Three most-common reasons:
- Slow Internet connection
- Computer is dragging a mob of little hitchhikers, all phoning home
Incredibly, there seem to be a number of business men and women trying to get through their day using a dial-up connection. Often these are professionals who don't realize that a $1 more per day for a broadband connection can save them tons of time. Doing a simple Return On Investment (ROI) and assuming the Oregon minimum wage, spending a dollar is a no-brainer.
The second, often overlooked, reason is caused by uninvited guests living in your computer. Like barnacles on a boat, they need to be scraped off if you want to catch the wind and keep up.
At a minimum, get a copy of a utility such as Ad-Aware. It's free and does a good job cleaning house. Run it every week or two.
Another one is Spybot Search & Destroy, also free. Run it too.
And if you really want to get the rust out, get jv16 PowerTools (30-day free trial, but well worth the $30 to purchase). It has saved me tons of time.
Oh, and reason #3.
Web content is getting richer. In 2002, the average web page was a lean 20K. Even a modem connection would load the page in 4 seconds. Now the average web page is about 100K (got 20 seconds to spare?). With Flash and video and FrontPage creating obese content, a faster Internet connection is the quick fix.
After the novelty wears off, hopefully the professional website designers will use lighter and more responsive tools such as AJAX to create useful content. Until then, it's pretty easy to increase your Internet bandwidth and get rid of the computer hitchhikers and barnacles.
Technorati Tags: Ad-Aware, A-Squared, jv16
Del.icio.us Tags: Ad-Aware, A-Squared, jv16
September 20th, 2006 by Day Tooley
Posted in Most Popular, Websites, Security, General, Internet Access | 2 Comments »
Senator Ron Wyden has placed a hold on major telecommunications legislation recently approved by the Senate Commerce Committee until clear language is included in the legislation that prevents discrimination in Internet access.
The senate legislation, as currently written, does not provide an effective policy on net neutrality. Instead, the legislation opens the Internet up to large telecommunications companies and cable providers to charge consumers and small businesses new and discriminatory fees on top of those they already charge for Internet access.
| Who are the powerful players lining up on both sides of this issue?
|
| In Favor of Net Neutrality |
Opposed to Net Neutrality |
Middle Ground |
Large, Internet-based companies:
Amazon.com
eBay
Google
Microsoft |
Large, broadband providers:
AT&T
BellSouth
Comcast
Verizon |
The Center for Democracy
Has proposed rules that would allow a separate tier of service for products such as television over IP, while treating all public Internet content equally.
Information Technology and Innovation Foundation
Would allow broadband providers to offer exclusive, high-speed services, but it would also guarantee a level of broadband service without paying new fees.
|
Consumer/civil liberties groups:
American Civil Liberties Union
Consumers Union
Free Press
Public Knowledge |
Network equipment providers:
Alcatel
Cisco
Corning
Qualcomm
3M |
Special-interest groups:
American Library Association
Christian Coalition of America
Computer Professionals for Social Responsibility
Gun Owners of America
MoveOn.org
TechNet |
Special-interest groups:
American Conservative Union
Citizens Against Government Waste
National Association of Manufacturers
National Black Chamber of Commerce
National Coalition on Black Civic Participation |
Internet pioneers:
Vinton Cerf
Tim Berners-Lee
Lawrence Lessig
Craig Newmark
EasyStreet |
Free-market think tanks:
Center for Individual Freedom
Competitive Enterprise Institute
Progress and Freedom Foundation |
Have you made yourself heard on this issue? This is the time to weigh in with your US Senator and ensure that the Internet remains accessible to all, including small businesses who are the main employers and drivers of a robust economy.
Contact your US Senator:
Oregon:
Gorden H. Smith
Ron Wyden
Washington:
Maria Cantwell
Patty Murray
Other states:
Technorati Tags: net neutrality
July 10th, 2006 by Day Tooley
Posted in Net Neutrality, General, Internet Access | Enter a comment »
Yesterday, it appears that the combined purchasing power of the few outspent the interests of the many. House Resolution H.R. 5252 passed without the Net Neutrality amendment. Read quick summary at Rich Bader's blog.
Want to know how your Oregon and Washington representatives represented you?
Here's the amendment vote: (165 yes, 256 no: 39% correct)
Yes: Blumenauer, DeFazio, Hooley, Wu, Baird, Dicks, McDermott (Thank you)
No: Walden, Hastings, Inslee, Larsen, McMorris, Reichert, Smith
And the final vote after the amendment failed: (321 yes, 101 no: 24% correct)
No: Blumenauer, DeFazio, Wu, Baird, Larsen, McDermott (Thank you)
Yes: Hooley, Walden, Dicks, Hastings, Inslee, McMorris, Reichert, Smith
Now it's on to the Senate. Lots of $$$ being spread around here.
Technorati Tags: Net Neutrality, AT&T, Verizon, Google, Yahoo, Amazon
June 9th, 2006 by Day Tooley
Posted in Net Neutrality, Internet Access | Enter a comment »
Small business thrives by being nimble, innovative and in touch with their customers. The Internet has leveled the business playing field with its democratic structure and access. We can more fairly compete with the big boys now.
Imagine what the Internet would be like if it were run as a government agency. Devious young hackers are no match for the damage that politics and big money can do. At a dollar per vote, lobbyists are trying to purchase the Internet for their big clients such as AT&T, Verizon and Comcast.
Where can you start?
- Get informed. EasyStreet President/CEO Rich Bader provides ongoing background and perspective at his Bader's Bits blog.
- Contact your congressmen. Senator Ron Wyden understands this issue and deserves your support.
- Write all your congressmen. You can do that here with just a minute or two of your time.
- Like any other business asset, you need to put some money on the line for maintenance. One place to start is http://www.savetheinternet.com.
- Finally, talk about this issue with your business partners and customers.
It's important.
Technorati Tags: Net Neutrality, Monopoly
May 2nd, 2006 by Day Tooley
Posted in Net Neutrality, @ EasyStreet, General, Internet Access | 2 Comments »
As an employee, I now have an array of common technology that enables me to do what I do from where I am without having to go to the office. Here's the list:
- Telephone (Land-line or Cell. I've got both.)
- Computer (Mine is a desktop. A laptop would be even more useful.)
- Broadband Internet connection
Pretty short list and mostly paid for by me. I supply the desk, light, heat, snacks and other home office components in a space that I formerly called my den. Sitting at home, I can respond to email, call customers or colleagues on the phone, receive incoming business calls (automatically forwarded to my phone), listen to voicemail, and operate my office computer from my home computer. In fact, I am doing that now. From my perspective, I am bringing my office to me. From my employers perspective, I am at the office doing my job. Telecommuting 2 days per week reduces my gasoline costs by 40% and returns wasted commuting time to precious family time. I can do my job even when my child is ill and home from school. Or a nasty snow or ice storm makes travel impossible. Or after dinner when there can be uninterrupted time to do that project or report. What benefits to your company might be possible with some telecommuting? Here are four:
- Competitiveness A primary goal for many companies has been to enable employees to be closer to customers or clients. For this goal, employees must be mobile, and they need to be equipped with the technology to work from the anytime, anywhere office. In this way, they can have access to the company’s network and data base as they work with their customer at the customer’s location, or at any other location such as a hotel room, an airport, or at home.
- Productivity Closely related to the above is the goal of enabling increased productivity. Time gained through eliminating or reducing the time spent commuting or making extra trips to the office evenings or weekends can be used for productive work. Telecommuters also find that their productivity is enhanced when they can work in an environment free of office interruptions and distractions.
- Recruitment and Retention Utilizing remote work can also be a strategy for recruiting and retaining the best talent, particularly in industries or geographic areas where obtaining talent is extremely competitive.
- Cost Avoidance Telecommuting can also be used as a strategic way of avoiding costs that would be incurred otherwise. A fast-growing company may find itself outgrowing its offices but for business reasons may be reluctant to build or lease more space.
Yes, there are employment agreements, HR considerations, worker's compensation and general trust issues. But you likely have opportunity within your company to benefit from having some employees on the telecommuting road.
December 30th, 2005 by Day Tooley
Posted in Networking, General, Internet Access | 2 Comments »
