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Broadband - Our Survey Said

A recent survey - carried out by a popular broadband advice site - focused on what consumers may want from a next-generation broadband connection. The results showed that net users identified the ability to download high-quality films as quickly as possible as the service that they want most out of next-generation services.

Over 61% of those surveyed rated downloading DVD-quality films as the service that would be considered the most interesting when it came to next-generation broadband. Some 18% of users said they downloaded films, although it was the area of online activity that had the least time dedicated to it.

Of those questioned in the survey, a number of services that would be welcomed as a result of next-generation broadband were identified as a result, including:

• Downloading DVD-quality films in 5 minutes
• Downloading HDTV programmes on demand
• Video conferencing with friends and family using VoIP software
• Home surveillance via broadband
• High definition gaming services

The survey comes about at a time when the future in the UK is still very much under discussion, with a summit on the subject taking place recently to discuss the issues of getting the UK broadband up to speed with the rest of the world.

In countries like South Korea, around 90% of homes can get cheap connections between 50 and 100Mbps, with online gaming providing one of the biggest drives for such a service. It is unlikely that gaming could drive the UK broadband market, although the services identified in the survey could help drive the demand for faster connection.

Unusually, the applications that attracted the most interest in the idea of next-generation broadband were also identified as those that had the least online time spent on them. It is hoped that the demand for high-definition television and video will drive services in the UK market, helping to justify the need to upgrade existing networks and install new fibre networks - capable of delivering speeds of up to 100Mbps.

There is uncertainty, however, as to the cost of rolling out such a service, along with the issue of pricing - with 60% responding either 'no' or 'don't know' when asked about paying for such services.

Compare a range of broadband providers to find a cheap broadband deal that suits you.

posted by 2sdthk9trv26438 @ 11:36 PM 0 comments

Broadband - A Cure for Financial Isolation?

Broadband speeds differ a tremendous amount throughout the UK, but if you're "out in the country", it's a fair bet that the speeds you're experiencing are far from what you would like.

A study published by the Commission for Rural Communities (CRC) has revealed that a mere 4.3% of customers is rural areas get a download speed of over 4Mbps, compared to 30% of customers in towns and cities. The report also uncovered some other disappointing figures, with regards to rural access to ATM's, banks and Post Offices. As around a fifth of the UK's population live outside of towns an cities, its surprising that less than 10% of the UK's ATM's can be found in such location's.

According to the report, many rural residences have to travel just over a mile before they will reach a Post office, and around 2.5 miles for an ATM, bank or building society!

Even though broadband speeds are fairly disappointing for people "out in the sticks", it's not a matter that isn't being addressed. The findings of the report have urged the private sector to better cooperate and understand the needs of the rural residence. One example of this is plans put forward by the British Bankers' Association to make available more ATM's and so-called 'mobile banks' in rural areas over the coming years.

It's worth noting though, that currently 15.7 million Britons are making use of their banks online services. Therefore, even if your broadband connection is poor, there should be no reason you too can't benefit from such services.

Liam is a UK author, currently focusing on broadband. Compare cheap broadband online today.

posted by 2sdthk9trv26438 @ 10:52 PM 0 comments

Self-Directed Learning - Discover 7 Reasons Why Self-Directed Learning Will Bring You Freedom

If we value independence, if we are disturbed by the growing conformity of knowledge, of values, of attitudes, which our present system induces, then we may wish to set up conditions of learning which make for uniqueness, for self-direction, and for self-initiated learning. Carl Rogers

More and more people around the globe are starting to pursue an independent modality of education. The Internet has made it possible. Now that we are in the Information Age, a good education is literally at the tips of our fingers. Only 10 or 20 years ago concepts like e-learning, distance learning, self study and informal learning were unthinkable of.

Nevertheless, independent ways of learning are as old as humankind.

And they are by far the most effective.

Why?

Because self-directed learning brings freedom!

Here are 7 reasons why:

1.- Freedom to engage in an area of your own choice rather than following a curriculum designed by another. Each one of us has a distinctive, God-given blend of talents and gifts that need to be exploited individually.

2.- Freedom to pick your mentor and enjoy one-on-one attention from him or her. This is the way kings were educated! Throughout history the tutorial education method has forged great men and women.

3.- Freedom to design your own schedule. Imagine yourself getting up in the morning. No running, no stress. You can sit in front of your computer in your pyjamas, sipping a cup of coffee while you study out your favorite subject!

4.- Freedom to delve into the subject of your choice with passion and joy. There are no limits as to what you can learn once you are enraptured with your own learning process. Education will never be boring again.

5.- Freedom to gain a level of excellence. After a season of studying and developing your skills and talents, you will be an expert and people will come to you for help.

6.- Freedom to pursue God's plan for your life. Have you ever wondered if that dream that comes to your mind every now and then, is really from God? Maybe it is time to seriously pursue it!

7.- Eventually self-directed learning will lead you to financial freedom. Your passion can become your career!

I'd like to invite you to go for it! Visit http://www.Self-DirectedLearningForSuccess.com for tips and tools for creating and growing in your own learning process. Learn how to teach yourself in my FREE e-book: "The Power of Self-Directed Learning", and my FREE e-course: "Seven Steps to Consistently Change Your Life."

From Bettina Langerfeldt, who teaches people how to pursue their God-given gifts and talents by designing their own education with self-directed learning.

2008 Freedompioneer

posted by 2sdthk9trv26438 @ 10:20 PM 0 comments

How to Secure a Wireless Network

I use both a wired and wireless network at home. I am fortunate enough to have an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that provides up to three IP addresses. I connected a switch to my modem, and two routers (one wired, and the other wireless) to the switch. Each router has a separate IP address from my ISP. My desktop is connected to the wired router, while two laptops connect to the wireless one. I can connect either laptop to the wired router with a network cable if I choose to as well.

The biggest issue I wanted to address when setting up the wireless network is that of security. I have always been skeptical of wireless security, but since I have purchased a laptop, I decided to give wireless networking a try.

There is a lot of discussion on how to secure a wireless connection, some good, some bad, and some useless. This post will not go into detail about how to change the router settings to make it secure, but it will discuss what needs to be changed.

Administrative Credentials - Important
This is important whether you have a wireless or wired network. Ensure that all APs (access points) have a good strong password associated with the administrative account. If someone can get into your router because of a weak password, then your network can be compromised. You may also want to change the administrative ID as well.

Enable WPA Encryption - Important
This is probably the most important security measure to take when securing your wireless network. The previous standard called Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) was easy to crack within about 30 seconds.

The new Wi-fi Protected Access (WPA) is more secure and should be enabled. You must also choose a passphrase that will be needed for each computer to connect to your router. Choose a passphase that is long, hard to guess, but easy to remember. Write it down somewhere so you don't forget it. For assistance on creating a strong passphrase, please read my post on creating secure passwords. Follow the advice, but just make the passphrase longer.

Reducing the IP Addresses - Important
Routers allow you to limit the number of IP addresses they assign. If you have one computer, have the router assign only one IP address. If you have three computers, then the router should assign three IP addresses. This won't prevent someone from getting into your network, but if all computers are connected, then the router won't assign any more IP addresses to another computer.

Turning Off Router - Important
If you are going to be away for awhile, such as on vacation, simply turn off the router. If the router is off, then no one will be able to connect to it while you're away. You won't lose your router settings, and simply turn it back on when you return.

Turn off SSID Broadcast - Not Important
This is a debatable option with regards to a wireless connection. Many people would argue that not broadcasting your SSID will help with security. My opinion is that it won't really provide security. Those who you are trying to gain access to your wireless network can easily determine your SSID, whether it is broadcast or not. I have also had problems with connecting to a wireless network when the SSID is not broadcasted, so I leave my setting on broadcast.

Using MAC Filtering - Not Important
Similar to broadcasting the router's SSID, this is also a debatable point. An IP address is specific to a computer, a MAC address is specific to a network adapter within that computer. Enabling MAC filtering on your router only allows specific network adapters to connect to the router. While this may seem like a good idea, it can be a headache to manage the MAC addresses for all the computers that will be connecting to the wireless router. A knowledgeable person will also be able to "spoof" (imitate) a MAC address so it doesn't guarantee security.

Summary
There are many settings that can be changed in your wireless router to make your network secure. This article has listed many of them, and you can make use of all of them or only some. The following, however, should be done to make your connection secure:

• Changing the administrative password and ID.
• Enabling WPA encryption.
• Reduce the number of IP addresses.

Paul Salmon has been involved with computers for 20 years and currently works as a Senior Technical Systems Analyst. He has been involved in many aspects of computers including hardware, software development and quality assurance. He currently mantains Technically Easy, a blog that provides information about various technologies in use today.

posted by 2sdthk9trv26438 @ 7:59 AM 0 comments

Broadband Internet Plans - The Fast Access With Lucrative Prices

Internet has offered immense convenience to people, with the advancement in technology, internet has touched each and every strand of our lives. We connect, communicate, shop, work and entertain with the help of the internet. We need connectivity every hour of the day to carry out our official work, chat with our friends, and shop online. No one can imagine handling business without the internet; no corporate house can exist in this high tech world without the internet.

This is our prime source of every kind of information in he easiest way. With blogging, online communities, online shopping everything seems to be overtaken by the world of web. From personal to professional internet serves every need of ours. With so much influence of the internet in our lives we need to stay connected all the time. Internet has become an essential part of our lives and we need to be online 24 hours a day, seven days of the week for uninterrupted work. Due to such extensive use of it we need connections which are reliable and fast.

Broadband internet plans are the smart alternative to the conventional dial up access in which the data transfer is not very fast. The broadband is a reliable and dedicated high speed internet connection which offers higher data transmission rate. It gives us ease to download large files like videos, photographs and other bulky data with a faster speed. The broadband connection is definitely more efficient; however, we need to select the correct plan as a lot of service providers offer broadband services. The plans come with a variety of offers like free surfing hours, low rates, free downloads etc. The plans can be selected as per one's convenience and requirements. A variety of internet service provider companies are present which facilitate fast speed internet. So avail the best plan and start surfing the world of web.

Alice Erin is an Expert Author. He has written good quality articles on Cheap International Calls Have a look at VOIP Phones

Cheap Broadband Deals

posted by 2sdthk9trv26438 @ 5:58 AM 0 comments

Self-Directed Learning - Discover 7 Reasons Why Self-Directed Learning Will Bring You Freedom

If we value independence, if we are disturbed by the growing conformity of knowledge, of values, of attitudes, which our present system induces, then we may wish to set up conditions of learning which make for uniqueness, for self-direction, and for self-initiated learning. Carl Rogers

More and more people around the globe are starting to pursue an independent modality of education. The Internet has made it possible. Now that we are in the Information Age, a good education is literally at the tips of our fingers. Only 10 or 20 years ago concepts like e-learning, distance learning, self study and informal learning were unthinkable of.

Nevertheless, independent ways of learning are as old as humankind.

And they are by far the most effective.

Why?

Because self-directed learning brings freedom!

Here are 7 reasons why:

1.- Freedom to engage in an area of your own choice rather than following a curriculum designed by another. Each one of us has a distinctive, God-given blend of talents and gifts that need to be exploited individually.

2.- Freedom to pick your mentor and enjoy one-on-one attention from him or her. This is the way kings were educated! Throughout history the tutorial education method has forged great men and women.

3.- Freedom to design your own schedule. Imagine yourself getting up in the morning. No running, no stress. You can sit in front of your computer in your pyjamas, sipping a cup of coffee while you study out your favorite subject!

4.- Freedom to delve into the subject of your choice with passion and joy. There are no limits as to what you can learn once you are enraptured with your own learning process. Education will never be boring again.

5.- Freedom to gain a level of excellence. After a season of studying and developing your skills and talents, you will be an expert and people will come to you for help.

6.- Freedom to pursue God's plan for your life. Have you ever wondered if that dream that comes to your mind every now and then, is really from God? Maybe it is time to seriously pursue it!

7.- Eventually self-directed learning will lead you to financial freedom. Your passion can become your career!

I'd like to invite you to go for it! Visit http://www.Self-DirectedLearningForSuccess.com for tips and tools for creating and growing in your own learning process. Learn how to teach yourself in my FREE e-book: "The Power of Self-Directed Learning", and my FREE e-course: "Seven Steps to Consistently Change Your Life."

From Bettina Langerfeldt, who teaches people how to pursue their God-given gifts and talents by designing their own education with self-directed learning.

2008 Freedompioneer

posted by 2sdthk9trv26438 @ 1:53 AM 0 comments