Download limits?!

[Gorunova]

I thought of one advantage to all the cable ISPs imposing download limits: it will create pressure to return to smaller encodes. Smaller files means more episodes per day downloaded. I yearn for a return to 50MB RMs and under-175MB DivXs.

[Guest]

I'd like to see 116 MB divx files-- 6 eps per disc! Or heck, how about 100MB divx files? 7 eps per disc, and pretty-much half of current filesizes!

I'm not hugely looking forward to any sort of a return to RMs... I mean, they were OK, but recently I watched some old RMs that I encoded a few years ago, and... ummm... Well, for a 50 MB file, I suppose they were OK, especially given their age, but, ummm, they're definitely sub-par now.

I have seen some pretty acceptable-looking 30 MB divx files, though, so maybe super-small files will once again be an option? ...I've also heard that DivX5 will allow better quality in lower bitrates than before, so who knows...

[Melchior]

Oops, that last message was me... I guess my browser dropped the cookie for this discussion board while I was on vacation. Oh well...

[moodorky]

I've been downloading Gigs off shaw trying to see at what point they will call me. So far nothing. Perhaps I'm still under the radar at 30-45 Gigs a month?

[Gorunova]

[Melchior]

I've been in the general neighbourhood of 40-50 GB per month for about the last year. Shaw called me based on our house *uploading* too much, though, so who knows...

(note: I run an FTP server, though it has nothing on it-- I only put files on it when friends ask me to, which isn't very often...)

[moodorky]

Gorunova was right. They flat out suspended my account for 24 hours without much warning. I wish I have DSL in my area. They kept using Telus as the comparison since Telus has a 5GB limit (Bullcrap. I know 5 people who download as much as they please for over a year without any comments from the Telus staff).
Well, there goes all my anime download if they enforce the 6GB/month limit. That 2GB upload limit is garbage. 2Gigs is nothing when you're doing online gaming and videoconferencing. What's the use of broadband if the pipe is metered?

[Gorunova]

[BlueSeptember]

first of all, I would like to mention that this is only my humble 2 cents. and please pardon my poor english, as english is my second language. my humble apology if any of my opinion is off-topics.


I do not understand the reason why Shaw (or other services, respectedly) wanted to put a limit on users. when people applied, they see 'unlimited internet usage', and later they change the policy. BS.

if I met such case, I would definately change my isp without hasitation (though I'm not sure if you have the option). as the size of the data grows up, it's impossible and unfair to limit the usage.

if the one watches a tv channel over the net, it will be counted. the one talks over the net phone, it will be counted. the one listens to the net radio, it will be counted. then what can we do on the net? almost nothing. we'll be forced to move back to the pre-historic time. do their worst, as they won't last long.

I'm in the us, using varizon dsl, paying 49.95 monthly. and I think I'm paying enough for me to use their system - rather paying more than that. I'm originally from Korea, a small country next to japan. and I can have 10mbit access to the internet with less than $20 a month. if I pay $50 a month, I'll have at least 30mbit access to the net. don't tell me my country is richer than the us or canada.


[budget: ]
they often say 'it is for preventing the network abuses'. I'd say it's only an excuse. they simply do not wish to spend some money on expanding the equips and paying for knowledgeable workers. providing better service will drag termendous number of users onto them. no doubt.


[copy-righted materials: ]
yeah, for many reasons, there has been a lot of these. but let's face it.

mp3/movie/anime:
one of the main reason that record companies complain about mp3 is, that they were afraid of losing money. quite sounding. but is it...?
I had conversation with a guy from a recording company. he said 'we shouldn't have had mp3' and my question was why. why shouldn't we have had mp3? so that we don't *preview* music before we buy? so that record companies can make crappy cds with crappy music on them?
I told him, "make cds with music video. then people will buy them. spend more money to create fancy and artistic cd covers. people will buy them. don't expect people to spend their money on what's not worth. make them worthy." don't tell me those companies have never thought about it. they just don't wanna investigate and *collect* money from the customers without doing anything like good-old days.

software:
yeah, one of the hottest issues. I'll shut up for this and replace it with someone's word.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Author: vladimir
Subject: Piracy, informant programs, and end user license agreements

It is time the end users takes control of their world. This is how it is done:

1) If the Eula is longer than 100 words, it is null and void.
2) If the Eula is not original and uniquely written( as opposed to the many cut and paste PIRATED Eulas), it is null and void.
3) If there are patches, security updates (as a result of poor software creation) the license is null and void.
4) If the software is not squeaky clean upon entering the market place, the license is null and void.
5) If the software does not meet a reasonable controlled price standard, the Eula is null and void.
6) IF the Eula denys responsibility and liability for its creator's actions, it is null and void.
7) If the software is not associated with a well written, plain (English, French, Dutch, etc.), simple, inclusive help file, its Eula is null and void.
If the software creator is dependent upon an Eula, it shall insure and compensate its users of defect in the product. In other words, stand up and be a man~!
9) IF the software issuer cannot fully explain its integrated operative function and provide expeditious, flawless support, the license is null and void.
10) IF the software is not AARP certified, its license is null and void (hehehe).
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


[others: ]
we must also accept these facts: cd-r/dvd-r and many other equipments are developed due to the internet. if people didn't have access to fast internet, cd-r prices wouldn't be like today because people wouldn't make much use out of them. so are mp3 players. so are pc video cards and captureboards, not to mention NIC, router and other network related products. those isps also benefit from these and there's no doubt at all. if those isp are trying not to use their money, it's like chocking their own necks.

a good sample. there was a isp called "RED" and it went out of business in 2000. why? they thought once they establish the system, the money would *walk* to them. but with driving-me-crazy customer service (I was waiting for 2 hour to talk to a live person) and lousy maintanance, it had to go. like aol - when they merged with time-warner cable, they thought their *reputation* would bring them a fortune. and now their stock value is 1/4 from before the merging. applies won't come to you unless you try.


to conclude, no one can turn back the clock. nor can anyone force me to do so. yeah, napster has failed, but now we have more than 10 clones of similar kinds. will record companies sue them all? I doubt it.

I thank you for reading such a long post and my humble opinioin.

[moodorky]

I wish I can change my ISP to Telus DSL (they aren't being monitored as of yet) and thanks to some upcoming downsizing of their support staff, I don't think they will have the manpower to micromanage like what Shaw is doing.
Anyhow, does anyone know of a tool to monitor internet usage (it terms of bytes) or if Shaw has such a system? I don't wanna get cut off for a week the next time it happens.
This ssuuuuuuxxxx. I'm downloading only 1 fansub per day nowadays when only 2 weeks ago I was doing about 5-7 :(.

[snoopynme]

I use DU Meter (recommended/passed to me by someone I know)... Small and simple to use: http://www.hageltech.com/dumeter/

[user]

Caught this off BusinessWeek today... has anyone who's using cable broadband heard from their ISP yet? Or is this old news?

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/jun2002/tc20020612_1108.htm

[earthdark]

Sympatico introduced a tiered system to their DSL service recently, I'm not sure on the details though other than that it's 5GB up/down cap for the cheaper service. Rogers has said that it plans to introduce similar plans this summer but nothing specific yet...

[Gorunova]

[Melchior]