The Palm Bakery: I baked, he shot, I post

Some help here.

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Taken from:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wilzworkz/sets/72157619311991014/

Some After Thought Tests...

Right now since I am hooked back to my original set up, which is a WRT54G Linksys router using UTP cable to link both my desktop and CSU/DSU, I decided to go to speedtest.net to run 3 more instances of the same test

Time: 1.55am

Here goes:

Local
Download 19.46/23.38/27.53
Upload 0.76/0.59/0.62
Ping 26/24/27

Overseas
Download 4.47/3.97/3.43
Upload 0.59/0.59/0.58
Ping 209/208/208

Seems like with the router is not that much slower either.

Now I also tried Speedeasy (http://www.speakeasy.net/speedtest/) and selected San Francisco server (to be consistent with Speedtest.net test)

Download 5.24/5.31/4.196
Upload .576/.575/.557

Looks like pretty consistent to me so the speedtest.net is ok. My 12Mbps CSU/DSU is giving me 22 Mbps for local servers...wow!

Just made me wonder aloud. Did the Starhub technical team allowed max bandwidth to overseas server? If they do give as much access to the 12 Mbps service, then the new service in speed has a lot to prove.

Surprising Results from my Broadband Test

Here are my results done from 1230hrs to 0115 hrs SG-time.

Using Mozilla browser, I have visited the following websites like STOMP, CNA and Razor.tv and accessing the same clips within the same time frame. And to make it slightly more scientific, I have accessed speedtest.net to run 3 instances of the same test to make sure I have a good spread of readings.

Yes I did plan to do a peak versus non-peak hour comparison but what stopped me was that of the 2 services, i.e. the premium and the 'New Super Fast' service, I would guess that premium would have more customers than ultimate. So to make things 'fair-er', I decided on the sleeping hours of 12 to 1am where the line is much clearer for both services.

To make it as fair as possible, I reset the CSU/DSU and also disable my internet connection every time I hooked up to the CSU/DSU to ensure connections is 'fresh'. Not that it will matter lots, but at least all started from the same condition.

As expected, the video downloads from the local websites are pretty fast with fast downloading of web pages and most importantly the videos. I did try to see how much quicker but in the end, it is just a matter of seconds. Practically speaking, it is a short wait and the differences between the two is really negligible.

Since I can't differentiate the two in terms of the timing, then speedtest.net would be a good indicator of connection speed.

As mentioned before, there will be 3 instances of the same test but will be done on a local server from New Media and a San Francisco server hosted by Unwired.

Here are the results

The Super Fast Service (1st Test/2nd Test/3rd Test)

Local Server (New Media)
Download - 20.59/21.26/20.87 Mbps Avg: 20.9 Mbps
Ping - 32/29/31 ms Avg: 30.6
Upload - 0.73/0.72/0.70 Mbps Avg: 0.71

Overseas Server (Unwired)
Download - 1.22/1.75/1.03 Mbps Avg: 1.3
Ping - 238/233/237 ms Avg: 236
Upload - 0.52/0.52/0.53 Mbps Avg: 0.52

Ultimate Service (aka 12 Mbps service)

Local Server
Download - 23.35/23.4/20.34 Mbps Avg: 22.3
Ping - 28/25/26 ms Avg: 26.3
Upload - 1.10/1.10/1.10 Mbps Avg: 1.10

Overseas Server
Download - 3.74/2.82/2.79 Avg: 3.11
Ping - 204/206/205 Avg: 205
Upload - 0.61/0.62/0.61 Avg: 0.61

Conclusion:

a) Local content - given that the user experience is pretty fast for both services, there is really nothing to differentiate them. Perhaps the server allowing access to the content is being curtailed to a point that it is quite uniform between the two

b) Overseas content - given that most users would travel overseas for their content such as Facebook, this test is pretty significant. But what is the issue with Internet infrastructure is that all the data packets do travel around the world in different routes,through different routers and connections. So any comparison in timing is 'unfair' in the strictest of senses. However speedtest.net somehow give an acceptable results to make a fairly good decision.

So what happened here is that local content is pretty straightforward as it is fast and usable. What surprises me is that my 12Mbps service with an older CSU/DSU is able to show results of average 22.3 Mbps data throughput rate from a local server. That is nearly twice what the older CSU/DSU is capable of! It is really weird. Has my hardware upgraded itself? Or is the test site gone berserk?

My 12 Mbps service has consistently beaten the 'Faster' service for both local and overseas server and even the download speed from overseas server is 3 times faster.

Now I really have to question what in the world is going on? I may have enjoyed a faster speed than what was advertised (great!) but are the people paying higher speed packages really getting their monies' worth?

Judging by the throughput rate of the local server, I would harbour the guess that in the effort to outdo competitors by increasing the download speed, the connection speed is way way above what the servers can 'serve' out. So any increase in speed is really not necessary unless the server that one is accessing can support the speed nearer to the services one has subscribed to. Otherwise it is really not maximising the online time (sorry for the pun)

Ok, let's just say speedtest.net is 'spoiled' and using my nonscientific method of measuring video downloads, the difference is really minute. So I would take any of these 2 services for local content. What's left is to choose the cheaper of the 2.

Rright now I guess I just stick with my old CSU/DSU.

The High Speed Internet Bandwagon

So I have received the highspeed CSU/DSU (the equivalent of Modem, or modulator/demodulator, for the cable connection from starhub. It really harks back the time when I have experienced the Docsis 1.0 CSU/DSU from SCV (now Starhub) for the trial. The quantum leap from 55k Modem to Cable is really mind blowing (when square floppy disc was in the rage then, you can imagine how young I am). So would the jump from an 'ok' speed to 'high' speed be that significant?

Was thinking how to plan the test as I have an internet connection being shared amongst the family members wirelessly without them being inconvenienced but still have a good test.

So the test period for 2 weekends is actually not that helpful for one who is working full time since the only time where most people are not at home is during the working hours.

The wireless router is another issue. WRT54G is rated at 54mbps at the best data throughput rate. Wireless being wireless, there will be issues with regards to transmission strength with our thick HDB walls and doors being the usual suspects halting the connection from laptop to router.

Router as it is known is a smart switch. But no matter how smart it is, it has to route and that will include some latency time, no matter how small or fast it is.

Hence wireless out, router out and direct connection is in. But would the splitter affect the test as well? Gosh. there are just many unknowns and I do not want to lay wires throughout the house.

Therefore I opt for this test sequence instead.

Using my netbook as the standard machine to access the internet, I would make a direct connection with the same UTP cable from Netbook to the 2 CSU/DSU(C/D) but these two C/D will share the same connection using a splitter. To make sure full access to the co-ax is enabled, the untested C/D will be switched off.

The timing would be fixed also: 10am-11am (non peak period) and 10pm-11pm (peak period)

The tests will be in the done side by side, each time switching on/off the UTP connection on the netbook itself.

When connection is switched on, the following will be done.

a) Local video streaming sites from CNA, Asiaone, STOMP, razor.tv, OMY. Will time each download by pressing play and see when the download bar has become full.
b) Do a speedtest via www.speedtest.net to both local and international test servers.
c) Play my game, COD instead of Maplestory using my desktop. The reason is that Maplestory is not 3D intensive and although it is Massive Multiplayer Online game, the throughput rate is more significant for full 3D game effect in a multiplayer setting where connection speed lies between being killed or being alive.

Check in when the test is completed by the end of this weekend.

Untangle My Life....Simple...Bluetooth

Got some videos from Ripplevox and to be honest I am not ready to see some of the videos. Some are really lame, one is extreme disgusting and 2 that are really out of this world. If you are scared of mice, better not watch it.


Version Animals



This I got to say, really would get those people from SPCA that jitters and I am not really keen to see the cat doing what it is doing...although it is a trick of the eye...it is just plain disgusting. The mice version is better.

National Treasure 2: Book of Secrets

We are briefed!

I don't think I am cut out for this!

Joanna: Doing her Interview Thingie

Carry the torch! (By the way did not see Nicky carrying this torch at all!)

After growing up watching Indiana Jones, and viewing countless adventure/treasure hunting movie such as Lara Croft in Tomb Raider and Davinci Code...one thing is for sure, I miss Indy A LOT. I guess Mr Ford in his old creaky body should not reprise the role of the swash buckling role and should leave it to the younger generation.

That's where Nicky Cage comes in...slightly younger and a hairdo in the movie that is close to disastrous. Not exactly a hair style that one would sport if you are an adventurer. As you can see I am practically distracted by Nick's Character Mr B. J. Cage just because of his hair style.

But at least I can say that the whole movie is just one hell of a ride: car chase, problem solving, breaking in and squeezing through holes full of cobwebs...and of course solving the mandatory ancient traps that surrounds the treasure. It is so fast, you would never try to understand how one clue leads to another. And (spoiler alert) the whole movie has actually TWO book of secrets, one that has a clue and the other (named after this show) is held by the President.

Now this book of secrets, people would love to have it because for me, I would really want to know how many babes did Mr JFK really have other than Marilyn Monroe. Of course it would be nice to know who really killed him. As the show has gone forth, the characters really do not have much time to look through the book.

Anyway, like I said if you are looking for some thinking, guessing and solving movie like thrillers then this is one movie you should not have to watch. It is basically action all the way, not much brain juice is needed. Even if one do use the brain to trace the clues to the final solution, it just does not make sense at all!

So how is this movie? I guess the first movie is much better because it is up against Davinci Code and so the clue solving is much more 'intelligent'. As for the 2nd version, Nicky just act as though he is thinking really hard, which of course he isn't and it shows. The whole show is entertaining but not to the point that will prompt me to say that it is a must watch.

But the show stealer has to be Helen Mirren because she does a really good job in captivating me as an audience when she has to do a verbal sparring with Nicky's dad, helmed by Jon Voight (aka Jolie's dad...the lips cannot be mistaken). There's another good actor in Ed Harris who acted as the bad guy who acted good so that he can be bad...come again?

To sum it all up my wife says the darnest thing, "I don't understand the whole movie".

Gosh..when will the next Indy Movie be up?

Other than the show, there's this thing about doing some interview for MTV Asia and we have a blast doing it (although I did not do it, I have fun taking pictures of the interview). We did a review for MTV as well! Fun Fun Fun....

Samsung T10: Review Post 2

Although the post supposed to be on the T10, the main character here is the Samsung's Bluetooth headset SBH 500, an accessory for the T10.

Nothing out of the ordinary though and out of the box the headset is extremely comfortable but those who wear spectacles have to take it out first, put on the headset and then replace the spectacles. The SBH 500 out of the box.

Initial impressions of the Bluetooth headset is quite good. Pairing it off with my Nokia 6300, Dopod HTC U1000 and the Samsung T10 (more on that in the later posts) did not encounter any problems.

Sound wise, the SBH500 perform well with good base, mid and treble response. Calls made through it was clear and audible to the recipients despite being in a noisy and busy place.

What endears me to it was that it is not flashy (pun intended). I do have a Jabra BT headset as well but it likes to 'shout' its presence because it flashes a ring of blue light whenever it is on. Although I did not do the flashing, people kept staring at me thinking that I am wearing something that is obviously too 'bling bling' for me.

I also do appreciate the simple 'on-off' button that is absent from most BT receivers.

Still there are 2 things I do not really like. I would very much appreciate that the play and phone buttons to be separated as it took me time to find the play button and accidentally click the phone button instead. The other thing I do not really like is the lack of a USB charger and bringing this headset for trips would mean an extra charger in my bag.

All in, the SBH 500 is still a very practical and user friendly headset.