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Archives for April 2014

GEEKNOTE: Net Neutrality

April 27, 2014 By Rob Marlowe

robspic

GEEKNOTE:  Since the beginning of the Internet, it was always agreed that companies would peer with each other at the major interconnects without charging each other for the data transfers.  If you were a top level Internet host, like an ATT or Verizon, things worked out just fine.  Smaller players always had to buy their connections to the Internet from a bigger company that had the peering arrangements set up.  This all worked fine so long as the traffic was more or less symmetrical, eg. about the same amount of data went both ways.

The Internet has changed over the last 20 years or so, especially with the advent of companies like Netflix that are streaming out massive amounts of data, but receiving very little in return.  Internet providers offering connections to consumers have found themselves in the position of needing to provide increasingly large data pipes to get all the data being requested to their customers.

There are two basic solutions to how to pay for this:  The first option is for consumers to pay for the data they consume, much the way that most cell phone providers charge for the amount of data traffic their customers use.  The second option is for large generators of time sensitive data (eg. Netflix) to kick in and pass that cost on to their customers.

For most of us, the time it takes to send pictures of kittens / puppies / grandchildren to facebook really doesn’t matter.  Likewise, if I’m shopping for a new Chevrolet on the Castriota.com website, it really doesn’t matter if it takes an extra second or two to load a page with pictures of a car.

On the other hand, if I’m watching the latest blockbuster on Netflix, I DO care about how fast the data stream arrives.

We are seeing a merging of data feeds into a single TCP/IP structure.  Vint Cerf famously made a t-shirt for himself that proclaimed “IP on Everything”.  The reverse is actually what is coming to be:  Everything on IP.  Analog copper phone lines are going the way of rotary phones.  When Verizon installs FIOS at your home or office, they generally yank out the copper wires.  EVERYTHING on FIOS is bits.  Brighthouse cable is headed in the same direction.

You can stuff massive amounts of digital data on a fiber optic cable.  In the final analysis, it doesn’t matter if it is digital TV, digital phone, facebook, or a Netflix movie.  It is ALL digital and the only real difference is how sensitive it is to delays.  In a very real way, Netflix is using the same technology to send you a video stream that the cable company is either using today or will be shortly to send you your regular TV programming.

Cell phone bandwidth is a finite resource, which is why most of the cell phone companies charge for data usage.  Because fiber has such massive potential, I don’t see it making any sense for the Verizons and Brighthouses to jack up their consumer prices, at least where we notice.   The direction this is headed is amazing.  In another few years, the 50 meg service a lot of us has now will seem as quaint as a dialup connection to the Internet.   Google is rolling out gigabyte service to a handful of cities and I fully expect to see Verizon and Brighthouse head in that direction sooner rather than later.

The FCC has opened the doors for content providers to pay a premium for faster access to their customers.  The FCC may still find a way to screw this all up, but I think things will be sorted out in short order.

An interesting aside is that it costs no more to send a data bit from here to Tokyo than it does to send it from here to Tampa.  Expensive international long distance rates are rapidly becoming a thing of the past.  That’s probably a good topic for a future GEEKNOTE.

Rob Marlowe, Senior Geek
Gulfcoast Networking, Inc.

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

GEEKNOTE: Tuesday April 8th

April 7, 2014 By Rob Marlowe

GEEKNOTE:  In addition to the voters of New Port Richey having the opportunity to choose a new mayor (I’m running for the post), an even bigger event is scheduled… Windows XP finally joins the ranks of unsupported operating systems.

Windows XP came onto the scene in 2001 and marked a sea change in the underlying architecture of Microsoft’s consumer operating systems.  Windows 1 through Windows 98 and even the much maligned Windows ME all ran on top of an MS-DOS foundation that had its start back with the original IBM PC in 1981.  Microsoft had developed a parallel OS for business use called Windows NT.   Windows XP took the Windows NT file system and other advanced features and incorporated them into a mainstream OS for everyone.  Early XP machines were sold with as little as 128k of memory and few were sold with over 1gb of memory.

Previous consumer versions of Windows rode on top of DOS.  XP let you run some things in a DOS environment within Windows.  This was a critical difference with major implications.

Windows Vista arrived in 2007 with some fancy enhancements to how our screens looked (eg. the Aero Glass Interface), but took so much extra horsepower to do it right that older machines simply stunk when upgraded.  Vista still had the same underpinnings as Windows XP.

Windows Vista arrived and landed with a resounding “thud”.  Microsoft worked mightily to fix the issues, but recognized the damaged nature of the name and so released the fixed version as Windows 7 rather than Windows Vista, Second Edition.

When Windows XP arrived, everything was 32 bit, as it had been for years.  A 32 bit architecture provides for a maximum of 4gb of addressable memory and half a gb of memory typically gets used for memory mapped uses, such as video displays.  PC hardware in 2001 was designed to use 32 bits.  Microsoft later released a 64 bit version of XP, but almost nobody every saw it.

Vista came out in both 32 and 64 bit versions.  By 2007, most computer hardware was designed to run a 64 bit OS, eliminating the 4gb memory limit.

By the time Windows 7 arrived in 2009, most new systems were shipping with the 64 bit versions of the OS.

Microsoft stumbled again in 2012 with the release of Windows 8, once again looking for flash over substance and redesigning everything to work like a touch screen tablet or smart phone.  Corporate users stayed away in droves.  Consumers often found that they needed to completely relearn how to use a personal computer when they went to a big box store and purchased a Windows 8 machine because that was all that was being sold.

Microsoft is slowly making changes to Windows 8 to make it more user friendly on a conventional desktop, but they aren’t quite there yet. (Windows 8.1 is the current release.)

So with XP support ending on April 8th and the XP systems still in service becoming an even bigger target to cyber criminals than they already are, what should someone with an XP system do?  My recommendation is to buy a new Windows 7 system.

Microsoft suggests upgrading from Windows XP to Windows 8.  I believe this is a VERY bad idea because the hardware on an old XP system is simply NOT going to run Windows 8 (or Windows 7 for that matter) in an acceptable fashion.

I believe that you should look at replacing your Windows XP desktop or notebook with a Windows 7 system.  Although not exactly the same, the general look and feel of a Windows 7 system is close enough to that of Windows XP that you’ll adjust quickly.  A modern 64 bit Windows 7 system will come with 4gb of memory and is likely expandable to 16gb or more if you ever need more memory.

We offer brand new name brand Windows 7 systems starting at about $500, with custom systems starting at just over $800.

If you spend $200 purchasing a copy of Windows 8.1 and paid someone a couple of hundred dollars to install it on your old hardware and transfer your data across, you’d have spent almost as much as a new system and you would STILL have old hardware.  With processing power continuing to double every 18 months or so, how much do you REALLY want to put into an 8 or 10 year old system?

Upgrading simply does not make any sense.

Feel free to give me a call at the store (847-2424) if you have any questions.  Because of the aforementioned election, I’m going to be out of the office all day Tuesday, but will be back bright and early on Wednesday, April 9th.  Of course, if you are coming to the New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center to vote in the election, I will see you there.

Rob Marlowe
Senior Geek
Gulfcoast Networking

(references to the mayoral campaign should be considered a Political advertisement paid for and approved by Robert C Marlowe, non-partisan, for Mayor of New Port Richey.)

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

April 2014 Newsletter

April 1, 2014 By Rob Marlowe

April begins with the silly practical jokes of April Fools’ Day and there’s no reason we can’t continue that light-hearted attitude throughout the month. To help keep a spring in your step, check out this issue’s cool-as-a-spring-breeze Pinterest pins plus websites featuring Earth Day, egg recipes, outdoor entertaining, and the Hope diamond. You’ll also enjoy two amazing videos about a lucky tornado survivor and brave tower climbers.

Of course, it can’t be all fun and games. We also include a heads-up about  emails claiming to be from lenders or landlords with malicious attachments, educate you about new domain names, and teach you how to turn on private browsing on your browser.

We think you’ll find the information contained in this newsletter to be a valuable tool for enhancing your Internet experience.

Here’s what’s inside our April 2014 Newsletter:

MALWARE ALERT – DON’T MOVE OUT IF YOU GET ONE OF THESE EMAILS

NEWS FROM THE SHOP

THIS MONTH’S FAQ – WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND THE NEW DOMAIN NAMES?

SITES OF THE MONTH – GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT IN APRIL

TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

SHORT TUTORIAL – HOW TO TURN ON PRIVATE BROWSING ON YOUR BROWSER

The Gulfcoast Networking Team

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MALWARE ALERT – DON’T MOVE OUT IF YOU GET ONE OF THESE EMAILS

One of the latest tricks from spammers involves threatening email messages about eviction. These emails claim that recipients have been evicted from their homes and must vacate their premises within a specified time frame or risk further legal proceedings and fines. Recipients are instructed to open an attached file to view more information about the eviction, and the message is designed to panic people into doing just that.

The attachments are not eviction notices or lawsuit letters but actually .zip or compressed files, which contain an executable .exe file. If you were to click on the .exe file, malicious malware would likely be installed on your computer. This malware could destroy your computer files, enable spammers to access and take control of your computer remotely, and expose you to theft of your personal and financial information.

Under NO circumstances should you ever open any .exe file sent to you from an unknown source. Today’s virus programs can actually destroy not just computer files, but also hardware such as hard disk drives and motherboards. If an eviction notice email like this shows up in your inbox, do NOT open any attachments or click any links that it contains.

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NEWS FROM THE SHOP

Windows XP support ends effective April 8th.  If you are still using a Windows XP machine you should treat yourself to a brand new Windows 7 machine from Gulfcoast Networking.  Windows 7 works like you do and there is no need to completely relearn how to use a computer like you would if you went to a big box store and bought a Windows 8 machine.

Brand name Windows 7 machines are available starting at $499.95 and great custom built systems with three year warranties are available starting at $824.95.

The latest Intel NUC systems are available with conventional hard drives.  this means you can have up to 1TB of storage in a desktop computer just a little over 4″ square.

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“Toasty” Handwarmers
Are A Slice Of Heaven
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775850605038/

A Sweet Easter Treat:
Eggs In Brownie Nests
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775850605181/

This Craft Project May
Be Your Cup Of Tea
http://www.pinterest.com/pin/291537775850613992/

You haven’t started pinning on Pinterest yet and you want to get started?
To sign up, go here https://pinterest.com/join/signup/

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THIS MONTH’S FAQ – WHAT’S THE STORY BEHIND THE NEW DOMAIN NAMES?

Question: For years, most website addresses ended in .com, .net, and .org. Lately, however, I’ve been seeing more variety in domain names. Why is that?

Answer: What you’re describing is the expansion in the number of generic top-level domains, known as gTLDs. The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) decided in 2012 that the 22 existing gTLDs — including .com, .net, and .org — weren’t enough. So, ICANN decided to allow up to 1,400 new gTLDs. ICANN claimed, “These additional gTLDs will enhance competition, innovation and choice in the Domain Name space, providing a wider variety of organizations, communities and brand new ways to communicate with their audiences.”

As you’ve seen, new gTLDs such as .app, .sports, .club, and .healthcare have already started to launch. Many more of these domains are in the process of being brought to market; it’s a long and complicated procedure that’s designed to include protections for trademark holders and give average users a fair shake at getting the names they want.

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SITES OF THE MONTH – GREAT SITES TO CHECK OUT IN APRIL

Unearth Earth Day Ideas
http://www.epa.gov/earthday/take-action.html
Each year, Earth Day — April 22 — marks the anniversary of what many consider the birth of the modern environmental movement in 1970. If you’d like to join the celebration, take a look at this site. You’ll find ideas
on how you can take “greener” actions at home, work, school, and stores as well as when you’re on the road.

Get Cracking With Egg Recipes
http://www.cookinglight.com/food/top-rated-recipes/healthy-5-star-egg-recipes-00400000048762
Eggs take center stage during the Easter season so don’t scramble to come up with new recipes at the last minute. Instead, check out these top-rated egg dishes from Cooking Light. They include Mediterranean-Style Poached Eggs, Mini Frittatas with Ham and Cheese, and Double Vanilla Meringues.

Go Outside and Play
http://www.backyardsimple.com
Are you experiencing spring fever? The best treatment may be to throw an outdoor party for family and friends. This site is brimming with fresh ideas for backyard entertaining including easy Mason jar lights, grilling tips, serving sizes for a crowd, budget-friendly food, lawn games, and more.

Mystery of the Hope Diamond
http://www.smithsonianchannel.com/sc/web/show/136360/mystery-of-the-hope-diamond
April’s birthstone is the diamond and there’s no more famous one than the huge, blue-gray Hope diamond. Take a sneak peak here at the Smithsonian Channel’s documentary about the world’s most celebrated jewel and learn about the legendary curse that’s plagued its owners.

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TWO TO VIEW – A COUPLE OF AMAZING VIDEOS YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS

http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2014/1404_VIDEO_A.htm

Happy Post-Tornado Surprise
This older woman in Oklahoma is being interviewed after a tornado destroyed her home in 2013, and she thinks her dog is gone. To her surprise and delight, the dog emerges from the rubble during the interview.

http://www.eNewsletterHome.com/_eNewsletter/2014/1404_VIDEO_B.htm
A 1,768-Foot Vertical Commute
Fair warning: If you’re afraid of heights, don’t watch this video! The rest of you will be fascinated by the footage of workers climbing a tower, step by step, in the open air to begin their workday on one of the world’s tallest towers.

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SHORT TUTORIAL – HOW TO TURN ON PRIVATE BROWSING ON YOUR BROWSER

Private, or incognito, browsing is designed to keep your browsing history away from the eyes of casual snoopers. In other words, someone who jumps on your computer won’t see where you’ve been online. Every major Web browser – Internet Explorer,  Chrome, Firefox,   Safari, and Opera – have private browsing. When you turn this feature on, your browser won’t record your browsing history and will ignore ad-tracking cookies.

For instructions on how to turn on private browsing, click on the links below for your browser.

Internet Explorer
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/Internet-explorer/products/ie-9/features/in-private

Chrome
https://support.google.com/chrome/answer/95464?hl=en

Firefox
https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/private-browsing-browse-web-without-saving-info

Safari
http://support.apple.com/kb/ph5000

Opera
http://help.opera.com/Windows/12.10/en/private.html

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We hope you found this newsletter to be informative. It’s our way of keeping you posted on the happenings at our shop.

Thanks for your business!

Best regards,

Rob Marlowe, Senior Geek
Gulfcoast Networking, Inc
6335 Grand Blvd
New Port Richey, FL 34652

727-847-2424

(We have used our best efforts in collecting and preparing the information published herein. However, we do not assume, and hereby disclaim, any and all liability for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, whether such errors or omissions resulted from negligence, accident, or other causes.)

©2014 Gulfcoast Networking, Inc.
Portions ©2014 Cornerstone Publishing Group, Inc., used with permission.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

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Rob Marlowe

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Hours: M-F 9-5
Evenings and weekends by appointment
Phone: 727-847-2424

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New Port Richey, FL 34652

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