People must be careful with sharing sensitive information.  That’s why I try my best to keep confidential information to myself – not sharing it on Facebook, Twitter, or even this blog.

Now, Facebook does have an elaborate way to set one’s profile settings to private.  If the intent is to use Facebook as a glorified email account, then fix them up accordingly.  Otherwise, it’s wiser to just take these precautions:

1. Regularly change login password.
2. Don’t overshare information.
3. Know your “friends”.  Don’t accept invites from strangers.
4. Don’t respond to anything you don’t know.
5. Have an accountability partner(s) who regularly checks online activities, and send a warning when something looks odd.

Facebook even said they’re coming up with a “simpler” privacy option.  Until that happens, stay safe while Facebooking!

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Facebook is Here to Stay

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Compared to the other developed countries, the US lags so far behind in bandwidth for affordable home broadband.  For the same $33, folks in Korea, Japan, and France will get more than 10 Mbps for sure, maybe even 100 Mbps!  Korea will offer Gigabit broadband by end of 2012.  That’s just mind boggling!

So who can help speed up the internet infrastructure here in America?  The government certainly is not helping with FCC’s latest “Broadband Plan“. The problem is the government’s lack of willingness to promote competition among providers.  For example, my house can’t get Verizon FIOS, and my other option is Time Warner Cable that suffers the same bandwidth limitations.

Enter: Google.

The name that represents the Internet is going to rescue select communities. By offering to install (or upgrade) high speed broadband fibers, they’re going to make those cities feel lucky.  Some folks call this a ballsy move. I call it Corporate America thinking ahead and giving back.  Considering most of Internet traffic is towards Google anyway, it’s a logical fit for most of us, the YouTube generation.

So I voted for my home city, Anaheim!   The competition is fierce.  I’m not sure if we can beat Topeka (now Google), Kansas!  Nevertheless. my fingers are crossed.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Hope for Google Fiber Coming to Anaheim

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3. Smartphone Woes

The constraints are mainly function and economics.  I need a phone that’s useful.  I need a cell provider that doesn’t charge an arm and a leg.

I narrowed down the choices for the smart phones:

1. Blackberry.
2. Motorola Droid.
3. iPhone.

The Blackberry is, by far, the most recommended by my family and friends.  They love the device because it’s reliable, fast, and does the job.  This Christmas, I had a chance to use my Dad’s Blackberry Javelin.  He wanted me to configure Wi-Fi and install the Facebook app.  I found the physical keyboard to be small and somewhat clumsy.  The user interface is not intuitive.  Installing the Facebook app required some device authentications, which I was confused about.  Then the user interface was just too primitive¹!

In November 2009, Motorola released the Droid.  It’s a Google Android 2.0 based device that promised rock-solid performance.  I was excited and checked it out at the Verizon Wireless store.  My first impression was under whelmed.  The screen looks pretty small.  The physical keyboard is small and not quite tactile.  The user interface is clumsy, navigating between screens are not intuitive.  There’s no multi-touch screen.  App wise, it’s obviously bare, but the Facebook app that I saw had no clear logout feature, which presents a problem while checking it out in a public place, such as in the Verizon’s store.

Then comes the iPhone.  As a big bonus, my Dad gave me an unlocked iPhone for Christmas!  I was overjoyed!  I’m already familiar with it while visiting the Apple Store several times for the past 3 years.  The user interface is, hands down, the best I’ve ever used.  Having multi-touch screen is intuitive.  The iPhone has the best touch screen.  And the applications… a lot of apps!  My best, absolute-must-have game is Bejeweled 2, and only the iPhone has it.

So now it comes down to the provider.  I’m currently on Verizon Wireless and their plans are expensive!  The additional monthly fees for the Droid or Blackberry adds up to $100 per month, for a single line²!  Verizon is the best voice+data network, perhaps it’s justifiable they charge more.  But they don’t carry the phone that I really want.

The iPhone is exclusive on AT&T.  Back in 1997, I was with AT&T (Cingular back then) for a good 4 years.  Their service was spotty, even though it’s in the Bay Area.  Because of the bad experience, I avoided AT&T for the longest time.  Now that I have the iPhone, I wanted to try using it as an Internet tablet and opt for the data plan only.   Unfortunately, AT&T and their limited vision, does not allow data-only plans for the iPhone³!  I’m completely baffled.

Then I tried T-Mobile and see if they’ll be ok for my unlocked iPhone.  The sales guy honestly told me that the iPhone runs on 1700 Mhz radio, which is not compatible with T-Mobile’s 3G network.  Instead, I had to be on their EDGE network and it’s significantly slower.  I wasn’t about to spend $40/month for an inferior service, so I abandoned going to T-Mobile.

So, what now?  I have a dilemma:

1. Do I go with the inferior AT&T network, just to get my iPhone to work?  AT&T recently did “promise” to upgrade their 3G network.  But reports from CES said their service is still inadequate under load.
2. Wait for a better Droid based phone on Verizon?  Nexus One is coming to Verizon, but already it has problems on the T-Mobile network.  Maybe I should just wait for Motorola Droid 2.0.
3. Wait for iPhone to be on Verizon?  Rumors run rampant on this prospect.

Something has to give.  Since I already have the iPhone, it looks like Verizon might lose my subscription, as soon as my contract is over in a few months.  Unless someone crazy enough to give me a Droid device as a gift, I can’t see myself staying with Verizon.

In the meantime, I’m using my iPhone as an expensive iPod Touch.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Smartphone Woes

1. The Blackberry user interface is ugly.
2. Even after Verizon’s 20% discount.
3. Calling customer service confirmed this.  AT&T doesn’t even mention it on their website.

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After much work, the first two nodes of what would become the ARPANET were interconnected between UCLA’s School of Engineering and Applied Science and SRI International (SRI) in Menlo Park, California, on October 29, 1969. The ARPANET was one of the “eve” networks of today’s Internet.

I wrote about my first experience of being “online” using the Internet.  Specifically, I was using it as a talk box to chat¹ with someone in Italy.  Then I used it for email and reading USENET articles.

It’s the most important medium for my daily life.  My professional life is about maintaining Internet websites, serving e-Commerce and informational contents.  I also maintain personal blogs to document my life.  The Internet is also part of my social life, via Facebook and Twitter.  Finally, it’s obviously the source of information with innovators like Google and Wikipedia.

However, who would’ve thought, after all of these years, the Internet has become a legitimate addiction?  I admit that I have a mild addiction.²

It’s hard to separate myself from the Internet because it’s intertwined with my daily life.  I now watch TV online via Hulu or Netflix.  I listen to music online via Pandora or Blip.fm.  I shop online via Amazon or Newegg.  I play video games online via Steam or Facebook.  I do my banking online to pay my bills, make investments, etc.  Heck, I sometimes go to church online!

Fortunately, I’m happy to say not everything is Internet based.  I still need to go to the supermarket, as my fridge still can’t call a local market to deliver groceries to me.  I still need to go out with family or friends to a local restaurant (although arranging the meeting is being done online).

If there is one thing I like to do via the Internet (that I’m unable to do right now) is going to the office for work.  Working from home is still underrated in my company.  Unfortunately, it’s a political issue, so I’m stuck having to commute 30 minutes each way to/from work – when I can just turn on my laptop and be at work in 2 minutes.  I don’t know when that will change.  I can only hope the next generation of CEOs and managers will see the benefit and practicality.

So it’s been an amazing 40 years for the Internet.  Here’s looking at another 40 years of good times online!

Photo Credit: extremeyarx

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

The Internet is 40 Years Old!

1. Remembering Unix Talk, the new Internet thing to enhance that immensely is Google Wave.  I still don’t have a beta invite, yet, but I’m looking forward to try it.
2. Is there such a thing as a “mild addiction”?

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• Broadband woes.  Still not cheap.  We suspected it was done on purpose, because they can just overcharge and we still pay for it.
• Kanye was a jackass.  Not very presidential for Obama, but still commendable since he finally told the truth.
• Financial companies sharing information to third party.  Are they sharing our financial numbers, or just our shopping habits?  Could be anything. Scary!  They make it difficult to opt-out, too!
• Next vacation.  I just visited The Getty Museum.  Maybe Palm Springs is next?

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Lunch Bits – Edition 35

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Singing in the Rain

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I read an article by Hal Niedzviecki when he invited his Facebook friends to a party and had only one person show up.  It’s a poignant look of having “online friends”.  How many of us actually have the nerve to invite our online friends to a party, where we can all meet face-to-face?  I have to expect the worse.

Then I read Catherine Smith’s post on The Change Blog about the dangers of virtual living.  She correctly points out that we still have a need to stay real, and not be fooled by the illusion of being able to build relationships online.  I can pretend that I’m content with my “cyber-friends”, but at the end of the day, that feeling of emptiness still lingers.

Having that face-to-face connection and a meaningful relationship, not just casual ones, are important.  It doesn’t matter how many Twitter followers I have.   It doesn’t matter how many LinkedIn connections I’ve made.  How many people invited me to their house lately?  How many people showed up for my birthday lunch?  How many people will offer help when there’s trouble in my life?  If the answer is “not many”, then I’m spending way too much time online.  I need to stay offline more, and make real friends.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Reminder to Foster “Offline” Friendships

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Google Usefulness

• Life Magazine photo archives on Google image search.  Searching through classic photographs within a speedy search engine is just awesome.
• Street View on Google Maps.  Imagine virtual tourism, without ever leaving my home or office.  Much cheaper too.  The exception: I can’t use it in some parts of Germany and Switzerland.  Scheissen¹ !
• Google RSS Reader.  I use this practically every day.   Fast and robust, as expected from a Google app.
• Gmail.   I was impressed with Google Mail since it first went beta.  I particularly love the spam filter – worked sensationally!  I even advertised my Google mail address in plain sight by posting regularly to Usenet.  It caught virtually all of the spam emails!  Now they’ve added Google Video Chat embedded in Google Mail, which I haven’t used yet.
• Google Cloud Computing.  The way Businessweek described it, made it impressive:
  

  The only search company built from the ground up around hardware.  Investing more than $2 billion a year in data centers.  Far and away the leader in cloud computing.

• Google Docs.  I love the idea of not having to rely on OpenOffice or Microsoft Office to do a quick document.  I love the idea of being able to share those documents online.
• Google Insights.  With virtually everyone using Google search engine, data mining trends using Google Insight can reveal some interesting results.   Vladimir Prelovac has some fun and insightful examples.
• Google Android.  It’s an exciting alternative to the Apple iPhone and the monolithic Nokia Symbian.  It’s even a contender to RIM Blackberry.  The list of applications is growing steadily.  Not bad for a new phone OS just released a month ago.
• Google Chrome.  Another alternative to the big three web browsers, except Google’s promises it will be faster and more robust.  It did find it perform much better on Ajax scripts, than Firefox and IE.  After the third beta release, it’s slowly getting there.
• Google Picasa.  Improving on every release, this is my best photo fixer and organizer.
• Google News Aggregator.  This is the ultimate tool for news junkie.  I don’t read/watch mainstream news regularly, so this site gives me a quick glance on what’s currently making headlines.

Google Uselessness

• Google Mail Themes.  Come on – plain white and blue background is just as good as brown and sunset.  The background is dynamic, yes,  that’s nifty.  But still useless.  I’ve seen this before with iGoogle anyway.
• Gmail as a cloud storage.  Due to network bandwidth limitations, this is not an ideal solution for storage.  It’s not a solution for Enterprise users either for privacy concerns.
• Google Docs.  I know, I did say I love it, but the privacy concern just makes it slightly useless.
• Google Android G1 on T-Mobile.  They made a poor choice with the network carrier for the introduction of the G1 phone.  T-Mobile’s service and coverage are terrible for my area.  Ever more bad news, my reliable cell phone carrier, Verizon Wireless, is reportedly going with Microsoft.   It’s too bad.  No Android in my future, yet.
• Google Talk.   It’s under utilized and under featured.  Yahoo Messenger has a big lead on instant messaging.  In my case, it’s only as useful as how many of my friends and family use it.  So far, they’re all using Yahoo IM.

This article was posted on Rudy Amid's Blog:

Ga-Ga over Google!

1. Pardon my German

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