rogerchew.com

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Comcast High Speed Internet is FAST

Today, I upgraded my internet to Comcast High Speed Internet which gets up to 12mbps as opposed to my previous AT&T DSL which gets up to 3mbs. I definitely feel the speed difference and its going to be difficult going back to DSL. Entire web site pages load between 1-2 seconds.

Every year for the past 7 years, I've called AT&T DSL to give me a promotion and I was able to successfully to get an average price of $15-20 per month. But for the first time, I wasnt able to get a decent promotion this time around. So I ran across a comcast deal for new customers only and took advantage of it. Im getting it for $19.99/month for 12 months. By "new customers", I guess they are referring to new high speed internet customers because Im an existing cable customer and there were no questions asked. Just called the 1 800 comcast number and since I was an existing cable customer, it took 5 minutes.

One of the major differences between Comcast and AT&T is that they use different types of modems:

AT&T --> DSL modem --> Phone line

Comcast --> cable modem --> cable (coaxial) line

So the setup is much easier for DSL because phone lines are much more abundant around the house as opposed to cable lines. Also, AT&T gives you the DSL modem for free, while Comcast charges you a rental fee of $3 per month. That is why I bought my cable modem on ebay for $30.

I chose to get the Comcast self installation kit since they would charge me $25 for a person to come install it for me. The kit contained an install cd, ethernet cable, and coaxial cable. I mainly got the kit because of the 20ft coaxial cable that I needed because my current cable line was across the room. It usually comes with a cable modem as well, but I purchased that elsewhere. The installation went pretty smooth, but since I was using a router, I ran into a small issue in which I to call Comcast tech support. Surprisingly, they were very knowledgeable and not from India (no offense). In any case, all I had to do was power cycle (unplug router for 10 seconds) my router to recognize the new internet connection.

When I tried cancelling my AT&T DSL, the person warned me that if I cancelled, I would lose my DSL email account. And I said, "Oh know! Please dont take away my coveted sbcglobal.net email account". Just kidding. Its funny because I remember this same tactic that AOL used to try to keep their customers from leaving. But this tactic actually worked back in the day because as an AOL subscriber you get an AOL email account. And that was one of the only ways of getting an email account. Remember, that the Internet was just a baby and free web mail providers like gmail and yahoo did not exist yet. You could get an email account only from your ISP.

The bottom line

1. Comcast High Speed Internet is blazing fast but much more pricey.

2. Purchase a cable modem from ebay or craigslist instead of renting it from comcast.

3. Save $25 by installing it yourself. If you need help, just call comcast support.

Labels: deals, internet

6.25.2009 :: 1 comments permalink

Roger's Favorite Things

Here are my top 5 favorite tech products.

1. Tivo Series 3
Tivo has become the heart of my home entertainment system. Its not just a DVR anymore but instead has become a home media center. Recording shows is the main function, but it can do so much more especially when connected to my home network. Stream video, photos, music. Rent and watch movies from amazon or netflix. Watch youtube videos. Transfer recorded shows back and forth between my computer. Convert shows to my iphone. The possibilities are endless. No need for a Home PC Theater set up.
Full Review

2. iPhone 3G
Nothing can compare to the iphone's intuitive interface. Checking email, surfing the internet, taking pictures, playing games at your fingertips never felt so natural.
Full Review

Eye-Fi Wireless SD Card

3. Eye-fi memory card
This is a perfect example of thinking out of the box. Instead of enabling the camera to perform wireless transfers, why not just do it for memory cards. I had my doubts but this thing actually works. Not only does it transfer my photos wirelessly to my computer but it can automatically upload to flickr - my photo sharing website. 2 birds with one stone. Love it.
Full Review

4. Western Digital My Passport portable hard drive
This small, compact, and sexy external hard drive is all you need to back up or transfer your files. The best feature about this drive is that there is no separate power supply needed. Yes, that means all you need to do is plug it into your USB slot (in Windows or Mac) and you are good to go. No software necessary.

5. Logitech Harmony 880 universal remote
You will only need to purchase one of these universal remotes in your lifetime because you can always update the remote using your computer and the internet. The remote is configured by connecting to Logitech's Harmony website application. The application has a comprehensive database of all tv components. So all you need to do is find the new component you just purchased and the remote will know exactly how to control it. Not only that but you can also create a custom sequence of commands to perform with a click of a button. For example, I have a "watch a dvd" command which will turn on my tv, dvd, and receiver and set the correct inputs all at once.

Labels: electronics, favorites, iphone, tivo

1.15.2009 :: 0 comments permalink

New Years Resolutions

Happy New Year everyone! Im all for making new years resolutions. But I remember someone once said, "I dont make new years resolutions because Im just going to break them anyways". Now what kind of attitude is that? New Years resolutions is the same as making goals. Are you telling me that you dont have any goals for the new year? Are you absolutely content with the way things are now and have nothing to change or to accomplish? Rubbish.

Everyone needs a reboot once in a while and what better time than the new year. Just like a computer that has been constantly used and abused, what better way to put everything back in order than with a simple reboot.

Here are some tips on making New Years resolutions.

Make them specific and tangible. The more detailed the better.
- Lose weight - BAD
- Run on the treadmill for 30 minutes at the 24 hour fitness near my house on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday after work. - GOOD
Write them down somewhere. Write it on a 3x5 card or put it on your phone or email it to yourself, just dont keep them in your head. Put it some place where you know you will visit or see often. If you complete or achieve a goal, then check or cross it off your list. Only then will you see how gratifying that is.
Share your new years resolution with someone on email or facebook or blog or on the phone or better yet...in person. Once you do that, it will keep you accountable because nobody wants to be perceived as a liar. Also, those people can hold you accountable.
Just do it. Do it now. Dont think or hesitate. What are you waiting for...next year? The new year has already begun. Go now!

Still cant think of any? Ya' lazy lima bean! Here are some recommendations.

Complete any unfinished resolutions from last year. Choose that one task that you put off that entire year.
Clean out your email inbox. Limit your inbox to have only 1 page of email.
Clean your house. Start with a single room, then move on to the rest.
Clean our your closet. Get a goodwill bag and get rid of all the clothes that you are never going to wear.
Create a work out plan and schedule to lose weight.
Too busy? Hire someone to help you and let them worry about it. ie. Gardener, House Keeper, Nanny, Mechanic, Handyman.
Plan a vacation. You deserve it.
Learn a new recipe.
Start a blog.
Create a website.
Clean up your computer. Get rid of all of the icons on your desktop. Reorganize your media

Good Luck!

Labels: thoughts, tips

1.01.2009 :: 0 comments permalink

I made it on the Channel 5 CBS Eyewitness news

So I was at Best Buy one day and looking at a 10" HP netbook when all of a sudden a CBS News reporter snuck up behind me and asked me if I wanted to be interviewed. I thought to myself that it would be fun to see myself on TV. I've always had a bad habit of sneaking in front of new cameramen to try to get myself on TV. But this was an actual speaking role! In any case, I was too nervous and mumbled dumb things to the reported and they didnt air my interview. But they did get my face and my hands. I believe it aired on the 6pm news, but I missed it. But found it of course on the Internet.

You will see me at 1:09 minutes into the video.
http://cbs5.com/video/?id=42871@kpix.dayport.com

Labels: news, personal, video

12.10.2008 :: 0 comments permalink

Black Friday 2008

Im definitely seeing an increase in deals this week. Stay on top of it by going to my aggregated deals site - fealdeals.com
It looks like the retailers have already posted their Black Friday ads directly on their websites or you can go to bfads.net where they have a compiled list for easy access.

Labels: deals

11.26.2008 :: 0 comments permalink

Program your Tivo on your cell phone

Finally, Tivo created a mobile web app specifically to schedule and record TV shows. I've been waiting for an iphone app, but I guess this browser-based web app will do. Keep in mind that this app might not even be officially live yet as Tivo has not made an announcement. Also, you need to have a network connected Tivo, a Tivo account, and an internet-enabled cell phone.

Source: Mobile Crunch

Labels: internet, iphone, tivo

11.25.2008 :: 0 comments permalink

Canada Dry Ginger Ale with Green Tea

My favorite new soda now is Canada Dry's new Ginger Ale with Green Tea. It has the same Ginger Ale taste but with a subtle Green Tea kick. Its available at major supermarkets. Yum!

Labels: favorites, personal

11.21.2008 :: 1 comments permalink

Free AT&T Wi-Fi for iPhone Users at Starbucks

Here are the instructions from the AT&T website:

Activate Wi-Fi from the settings icon on your iPhone
Select "attwifi" from the list of available networks
Enter your 10-digit mobile number and check the box to agree to the Acceptable Use Policy. Tap 'continue'
You will receive a text message from AT&T with a secure link to the AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot. You will not be charged for the text message.
The SMS link will only be valid for 24 hours at the location it was requested. Another request must be submitted when using another hotspot location.
Open the text message and tap on the link for 24-hour access to the AT&T Wi-Fi hotspot

Labels: iphone, tips

10.29.2008 :: 0 comments permalink

Windows Automatic Restart

Dear Microsoft,

I understand that there are many security issues with Windows. I understand that because of the security issues, you have auto installed the necessary patches to plug up those security holes. I understand that in order for those patches to take effect, it requires Windows to restart.

But please, please dont force an automatic Windows restart without my permission. Please dont give me a 5 minute countdown every 5 minutes. Sometimes, I need to go to the bathroom for 5 minutes and I dont want all of my open programs to end abruptly. I have already allowed you to download and install the updates automatically and whenever you want, so what more do you want from me? Nevermind, go ahead! Take control of my computer. Install whatever you want. Reboot my computer whenever you want. I dont care anymore. You use it.

But at least consider this. How about putting a tiny button on the 5 minute countdown dialog box that says, "Do not restart and do not remind me anymore. I solemnly swear that I will restart my computer the next chance I get".

Your extremely annoyed user,
Roger

Labels: annoyances, computer, thoughts

10.27.2008 :: 1 comments permalink

Web 4.0

Here is my prediction of the Internet in the future.

Internet Software (Web 2.0)

Web 2.0

Today we are seeing a huge growth in rich internet applications. The web no longer consists of pages for just viewing. Instead, we are seeing pages that interact with the user, communicate with other services, and process information. So I call it, "Internet Software". Many businesses are creating and selling Internet Software instead of the traditional shrink wrapped software that you install on a home computer. For example, Microsoft creates software such as Word, Excel, and Powerpoint. But Google has created an almost identical set of software on the web called Google Docs. Why is software moving to the web?

Inexpensive - No manufacturing or shipping costs. Hosting/traffic fees are insignifcant.

Easy Upgrades/Fixes - Updating Internet Software can be quick and easy. For example, let's say there is a huge security bug in the product. For Internet Software, you just have to perform the fix to the 1 application. As soon as that is done, the millions of people who use the application will be instantly using the fixed version . For shrink wrapped software, millions of customers would have take the initiative and seek (download) out the fix (patch). And we all know how often companies try to force those updates onto us with their annoying updaters that secretly run in the background of our computers.

Reach - Practically anyone can use Internet Software regardless of OS or platform.

The line between Internet Software and boxed software is starting to blur. We see plenty of sites that allow you to edit video, edit images, play music, do your taxes, manage your finances, play games, and the list goes on. So I dare you readers to try to answer this one question, "Can you name something that you can do on your local computer that you cannot do using a particular website?"

Bye Bye Computers
Say goodbye to computers as they will be replaced by "terminals". I can envision just a thin touchscreen LCD display. That's it. All it does is connect to the Internet wirelessly. And of course, there will be other portable terminals as well ie. cell phone, tablets, etc. I wanted to point out that these "windows" to the Internet will not need much processing power whatsoever. They just need to be capable of displaying the Internet. So where does all of the processing and heavy lifting take place? The Cloud of course.

The Cloud
MobileMe

Remember Internet Software? So all software will be running on the Internet by now. All processing will be performed and handled by the Internet servers. So what else does that mean? That means that you wont be spending your money on a computer with the latest Intel CPU processor chip along with gigs of RAM and a high end graphics card. Instead, you will be purchasing to rent/own an Internet computer (dedicated or shared) that will process all of your Internet Software applications. So the more you spend, the faster processing speed you will get or the more server space to store files/information or the more Internet Software applications you get. So just think of it like buying a computer that is not physically placed at your home, but instead exists somewhere in Internet Cloud. Your terminal will be able to connect to your Internet computer so that you'll be able to perform or execute commands.

A good example of the Cloud is Apple's MobileMe. With this online service, you can store and manage your contacts, calendars, email, and files in one central place. After you set everything up, it can automatically synchronize with any of your devices such as your PC, Mac, or iPhone. So the Cloud stores everything and pushes the information to your devices. The concept of the Cloud pushing information to your device is a very important concept. All the work is done via the Cloud instead of your device. Your device just acts like a receiver.

Terminals
We are already seeing the trend today from the largest manufacturers like Apple, Dell, and Lenovo. They are creating mini laptops aka. "netbooks" and computers which dont have much horsepower but good enough to surf the internet on the go.

Dell Inspiron Mini 9