Wireless Network Cards

Network cards are the backbone of any network. The Network interface card or the network card is a hardware device that allows a computer to be connected to a network, and through the network to other computers and devices. It is installed in one of the free peripheral connect interface (PCI) slots of a computer and includes a port in which the networking cable is inserted. There are different NICs for different networks even if the computer is the same. For example, if a computer is to be connected to an Ethernet LAN, it must be equipped with an Ethernet network card and if it is to be connected to a wireless LAN, a wireless network card needs to be installed.

Wireless network cards allow you to do away with traditional networking through cables. These are gaining popularity as Wi-Fi hotspots are mushrooming all over the world. Most new laptop computers are now available with pre-installed wireless network cards that are an integral part of the hardware. Wireless network cards that fit into the PCMCIA slots are available for older laptops and similar cards are also available for regular desktop computers.

A wireless network card can communicate only with a wireless router or a wireless access point. It is important that the wireless network card or adapter should work at the same speed and with the same coverage as the wireless router. In addition to the communication software that is embedded in the network interface card?s (NIC?s) ROM, the computer also requires networking software to be installed for the network to be functional. Both the software and the NIC have to adhere to the communication protocols of the network to which the computer is to be connected.

Wireless network cards have increased the mobility by allowing people to work from any location which is Wi-Fi enabled and have also helped in doing away with the hassles associated with installation of traditional wired networks.

Wireless Networks provides detailed information on Wireless Networks, Home Wireless Networks, Configuring Wireless Networks, Wireless Network Cards and more. Wireless Networks is affiliated with Wireless Internet Services.

What Is VSAT Broadband?

VSAT broadband is similar to cable and DSL services for your computer. It is Internet service through a satellite dish that is placed on your home or business. It is another option for a high-speed Internet connection that is considered to be one of the best technologies available today.

One of the greatest advantages of VSAT broadband is that you do not need any special software, hardware or networks to use it. It works with nearly any email provider and uses a satellite dish that is like the ones used for satellite TV. A person or business can use what they have and not have to digest and learn a lot of new information before being able to use their computer.

Many people are curious about weather issues with a satellite Internet connection. Although the weather can impact your satellite TV use, this does not happen with VSAT technologies. The dish is larger, which makes weather problems almost nonexistent. The only requirement for this dish is being able to place it so that it faces the southern sky to access the satellite. The satellite coverage of the planet is also quite extensive, so that you can have the high-speed access you desire almost everywhere.

There are many other advantages to using this type of Internet connection. It is very easy to use, the connections are extremely fast, and the service is flexible and always reliable. For both companies and individuals, this is very important. You can connect to the Internet anywhere, at any time. This includes customer service, as well. It does not matter what time you have a question, there is someone available to answer it. The possibilities with this technology are endless.

VSAT broadband offers top of the line VPN encryption for the security of your personal information and data. They also offer full services for things like web hosting, net meeting, etc.

This type of Internet connection is also great for areas that are rural or are perhaps underserved by reliable Internet Service Providers. In areas like this, new Internet service capabilities are often not cost-effective. Many of these areas cannot afford to have Internet service that does not have outages. Internet services in these types of areas can also be expensive and the ISPs do not often have the latest technology to offer to their subscribers. Dial-up service is the norm in rural areas or small towns. VSAT broadband is a way to have the latest technology without having to go through a local ISP.

For companies, VSAT broadband offers a single vendor for all of their services. The convenience of this service is a great time saver for both small and large businesses. This makes paying bills easier, sending emails a quicker process, and allows for easy understanding among employees.

The cost of VSAT broadband service is comparable to other types of service. It takes only 14 days to get the service, and the installation of the dish can be done in about 3-6 hours. VSAT broadband is definitely a wave of the future.

Bob Hett offers simple and concise information for the sometimes confusing world of Internet service. Get the answers to all of your questions at http://www.dslinternetcenter.info

Broadband Internet Providers

Broadband service providers have never had it better. More people are awakening to this technological revolution that allows high-speed connectivity and unlimited access to the Internet. To cater to the increasing demands of the subscribers there has been a mush- rooming of broadband service providers. The service providers market is at its competitive best. Most offer various promotional schemes and free trial sessions to motivate subscribers to use their service. Service providers like Comcast provide a free two-week trial along with free security protection and virus protection.

While looking for the right kind of service provider it is important to investigate the market properly. This will ensure that you are getting the service you require at a reasonable price. The prices of various local service providers should be compared, and the benefits they offer, their dependability, and their track record and reputation, especially in relation to service, has to be thoroughly checked. The geographical location of the individual subscriber (urban or rural), kind of use the Internet connection is to be put to (large business, office or home use), and the kind of connection desired (cable, DSL, etc.) are also vital components to consider while choosing a service provider. Online information about service providers is also available easily.

Broadbandinfo.com provides information about Internet service providers located throughout the United States. One can also look into online broker services, and websites where free information is available in this regard. Another very viable option is free Internet access. Most service providers do not divulge information regarding this option.

Broadband Internet provides detailed information on Broadband Internet, Broadband Internet Access, Broadband Satellite Internet, Broadband Internet Providers and more. Broadband Internet is affiliated with Broadband Speeds.

Tips On How To Choose A Satellite Internet Service Provider

Satellite internet access is one of the ways that you can have a broadband internet connection that will allow you to surf the web at high speeds. But not only that, it's also the only broadband internet connection that is able to be portable and taken where ever you want within the northern hemisphere.

This is because, unlike cable and DSL. internet connections, satellite internet access is not dependent on physical lines or cables in order to transmit the data. Instead, the internet data is transferred to a network of satellites orbiting high above the earth in our atmosphere where it is then redirected back down to earth and received by those who have the equipment necessary to decode it and display it on their computer. So as long as you have an unobstructed view of the southern sky anywhere within the Northern Hemisphere, you most likely will be able to receive satellite internet services.

But how do you decide on which internet service provider to use? Here are a few guidelines to help you make your decision:

1. One of the first considerations is what equipment is provided by the company when you sign up, and what equipment will you have to purchase on your own? This can be an important consideration, as some satellite internet service providers can charge a significant amount for the initial equipment needed to get started.

2. Another important consideration is how fast and reliable their internet service is. It would be a good idea to find out not only how fast the download speeds are, but also how fast you can upload data to the internet, especially if you tend to work with large files. Also be sure to check on their reliability percentage record to get an idea of how consistent you can expect their service to be.

3. It would be good to find out whether or not you can connect more than one computer at a time to their service, and if so how were those connections made? For instance, will it require you to set up a wireless network in order to connect multiple computers to the same terminal?

4. Before you sign a contract be sure that you understand how long the contract will be in force, and if there are any penalties that you will have to pay for canceling their service before the contract expires.

5. Also don't forget to ask about technical support. How often it is available? For instance, is it available 24 hours a day, or only during certain hours of the day? And what kind of support is it? Is provided in person over the telephone, or just online?

Getting high speed internet access by means of a satellite internet service provider is not all that difficult, and if you follow the suggestions and tips provided above, it should help you select the provider that will best fit your needs.

Steadman Issenburg writes on many consumer related topics including communication. You can find satellite internet service providers and satellite dish internet access and more by visiting our communication website.

A super-exciting announcement ... Press Release Submitter for Downbroad members

Hey ATV Tires,

We manage to get a deal with the producers of Press Release Submitter, the software which lets you manage and submit your press releases. For a software company like you this will mean you can do all the PR releases inhouse.

They are offering 50% off from the original price until Friday, at midnight, to the publishers in Downbroad.com. Since you have your application BikeRack-Toolbar listed in our website you can take advantage of this offer for only 174$.

Here are bellow some features they included in the application:

- 15.000 media contacts ( magazines, newspapers, radio stations, television and cable networks)
- complete automatic submission using your POP server
- complete control over distribution - you can use special filters to identify the media contacts, you can stop and resume any campaigns
- more information including a 14 days trial and a video demo can be found on: http://www.submitsuite.com/products/press-release-submitter.htm

Never underestimate the value of press releases when it comes to your software business. The first rule you have to remember is that by getting the attention of the press, you will increase the chances of your software product or ISV to become visible to prospective media contacts and customers, which leads to business growth and increased sales.

The special offer price for downbroad members can be claimed at:
https://secure.shareit.com/shareit/checkout.html?PRODUCT[300322680]=1&COUPON1=DONR50

If you have any questions please let me know.

Best Regards,
Cristina Mailat
Downbroad
http://www.downbroad.com

--
If you wish to stop receiving DownBroad Offers, please go here:
http://www.fastlink2.com/subscribe.htm

Broadband Access Through Cable

Broadband access through cable

Broadband is defined as a mode of data transmission, where multiple data packets are sent simultaneously to increase the effective rate of transmission.Intelligent use of your TV cable has lead to the emergence of cable broadband. This technology works by making use of the unused bandwidth in your CAT V cable. As the cost of networking is eliminated, cable broadband is one of the cheapest ways to log on to the internet.

Advantages of cable modem:

- Cheaper as compared to other broadband technologies
- Doesn?t use your phone line in any way
- No dial-up procedures to be followed
- Unlike ADSL, signal strength not a variable of distance
- Reliable
- Optimum speeds

All you would require to avail, these benefits is a cable modem; this modem will act as your gate way to the cable company?s network. Connect your PC to the modem which in turn will log you on to World Wide Web.

Disadvantages of cable modem:

The main limitation is its reach; areas not covered by CATV network are also deprived of this cheap service. The other disadvantage being that the signal strength depends on the number of people logged on to the network, as more the people more the bandwidth required and with a cable that surely is limited.

VoIP Phone Service
ALEN
voip-traffic.com

Tsunami and Hurricane Relief With Satellite Internet

Starting with last year, we saw the devastation caused by the Tsunami. Entire communities were wiped out, leaving people in remote areas without any way to access the world to ask for help. Then, Katrina hit, again, causing such massive destruction, followed by Rita. The result has been cable and DSL service being completely obliterated, with much of it still down. This means people are still in the Mississippi and Louisiana areas without connection to the outside world.

While satellite internet technology can help in a number of situations, this is by far one of the most beneficial. The reason is that unlike traditional internet technology, satellite internet does not use cables. Instead, satellite internet uses a small, 2-way satellite dish.

For the survivors of natural disasters, this means with just two to three hours of labor, a connection to the outside world is made. Although the technology is high-tech, the price can be very affordable. This means people in these devastated areas can still use computers to reach family and friends, letting them know their safety status without it cost a fortune.

Satellite internet also means that police departments, fire stations, hospitals, nursing homes, and other types of businesses can reach whomever they need, no longer being isolated. The computer is connected using an Ethernet to the satellite modem. Once connected and the satellite mini-dish in place, you will have high-speed internet access. Best of all, this connection can be made with a wireless hub, or if you prefer, a router with the satellite modem, connecting wirelessly.

Today, satellite internet service is fast and affordable. With this, individuals in remote areas that have not been able to reach outside resources any other way can connect quickly and reliably.

If you have been one of the victims of the Tsunami, Katrina, or Rita, and find that you still cannot gain access to the internet because of so much damage to the existing infrastructure, then consider satellite internet to get you up and running for a price you can afford. The service provided is exceptional, with each setup being made specifically for the customer so you have top quality service and performance. With satellite internet, you can get in touch with family and friends, making that important connection.

Satellite internet will also provide you with the means for obtaining dental, medical, education, or other types of records destroyed. You can contact people to order supplies, furniture, medication, and so on, simply by connecting to the internet. Rather than feel as if you have been forgotten and isolated because of the natural disaster, use your computer to take back control of your life, putting the pieces back together so you can move forward, not remain stuck where you are. Satellite internet can help you accomplish just that!

Jacob Minett has been in the satellite industry for over 11 years and is currently helping people get surfing via satellite internet every day. If satellite internet sounds like a solution to your problem then please visit WildBlue Satellite

How To Test T1 Lines

Many T1 lines are installed without proper testing and configuration. It is important for the provider and the customer to balance risks arising out of this situation, not only to avoid expenses on testing equipment, but also to make the T1 line error free. T1 line testing is a slightly complicated process for a technical amateur. You need to know the technical aspects of Internet thoroughly to connect the T1 lines and get it working properly. But there are a few simple procedures that could be followed to test the working condition of aT1 line, or to find out what has gone wrong during a breakdown.

During a break down, the first step is to determine whether the problem is with your PC or the T1 line. If you get a message saying the computer is using a saved version of your default home page when you open your Internet explorer, there is definitely something wrong with the T1 line. The next step is to check if the CSU/DSU, the router and hub are plugged into the telephone line and their lights are blinking. If they are, switch them on and off alternately three or four times. This will solve most kinds of T1 line problems. Once you identify the problem, the best way and the most popular one to test signal problems on T1 cables is the Bit Error Rate (BER) test. After configuring each T1 line for the test, you should let it run from one minute to 240 hours. This will give an error statistics base in the T1 line.

You can also use Cisco or other loopback testing devices to isolate the problem of the T1 serial link. These can be software loopbacks or hardware plug-in loopbacks. Another way of running a BER test is to configure a remote testing tool which will transfer data simultaneously with the test pattern. Once the problem is identified using loopbacks in two different directions, they can be rectified by resetting multiplexers at either ends of the T1 line.

T1 Lines provides detailed information on T1 Lines, T1 Line Prices, How To Test T1 Lines, Cheap T1 Lines and more. T1 Lines is affiliated with T3 Bandwidth.

Net Service Provider: Choosing The Right Option

Choosing the right net service provider is no easy task. Because the internet is such a popular tool to be used, there are many various choices out there. Although they would all like you to think that they offer you the very best option on the web, the truth is that they probably don?t know what you particularly need. So, here are some things that you should consider when choosing one net service provider over the other.

? Cost. When most people are considering one service provider over the next, they tend to focus their attention on the cost of it. While there are some very inexpensive options out there, there is usually a reason why they are so inexpensive. And, other programs may offer that same amount of service for the same price anyone. You will want to consider why the price is what it is before you choose one provider over the next. One way to lower your cost is to use a service provider that gives discounts for an annual payment as opposed to monthly payments. This can give you several months for ?free? as well.
? How much time the company offers you is also important. For many, there are unlimited amounts of monthly time that can be purchased. For anyone that is on the web for a good amount of time, this tends to be the best way to go.
? Space. One of the main things you should think about is the amount of space that the provider provides for you. This would be in mail box space as well as in space for your own webpage.
? Dependability is also important. Can you count on the provider to be there when you need them to be or will they be ?done? for extended time periods?

Overall, you will want to choose the company that can provide for you the very best service and the best price for it. The combination of excellent features is also helpful. You will see that there are more and more features being offered each year to various memberships. Stay up to date on this and you are sure to have the best net service provide available.

For more information please see http://www.net-service-providers.co.uk.

WiFi Hotspot Security

You've set up your Boingo account, you're hanging out at the Home Turf sports bar in LAX and you figure you'll do a little business or check your e-mail while sipping a Chardonnay. Well, that's the point of Wi-Fi hotspots; being able to take care of a few things while in a relaxing atmosphere.

Don't, however, get so relaxed that you ignore security and give all your confidential information to some unscrupulous hacker. Yeah, you see the guy. He's over in the corner wearing that fake nose and glasses with the ridiculous Bozo the Clown cap. Yep, drinking a Blatz. Dead give away.

Sorry, they won't be that obvious, I doubt they ever drink Blatz and very seldom wear clown caps. When you're thinking back, trying to remember who was around when your password was stolen, you probably won't remember the woman in the tastefully tailored business suit, and if, by chance, you do, she won't be the one you suspect. The best defense is to implement some simple security practices and measures that will safeguard your business and personal information.Hot Spot Security: Simple StuffBe aware of those around you.

When you're considering Wi-Fi security in public places one of the first safeguards is anything but high tech. Remember a few years ago when people were getting huge phone bills because someone was watching as they keyed in pass codes? It's still happening to Wi-Fi network subscribers. Do what you can to keep prying eyes from your keyboard and screen. You pay good money for your monthly subscription and there's no reason to let anyone piggyback or steal your credit card number as you sign up for a daily use fee at Starbucks.Speaking of passwords:

Those of us who toil and travel are prime targets for those who may be of the persuasion to purloin. In other words, it's quite possible to be targeted for laptop theft. Use a complex password to protect your files, folders and laptop from access by those villains of concourse and lobby.Don't Share!

Yes, I know, mothers have been telling us to share for centuries but, at least while using a Wi-Fi hotspot, make sure you disable file sharing. It might be great for the home and good at the office but it's disaster in the making at your favorite coffee house.Use a Personal Firewall.

If you're using a corporate laptop make sure you talk to your IT department before you install any firewalls but if the laptop you're using is your own let me suggest downloading a copy of ZoneAlarm. There are others of course but, for personal use, since ZoneAlarm is free and seems to test better than the rest I can't see a reason to recommend another.

Most of the reasons for using a firewall should be self-evident but, to say the least, you'll want to be made aware of any traffic coming or going and any unusual communication between applications.Hot Spot Security: Less Simple StuffBeware the Evil Twin

Otherwise known as 'Rogue Hotspots' or the 'soft AP attack' this Wi-Fi version of the e-mail Phishing scam is perpetrated by hackers who jam and mimic the signal and SSID of a legitimate hotspot. They then serve up a sign-in page garnering usernames, passwords and, in some cases, credit card numbers. If they go so far as to allow a connection to the Internet they're then in the position to intercept unencrypted traffic as well as any files open to sharing (Don't Share!).

There are a few things you can do to protect yourself from 'Evil Twins':

• Don't set your Wi-Fi card to allow automatic connection to any available network.

• Check the list of available SSIDs to make sure you're connecting to the right one.

• Turn off the ad-hoc mode allowing other clients to connect directly to you.

• Turn off your Wi-Fi card entirely as soon as you're finished.

• Use the personal or enterprise version of 'AirDefense', whichever may be appropriate.

• Although a firewall won't keep you from connecting to an 'Evil Twin' it will help to safeguard your information should you inadvertently fall victim.

Encrypt Confidential Information

Data that's transmitted between yourself and a secure Web site can be counted on to be safe from the Starbucks Snidely Whiplash so when you're purchasing goods, or banking on-line, you can do so without fear. When you're logging onto the secure portion of the site, however, you may be doing so without the protection of security so be careful to note whether or not the sign in page is secured (https).

When sending e-mail there are a few things you can do to safeguard yourself. For example, instead of using Outlook or Thunderbird, take advantage of your ISP's Web interface which, in most cases, will be secure and should protect your data during transmission.

If you frequently encounter the need to send large files via e-mail then using a compression program will meet your need to reduce the size of the file and most compression programs will also secure the data with encryption.

Another option is to use a free encryption program like Cryptainer LE. Cryptainer LE can encrypt any or all the files stored on your hard drive, protecting them in case your laptop is stolen or compromised, as well as allow you to e-mail them with the security of encryption. Cryptainer PE is also offered for enterprise applications.Use a Virtual Private Network

Think of a virtual private network (VPN) as a solid conduit, or tunnel, between your laptop and your company's network. By using a VPN your communications will be as secure as they would be if you were sitting at your desk.

Mac OS X?, Windows? 2000 and Windows? XP have built in VPN clients and if you're a user of Windows? 98, ME or NT you can download the free Microsoft? L2TP/IPSec VPN Client from Microsoft?. If you're a Linux user you can download the free S/WAN VPN client.

While the use of a VPN is one of the best ways to protect your confidential data when you're using a Wi-Fi hotspot it is, unfortunately, limited to communication between your laptop and your company's server. If you want to conduct personal business with similar security levels the best solution may be the award winning GoToMyPC software.Use Anti-Virus Software

It's somewhat surprising that so many people are aware of the dangers of 'net borne viruses and, yet, so many either fail to incorporate anti-virus programs like McAfee & Norton or fail to keep them up to date. When you're using a public hotspot it's more important than ever to have anti virus software installed.

Once you've got the software up and running make sure that it's updated on a regular basis and update it anytime you hear about a new virus or a new version of an old virus. If you've got an auto-update feature built into your program make sure you take advantage of it.Conclusion

By following these security measures you should be able to enjoy, with the confidence that your private information will remain private, your favorite Wi-Fi hotspots around the world.

Phil Haley is a technical writer and the editor of Refurbished Laptop Computer Info. For more information regarding buying, maintaining, upgrading or enjoying a laptop computer visit Refurbished Laptop Computer Info where you'll also find the complete Great Wi-Fi Guide.

High Speed Internet Services Have You Jumped On The High Speed Internet Bandwagon?

With technology expanding rapidly in our daily life, high speed internet connection has penetrated into our homes and offices if your local internet service provider offers high speed internet connection services. In this world of instant gratification where people do not have the patience to wait anymore, it is easy to see that high speed internet connection is becoming the mainstream norm as compared to dialup connections. However, before jumping onto the high speed internet bandwagon, it is essential that we considered all the options that are available to us and most importantly the cost associated with it.

1) Local dial-up - They are simple to setup and can be costly as some companies charges phone bill while you are connected. Speed can typically range from the slowest at 26k to 56k connection speeds.

2) Cable connection - It requires a cable modem and are usually provided by company which offer cable TV. Speeds can range from 512k to the high speed of 10Mps.

3) DSL - A DSL modem is needed to be installed on to your computer. Speeds typically range from 512k to the high speed of 9Mps. The cost involved could be twice the amount of a basic dial-up.

4) Broadband - This is typically referring to a cable, DSL, wireless connections or satellite internet connections. Speeds typically range from a 512k to 1.5Mbs.

5) Wireless connection - A wireless modem is needed to be installed on to your computer and are available in limited area. Speeds typically range from 2Mbps. The advantage is that you do need a wire connection to be connected.

6) Satellite internet connection - Upload speed and download speed can be different. For example, you may be able to download through satellite and upload through dial up. This is the most expensive option out of all the options given, but this service is available anywhere throughout the world. Speeds are available at 500k onward.

Which type of high speed internet connections do you really choose? Well, the answer lies in what you need. One thing for sure, if you are tired of waiting for a standard dial up to connect and download, you are ready for a broadband connection. Plus, once you have experienced the power of a broadband connection, you will never ever go back to dial up again.

Justin Koh is a freelance writer whose articles have appear in most major ezines. You can find more of these at: http://www.highspeedinternetcenter.info

You have permission to publish this article electronically or in print, free of charge, as long as the bylines are included. A courtesy copy of your publication would be appreciated.

Speeds Kills But Thrills

Besides wearing his underwear outside, SuperMan is also a good competitor of the most powerful man in the universe. The other competitors being Batman, Sipderman, He-Man, Phantom, Arnold Schwarzenegger and George Bush. Everybody wants to have supernatural powers to push themselves a bit more that what ordinary men like you and me. The legendary researcher Mr. Shivapratap once said Speeds Kills, But Thrills. All super powers are fast, stable, wise and strong (no comments here on George Bush though).

The operating System world is no different. It has it own share of He-Man, Phantom, Arnold Schwarzenegger and George Bush. And ofcourse it also has Linux, The SuperMan in the OS world. Linux is stable, secure, fast and ...... it's free. What's more we get the code too. Interestingly most of the articles on the benefits of Linux mostly focus on one point - the code is free. And yet only a handful would have ever seen the code or modified it ever. Most of the Linux articles are about how great the GNU revolution is and the rest are on which distro is better.

This article focuses on just one point making your own Linux distro. Until some years back to most of us ordinary mortals making a Linux distro was just a dream but then thanks to Gerard Beekmans, the project leader and initiator of the project Linux From Scratch (LFS), this dream made easy. The first question one would ask is - Why would I want an LFS system?

As taken from the LFS site in Gerard Beekmans own words-

There are a lot of reasons why somebody would want to install an LFS system. The question most people raise is why go through all the hassle of manually installing a Linux system from scratch when you can just download an existing distribution?. That is a valid question which I hope to answer for you.

The most important reason for LFS's existence is teaching people how a Linux system works internally. Building an LFS system teaches you about all that makes Linux tick, how things work together, and depend on each other. And most importantly, how to customize it to your own taste and needs.

One of the key benefits of LFS is that you are in control over your system without having to rely on somebody else's Linux implementation. You are in the driver's seat now and are able to dictate every single thing such as the directory layout and boot script setup. You will also know exactly where, why and how programs are installed.

Another benefit of LFS is that you can create a very compact Linux system. When you install a regular distribution, you end up installing a lot of programs you probably would never use. They're just sitting there taking up (precious) disk space. It's not hard to get an LFS system installed under 100 MB. Does that still sound like a lot? A few of us have been working on creating a very small embedded LFS system. We installed a system that was just enough to run the Apache web server; total disk space usage was approximately 8 MB. With further stripping, that can be brought down to 5 MB or less. Try that with a regular distribution.

If we were to compare a Linux distribution with a hamburger you buy at a supermarket or fast-food restaurant, you would end up eating it without knowing precisely what it is you are eating, whereas LFS gives you the ingredients to make a hamburger. This allows you to carefully inspect it, remove unwanted ingredients, and at the same time allow you to add ingredients to enhance the flavor of your hamburger. When you are satisfied with the ingredients, you go on to the next part of putting it together. You now have the chance to make it just the way you like it: broil it, bake it, deep-fry it, barbecue it, or eat it raw.

Another analogy that we can use is that of comparing LFS with a finished house. LFS will give you the skeleton of a house, but it's up to you to install plumbing, electrical outlets, kitchen, bathtub, wallpaper, etc.

Another advantage of a custom built Linux system is added security. You will compile the entire system from source, thus allowing you to audit everything, if you wish to do so, and apply all the security patches you want or need to apply. You don't have to wait for somebody else to provide a new binary package that fixes a security hole. Besides, you have no guarantee that the new package actually fixes the problem (adequately). You never truly know whether a security hole is fixed or not unless you do it yourself.

One of the reasons why Macs perform better than the Intels is that the software is made specifically for the hardware hence one gets all the benefits of the hardware. However with most of the intel based systems everything is written for i386 and because the newer processor is faster one sees better performance but never the peak performance that these modern processors are capable of. LFS can change this one aspect to a great extent. Generally LFS is compiled on the target system. This means that the software can be compiled for the particular hardware thus resulting in maximum performance. Until I was exposed to LFS I used to use the fastest processors with the maximum amount of RAM I could afford. But now I am happy with a PIII 800. I run the latest kernel as well as KDE and most of the heavy apps that one can think of and yet I feel good about the computer. And in this case Speed thrills and yet it doesn't kill. Or maybe it kills the other distros. ;-)

Now that we are all convinced that LFS is the way to go, we'll talk about how to go about implementing LFS. To make our own distro we would first need to have a good Linux system in place. For that matter we can have any system which can compile the Linux code i.e. a GNU system with a GNU C++ compiler should do the trick. This is called the host system. The host system can be any flavor of Linux such as Redhat, Fedora, Debian , Slackware etc. or any Unix such as FreeBSD, NetBSD etc.. The host system should have a compiler, linker and shell to build the new system. The host system should also be able to read and write on a file system which is recognized by the Linux kernel such as ext3, ReiserFS, XFS etc.

Once a good host system with the required development environment is installed, the next step is to create an empty native linux partition where LFS would be compiled. This partition needs to be formatted with the required file system. A number of packages are then installed which would form the basic development suite or the toolchain. The toolchain is a temporary system which is then used to build the actual distro. The toolchain is built in two stages - first a host-independent statically built toolchain is installed with a compiler, assember, linker, libraries and other useful utilities. The other essential tools are then built on this first stage system.

The chroot (change root) program is then used to enter a virtual environment and start a new shell whose root directory will be set to the LFS partition. The LFS packages are then compiled inside this chrooted environment after which the boot scripts are installed. Finally the kernel and the bootloader are installed and the machine is rebooted to the all new custom Linux distro.

The process may look a bit complicated but it is fun all the way and the results are really wonderful.

I had taken a workshop in the beginning of 2004 in our office on this subject. I am quoting mine as the views of the team that attended the workshop.

Amarjyoti Krishnan heads bobcares.com, a tech support company for webhosts and ISPs. He is the co-founder of Poornam Info Vision Ltd., a software and IT services company which specializes in Linux based solutions for Webhosts and ISPs. Poornam Info Vision is an ISO 9001:2000 certified company with a team of over 100 engineers.

Amarjyoti is a Computer Engineer based in India and has over 7 years of experience in the hosting industry. He has spoken and written extensively on the subject. His articles have been published both online as well as in print in magazines.

http://poornam.com
http://bobcares.com
http://amarjyoti.com

Long Arm of the Law Reaches New Internet (RIAA Internet2 i2hub Lawsuit)

Have you heard of the new Internet? It?s called Internet 2 and this time they?re not fooling around. The Abilene Network , begun in 1999 provides the main backbone and they?re a pure optical network wired for speed.

According to their website, (on the plain old regular Internet) ?The Abilene Network, which currently connects over three million users, 220 research and education institutions, and 34 state education networks, operates at a speed 15,000 times faster than the average household broadband connection and with a capacity to send 9.7 million five-paragraph e-mails in one second.?

This means we?re soon going to get nuclear powered spam!

Everyone knows speed is addictive. Not only for Indy 500 racecar drivers, but also for computer science mega-geeks who will one day finally rule the world. They?re shooting for speeds in the Terabyte range; that?s a trillion bits of information every second.

?We now wish to be called ?Tera-geeks, you puny sub-creatures!?

?Do I need all that speed for my email?? one might ask. You do if you?re attaching astrophysics, fusion energy computations, and bioinformatics with your message. The present Internet can?t handle this kind of math. But will Internet 2 be used only for noble purposes? I haven?t heard of any holographic lap dances yet, but some people are definitely not happy with what Internet 2 users are doing.

Like the beginning of the first Internet in the 70?s and 80?s, Internet 2 is the domain of universities and research organizations for the purpose of advancing the aspirations and higher thinking of humanity. University students are already benefiting from the technology by illegally downloading movies and music at warp speed. A full-length movie only takes five minutes to download on the Internet 2 instead of an hour or more by cable modem. Songs come at a pithy twenty seconds.

?Not so fast!? says the record and movie industry. They?re nipping this one in the bud. The RIAA announced that it?s suing 405 individual students for copyright infringement violations using the ?i2hub?. The movie industry is suing an undisclosed number of students as well. What?s i2hub? It?s like a Napster on crack. But you need to use it on Internet 2 to really fly - and that?s not open to the general public yet.

According to the Motion Picture Association of America, there were 7070 users sharing 99.2 TB of files in one recent snapshot of time. Ninety-nine terabytes is enough storage space to hold all the movies that are available in a local Blockbuster store, yet people are swapping those movies entirely free, said an outraged and very frustrated Dan Glickman, President of the MPAA.

The RIAA will sue a handful of students per university to plant the seeds of fear widely. UC San Diego, UC Berkeley, & the University of Southern California are among the 18 Universities where students are being served papers.

Can they stuff the electronic genie back in the bottle? If they can?t, the RIAA and MPAA are not going down easy. Imagine 405 students calling home telling Mom & Dad to be ready to put up the house because they thought the Internet 2 was a private network and they just wanted to fill up the iPod they were given for Christmas. The highest offenders, according to the RIAA, were caught with up to 13,600 MP3?s, and 72,700 total files (such as audio, software and video).

?Son, what were you thinking, I?ve got ?Planet of the Apes? at home!

Rick David writes a humor column called, Don't Laugh It Could Happen To You for http://sandiego.merchantamerica.com

T1 Line Prices

T1 lines are paid for on a monthly basis and the rates vary according to the services used and the complexity of the data transfers and the traffic. It will also depend on the number of lines you use for your needs. The lesser lines you need, the lower the rates. Many businesses will not need all 24 channels of a T1 line, and pay lower monthly rents than large business concerns that use all 24 channels.

You can get T1 line connections for a monthly rent of $350 to $ 1200 dollars per month depending on the kind of services you will be utilizing. This will include Internet services like email, web browsing, mail servers and data transfers and phone services like long distance and local calls and PBX.

There are many websites from where you can get T1 line price quotes by providing certain basic data about yourself. You will get a comprehensive list of comparative prices from various T1 line providers and you can choose one for your particular need sets.

DSL.net provides T1 lines for as low as $299 dollars per month for a two year contract and for a speed of 384 kbps. The features for this connection include 10 email accounts, unlimited IP addresses and optional web hosting, firewall, VPN and dial-up services. DSL also has one year contract for $329 dollars monthly for the same features. They also have high speed access of 768 kbps and 1.5 Mbps for one and two year contracts and higher monthly rent rates. These connections have special features like static IP types, domain name management and a 30 day no risk free trial. The monthly rent for a 1.5 Mbps connection is $379.95 dollars and $349.95 dollars for one year and two year contracts respectively. The rates for one and two year contracts for a 768 kbps connection, on the other hand, will work out to $359.95 dollars and $329.95 dollars respectively.

T1 Lines provides detailed information on T1 Lines, T1 Line Prices, How To Test T1 Lines, Cheap T1 Lines and more. T1 Lines is affiliated with T3 Bandwidth.

Freedom And Responsibility On The Internet

As this year draws to a close, it also brings down the curtain on what we could effectively call the first Internet decade. While the Internet has been around for much longer than a decade, in many ways 1995 was the year when many of today's biggest names on the Internet were founded.

What a dynamic 10 years it has been for the Internet, comprising both the flight to stratospheric heights and the crash followed by a more cautious approach to get back on the feet. Thankfully, we seem to be running again...

However, this article is not about the impact the Internet has had on all aspects of our life - that is far too well documented already. Rather, I'd like to reiterate and highlight the striking parallel that the Internet has to some of the core values that American society cherishes (and I suspect, most of humankind does too)--freedom, democracy, and unlimited opportunity.

Isn't that what the Internet is all about? Freedom to cut across geographic barriers and interact with people from any part of the world; the freedom and the democratic rights to voice opinions and comment on matters that affect you, and the unlimited professional and personal opportunities that emanate from the first two mentioned attributes.

Blogging is one example of how virtually anyone can become a writer, with the only obstacle to getting one's thoughts published being one's desire and willingness to write or voice an opinion.

For that matter, consumers rate products and companies, complain about customer service levels, frustrated employees let out steam against employers--quite literally making an individual so much more powerful, because in the hyperlinked world of the Internet, the significance of word of mouth gets on to a completely different level.

On the positive side, the Internet makes a person altruistic: review a song or music you have heard, a movie you saw or a book you read, or you rate the quality of service by a service provider, and lo- you are helping another potential customer like you in their decision making process. Amazon.com and a website like epinions.com have epitomized the benefits and powers of consumer recommendation.

Likewise, there are business and social networking websites, that are just getting recognized for the value they deliver to the participants and the immense potential to marketers looking to target a fairly engaged and Internet-savvy audience.

The Burden Of Responsibility

Yet, with the freedom and democracy that empowers us with certain rights, comes the weight of ensuring that these rights are used responsibly. With the power to judge and rate that the Internet, and more specifically, sites such as the newly-launched Response Planet gives us, we almost become duty-bound to see that the power is used constructively.

Else, we run the risk of not trusting ourselves with the power of the tools we have at our disposal, and thereby failing to capitalize on the enormous opportunities offered by them. So, when we rate and post comments on sites that allow us to, there is an obligation to make a conscious effort not to be vicious or malicious. Or, as Google's stated motto was, Don't be Evil

About The Author:

Jonathan Gropper is President and Founder of Vortech Web & Business Solutions LLC and COO of OnlyOpenHouses.com, a comprehensive portal to list and find open houses in New Jersey. He is also a co-founder of ResponsePlanet.com, designed to be a place to read and rate everything on the planet.

More Smart Consumers are Saving a Bundle!

The new year saw a massive 25% increase in consumers saving money by signing up for a broadband bundle, a new study has just revealed. The research, conducted by broadband comparison site www.broadbandchoices.co.uk, found that more and more of us are buying both broadband and home phone from the same company, making bills simpler and saving a bundle of cash.

?Bundling? is a simple way to organise your home phone and broadband bills, and it makes sense for both companies and consumers. Chris Eagle, Commercial Manager at www.broadbandchoices.co.uk, explained: ?As people add more services to their household bills, they save more money and they?re less likely to switch providers. You?re unlikely to just remove one service, as the cost of your remaining services will increase. So unless you?re happy to switch everything, you?ll stay put, keeping your current provider very happy!?

One particular bundle has been making the news recently: TalkTalk?s ?free broadband? offer, where broadband is offered free if you take up TalkTalk?s international phone call package and line rental. The marketing for this certainly did the trick, with over 25,000 people registering their interest in just a few days.

But the TalkTalk deal (brought to you by Carphone Warehouse) might not be the best option for you. According to expert Chris Eagle, ?Most consumers probably think the new TalkTalk package is the cheapest bundle on the market. But if you take things like connection charges, line rental, phone package and broadband fees into account then, over a year, Toucan still offers the light phone and broadband user the best value for money.?

For example:

(i)Toucan ?Two-for-All? phone package comes with free weekend calls with no call package fee?s, line rental at ?8.99 a month and 512k broadband at ?13.99 a month giving a total of ?22.98 a month or ?275.76 for one year.

(ii)TalkTalk free broadband offer has line rental at ?11.00 a month, ?9.99 for free local and national calls anytime, and a ?29.99 connection fee, giving a total of ?20.99 a month or ?281.87 for one year.

Its worth looking at the full year cost as you have to sign at least a 12 month contract. (18 month for the TalkTalk offer).

It looks like this type of deal will be offered by more companies in the coming months: in a competitive market like this one, the other providers will have to keep up.

The future is mobile

Most bundled offers currently include broadband and home phone, but we could see mobile phone contracts being added in the near future. With NTL buying Virgin Mobile and Wanadoo about to re-brand Orange, it looks like the home and mobile phone markets are in the process of merging to offer you a better deal. And if you could get your home phone, broadband, cable TV and mobile charges all reduced and on a single bill each month, you?d do it, wouldn?t you?

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