PayPerPost V4

Boiled peanuts were the ceremonious gift

From 56K to DSL - Broadband and internet speed

My first internet connection came with a internal 56K dial-up modem. Back then I didn't use the internet as much as nowadays, because 56K is so slow, I can't hardly believe now, that it took half an hour to download a mp3-song ( I can't hardly believe, that it wasn't illegal to share music over kazaa!). In the 56k-days you didn't look things up just for fun, because you paid for dialing up and every minute was charged. I used the internet just for e-mailing and downloading Amiga-500-roms and I was online just every second day. My first flatrate contract was a bust, because it was a dial-up connection and the company sold too many flatrates, so almost every line was busy everytime and you couldn't hardly connect to web during day time.

My whole internet use changed overnight when my first DSL connection was set and ready. It was a 768k connection - a warp jump compared to the dial-up connection. So I got rid of the dial-up modem and put a network interface card into my computer. My computer was online 24/7 and I downloaded hugh chunks of files. I updated my DSL connection to a 6 MB connection 3 years ago and at first I was happy with the broadband, but Iater I wondered if I really got the full 6MB available. So I used a internet speed test like the one from http://www.broadbandexpert.com.au/. I found out that my provider couldn't provide the full 6MB at my house. So I changed the broadband company and I wish, there were more sites like http://www.broadbandexpert.com.au/ for easy comparison of DSL and Cable connection contracts.

Today it's not only about fast internet connections at home, nowadays you are able to connect to the web everywhere, everytime with almost the same internet speed like at home. For mobile broadband plans you can check http://www.broadbandexpert.com.au/ as well.

So If you are suspicious, that your provider couldn't provide the internet speed you paid for, check out: http://www.broadbandexpert.com.au/broadband/speedtest/

USB Gadget Of The Week: USBCell

What is the Universal Serial Bus all about?
1. connect a device to a computer
2. supply the device with power.

This week's USB gadget benefit from the power supply. The USBCell is a rechargeable battery and it can be recharged with our USB port.
We need batteries for all kinds of devices such as digital cameras or flashlights. If you have some sort of environmental consciousness, you use rechargeable batteries. Common batteries need a charge adaptor to get recharged, but USBCells doesn't. Just pop up the top and plug it in our USB port. It will take about 5 hours to fully charge a USBCell. USBCell.com offers a variety of batteries such as AA, AAA, 9V batteries and even cell phone batteries.

However I wonder: If you plug a USBCell into your computer at work, could you get sacked for stealing electricity?

Kerchoonz - When entertainment meets social networking!

Social networking sites spring up like mushrooms. There are the big ones like MySpace or Facebook and there are a lot of small social networks like Thoughts.com. But how can they all survive? Quite simple - by filling a niche and addressing the right users.-

And that's exactly what Kerchoonz does. It is the new place to be for musicians and music lovers - finally providing everything artists and fans could wish for.
What really makes it stand out in the crowd of networks is the possibility of not only listening to streams, but also downloading the music - legally and for free of course. This doesn't mean that the artists go away empty handed. They do not only get free promotion and an international platform to introduce themselves to new fans, they also get money if their music is downloaded. That's how everybody wins and I think that's just fantastic!
Here's an interview with the developer duo Indiana Gregg and Ian Morrow, and why they think that Kerchooze could solve the problem of music piracy:

For me the fun section is the great part - I got stuck there at my first visit for quite a while. I love those little flash games and Kerchooze offers a good variety of them. My favourite game so far is Cunning Stunt and you better watch out for Sparky - come on, try to beat my score! Of course Kerchoonz offers all the features you would expect from a good social network, too. Mail service, chat, instant messenger, inviting friends and starting polls.

So what are you waiting for? Stop reading and register at Kerchooze for free, broaden your musical horizon and ensure that your favourite artists get paid for their hard work!

And now excuse me please - I have to play another game of Cunning Stunt.