Rants and Raves

This is a listing of server names for various internet service providers and hosting companies I’ve complied.  Use your browser (page text) search feature to locate the one you’re interested or browse them alphabetically (this is a lengthy post).

1&1

• pop3:  pop.1and1.com
  port 110; 995 ssl
• imap4: imap.1and1.com
  port 143; 993 ssl
• smtp: smtp.1and1.com
  port 25; 587 ssl

Adelphia Internet Service

• pop3: mail.adelphia.net
• smtp: mail.adelphia.net

AT&T Internet Service

• pop3: postoffice.worldnet.att.net
• smtp: mailhost.worldnet.att.net
• nntp: netnews.att.net (dial)
• nntp: netnews.worldnet.att.net (dial)
• nntp: inetnews.worldnet.att.net (broadband

AOL Internet Service

• imap4: imap.aol.com
• smtp: smtp.aol.com

Bell Altantic Internet Service

• pop3: pop.bellatlantic.net
• smtp: gtei.bellatlantic.net

BellSouth Internet Service

• pop3: mail.bellsouth.net
• smtp: mail.bellsouth.net
• nntp: newsgroups.bellsouth.net

BlueLight Internet Service

• pop3: mail.bluelight.net
• smtp: mail.bluelight.net

Brainstorm Internet Service

• pop3: mail.gobrainstorm.net
• smtp: mail.gobrainstorm.net

Cableone Internet Service

• pop3: mail.cableone.net
• smtp: authmail.cableone.net

Charter Communications

• pop3: pop.charter.net
• smtp: smtp.charter.net

Comcast Communications

• pop3: mail.comcast.net
• smtp: smtp.comcast.net
• nntp: newsgroups.comcast.net

Compaq Internet Service

• pop3: pop3.compaq.net
• smtp: smtp.compaq.net
• nntp: news.compaq.net

Compuserve Internet Service

• pop3: pop.compuserve.com
• smtp: smtp.compuserve.com
• nntp: news.compuserve.com

Concentric Internet Service

• pop3: pop.concentric.net
• smtp: smtp.concentric.net
• nntp: news.concentric.net

Cox Communications

• East
  • pop3: pop.east.cox.net
  • smtp: smtp.east.cox.net
  • nntp: news.east.cox.net
• Central
  • pop3: pop.central.cox.net
  • smtp: smtp.central.cox.net
  • nntp: newscentral.cox.net
• West
  • pop3: pop.west.cox.net
  • smtp: smtp.west.cox.net
  • nntp: news.west.cox.net

Cypress Communications

• pop3: pop.cypress communications.net
• smtp: smtp.cypress communications.net

DirectNIC Internet Service

• pop3: pop.directnic.com
• smtp: smtp.directnic.com

Dotster

• pop3: pop.registerapi.com
• smtp: smtpauth.registerapi.com

Earthlink Internet Service

• pop3: pop.earthlink.net
• smtp: ssmtpauth.earthlink.net
• nntp: news.east.earthlink.net
• nntp: news.west.earthlink.net
• ftp: ftp-www.earthlink.net

EasyCGI

• pop3: mail.[yourdomain]
• smtp: smtp.[yourdomain]

FrontierNet Internet Service

• pop3: pop3.frontiernet.net
• smtp: smtp.frontiernet.net
• nntp: news.frontiernet.net

GoDaddy

• pop3: mail.godaddy.com
• smtp: [none]

Google Mail

• pop3: pop.gmail.com
  port 995 ssl
• imap4: imap.gmail.com
  port 993 ssl
• smtp: smtp.gmail.com
  port 465, 587 ssl/starttls

HughesNet Internet Service

• pop3: mail.hughes.net
• smtp: smtp.hughes.net

Internet America Internet Service

• pop3: pop3.airmail.net
• smtp: mail.airmail.net

iPage

• pop3: mail.[yourdomain]
• smtp: mail.[yourdomain]

IX Web Hosting

• pop3: pop.ix.netcom.com
• smtp: smtp.ix.netcom.com

Juno Internet Service

• pop3: pop.juno.com
• smtp: smtp.juno.com

JustHost

• pop3: mail.[yourdomain]
  port 110; 995 ssl
• imap4: mail.[yourdomain]
  port 143; 993 ssl
• smtp: mail.[yourdomain]
  port 25, 2626; 465, 587 ssl

Lycos

• pop3: pop.mail.lycos.com
• smtp: smtp.mail.lycos.com

Mac

• pop3: mail.mac.com
• smtp: smtp.mac.com

Mail.com

• pop3: pop1.mail.com
• smtp: smtp1.mail.com
• nntp: news.mail.com

MegaPath Internet Service

• pop3: mail.megapathdsl.net
• smtp: mail.megapathdsl.net
• nntp: news.megapath.net

Mediacom Online Internet Service

• pop3: mail.mchsi.com
• smtp: mail.mchsi.com
• nntp: netnews.mchsi.com

Mindspring Internet Service

• pop3: pop.mindspring.com
• smtp: smtp.mindspring.com

Mpower Communications

• pop3: pop.mpowercom.net
• smtp: smtp.mpowercom.net
• nntp: news.mpowercom.net

MSN Internet Service Provider

• pop3: pop3.email.msn.com
• smtp: smtp.email.msn.com
• nntp: netnews.msn.com

Netscape

• pop3: pop3.isp.netscape.com
• smtp: smtp.isp.netscape.com
• nntp: news.netscape.com

Network Solutions

• pop3: mail.[yourdomain]
• smtp: smtp.[yourdomain]

NetZero Internet Service

• pop3: pop.netzero.net
• smtp: smtp.netzero.net
• nntp: news.netzero.net

onehost worx Internet Service

• pop3: mail.emailworx.net
• smtp: smtpsecure.emailworx.net

Pacifier Internet Service

• pop3: mail.pacifier.com
• smtp: smtp.pacifier.com

PeoplePC Internet Service

• pop3: pop.peoplepc.com
• smtp: smtpauth.peoplepc.com
• nntp: news.peoplepc.com

Pipeline Internet Service

• pop3: pop.pipeline.com
• smtp: smtp.pipeline.com

Rediff Internet Service

• pop3: pop.rediffmailpro.com
• smtp: smtp.rediffmailpro.com
• nntp: news.rediff.com

SBC Yahoo!

• Ameritech
  • pop3: pop.ameritech.yahoo.com
  • smtp: smtp.ameritech.yahoo.com
• NVBell
  • pop3: pop.nvbell.yahoo.com
  • smtp: smtp.nvbell.yahoo.com
• PacBell
  • pop3: pop.pacbell.yahoo.com
  • smtp: smtp.pacbell.yahoo.com
• SNet
  • pop3: pop.snet.yahoo.com
  • smtp: smtp.snet.yahoo.com
• SWBell
  • pop3: pop.swbell.yahoo.com
  • smtp: smtp.swbell.yahoo.com

• ---

• Flash
  • pop3: pop.flash.yahoo.com
  • smtp: smtp.flash.yahoo.com
• Prodigy
  • pop3: pop.sbcglobal.net
  • smtp: smtpauth.prodigy.net
• Wans
  • pop3: pop.wans.yahoo.com
  • smtp: smtp.wans.yahoo.com
• - Other -
  • pop3: pop.sbcglobal.yahoo.com
  • smtp: smtp.sbcglobal.yahoo.com

Seanet Internet Service

• pop3: pop.seanet.com
• smtp: mx.seanet.com
• nntp: news.seanet.com

Sonic.net Internet Service

• pop3: pop.sonic.net
• smtp: mail.sonic.net
• nntp: news.sonic.net

Speakeasy Internet Service

• pop3: mail.speakeasy.net
• smtp: mail.speakeasy.net
• nntp: news.speakeasy.net

SprintPCS

• pop3: pop.sprintpcs.com
• smtp: smtp.sprintpcs.com

Sprynet Internet Service

• pop3: pop.sprynet.com
• smtp: smtp.sprynet.com

Starpower Internet Service

• pop3: pop.starpower.net
• smtp: smtp.starpower.net
• nntp: news.starpower.net

Time Warner

• Alabama (Birmingham)
  • pop3: pop-server.bham.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.bham.rr.com
• Alabama (Dothan)
  • pop3: pop-server.sw.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.sw.rr.com
• Alabama (Eufaula)
  • pop3: pop-server.eufaula.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.eufaula.rr.com
• California (Bakersfield)
  • pop3: pop-server.bak.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.bak.rr.com
• California (San Diego)
  • pop3: pop-server.san.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.san.rr.com
• California (Southern / Los Angeles)
  • pop3: pop-server.socal.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.socal.rr.com
• California (Desert Cities)
  • pop3: pop-server.dc.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.dc.rr.com
• Florida (Cantonment)
  • pop3: pop-server.panhandle.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.panhandle.rr.com
• Florida (Central Florida, Orlando)
  • pop3: pop-server.clf.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.clf.rr.com
• Florida (Cape Coral / Naples)
  • pop3: pop-server.swfla.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.swfla.rr.com
• Florida (Lake City / Live Oak)
  • pop3: pop-server.se.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.se.rr.com
• Florida (Palatka)
  • pop3: pop-server.se.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.se.rr.com
• Florida (St Augustine)
  • pop3: pop-server.se.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.se.rr.com
• Florida (Tampa Bay)
  • pop3: pop-server.tampabay.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.tampabay.rr.com
• Georgia (Ft. Benning)
  • pop3: pop-server.sw.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.sw.rr.com
• Indiana (Indianapolis)
  • pop3: pop-server.indy.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.indy.rr.com
• Indiana (Terre Haute)
  • pop3: pop-server.ma.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.ma.rr.com
• Kansas (Kansas City)
  • pop3: pop-server.kc.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.kc.rr.com
• Kansas (Colby)
  • pop3: pop-server.we.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.we.rr.com
• Louisiana (Houma)
  • pop3: pop-server.sw.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.sw.rr.com
• Louisiana (La Place)
  • pop3: pop-server.sw.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.sw.rr.com
• Louisiana (Monroe)
  • pop3: pop-server.jam.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.jam.rr.com
• Louisiana (Shreveport)
  • pop3: pop-server.sport.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.sport.rr.com
• Maine (Southeast Maine, Portland)
  • pop3: pop-server.maine.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.maine.rr.com
• Massachusettes (Athol)
  • pop3: pop-server.mass.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.mass.rr.com
• Massachusettes (Berkshire County)
  • pop3: pop-server.berkshire.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.berkshire.rr.com
• Michigan (Detroit)
  • pop3: pop-server.twmi.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.twmi.rr.com
• Minnesota (Minneapolis)
  • pop3: pop-server.mn.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.mn.rr.com
• Mississippi (Jackson)
  • pop3: pop-server.jam.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.jam.rr.com
• Missouri (Kansas City)
  • pop3: pop-server.kc.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.kc.rr.com
• Nebraska (Lincoln)
  • pop3: pop-server.neb.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.neb.rr.com
• New Hampshire (Keene)
  • pop3: pop-server.ne.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.ne.rr.com
• New Jersey (Bergen)
  • pop3: pop-server.nj.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.nj.rr.com
• New York (Albany)
  • pop3: pop-server.nycap.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.nycap.rr.com
• New York (Central Northern)
  • pop3: pop-server.twcny.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.twcny.rr.com
• New York (Hudson Valley, Catskills)
  • pop3: pop-server.hvc.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.hvc.rr.com
• New York (New York City, Manhattan)
  • pop3: pop-server.nyc.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.nyc.rr.com
• New York (Rochester)
  • pop3: pop-server.rochester.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.rochester.rr.com
• New York (Binghamton, Vestal, Johnson City)
  • pop3: pop-server.stny.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.stny.rr.com
• New York (Staten Island)
  • pop3: pop-server.si.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.si.rr.com
• North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, RTP)
  • pop3: pop-server.nc.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.nc.rr.com
• North Carolina (East Carolina, Wilmington)
  • pop3: pop-server.ec.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.ec.rr.com
• North Carolina (Greensboro, Winston-Salem, High-Point)
  • pop3: pop-server.triad.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.triad.rr.com
• North Carolina (Charlotte Metro)
  • pop3: pop-server.carolina.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.carolina.rr.com
• Ohio (Cincinatti)
  • pop3: pop-server.cinci.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.cinci.rr.com
• Ohio (Columbus)
  • pop3: pop-server.columbus.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.columbus.rr.com
• Ohio (North East)
  • pop3: pop-server.neo.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.neo.rr.com
• Ohio (Western)
  • pop3: pop-server.woh.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.woh.rr.com
• Pennsylvania (Erie)
  • pop3: pop-server.ma.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.ma.rr.com
• Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)
  • pop3: pop-server.ucwphilly.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.ucwphilly.rr.com
• South Carolina (Columbia)
  • pop3: pop-server.carolina.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.carolina.rr.com
• Tennessee (Memphis)
  • pop3: pop-server.midsouth.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.midsouth.rr.com
• Texas (Austin)
  • pop3: pop-server.austin.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.austin.rr.com
• Texas (El Paso)
  • pop3: pop-server.elp.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.elp.rr.com
• Texas (Houston)
  • pop3: pop-server.houston.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.houston.rr.com
• Texas (Rio Grande Valley)
  • pop3: pop-server.rgv.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.rgv.rr.com
• Texas (San Antonio)
  • pop3: pop-server.satx.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.satx.rr.com
• Texas (Heart of Texax – Waco, Temple, etc.)
  • pop3: pop-server.hot.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.hot.rr.com
• Texas (Greater Texas, Beaumont)
  • pop3: pop-server.gt.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.gt.rr.com
• Texas (Corpus Christi, Eagle Pass, Kerrville, Laredo)
  • pop3: pop-server.stx.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.stx.rr.com
• Texas (Witchita Falls)
  • pop3: pop-server.sw.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.sw.rr.com
• West Virginia (Clarksburg)
  • pop3: pop-server.ma.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.ma.rr.com
• Wisconsin (Milwaukee)
  • pop3: pop-server.wi.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.wi.rr.com
• Wisconsin (North East Wisconsin, Green Bay)
  • pop3: pop-server.new.rr.com
  • smtp: smtp-server.new.rr.com

Verizon Internet Service

• pop3: incoming.verizon.net
• smtp: outgoing.verizon.net
• nntp: news.verizon.net

Verizon Wireless

• pop3: pop.vzwmail.net
• smtp: smtp.vzwmail.net

WildBlue Internet Service

• pop3: mail.wildblue.net
• smtp: mail.wildblue.net
• nntp: news.wildblue.net

Windstream Internet Service

• pop3: pop.windstream.net
• smtp: smtp.windstream.net
• nntp: news.windstream.net

Yahoo! Mail

• pop3: pop.mail.yahoo.com
• smtp: smtp.mail.yahoo.com
• nntp: news.news.yahoo.com

• ftp: File Transfer Protocol
• pop3: Post Office Protocol (incoming mail)
• imap4: Internet Message Access Protocol (incoming mail)
• nntp: Network News Transfer Protocol (news)
• smtp: Simple Mail Transport Protocol (outgoing mail)

Notes:

Unfortunately, I cannot confirm the accuracy of most of this information; however, should you notice an error (or oversight) please contact me and I will correct it.

As I determine the encryption and ports for each provider I’ll add them as well.

Originally posted 2010-10-29 02:00:41.

Tags: Communications, Email, Technology, Web by roger
No Comments »

The ides of June (that was Monday the 15th) Microsoft announced the newest version of their Office suite — Microsoft Office 2010… yawn.

As part of the announcement, Microsoft also unveiled Microsoft Office Live — that’s a “scaled down” version of the office products offered absolutely free as part of the Microsoft Live website.

The online version, like the desktop version, has been in beta for quite some time, so none of the features of capabilities (or limitations) should be a big surprise to anyone who’s shown enough interest to try the online version or download and install the desktop version.

While I totally understand Microsoft’s need to sustain (and expand) their cash flow through upgrades (after all, Apple has now overtaken Microsoft as the largest technology company based on stock market valuation) — but why most people would even consider an upgrade to something they only use a fraction of the capabilities of is totally beyond me.

Microsoft is meeting competition on the office front from both Open Office (a free desktop office suite) and Google Office (an online office suite) — and competition in the office arena isn’t something Microsoft has had to deal with since killing off Word Perfect a quarter century ago!

I want Microsoft stock to appreciate (trust me, my portfolio still depends on it); but perhaps Steve Balmer should consider making Microsoft a leader through innovation rather than just putting lipstick on a pig (after all, it didn’t work in the last presidential election — and I serious doubt it’ll work in the technology race).

In my view, the features most people really need and use in an office suite are perfectly generic in this day and age — and most people fumble around to do the things they need to do anyway (read that as they aren’t an expert with the software), so why not pick out something that works, works well, and is affordable (free)?

Personally I don’t trust Google, and I don’t want my documents (or any other information) on their servers… so I’ll stick with Open Office, and I’ve been using the Go OO version (it’s a re-packing of the open source Open Office with some refinements to make it look-and-feel a little more like other programs on the host environment).  Try it out — and see if it won’t do everything you need — it’s priced right, it’s free (as in “free beer”)!

Go OO Open Office

Originally posted 2010-06-17 02:00:43.

Tags: Communications, Computers, Software, Technology, Web, Windows by roger
No Comments »

There are a number of reasons why you might want to use a dynamic black list of IP addresses to prevent your computer from connecting to or being connect to by users on the Internet who might not have your best interests at heart…

Below are three different dynamic IP filtering solutions for various operating systems; each of them are open source, have easy to use GUIs, and use the same filter list formats (and will download those lists from a URL or load them from a file).

You can read a great deal more about each program and the concepts of IP blocking on the web pages associated with each.

• IPBlock for Linux
• PeerBlock for Windows (does not run as a service)
• PeerGuardian for OS-X

Originally posted 2010-08-17 02:00:55.

Tags: Communications, Computers, Linux, Mac, P2P, Software, Technology, Web, Windows by roger
No Comments »

I’ve been using the Chromium browser a fair amount lately, and while it takes some getting used to, it’s quite an admirable browser.

Initially I installed Chromium in order to test web sites under it to make sure I didn’t need to handle any glaring issues (like is often needed with Microsoft Internet Explorer and Opera); but it seem to render most everything almost identically to FireFox and Safari (though there’s definite differences in the timing of the rendering).

For the most part I work on web pages that use fairly simply JavaScript to alter the appearance or provided better user interaction (Web2.0), I really know very little about HTML5 (I’ve run some tests on various browsers — but let’s leave HTML5 to those who really know something of substance).

I don’t know if it’s because it’s what I’m used to or because the human engineering in FireFox is better… but it certainly feels more natural using FireFox to browse and download (plus I like the “Page Info” and the “Error Console” tools a great deal).

One other thing I like about FireFox is that it’s ostensibly the same experience on Windows, OS-X, and Kubuntu… and it’s not the default browser on any of them — of course I can same the same thing about Chromium (well, except for OS-X).

Chromium, though, really takes a slightly different approach to browsing the web; and I think the developers really felt like their approach was simpler… and maybe it is.  After all, humans do not have any innate ability to use a particular tool — they have to learn, and maybe the FireFox tool has become somewhat ingrained in the tool-box of any internet user since it builds on the original web browser (Mosaic) and really has never attempted any large paradigm shift.

Chromium also presents the feel of something larger than a browser (and it is — after all, it’s a fundamental part of the Chromium OS project as well); and perhaps that’s what makes it feel slightly alien no mater what environment you run it in (of course, to me, Chromium OS feels very fairly alien in itself — but then again, I’ve only run hacked builds, so we shouldn’t draw too many conclusions about the OS just yet).

One thing I’ve fairly confident of is that Google will evolve Chromium until it has a reasonably large share of the market (I think Wave might be the only Google project that was abandoned — and I suspect that will find itself re-incarnated in some future Google effort).

While I don’t see the “resistance is futile” tag line on Chromium any time soon, I think it’s probably worth taking a look at — you might find it less alien than I do — and it certainly seems to work well as a browser (once you learn what buttons to press and how to hold your head).

Originally posted 2010-10-20 02:00:35.

Tags: Communications, Technology, Web by roger
No Comments »

This post is somewhere between an informative post about what many small business owners really need to establish a presence on the web, and a blatant solicitation for business…

Over the past year I’ve stumbled onto a number of individuals here running a small business that have been taken to the cleaners by web-lingo-savvy people purporting to be “web developers”.

Let me start off by saying that most small business don’t need an incredibly complex or large web site; they essentially just need a presence on the web that serves to drive new customers to their brick-and-mortar store or helps prospective customers locate the services they need.

A small web site allows for a business to showcase what they can do for a customer, where they are, and how to get in touch with them… you don’t need a full listing of your products — just enough to indicate to a prospective customer that you might be who they’re looking for.

And a web site like that doesn’t cost much to put together, and certainly doesn’t cost much to operate.

You start small, and grow… that way you invest in areas that have a proven return.

Provided you have collateral materials (pictures, logos, copy, etc — things you would have used in a print ad in the past) it’s very likely that you can put together a standards based web site with the help of a professional (like me) for a very modest amount of money.  It of course varies a little based on exactly what it is you’re trying to achieve and how much work is involved in preparing the material or in implementing your specific wants… but you should realistically be able to have a web site, email, a custom domain, and search engine indexing without breaking the bank.

If you’re finding that people are trying to convince you to pay what you consider a great deal — make sure you’re getting substantially more from them — and make sure you need more.

Over the next few months I’m going to work on setting up a site that will cater to people who want an inexpensive solution for a web presence — and while it’s definitely easier to work with people who are located geographically near me, I’ll be happy to try and work with people anywhere.

Let me just list a few reasons why you will want to consider having a web site:

• it allows your previous and existing customers to find and stay in touch with you (at virtually no cost to you — and it allows them to view information from you when they want to, rather than having it lost amongst all the other junk mail they receive);
• it allows you to produce full color, high-impact advertisements featuring pictures and text that would be expensive to print and distribute for near nothing;
• it allows you to promote you site by allowing interested parties to find you through internet searches;
• it greatly reduces the need for print advertising since you’ll be able to list your web site URL on any print ad (and your business cards) and let people access far more information than you probably would have wanted to pay for space to print;
• it allows non-invasive means for individuals to contact you, submit information, and get replies — you don’t have to invest in an answering service, or drop everything you’re doing to take a call — electronic messaging fits your schedule and the schedule of your customers; and
• it helps you create a professional image; and assure your customers that you’re here to stay.

My web design business will be based at ddress.net; and my slogan will be

Your @ddress on the net!

I’ll try and make it simple for people to understand the costs involved and help them achieve a low cost, potentially high return means of non-invasive and sustainable advertising that may provide a means of growing their business.

So let me develop a web site for you; register a domain name for you; host a web site for you; setup email for you; and have the major search engines index your site… at a very affordable price, with no lengthy commitments — simply and honestly.

http://ddress.net/

Originally posted 2010-12-15 02:00:13.

Tags: Communications, Technology, Web by roger
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Several of my friends have ask for help on a very similar problem — they disconnect a computer directly from a cable modem or DSL router, plug in a residential gateway (wireless or wired router) and can’t get reconnected to the internet.

It’s actually a very common problem; and there are several things that can contribute to it.

The first thing you should do is make sure you that have the newest firmware available for your device — particularly older routers have issues with DHCP (that’s how most of the devices get the connection information from the service provider).

Also, you’ll want to check your computer to make sure what type of connection you were using to get to the internet (some older DSL modems particularly required that you setup your computer to do PPPoE — most newer DSL modems will handle all of that transparently, but even they may not be setup that way).

But after you check all that you’re still likely to find that you simply cannot make a connection to the internet.

The problem is that the internet service provider setup the profile of your modem so that it will only allow a single device to connect to the internet at a time (the MAC address to DHCP table has a limit of one).  Each Ethernet device in the “universe” is supposed to have a unique MAC address; and the specification allows for what’s called locally administered MAC addresses as well, but no two devices should ever have the same permanent MAC address (and technically no device should be allowed to copy the permanent MAC address of another).

There are two ways to get around this.  One is to use the MAC address cloning feature of your router (that’s long term a HORRIBLE idea — it violates the rule that no two devices should have [or use] the same permanent MAC address; and the only advantage to it is that it might provide instant gratification).  The second, and better, way is to simply allow your modem time to reset — and you can hasten that by unplugging the power from it and letting it sit for about ten minutes.

There is potentially another way to hasten the re-binding of a new MAC address to the modem.  Some modems have a hardware reset button — but you’ll have to check the manual to see how to use it.  Most modems also have a web interface and resetting the device is one of the options.

Most cable modems have the ip address of 192.168.100.1, most ADSL modems have the address of 192.168.1.1, and VDSL modems have the address of 192.168.1.254 — but let me underscore I said most, not all (you’re going to have to read the manual if these don’t work — and to make it worse, some inexpensive modems have no web interface at all).

Once you bring up a web browser and point it to http://192.168.1.254/ (or what ever the address for your modem is) you’ll probably be able to just view much of the information with any authentication (and you need not have an internet connection for this to work).  However, to reset the modem (or possible run diagnostics) you probably will need to log in.  Many ADSL and VDSL modems will simply want you to enter the information printed on the modem (that’s to prevent a hacker from doing it, since it require physical access to the equipment), but again, you really will have to review the manual to be sure.

The option you’re looking for will be called something like “reset: or “restart”… and there should be a warning that the internet connection will be interrupted, and that it will take several minutes (worst case) for the connection to be re-established.

If all this sounds like too much work; there is a third way, and that just involves patience.  The MAC address from the old device connected directly to your modem will age out over time — you just have to wait for it to happen (and it could be a hour or more).  If it’s late at night, just hit the sack, and when you wakeup the next day everything should be working with your new residential gateway.

Also, many service providers offer a wireless residential gateway (with built in modem) in place of just the modem — for most residential users just selecting that instead of the modem makes sense… for “power users” you might want a router that has more features or better performance; but the service providers residential gateway, out of the box, will allow you to connect as many devices as you’d like (including another gateway if you like — just make sure the ip network addresses they use are different).

• DOCSIS is used by most cable companies, and technically it’s not a cable modem, but a DOCSIS “cable” modem.
• SDSL isn’t used much in the US any longer, so it’s unlikely you’re going to find one of these modems.
• ADSL is used by most of the Telcos, including AT&T and Verizon.
• VDSL (ADSL2+) is used by AT&T in their U-Verse service and Verizon in their FiOS service.

Originally posted 2010-10-14 02:00:49.

Tags: Communications, Technology, Web by roger
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AT&T offers three separate services through their U-Verse branded advance communications offering.  This post will deal with high speed internet.

Essentially AT&T U-Verse internet is DSL broadband — though at much higher rates that you’re likely used to… the particulars of the speed offering depends on the package you pay for.

• Max Turbo – Up to 24 Mbps downstream Starting at $65/month
• Max Plus – Up to 18.0 Mbps downstream Starting at $55/month
• Max – Up to 12.0 Mbps downstream Starting at $45/month
• Elite – Up to 6.0 Mbps downstream Starting at $43/month
• Pro – Up to 3.0 Mbps downstream Starting at $38/month

Upstream bandwidth increases with downstream, and is generally much more generous than AT&T’s older ADSL plans; though the pricing of the lower bandwidth U-Verse services aren’t as attractive as the older AT&T ADSL plans (particularly with the promotions you can probably still get for the older ADSL combined with voice or even “naked” DSL plans)..

Not shown on their ordering information is a 30 Mbps downstream plan to be offered later this Summer that will ahve a 5 Mbps upstream.

Remember from my earlier post — you must use the AT&T residential gateway.  The gateway is a descent piece of consumer technology, though I’m not sure it’s a very high performance internet router.

My tests of it show that it’s definitely capable of sustaining the advertised bandwidth of your connection (and you really get the bandwidth your order); however, my tests also show that the router isn’t capable of sustaining a large number of simultaneous connections without rather dramatic performance degradation.

Which mean in plan old English — if you’re going to do Peer-To-Peer file sharing, the AT&T residential gateway will not be your friend… you’re probably going to end up having to reset it every day or two to keep it running well (I’ve noted that simply shutting down the connections doesn’t seem to help — but that could be that other P2P nodes are continuing to bombard your IP address).

For most people P2P isn’t a requirement, and certainly most people won’t be doing P2P much — and if they do, they certainly understand how to discontinue P2P services and reset the connection (remember it affects voice and video when you reset) when they need high speed connectivity for something else.

My gut tells me that the equipment is operating as designed — and intended to enforce a “fair use” policy by penalizing individuals who try and do P2P (after all — unlimited really doesn’t mean as much as you want, it means as much as your provider is willing to let you have).

And my gut feeling about the router operating as designed is further re-enforced by the fact that a great deal of though has been put into the design of the software and interface for the router… it will do pretty much anything any use will need for it to do (don’t think along the lines of a Cisco router with IOS, think along the lines of a prosumer / SOHO router).

Overall, my feelings are that the AT&T U-Verse Internet is a good deal, that it performs well, and at the high speed levels (well, not at the highest — I think there you’re getting gouged) it’s a reasonably fair price, and a very solid technology.

U-Verse Internet is really all I wanted from AT&T; and it’s the one service I will keep.

Originally posted 2010-05-17 02:00:38.

Tags: Communications, Email, Technology, Web by roger
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It isn’t often that I get to praise companies over and over — and honestly this time I’m writing about Just Host again not because they’ve done something great, but because they’ve continued to do what they’ve done since day one — work.

When I originated my multi-year hosting contract with Just Host I was expecting that I’d be canceling it and taking advantage of the money back guarantee… while we’re no where near the end of the term of my contract yet, I’m beginning to believe that the likelihood of canceling the hosting is far lower than renewing the contract.

Now if you need 99.99% uptime (high availability) and you’re running a web site that makes you millions of dollars every day this isn’t for you… but if you have a business or personal site that isn’t mission critical, but could still be very important to you — this might be for you.

I don’t know much about the internals of Just Host, and I’m glad that I haven’t needed to figure all that out… when things work, I’m perfectly happy just using the service.

At the moment I’m hosting my forty plus domains; sites for several of my friends and relatives; and a number of sites for clients of mine (for the most part I designed and manage the sites — and they’re nothing lavish, just basic sites that provide these business a presence on the web).

If you’re looking for a solution to your needs for hosting, click the ad below (or the one I put in my sidebar long ago) and try a reliable, reasonably prices solution that seems to just keep working.

Originally posted 2010-10-19 02:00:31.

Tags: Blogging, Communications, Email, Technology, Web by roger
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Both Apple (in an essay by Steve Jobs) and Microsoft (from the general manager of IE) have put a stake in the ground — the future of the web is in HTML5 and Adobe Flash is nothing more than a transitional technology that had no place in the future… of course with that, Microsoft has also indicated the IE9 won’t be supported by Windows XP, so it too obviously will have no place (in their minds) in the future.

I would agree that Flash has no place in the future; of course, I felt it had no place in the past either… but the glut of mediocre web designers and the masses need for eye candy seemed to give Flash a leg up in the past, and my bet is will continue to keep it alive long into the future.

Additionally, my guess is Windows XP will do just fine — after all, you can run Operate, FireFox, Chrome, and Safari today on that platform, and all of those will likely continue to develop for and support Windows XP in the future.  All of those are far better browsers than IE is today, and I suspect that’s a pretty safe bet for tomorrow.

In fact, Chrome, Opera, and Safari all support HTML5 today (and score 100/100 in the ACID3 tests)…

Apple on HTML5

Microsoft on HTML5

Originally posted 2010-05-05 02:00:07.

Tags: Communications, Computers, Mac, Software, Technology, Web, Windows by roger
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So you all have the new version of Internet Explorer and Firefox right?

I know, it’s hard to tell them apart now — they all look like Chrome… and I’m not convinced that usability has been improved; seems to me more of a “me too” change than any real move forward.

Of course, under the hood, IE9 does a much better job of actually rendering web sites correctly (how could it do a worse job).  And of course all of them now support HTML5 (well, at lest sort of support HTML5).

Personally I don’t understand why the user interface to the browser needs to keep changing… after all, it’s the web sites the browser presents that most people care about using, not the browser itself.

Sure, for the most part you can set the options in the browsers to look like the older interface — but maybe during the install the question should be ask if you want the new look or not (because it is the default).

The bottom line; it’s different… not better — and I personally am getting tired of senseless changes that really accomplish nothing much more than “putting lipstick on a pig” — and we know how well that works out.

And in closing — could someone please explain to me why in version nine of Internet Explorer it still doesn’t have spell check built in?  That certainly would be a feature worth upgrading for.

Originally posted 2011-03-25 02:00:12.

Tags: Communications, Technology, Web by roger
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