#DSL internet

[merry-1009]

Unlocking the Best Internet Provider Deals: A Comprehensive Guide  

In today's digitally interconnected world, a reliable and high-speed internet connection isn't just a luxury; it's a necessity. Whether you're streaming your favorite shows, conducting business meetings, or gaming with friends, having a robust internet connection can make all the difference. However, with so many providers and packages available, finding the right one for your needs can be overwhelming. That's where Fastway Connect comes in – your trusted partner in navigating the sea of internet options to find the perfect fit for you.

  Why Choose Fastway Connect?  

At Fastway Connect, we understand that not all internet connections are created equal. That's why we've curated a selection of the best providers and packages to ensure that you get the high-speed internet you need at a price you can afford. Here's why you should choose us:

  1. Cheap Internet Deals:   We know that price matters. That's why we've scoured the market to find budget-friendly high-speed internet plans for under $50/month. With detailed insights on speed, data caps, and more, we'll help you find the best deal for your budget.

  2. Tailored Bundles:   Looking for a one-stop-shop for all your entertainment needs? Unlock tailored TV and fast internet bundles based on your location. Our top pick, the AT & T Standard + bundle, offers the ultimate package experience at an unbeatable price.

  3. Exclusive Perks:   At Fastway Connect, we believe that deals should be more than just promotions – they should be valuable savings over your service term. That's why we've partnered with top local internet providers to uncover exclusive perks that you won't find anywhere else.

  Compare and Contrast  

Not sure which provider is right for you? Our comprehensive comparison tool makes it easy to compare top-speed internet providers like AT&T, Optimum, and Spectrum. From budget-friendly options like Direct TV to multi-gig possibilities with Frontier and AT&T Fiber, we'll help you find the perfect fit for your needs.

  Internet Technology Explained  

Understanding the different types of internet technology can help you make an informed decision when choosing a provider. Here's a breakdown of the most common types:

-   5G Home Internet:   Utilizes cellphone towers to deliver high-speed internet directly to your home. Offers speeds up to 1,000 Mbps but consistency may vary based on proximity to a cell tower. -   Fiber:   The swiftest and most dependable option, boasting symmetrical download and upload speeds. Limited availability but offers multi-gigabit plans. -   Cable:   Widely accessible and highly reliable, with gigabit speeds. May experience slowdowns during peak usage periods. -   Fixed Wireless:   Offers reliable connectivity for rural regions without the latency issues of satellite options. Expect slower speeds and data caps. -   Satellite:   Spans all 50 states, offering reliable connectivity for rural areas but with higher latency and lower data allowances. -   DSL:   Utilizes telephone lines for data transmission, offering widespread availability and affordability but relatively lower speeds.

  Guidelines to Selecting Your Ideal Internet Provider  

Still not sure where to start? Follow these guidelines to help you make the right choice:

1.   Evaluate Your Speed Needs:   Take our speed test to gauge your current speed and determine if you require more or less. 2.   Consider Device Count and Usage:   Factor in the number of connected devices and your daily online activities. 3.   Assess Your Current Speed:   Test your existing internet speed and seek transparent pricing to understand the actual cost. 4.   Demystify Internet Terms:   Gain clarity on essential internet concepts to make informed decisions.

  Internet Provider FAQs  

Still have questions? Here are some frequently asked questions about Fastway Connect:

-   Does Fastway Connect provide internet services?   We don't directly offer internet services but link you with providers accessible in your area. -   Why do limited internet providers serve my area?   Limited options often result from the costly infrastructure needed, but we ensure access to top providers. -   Will there be new internet choices available in my vicinity?   With the rise of 5G and infrastructure investments, we're committed to bringing you cutting-edge options.

In conclusion, finding the best internet provider doesn't have to be complicated. With Fastway Connect, you can unlock exclusive deals, compare top providers, and find the perfect fit for your needs. Say goodbye to slow connections and hello to high-speed internet today!

[tmis0]

Test Internet speed with DSL Speed Test, a free resource.

A DSL speed test measures your internet's download, upload speeds, and latency, ensuring you're getting the performance promised by your ISP.

[seventh-district]

okay. finally feeling well enough that i want to put some time and energy into returning to my socials. time to scroll my mutual’s blogs to see what i’ve missed out on while i was busy being mentally ill offline

[fremedon]

My parents got their first computer in 1982. And their first modem in 2012. I had unlimited access to the computer, but the computer could not access anything except via floppy disc. (Or, for that first computer, cassette drive.)

TV was very restricted--including, for some years, by the TV set also being the computer monitor so they couldn't both be in use at the same time.

[pyreflydust]

Sometimes you really do gotta turn it off and then back on again

[xtrablak674]

[Originally published on Livejournal, Wednesday September 25, 2000 at 11:53am]

POPPED4HOURS: hello

Bboyblue32: hello

Bboyblue32: thought you were an ad

POPPED4HOURS: i am coming to you via bluelight.com

POPPED4HOURS: i am not an ad

Bboyblue32: lol

Bboyblue32: well your on IM not AOL

Bboyblue32: and you know AOL with all their ads

Bboyblue32: false IM's

POPPED4HOURS: yes i do. aol is no more with me

Bboyblue32: really....

Bboyblue32: they are cheaper with your using Bluelight

Bboyblue32: you could get them for 9.99

POPPED4HOURS: it's free

Bboyblue32: yes i know

Bboyblue32: i have a bluelight acct

POPPED4HOURS: free is good

Bboyblue32: as a back up

Bboyblue32: so what brings about this greeting today?

POPPED4HOURS: i saw you on my list. . .i have only had internet at home for the last two days

POPPED4HOURS: saw your name, and thought that a hello was in order

Bboyblue32: aha

POPPED4HOURS: how are u doing?

Bboyblue32: so what new with you?

Bboyblue32: i am kewl just came back from at trip to atlanta

POPPED4HOURS: work is my life. i have sworn off men. i play with my pussies and that is enuf

Bboyblue32: well they had lay offs at my job. seven of them

POPPED4HOURS: u survived?

Bboyblue32: nope :)

Bboyblue32: thats why i went to atlanta

Bboyblue32: for ten days

Bboyblue32: nice vacation

POPPED4HOURS: ugh. unemployment?

Bboyblue32: well nice severance

Bboyblue32: and i just applied for unemployment

POPPED4HOURS: slacker

Bboyblue32: i dont want to rush into my next job

Bboyblue32: hey if i have the luxary

Bboyblue32: and unemployment is 405 a week max

Bboyblue32: why work?

POPPED4HOURS: u don't want to use rush at your next job?

Bboyblue32: no, i dont want to RUSH into my next job

Bboyblue32: dont project

POPPED4HOURS: sorry, it's one of my faults

Bboyblue32: umm hmm its all good, i knew you were joking

Bboyblue32: if your internet connection is fast enuff you can check out the pictures they are online

Bboyblue32: http://www.trevorbrownonline.com/atlanta

Bboyblue32: atlanta is one of my considerations for moving

POPPED4HOURS: you thinking of ditching NYC?

Bboyblue32: nyc take alot out of you

Bboyblue32: its not a friendly city

Bboyblue32: i am aware that any issues i have will go with me where ever i am but it would be nice to deal with them, in a less hostile enviorment

Bboyblue32: atlanta the people were very nice, it was refreshing

POPPED4HOURS: hummmmm. . .never thought of the south as very friendly to a young black man. .. .

Bboyblue32: well atlanta is "Chocolate City"

POPPED4HOURS: well well

Bboyblue32: its not the only city i am considering Chicago, Portland, Seattle

POPPED4HOURS: the rose plant you sent me is still alive and growing

Bboyblue32: So you would probably enjoy atlanta

POPPED4HOURS: i'm sure

Bboyblue32: thats why i like to give plants more lasting then "other things"

POPPED4HOURS: it's budding for the forth time

POPPED4HOURS: fourth

Bboyblue32: got it...

Bboyblue32: how is the city?

POPPED4HOURS: pom pom is entering adulthood

POPPED4HOURS: the city is fine

Bboyblue32: Pom Pom is was a teen ager not long ago

POPPED4HOURS: how fast they grow she is starting to calm down a bit and is starting to warm up to me once again

Bboyblue32: well she has been fixed so that should calm her down

Bboyblue32: i have not fixed Neo yet

POPPED4HOURS: how are Neo and Anastasia?

Bboyblue32: she is over due

POPPED4HOURS: very

Bboyblue32: Ana is the same as always overly affectionate etc

Bboyblue32: they were here alone for the ten days i was in atlanta they did fine

POPPED4HOURS: cats are better then men

POPPED4HOURS: how independent of them

Bboyblue32: my best friends roommate checked on them

Bboyblue32: cats are different from men

Bboyblue32: i am featuring lesbian realness myself

POPPED4HOURS: speaking of pussy, i came across you're on yahoo's interacial bareback m4m :-)

Bboyblue32: i am on everything Yahoo

Bboyblue32: i didnt know you were on yahoo

POPPED4HOURS: yes, cactitony

Bboyblue32: well I am on yahoo trying to sell ass, cause I can never give my ass away, i always get ass

POPPED4HOURS: well you come across very pig bottom

Bboyblue32: yeah, do you think i have gotten any action....NO

Bboyblue32: there is a nice guy in Ohio i have been talking to

Bboyblue32: nice distant

Bboyblue32: and safe

POPPED4HOURS: very very distant

Bboyblue32: so i can keep up my lesbian pretense

POPPED4HOURS: stopped shaving your legs?

Bboyblue32: i usually only do it once or twice during the summer

Bboyblue32: i am really not that much maintainance

POPPED4HOURS: then you are a lesbian

Bboyblue32: yes i know except i dont eat granola

Bboyblue32: and I shave my pits

POPPED4HOURS: well then, you AREN'T a lesbian

Bboyblue32: well i am a LIT

Bboyblue32: Lesbian in Training

POPPED4HOURS: got it

Bboyblue32: i just cant stand that long underarm hair its unruly

POPPED4HOURS: Soymilk?

Bboyblue32: not that my hair grows that long

Bboyblue32: well adam has been getting me into soy milk

POPPED4HOURS: i have it on my cereal every morning

POPPED4HOURS: high cholestorel

Bboyblue32: thats very healthy of you

Bboyblue32: i am trying to start goin to the gym this week

Bboyblue32: and going on a diet

Bboyblue32: i gained like 20 pounds in atlanta

POPPED4HOURS: i started smoking again this past weekend which i hate

Bboyblue32: and i was big enuff as it was

Bboyblue32: well everyone back slides

POPPED4HOURS: i'm working on it

Bboyblue32: you are probably goin thru a phase

POPPED4HOURS: i am

Bboyblue32: one day at a time sweet jesus

POPPED4HOURS: a bit of a funk

Bboyblue32: thats all i ask of you

Bboyblue32: well today was a funky day for me i was in all day cause of the weather

Bboyblue32: i was gonna go to the museum

Bboyblue32: but it was so icky out

Bboyblue32: i went to the movies yesterday, saw 4 movies

POPPED4HOURS: not that bad once i got myself going

POPPED4HOURS: oh dear, thats a lot of movies

POPPED4HOURS: i'm a DVD hag myself

Bboyblue32: well you have a job...that keeps you busy

POPPED4HOURS: that it does

Bboyblue32: i have to find other ways of keeping myself busy

Bboyblue32: i saw one of the actors from Oz on the street

Bboyblue32: i was like wow

POPPED4HOURS: jump him?

Bboyblue32: i saw, Exorcist, BRing it on(2nd time) Bait, URban Legend

Bboyblue32: no i didnt he was straight

Bboyblue32: he most live in the slope

Bboyblue32: must live in the slope

Bboyblue32: i think i will go to the museum tomorrow and see the hip hop exhibit

POPPED4HOURS: well i'm off to make myself a hearty dinner sandwich sounds like a good day out

Bboyblue32: lol

Bboyblue32: ttyl

POPPED4HOURS: ttyl

[Afterwords: You know I love this just a simple interaction talking about whats going on in our lives. The most important thing to mention about this conversation is that Tony and I who had started off as fuck-buds, then morphed into sort-of dating, were not just friends. I think we accomplished an appropriate friendly energy here. This is why I think the friendship went on to last about another twelve years or so.

From a historical standpoint its hilarious to me that we we're moving away from America Online which up until this point had been the standard for home internet access. I am not sure exactly Bluelight Internet was, its not easy to search for things from twenty years ago, but it seems like it was some free internet service. I think after AOL my next stop was DSL which I would stay on way too long as DSL and Cable battled it out for dominance.

The most brilliant thing I did at this time was leave the city two days after my lay-off. I can't applaud myself more for that. It was a difficult moment being laid off for I think the first and last time in my adult life especially since this occurred during the very notorious Dot Com era of the internet, the Internet 1.0 phase. Leaving Kirshenbaum was a huge risk, I left after my supervisor left and albeit it was good for a moment I was jobless in six months. I wasn't one of those lucky few who landed some place that then later made them internet millionaires. That has never been my lot in life, and I am okay with that, sort of.

For the record I never moved, this was one of two times in my adult life I had considered moving to the South, the second time was Tallahassee Florida, but that didn't work out because I had never focused on developing my credit and couldn't get a rental down there.

My goddess I was very generous back then, I think my giving of plants and flowers ceased after this time period with the exception of the apology flowers I sent to my sister-in-law to be after participating in a very heated argument in her home with one of my cousins. I think it was sweet I had sent Tony a rose plant, I am not sure why, maybe a birthday? I also remember during this time I think I sent Aunt Mary some flowers too or maybe a plant. But haven't done any of that in recent years.

Pussy-time, clearly Anastasia and Neo my cats were still alive as was Tony's all white fur-ball Pom Pom. I miss my cats but have decided I like nice things more than having little furry companions tearing through the house. After Neo died I decided that my next companion would be a dog when I retired, a stray or something I rescue from the pound in Belize where I want to spend my twilight years.

You know this was one of the best interactions I had with a friend regarding my hookup accounts, there wasn't any real judgement just sharing what he observed. This would play out very differently with Adam who was high up on some moral high ground which was so hypocritical when I found the very condom-free videos on his computer of him and his HIV-positive boyfriend Rafi having sexcapades in his bedroom.

I hated my body hair even with how sparse it was, I remember I think I first got rid of it during one of my many trips to Puerto Rico using the very smelly Nair. I enjoyed the feeling of smoothness so much when I got back home I got in the habit of shaving my public bush and the rest of my genitals and ass-crack, I couldn't find a polite way to say ass-crack. I am not quite sure when it changed maybe after I stopped dating in the mid-aughts but I haven't even as much as looked at a razor on my face since two-thousand twenty, and my body easily like maybe two-thousand eight or earlier.

At this time I was at the one of the heaviest moments I was in my adulthood. Albeit I was making some of the best money of my life, I wasn't happy at SF Interactive, and I ballooned. I think in the next two or three years I bought some Nike inline skates which in the early aughts I had become well-known for using to skate everywhere. My body dysmorphia would probably want me to say that I have struggled with my weight my entire adult life. But the fact is I fit into a medium sized t-shirt have since I was a teen, what is big in my head is not is really what is big to the outside world.

My next extreme weight gain as was probably most of the people in the first world countries was during the pandemic. But when we came out of that I lost eighty pounds over the course of a year. I managed to keep it off for about three years surpassing averages, then tired of the regiment and slipped up to a sort-of comfortable weight. Don't get it twisted I am not huge by any means, I am just not my college weight, and it drives me a little crazy when I can't fit into ALL OF MY CLOTHES.

The actor from Oz was Terry Kinney, I wish it had been one of the many hot men on that show, I was always lukewarm about Terry which I finally finished last year.

Soy-milk then and twenty-five years later I am now featuring oat-milk.

I am not sure if this happens to anyone else but films I have seen more than twenty year ago just once I have a tendency to forget. I am checking IMDB and there wasn't a two thousand release of The Exorcist, so I guess maybe I re-watched the original in the theatres?

Bring it On is now a classic

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0204946/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

I have always had a crush on David Morse since St. Elsewhere, but I have no recollection of this film.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0211938/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

And seriously if you put a gun to my head and told me I saw this film I would go to my death ignorant.

https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0192731/?ref_=ext_shr_lnk

Damn it, I didn't want to do a thousand words on this instant message conversation, this is my third entry in a row with over two thousand words. But I am seriously enjoying this looking back, and filling in of details of these relationships and situations from my past. I am not saying I have gotten carried away, because what else is an obituary for if not to reflect?

[Photo by Brown Estate]

[cableandinternetinsight]

Comparing Internet Speeds Across Providers

Introduction:

Selecting the right internet provider often comes down to finding a balance between speed, cost, and reliability. With numerous providers offering various speed packages, understanding the metrics and comparing them accurately is essential for securing a connection that meets your needs. This guide will explore key factors in comparing internet speeds, how to interpret different metrics like download and upload speeds, and provide insights on finding the best deal for your internet usage.

Main Body:

Understanding Internet Speed MetricsInternet speeds are measured in Mbps (Megabits per second), and the speeds you need depend on your online activities. Providers usually advertise download and upload speeds. Download speed affects activities like streaming and browsing, while upload speed is crucial for video calls, online gaming, and data uploading.

Comparing Download and Upload Speeds Download and upload speeds vary among providers and are often tailored to specific plans. Knowing what speed each activity requires can help you make an informed choice:

Streaming: For streaming HD video, you need at least 5 Mbps, while 4K streaming can require 25 Mbps or more.

Online Gaming: Gaming often demands around 10-20 Mbps for an optimal experience, with a focus on upload speed.

Remote Work: High-quality video calls may require upload speeds of at least 3 Mbps to prevent lag.

Reviewing Provider Plans Each provider offers packages with varying speed options and data limits. Here are three common types of providers:

Cable Providers: Offer high-speed internet, typically with wide coverage but can slow during peak hours.

Fiber-Optic Providers: Known for consistent and high speeds with symmetrical download and upload rates, but with limited availability.

DSL Providers: Generally slower than fiber or cable but can be more affordable.

Checking for Throttling Policies Internet providers sometimes use bandwidth throttling to control network congestion, which may affect speed. Investigate each provider’s policy on throttling to ensure speeds won’t suddenly drop.

Use Speed Test Tools for Validation Before choosing a provider, use online speed test tools to verify the actual speeds you’re receiving. This helps you see if advertised speeds match real-world performance.

Read Customer Reviews for Real-World Insight Reviews from current customers offer insight into reliability and actual speeds. Look for comments on speed consistency, especially during peak hours, to see if the provider delivers as promised.

Conclusion:

Choosing the right internet provider requires a close look at speed metrics, provider policies, and user experiences. By evaluating download and upload speeds, understanding throttling practices, and using speed test tools, you can select a plan that aligns with your online activities and needs. Reliable Internet service near me makes streaming and browsing easy at any time. Make sure to explore customer reviews for a complete picture of performance to ensure you get reliable service and value for money.

[enniewritesathing]

may get new internet tomorrow 👀

[needtricks-blog]

The Internet: A Revolution in Communication and Information Access

Dive deep into the fascinating world of the internet! Explore its history, impact on society, essential services, future potential, and valuable tips for safe and responsible usage. Continue reading Untitled

[everytechever]

Globe logs improved broadband speeds in more areas in Q3

[desasterkreis]

Kein Internet, kein ordentliches ... II

Ohne Internet, Tag 2 Die Störung ist gestern gemeldet, der Technikertermin ist gleich mal von “ab 8 Uhr” auf “ab 13 Uhr” morgen verschoben. Fünf Personen ohne Internet, alle sammeln sich immer wieder im Wohnzimmer, es herrschen tumultartige Zustände. Es wird gesprochen, Familientreffen ohne Vorwarnung! Informationen! Viel zu viele Informationen, wer sind all diese Menschen? Es ist plötzlich Zeit…

[mostlysignssomeportents]

Utah’s getting some of America’s best broadband

TOMORROW (May 17), I'm at the INTERNET ARCHIVE in SAN FRANCISCO to keynote the 10th anniversary of the AUTHORS ALLIANCE.

Residents of 21 cities in Utah have access to some of the fastest, most competitively priced broadband in the country, at speeds up to 10gb/s and prices as low as $75/month. It's uncapped, and the connections are symmetrical: perfect for uploading and downloading. And it's all thanks to the government.

This broadband service is, of course, delivered via fiber optic cable. Of course it is. Fiber is vastly superior to all other forms of broadband delivery, including satellites, but also cable and DSL. Fiber caps out at 100tb/s, while cable caps out at 50gb/s – that is, fiber is 1,000 times faster:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2019/10/why-fiber-vastly-superior-cable-and-5g

Despite the obvious superiority of fiber, America has been very slow to adopt it. Our monopolistic carriers act as though pulling fiber to our homes is an impossible challenge. All those wires that currently go to your house, from power-lines to copper phone-lines, are relics of a mysterious, fallen civilization and its long-lost arts. Apparently we could no more get a new wire to your house than we could build the pyramids using only hand-tools.

In a sense, the people who say we can't pull wires anymore are right: these are relics of a lost civilization. Specifically, electrification and later, universal telephone service was accomplished through massive federal grants under the New Deal – grants that were typically made to either local governments or non-profit co-operatives who got everyone in town connected to these essential modern utilities.

Today – thanks to decades of neoliberalism and its dogmatic insistence that governments can't do anything and shouldn't try, lest they break the fragile equilibrium of the market – we have lost much of the public capacity that our grandparents took for granted. But in the isolated pockets where this capacity lives on, amazing things happen.

Since 2015, residents of Jackson County, KY – one of the poorest counties in America – have enjoyed some of the country's fastest, cheapest, most reliable broadband. The desperately poor Appalachian county is home to a rural telephone co-op, which grew out of its rural electrification co-op, and it used a combination of federal grants and local capacity to bring fiber to every home in the county, traversing dangerous mountain passes with a mule named "Ole Bub" to reach the most remote homes. The result was an immediately economic uplift for the community, and in the longer term, the county had reliable and effective broadband during the covid lockdowns:

https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/the-one-traffic-light-town-with-some-of-the-fastest-internet-in-the-us

Contrast this with places where the private sector has the only say over who gets broadband, at what speed, and at what price. America is full of broadband deserts – deserts that strand our poorest people. Even in the hearts of our largest densest cities, whole neighborhoods can't get any broadband. You won't be surprised to learn that these are the neighborhoods that were historically redlined, and that the people who live in them are Black and brown, and also live with some of the highest levels of pollution and its attendant sicknesses:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/06/10/flicc/#digital-divide

These places are not set up for success under the best of circumstances, and during the lockdowns, they suffered terribly. You think your kid found it hard to go to Zoom school? Imagine what life was like for kids who attended remote learning while sitting on the baking tarmac in a Taco Bell parking lot, using its free wifi:

https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2020/09/02/elem-s02.html

ISPs loathe competition. They divide up the country into exclusive territories like the Pope dividing up the "new world" and do not trouble one another by trying to sell to customers outside of "their" turf. When Frontier – one of the worst of America's terrible ISPs – went bankrupt, we got to see their books, and we learned two important facts:

The company booked one million customers who had no alternative as an asset, because they would pay more for slower broadband, and Frontier could save a fortune by skipping maintenance, and charging these customers for broadband even through multi-day outages; and

Frontier knew that it could make a billion dollars in profit over a decade by investing in fiber build-out, but it chose not to, because stock analysts will downrank any carrier that made capital investments that took more than five years to mature. Because Frontier's execs were paid primarily in stock, they chose to strand their customers with aging copper connections and to leave a billion dollars sitting on the table, so that their personal net worth didn't suffer a temporary downturn:

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2020/04/frontiers-bankruptcy-reveals-cynical-choice-deny-profitable-fiber-millions

ISPs maintain the weirdest position: that a) only the private sector can deliver broadband effectively, but b) to do so, they'll need massive, unsupervised, no-strings-attached government handouts. For years, America went along with this improbable scheme, which is why Trump's FCC chairman Ajit Pai gave the carriers $45 billion in public funds to string slow, 19th-century-style copper lines across rural America:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/02/27/all-broadband-politics-are-local/

Now, this is obviously untrue, and people keep figuring out that publicly provisioned broadband is the only way for America to get the same standard of broadband connectivity that our cousins in other high-income nations enjoy. In order to thwart the public's will, the cable and telco lobbyists joined ALEC, the far-right, corporatist lobbying shop, and drafted "model legislation" banning cities and counties from providing broadband, even in places the carriers chose not to serve:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/03/19/culture-war-bullshit-stole-your-broadband/

Red states across America adopted these rules, and legislators sold this to their base by saying that this was just "keeping the government out of their internet" (even as every carrier relied on an exclusive, government-granted territorial charter, often with massive government subsidies).

ALEC didn't target red states exclusively because they had pliable, bribable conservative lawmakers. Red states trend rural, and rural places are the most likely sites for public fiber. Partly, that's because low-density areas are harder to make a business case for, but also because these are also the places that got electricity and telephone through New Deal co-ops, which are often still in place.

Just about the only places in America where people like their internet service are the 450+ small towns where the local government provides fiber. These places vote solidly Republican, and it was their beloved conservative lawmakers whom ALEC targeted to enact laws banning their equally beloved fiber – keep voting for Christmas, turkeys, and see where it gets you:

https://communitynets.org/content/community-network-map

But spare a little sympathy for the conservative movement here. The fact that reality has a pronounced leftist bias must be really frustrating for the ideological project of insisting that anything the market can't provide is literally impossible.

Which brings me back to Utah, a red state with a Republican governor and legislature, and a national leader in passing unconstitutional, unhinged, unworkable legislation as part of an elaborate culture war kabuki:

https://www.npr.org/2023/03/24/1165975112/utah-passes-an-age-verification-law-for-anyone-using-social-media

For more than two decades, a coalition of 21 cities in Utah have been building out municipal fiber. The consortium calls itself UTOPIA: "Utah Telecommunication Open Infrastructure Agency":

https://www.utopiafiber.com/faqs/

UTOPIA pursues a hybrid model: they run "open access" fiber and then let anyone offer service over it. This can deliver the best of both worlds: publicly provisioned, blazing-fast fiber to your home, but with service provided by your choice of competing carriers. That means that if Moms for Liberty captures you local government, you're not captive to their ideas about what sites your ISP should block.

As Karl Bode writes for Techdirt, Utahns in UTOPIA regions have their choice of 18 carriers, and competition has driven down prices and increased speeds. Want uncapped 1gb fiber? That's $75/month. Want 10gb fiber? That's $150:

https://www.techdirt.com/2024/05/15/utah-locals-are-getting-cheap-10-gbps-fiber-thanks-to-local-governments/

UTOPIA's path to glory wasn't an easy one. The dismal telco monopolists Qwest and Lumen sued to put them out of business, delaying the rollout by years:

https://www.deseret.com/2005/7/22/19903471/utopia-responds-to-qwest-lawsuit/

UTOPIA has been profitable and self-sustaining for over 15 years and shows no sign of slowing. But 17 states still ban any attempt at this.

Keeping up such an obviously bad policy requires a steady stream of distractions and lies. The "government broadband doesn't work" lie has worn thin, so we've gotten a string of new lies about wireless service, insisting that fiber is obviated by point-to-point microwave relays, or 5g, or satellite service.

There's plenty of places where these services make sense. You're not going to be able to use fiber in a moving car, so yeah, you're going to want 5g (and those 5g towers are going to need to be connected to each other with fiber). Microwave relay service can fill the gap until fiber can be brought in, and it's great for temporary sites (especially in places where it doesn't rain, because rain, clouds, leaves and other obstructions are deadly for microwave relays). Satellite can make sense for an RV or a boat or remote scientific station.

But wireless services are orders of magnitude slower than fiber. With satellite service, you share your bandwidth with an entire region or even a state. If there's only a couple of users in your satellite's footprint, you might get great service, but when your carrier adds a thousand more customers, your connection is sliced into a thousand pieces.

That's also true for everyone sharing your fiber trunk, but the difference is that your fiber trunk supports speeds that are tens of thousands of times faster than the maximum speeds we can put through freespace electromagnetic spectrum. If we need more fiber capacity, we can just fish a new strand of fiber through the conduit. And while you can increase the capacity of wireless by increasing your power and bandwidth, at a certain point you start pump so much EM into the air that birds start falling out of the sky.

Every wireless device in a region shares the same electromagnetic spectrum, and we are only issued one such spectrum per universe. Each strand of fiber, by contrast, has its own little pocket universe, containing a subset of that spectrum.

Despite all its disadvantages, satellite broadband has one distinct advantage, at least from an investor's perspective: it can be monopolized. Just as we only have one electromagnetic spectrum, we also only have one sky, and the satellite density needed to sustain a colorably fast broadband speed pushes the limit of that shared sky:

https://spacenews.com/starlink-vs-the-astronomers/

Private investors love monopoly telecoms providers, because, like pre-bankruptcy Frontier, they are too big to care. Back in 2021, Altice – the fourth-largest cable operator in America – announced that it was slashing its broadband speeds, to be "in line with other ISPs":

https://pluralistic.net/2021/06/27/immortan-altice/#broadband-is-a-human-right

In other words: "We've figured out that our competitors are so much worse than we are that we are deliberately degrading our service because we know you will still pay us the same for less."

This is why corporate shills and pro-monopolists prefer satellite to municipal fiber. Sure, it's orders of magnitude slower than fiber. Sure, it costs subscribers far more. Sure, it's less reliable. But boy oh boy is it profitable.

The thing is, reality has a pronounced leftist bias. No amount of market magic will conjure up new electromagnetic spectra that will allow satellite to attain parity with fiber. Physics hates Starlink.

Yeah, I'm talking about Starlink. Of course I am. Elon Musk basically claims that his business genius can triumph over physics itself.

That's not the only vast, impersonal, implacable force that Musk claims he can best with his incredible reality-distortion field. Musk also claims that he can somehow add so many cars to the road that he will end traffic – in other words, he will best geometry too:

https://pluralistic.net/2022/10/09/herbies-revenge/#100-billion-here-100-billion-there-pretty-soon-youre-talking-real-money

Geometry hates Tesla, and physics hates Starlink. Reality has a leftist bias. The future is fiber, and public transit. These are both vastly preferable, more efficient, safer, more reliable and more plausible than satellite and private vehicles. Their only disadvantage is that they fail to give an easily gulled, thin-skinned compulsive liar more power over billions of people. That's a disadvantage I can live with.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2024/05/16/symmetrical-10gb-for-119/#utopia

Image: 4028mdk09 (modified) https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rote_LED_Fiberglasleuchte.JPG

CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/deed.en

[howlingday]

Yang: Damn you, Jaune Arc, and your DSLs!

Jaune: What's wrong with my internet?

Blake: She's not talking about your internet, Mr. Duck.

Jaune: ...WHAT?!

[xtrablak674]

Not Withdrawing, but Reclaiming and Reprioritizing

In the last few months I have shelved my Facebook Messenger account after having over a year ago turned off my FB proper, this was followed with my Instagram account also being put away. Just this week I have decided to step away from my Deviant Art account after getting dinged for violations by a snitch on the platform. If my creative insight doesn't fit into the terms of service or community standards, than I need to leave you alone.

A few years ago my Flickr account was deleted with no notice whatsoever. I remember how disrupted my life felt because I was on that platform before it was bought by Yahoo ('05) and was subsequently passed around like a low-priced sex worker. I developed relationships, friends and even met some folks IRL. I had participated in moderating groups, creating them and utilizing all of the tools the platform offered. As I have said in my artist talks, it was the jump-off for my artistic career giving me the confidence to believe that my work could exist in the real world and be purchased, consumed and enjoyed.

Albeit I have never downloaded TikTok myself, the young people in my life send me many links and in some cases videos from the platform. I can relate to the anxiety some of these same young people are feeling about the platform being shutdown or restricted. These digital spaces become places for connection and a way to interact with people offline, and this can be addictive and affirming. But in a lot of ways I still have to wonder the same thing behavioral scientist, economist and sociologist are wondering, at what cost?

Initially the only reason I ever got on anyone's social media was to promote my artwork, but after my foray into the art world, the drying up of employment and the depletion of my funds I let that go, but kept up the pretense for a while, maybe too long. As I approach another turn around the sun I am reevaluating if these spaces are the place for me.

I can recall in the pre-internet 2.0 world, when DSL was king and AOL wasn't such a distant memory, that there wasn't a lot of love for me online. Who I am and how I embody those aspects wasn't ever something that sold easily. This was reflected to me from my brief stint as an escort during my summer off from college, reinforced by the first ad agency that I worked at, where the only time I was ever utilized in an ad was when my face wasn't showing.

I say this to say, I understand I am not everyone's cup of tea. Not that I think my physical appearance or personality are lacking, I think our societies idea of what is beautiful, palatable or interesting are lacking. We are supposed to imbibe of a limited set of flavors never truly contemplating a more complex palette. And I was a persons whose very identities used all the colours in the Crayon box.

I've mentioned before I haven't had intimate relations since '12 and dated since '07 the last platforms I was on were antiquated things like Adam4Adam and match.com, which curiously enough is still around. No one has ever swiped right on me, because I have never been on those apps. Not to date myself, but I can recall when hookups happened on the phone, where you would call a number talk to someone and maybe possibly be chosen, or in a lot of instances be swiped left on.

In some ways I guess it can feel like I am withdrawing from the world especially since I am still not a fan of leaving the house, something that pre-dated the pandemic by nearly a decade. I have just grown weary of unfulfilling friendships, empty acquaintances, and neglectful niblings (using this as a catch-all for the children of my siblings). I have always been a person who wanted more, deeper connections, complex conversation, real intimate relationships but the time for those things have waned completely becoming shadows of things I had in the past and I simply refuse to accept less than the best, even if that means that I am keeping my own company.

Settling, it has never been something I was good at, I'd rather be bad by myself than in a situationship that makes me compromise who I am, or partition my identities to be more acceptable, or accept less than what I deserve. "Maybe I'm just like my mama, she's never satisfied." Why should I accept mediocre when I aspire to greatness?

As I enter the third day of a fast that I didn't even plan, deeper into my quinquagenarian years and I pass around the sun for another rotation or colloquially as I say to the kids, the celebration of my first appearance (a la comic book) I want to move away from the things that aren't serving me, celebrating me, acknowledging me and keeping me close to their heart. If I am not getting this from those around me I will be content to be happy with myself, by myself.

[Photos by Brown Estate]

It's All Temporary

Fuck Your Community Standards

[mydaddywiki]

Webster Hubbell

Physique: Husky Build Height: 6'5"

Webster Lee "Web" Hubbell (born 1949), is a former Arkansas lawyer and politician. He was a lawyer in Pulaski County before serving as Mayor of Little Rock from 1979 until he resigned in 1981. He was appointed by Bill Clinton as chief justice of Arkansas State Supreme Court in 1983. When Clinton became President, Hubbell was appointed as Associate Attorney General from 1993 to 1994.

Tall, thick with a pair of DSLs (dick sucking lips) that'll make anyone proud. I'm surprised I wasn't into him more as 'big, dumb looking Hoss" guys are SO my type.

Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Hubbell attended the University of Arkansas where he played offensive tackle for the Arkansas Razorbacks. Hubbell was selected in the 1969 NFL draft by the Chicago Bears, but an injury ended his football career. He graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1970, then graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Arkansas School of Law with honors.

In December 1994, Hubbell pleaded guilty to federal mail fraud and tax evasion charges in connection with his handling of billing at the Rose Law Firm, a firm with partners that once included Hillary Clinton and Vince Foster. Hubbell pled guilty to one count of wire fraud and one count of failing to disclose a conflict of interest, and was sentenced to 21 months in prison.

Afterwards, Hubbell worked as an independent legal consultant, general counsel for an Internet start-up, and general counsel and senior vice-president for a large commercial insurance company until July 2010 where he moved to Charlotte, North Carolina, where he now writes novels.

Hubbell and his wife, Suzy, have four children and seven grandchildren. The four children is a plus as it goes to my "loves to fuck" theory. A negative is the rumor he might have fathered Chelsea Clinton. Strangely, it's a plus for Hillary Clinton if she fucked him.