We switched over to AT&T/SBC/Bell South/Cingular for DSL today after two years with the cable company. No big deal all together, but I'm glad I was able to find instructions to set up the DSL without using the CD that comes with tons of "customized" software, a Yahoo browser that's merely a reskinned Internet Explorer, and the like. If you're thinking about signing up for AT&T DSL at any point, check out the instructions I referenced about here.

Here's what my new Speed info is looking like:

[googmonify]5421129113:center:234:60[/googmonify]

I'm not particularly thrilled that this is what I'm getting with the cable company. Download speed is fine, but what is up with the upload?

Being an internet-heavy individual, I'm always looking for ways to improve/enhance/make-cooler my interneting (it's a word as far as I'm concerned). I've been a Firefox user since the dawn of time* and, while other browsers have come along and tempted me like that one guy tempted Eve, I still find myself using Firefox in the end. Which is why the "Extend Firefox" project is so appealing to me. Tons of cool extensions that make interneting easier and more fun (who would have thought, right?)

If you're a FF user, I'd encourage you to check out the list here and try some for yourself.

Over the past few years, I've created, used, and neglected several dozen accounts across the Wide World of Internets. Lately I have been on a binge to remove these unused accounts, or if it is warranted, begin using the account again. Which has led me to my current realization.

Many social websites fail because they FAIL TO RESPOND TO YOUR COMMENTS. During my said binge, I have contacted dozens of sites, asking for assistance in either upgrading or deleting my account. Many have been happy to oblige. Some have responded to requests to delete my account with lengthy explanations about why their system will not allow them to do that. Either way, I have appreciated the response. Except for the sites listed below. They are on, and will remain on, my Black List until they respond to my repeated requests for assistance. If you work for or with one of these sites, please get someone to contact me.

The Sites That Have Failed Me:

HXCBoards.com

Protopage.com

Newsvine.com

Me.dium.com

Mylocalbands.com

Don't know what it is? I'm too exhausted to tell you, truthfully, but suffice it to say that it creates the chance to have a "One Log-in to Rule them All," Tolkien-esque way to login to sites that support OpenID. This site will soon, again, after I work out the bugs from the last experience.

I encourage you to look into it by poking your head around over here.

After months of complaining about their poor service, I have finally taken the initiative to delete my Myspace account. I just got sick of all of the crap on there. This is a simulation of the friend requests on a given weekly check of my account:

"You have 4 new friend requests."

1. From HotSexyAnna121. "I've been thinking about you. Want to come watch me in my room?" Yeah right. Like anyone wants to use something as crappy as Myspace for porn. Geez. DELETE.

2. From CrappyGenericEmoBand. "We saw you liked Mae on your profile. You would totally dig us! Come check us out and put this huge banner on your site to tell all of your friends." Right. Like somehow you can determine what I'll like simply by a five-artist list on my profile. DELETE

3. From DJMcAverage. "I'm spinning a club in Pontiac this weekend. I can put you on the totally select VIP list if you just add me as your Myspace friend." What? How does being my Myspace friend translate as such? DELETE

4. From This Account Has Been Deleted because it is Spam. Thanks Myspace. Any reason your "delete spam" function doesn't delete the friend request from my inbox? DELETE

Great. You rock Myspace. You rock as hard as Chumbawumba. Yep. I went there.

Yesterday I received two e-mails regarding Beta Releases.

Around 10:00 am, I received an e-mail from Microsoft welcoming me to the Beta Test program for Windows Home Server. This follows my request to join the program after seeing Colin's successful test and review of said product.

Around 4:00 pm, I received an e-mail from PDA Performance announcing the access to their public beta of their software for Palm called Saguaro. This looks absolutely fantastic. Also some comment was in the e-mail about "if you send us your comments, we'll give you the full version when it is done." Heck yeah.

I'm looking forward to Beta testing both of these products when McGiles and I come back from Atlanta on Sunday. If all goes well, I'll have some thoughts to share throughout the week.

Google announced today the release of their TiSP free broadband internet service. Check it out here!

My sister, Heather, is going in today to give birth. At least that was the word last night. So hopefully, in the next day or so, I will be able to provide you with some information and pictures.

In the meantime,  consider for a moment what is the most successful way of marketing you have seen lately. There has been fallout of late with companies initiating viral advertising (ex. the "I want a PSP for Christmas" website was set up by Sony and the author was paid by Sony merchandise). Do you prefer viral advertising and web recommendations to pop-up and text ads?

For those who manage a blog or website, wouldn't you say that you take a certain sense of pride and accomplishment to know that you have many readers who are following your regular rambling thoughts or enlightened ideas? This being something like one of a half-dozen or more websites I have my hands in, I find that I am constantly trying to capture every little piece of web traffic I possibly can, whether it be through heavy link sites like Technorati and del.ici.ious or by just plain "word-of-mouth" (finding a few other blogs to read and making sure you comment on them).

With that being said, what would you suggest I do to increase web traffic on the sites I manage, including this one?