Slashdot | Microsoft's Big Bet on Online Gaming

Slashdot :

And games designed for multiple players have a mixed record of attracting customers.' Says analyst Michael Pachter, 'At the end of the day, we don't play games for social interaction ... We play games to escape.' Microsoft's strategy is 'absolutely flawed,' he added.""

Is online gaming a wasted investment for MS and Sony? I know I tend to shy away from online opponents. Even in a simple game of chess. When I play games I do it for my entertainment, not to socialize. I don't want to bother other people and I don't want other people to bother me. If I do want to play aginst someone I want to know who the person is. I don't trust strangers. But I'm not much of a people person. Are most people like me, problably not. I'm sure MS and Sony have done research and are on the money on this one. Online gaming is going to drive broadband to the home, just like gaming drove pc devlopment over the past 15 years.

More Black helicopter stuff: NSA Caught With The Cookies

Slashdot : “"The associated press is reporting that the NSA is putting cookies on visiting computers. Apparently it is unlawful for the government to put anything but a session cookie out unless it's expressed in the site's privacy policy." From the article: "Don Weber, an NSA spokesman, said in a statement Wednesday that the cookie use resulted from a recent software upgrade. Normally, the site uses temporary, permissible cookies that are automatically deleted when users close their Web browsers, he said, but the software in use shipped with persistent cookies already on. ... In a 2003 memo, the White House's Office of Management and Budget prohibits federal agencies from using persistent cookies _ those that aren't automatically deleted right away _ unless there is a 'compelling need.' A senior official must sign off on any such use, and an agency that uses them must disclose and detail their use in its privacy policy."”


Full Disclosure:I Don't know if my site gives cookies and I don't care.

Will ISPs Quarantine You From the lnternet?

Andy Dornan :

A greater threat is that ISPs may try to restrict the customer's side by denying access to machines based on their hardware or software configuration. And far from banning that, the government may be encouraging it. Back when he was head of cybersecurity, White House terrorism advisor Richard Clarke even said it should be made mandatory to quarantine malware.

The black helicopters are coming, the black helicopters are coming!

Here is the deal. People fear what they don't understand. People don't understand the Internet and they fear it. People don't understant it isn't cost effective for ISP's to be proactive about the security state of their customers. They would have to monitor 100% of the connected computers on the off chance that 2% (my guess) of them are infected to the point such that it cost something. It will always be cheaper for ISP's to be reactive and shut down ports for free if they become such a problem.


Full Disclosure: It looks like the artticle is from the furture. Check the date under the auther's name. So maybe Andy Dorman knows something from the furture that we who are stuck in the present don't understand. Yet...

Ethernet Switch Market Share numbers

Around the office we have be talking ethernet market share numbers, and I've finally found some numbers from a trusted source online. The numbers are interesting. If someone better at math could help me reverse engineer some more cool info from this please let me know.

No supprise that Cisco is a the top of both revenue (75.7%) and ports (40.6). The wired thing is the differance between the two. Cisco has over 3 quarters of the switching revenue with only 2 fiths of the ports. That's amazing, and features/reliability aside it shows that people do pay a premium for Cisco switches.

Odder still Notel shows up as number 2 under Revenue but doesn't even make the top 5 under ports. I guess people (although fewer) are also paying a permium for Nortel switches.

Here is what my elementry math tells me based on the numbers from this report:

Cisco average cost per port sold:
$118

HP average cost per port sold:
$31

3com average cost per port sold:
$17

Industry average cost per port sold:
$63

Now keep in mind that this is all types of ports PoE 10G GigE etc. Cisco's higher price per port is in part justified buy the fact they sell more of these higher end ports.

Read more at www.gartner.com/press_r...

Full Discolsure: The above math is my own and likley to be wrong. If you want the full details you'll have to buy the gartner report for $6,995.00 If you do, may I take a peek ;)

Free McAfee Internet Security Suite 2006

Buy.com - McAfee Internet Security Suite 2006 v 8.0 Minibox - MIS80EMB1RAA

Just found this. If you are like me and havnen't ever gotten around to updating the free virus software that came with your home pc and were waiting for the right price. Here it is. Free after rebates if you ever owned anything McAfee or Norton. Just $30 bucks if you don't own either.

Full Disclosure:This isn't an ad/referal scam. Just a good deal I found and wanted to share.

Why do they keep trying to reinvent the key board?

Sure it's ugly. Sure no one is really going to buy it. So why make it? Does this guy think he is going to change the world with this keyboard?

I don't really have a problem with my keyboard. I don't know any one who works on one all day like me that wants a different keyboard. If we could turn back time, and layout the keys differently..... but alas we can't. So we are stuck with qwerty.

Are their people or bosses that are looking to get that .01% extra productity out of keyboard users? Why do we need to type faster?

Where are the numbers on this keyboard? Having to shift for numbers would slow me way down.

And who says abcdef is better then qwerty?

Full Disclosure: I nearly flunked typing in high school. But that wasn't because of the keyboard/typewriter, but because I'm tottaly unconcordaited. In H.S. band I wasn't allowed to march and play at the same time. I'm a good enough typiest now. Now all I need is a keyboard with spell check.

Juniper sues 10 John Doe's

Techdirt:Suing For Libel Isn't Always The Right Decision


From Tech Dirt:

They [Juniper] were apparently so upset by some random messages on Light Reading's message board that they've filed lawsuits against 10 unidentified users who posted disparaging remarks concerning the company. Not to knock Light Reading -- which is a fantastic resource for telecom news, by the way -- but it's quite unlikely that any random message board postings on Light Reading are taken seriously enough to really matter. The audience isn't tremendous, and most readers there probably know enough to recognize that a random anonymous posting is, well, less than trustworthy. In fact, Light Reading removed the comments soon after they were posted for violating forum rules. So, until now, almost no one even knew about these postings that called the company unethical and accused execs of various scamming activities. However, now that the story is news -- a lot more people are hearing about the accusations, whether or not they're true. In posting about the lawsuits, Light Reading itself quotes a lawyer who points out that these moves "say as much about the company suing as it does about the message board users."

Festivus - The Holiday For The Rest of Us

Since I know you all will be busy tomorrow celebrating Festivus, and not reading my blog. I wanted to take a moment and which everyone a happy Festivus Eve.

For those unfamilar with the holiday here are some more links to bring you up to speed.
http://festivusbook.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Festivus
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2005/dec/18/festivus_rest_us/

Full Disclosure: I'm not sure where my Festivus pole is.

Deploying IPv6 in a datacenter

Kevin Day:

Getting your network running IPv6 doesn't seem to be the challenge anymore. None of our L2 devices cared at all. Our L3 devices took some configuration, but moved pretty easily. it's the server and application software that needs a lot more work. I don't think we're even close to the point where an end-user can go to their provider and say "IPv6 me!" and get it working for more hassle than it's worth to them. [Click here for his full post]

Here is a great post about 1 man's experince trying to move to IPv6. The moral of his story is that getting the network IPv6 ready is the easier part (but not easy), getting applcations to work with IPv6 just isn't worth the trouble.

Anybody else have stories about deploying IPv6?

Full Discloseure: If you too would like this IPv6 headache for yourself and are a OneNet customer, give us a call and we can set you up :)

House backs compromise digital TV plan

yahoo news:

Some of the airwaves freed up by broadcasters would be given to public safety groups like police, fire and rescue workers who have had trouble communicating with each other during major crises like the September 11, 2001, attacks and Hurricane Katrina.

If we let people stay on analog tv, the terriost win

Might Microsoft Want Sci-Atlanta?

Light Reading :

"After Cisco Systems Inc. announced plans to buy Scientific-Atlanta Inc. speculation bubbled over someone else stepping in to spoil the bid.

Consumer electronics types such as Sony Corp. were the favorites, and Alcatel got a mention as possibly looking to defend its turf against Cisco. And there's been talk that at least a couple of these parties were prepared to bid more than Cisco.

But how about Microsoft Corp.? The New York Post reported early this week that the Redmond empire was mulling its own bid for Scientific-Atlanta."

I think there isn't much fact to this, but interesting rumor none the less. Both have tons of cash. This may be a trial balloon sent out some some other non-micosoft 3rd party to see if Cisco is willing to get into a bidding war for SA. I don't think Cisco is willing to do that, but I could be wrong.

From the enemy of my enemy Dept. AOL to stick with Google and drop talks with Microsoft

ZDNet:

Google may pay $1 billion for a 5 percent stake in America Online as part of an exclusive deal with Time Warner that would strengthen ties with the search giant instead of dumping Google for Microsoft.

If 1 Billion = 5% of AOL and my math is corrrect, that would mean AOL is worth $20 BILLION ! I find that way to high.


Full Disclosure: My math is often wrong.

Cutting and Pasting config via Hyperterminal

Many times I tried to paste a large block of config into hyperterm, and it fails. Now I know why, and how to fix it thanks to this tip from Cisco's Packet mag.

Suhail Kulasi, Ashurst, London, England :

If you cut and paste your config onto an IOS-based switch using Hyperterminal, it breaks down about midway. This occurs because Hyperterminal sends the text too quickly for the switch, particularly if a command returns a message, such as portfast. To avoid this, in Hyperterminal, select File – Properties; click the Settings tab, click the ASCII button, and add a character delay of 5 milliseconds. You should now be able to cut and paste your config successfully.

In the "My CEO can beat up your CEO" department

EFY Times:

Narayana Murthy ranks eighth on the 15-strong list of CEOs. Nearly 700 leading business people in 65 countries took part in the survey. India's only CEO to list in the top 15 CEOs is also ahead of GE's Jeffrey Immelt and Cisco's John Chambers.

Light Reading - BellSouth Cuts 1,500 - Telecom News Wire

Light Reading :

In an ongoing effort to better position the company for success in the competitive broadband marketplace, today BellSouth (NYSE:BLS) announced a management reduction of approximately 1,500 employees

"Marry Christmas" I mean, "Happy Holidays," I mean "Holidays," I mean "Un-plaid long term vaction," I mean "You're Fired"

From your friend and and employer,
BellSouth

Gmail Mobile

Gmail Mobile

If you a like me and you carry a phone that has web access and have a gmail account. Google has slimed down their gmail for moblie phones. just go to http://m.gmail.com

If you don't have a gmail account. Let me know I'll send you a referal.

6500/7600 IOS Command cheat-sheet

I haven't posted a helpful tip recently so I figure it is time to do so. Here is a list of IOS commands I found posted on Puck that are particlar to the 6500 switch and the 7600 router (same thing). Thanks to Hank Nussbacher and Florian Weimer on the cisco puck list


show catalyst [Catalyst 6000 info]
show cwan [Catalyst WAN info]
show fabric [Crossbar switching data]
show inventory [Equipment inventory including Serial Numbers]
show mls [Multilayer switching]
show mls statistics
show mls netflow ip nowrap
show mls status [undocumented]
show module [Linecard info]
show power [Power info]
show tcam [TCAM info]
show tcam detail [ actual TCAM contents ]
show fm inter nnnn [Feature Manager]
show fm features [displays L4OPs utilization]
show idprom module n [IDPROM info]
show upgrade fpd [Field Programmable Device upgrade]
attach n [Connect to SUP]
remote command switch sho xxxx [execute a command on the SUP]
remote login switch [Connect to SUP]
ipc-cons n [Connect to Flexwan - undocumented]

Is Google the best search engine?

The Search Engine Experiment


Try this blind 'taste test'

at&t shouldn't have it both ways on 'IPVT'

Techdirt:

They claim that they don't need a cable license, because what they're offering is "different" -- a claim that would be a lot more credible if they didn't make their IPTV offerings look so much like cable offerings.

If at&t doesn't want to do the cable franchise thing, then they need to have a product that doesn't look so much like a cable tv franchise. And of course I mean real VoD.

Full Disclosure: Mama told me, I couldn't eat my cake and have it too.

Top 10 System Administrator Truths

The Search for A Good Story: Top 10 System Administrator Truths: "."

Worth the read.

They were not kidding folks, they really want to create a 2 tiered Internet.

Boston.com Business:

AT&T Inc. and BellSouth Corp. are lobbying Capitol Hill for the right to create a two-tiered Internet, where the telecom carriers' own Internet services would be transmitted faster and more efficiently than those of their competitors.

I sure hope google with all their IPO money can stop this.

Cisco CRS-1 and Nortel DWDM Score Comcast Wins

I wonder why Cisco didn't win the DWDM part of this deal, which has to be the bigger piece. I can't see Comcast needing more the 4 or so CRS-1 routers. I wonder if Comcast will use Cisco's new DWDM optics in the CRS-1 router, and just use Nortel for the ROADMs and OA's.

Could a U.S. Shift to IPv6 Cost $75B?

Internet.com:

"Can IPv6 aid in achieving the organization's strategic vision and mission?" the report asks. "The answer is 'yes' if agencies understand its potential and the new communications paradigm it creates."

Can someone explain to me this paradigm shift? How is IPv6 so much different from IPv4, and is that differance worth $75 Billion?

Cisco set to take on network and application performance management

NetworkWorld:

Cisco next week is set to roll out a suite of products that will help network managers better pinpoint the source of application performance problems

Cisco needs to get Network management under control before it starts application management. CiscoWorks 2000 (CW2k) is bulky and arkward, and lacks many key features. Cisco has other network management tools, but none work together to give one a good view of their network, and most are over priced IHMO.

BellSouth offers VoIP

Light Reading :

And that BellSouth name adds a premium. 8x8's Packet8 Freedom Unlimited plan, with unlimited local and long distance calling to the U.S. and Canada, costs $19.95 a month. But BellSouth customers will initially pay $29.95 a month for BellSouth's rebranded version

Who would pay $10 for the BellSouth name? They are idots

The New Air Force Mission to include Cyberspace?

The New Air Force Mission?: "-- to fly and fight in Air, Space, and Cyberspace"


How does one fly and and fight is 'cyberspace'? Who says cyberspace anymore? I guess someone needs to proctect us from Lawnmower Man

Alltel to spin off local-phone unit and Merge with Valor

Alltel to spin off local-phone unit

Have the mico-mega mergers of the ILEC's begun? Will this echo what is happening with the baby bells?

CIDR Report

CIDR Report

This is a great site if you are looking to 'rank' AS numbers and such.


Full disclosure:This airs everyones dirty laundry, and I need to find some soap. ;)

Mike Lynn says: Firm Allegedly Hiding Cisco Bugs

Wired News: Firm Allegedly Hiding Cisco Bugs: "Mike Lynn"

Mike Lynn: " Wait, Wait, my 15 minutes of fame isn't over.."

Free Wi-fi Prompts BellSouth to Withdraw Donation

From Slashdot ::

"Shortly after learning of the New Orleans plan for free city-wide wireless internet, Bellsouth Corp. withdrew an offer to donate a damaged building to be used for police headquarters. According to the Washington Post, 'Bill Oliver, angrily rescinded the offer of the building in a conversation with New Orleans homeland security director Terry Ebbert.'"

What can I add, telco's are evil

Juniper's Secret

From Light Reading :

Juniper doesn’t have an acquisition strategy. It is a tactic to capitalize on our opportunities. Organic innovation is our primary focus... Juniper doesn’t necessarily NEED anything that we don’t currently have. That said, we watch the markets and if there are opportunities in the market to realize the potential our traffic processing strategy we will make acquisitions.

duh?

Executive Wants to Charge for Web Speed

Executive Wants to Charge for Web Speed:

William L. Smith, chief technology officer for Atlanta-based BellSouth Corp., told reporters and analysts that an Internet service provider such as his firm should be able, for example, to charge Yahoo Inc. for the opportunity to have its search site load faster than that of Google Inc

He's an idot.

Full disclosure: He's a big dumb telco idot.

Is Limited Unlimited Service False Advertising?

Is Limited Unlimited Service False Advertising?:

Just last month, we wrote about people getting kicked off Verizon Wireless' high speed EVDO network for using the "unlimited" network too much -- raising the question of how you could use too much of something that was being advertised as unlimited?

I was reading this article, and agreeing with it. Thinking about my Treo 650 I'm about to get and if I could be ding'd for using too much. Then I realized that this would be yet another post that need a Full disclosure.

Full Disclosure: OneNet offers "Unlmited Email and Web hosting" for all cirucit customers. The problem is that we have, like the companies in this article, "got on" to heavy users, and asked them to delete some things. 99% of the time it isn't a problem. (The truth is that it is easier to offer 'unlimited' then to work out the mechanism that would limit users and the policy that goes along wth it. But, you didn't here me say that)