Justyn Smith | Blog » Internet

Internode’s BigPond parody, you do the math

Justyn — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 22:46:03 +0000

Internode are doing a new ad campaign to try and lure BigPond customers across to their service. Whilst most ad campaigns are to try and get the consumer to buy their product, there needs to be some truth about the campaign.

One of Internode’s billboards shows a broken down blue Kombi van with an outback landscape. Most people will identify this as BigPond’s “I’ve been everywhere” campaign – BigPond’s wireless NextG service.

Internode's Billboard (click for full size)

What Internode’s slogan reads is “If you’ve been everywhere man, it’s probably time for an upgrade”. Now as you all know, Telstra have the largest NextG network coverage in Australia, so how can you upgrade? Well Internode aren’t offering a wireless service, they are offering their ADSL2+ Easy Broadband plan.

The billboards which reportedly have cost Internode $350,000 will have 29 shown in Sydney and 10 in Adelaide. The second ad campaign’s slogan says “Are you being taken for a ride?” which again shows the iconic blue Kombi van.

Internode's Billboard (click for full size)

Now why would Internode be trying to push an ADSL2+ connection to those in the outback on NextG wireless? They are most likely on that service due to being in the outback and not having decent telephone cabling or too far from the exchange.

News Corp to charge for online news?

Justyn — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 04:23:40 +0000

Well is seems Rupert Murdoch is going to want us to pay to read online news, in the latest headline coming from news.com.au.

I had a smirk on my face when I read a quote from the article that Mr Murdoch said.

Quality journalism is not cheap, and an industry that gives away its content is simply cannibalising its ability to produce good reporting.

I would like to think that news.com.au does have quality journalism. Also don’t they get enough money from the ads plastered all over the site? I would like to think if they are going to charge for “quality journalism”, will they remove ALL the ads, one would hope so.

There is a nice thread going on Whirlpool about the whole scenario, quite a funny read.

What are your thoughts on this situation, will you be seeking your news elsewhere?

Why www? Make it no-www!

Justyn — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:42:41 +0000

When you visit a website it can generally be accessed via “http://www.domain.com” or “http://domain.com”. Having access to both versions will in fact over time harm your search engine ranking.

When you send an email to someone their address generally isn’t “name@mail.domain.com”. It would more likely be “name@domain.com” so why not just remove the www. from all domains.

To do this you would create a 301 redirect so anyone accessing “http://www.domain.com” will automatically be redirected to “http://domain.com”.

Basically to create a 301 redirect just edit your sites .htaccess file and add the following, subsituting domain.com for your domain.

RewriteEngine On
RewriteCond %{HTTP_HOST} ^www\.domain\.com
RewriteRule (.*) http://domain.com/$1 [R=301,L]

The guys over at no-www have some interesting information as why to remove the www from the domain name. So what are you waiting for, make the internet a no-www internet!

Five websites I visit daily

Justyn — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 00:04:19 +0000

I thought I would write a post in regards to what I do online each day and thought what better way to do that than list 5 websites that I visit daily.

Please leave me a comment in regards to websites that you visit daily so I can check them out. More info after the jump.

1. Google
I visit Google quite often, this site is pretty self explanatory and I am sure everyone that uses the internet has atleased used Google once to search for something.

2. Whirlpool
I always have a browse through the Whirlpool Forums & join in discussions. It is a news site & forum about the state of broadband and other technologies within Australia.

3. BlogsDNA
BlogsDNA is a technology blog covering quite a few topics. From blogging tips, to gadgets to software information and tips.

4. Facebook
For those that don’t know, Facebook is an online social network. I use it to keep updated with friends/family and play some of the online games.

5. News.com.au
Basically as the title says, it is a news site that I check each day to keep up with what is happening in Australia and around the world.

ACMA Blacklist leaked

Justyn — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 12:12:10 +0000

The ACMA blacklist has been updated to March 18, 2009. You can download it here.

Well it’s been all over the news that Wikileaks has leaked the apparent blacklist of filtered websites for Australia which I have created a mirror of here. The list that which contains 2457 lines is floating around which contains websites like Party Poker and Abby Winters (Not Safe For Work). The blacklist also has a Queensland Dentist – Dental Distinction and web hosting company – Startcorp which amazes me. The list is only updated to August 2008 whilst the one that was available on Wikileaks was updated to March 2009.

Since the leak of the blacklist, it is proof that the proposed mandatory filter isn’t just for child pornography and will used to reduce the online freedom of Australians.

Stephen Conroy has released a statement defending the list.

The Communications Minister, Stephen Conroy, said the leak and publication of the ACMA blacklist would be “grossly irresponsible” and undermine efforts to improve cyber safety.

Under existing laws the ACMA blacklist includes URLs relating to child sexual abuse, rape, incest, bestiality, sexual violence and detailed instruction in crime.

I would like to know how Stephen Conroy can explain to me how blacklisting a Queensland Dentist or a web hosting company is in the interests of cyber safety and how those two sites in any way relate to “child sexual abuse, rape, incest, bestiality, sexual violence and detailed instruction in crime“?

Well that is enough on the topic, ozsoapbox goes into more detail in regards to the blacklist if you would like to read more about the ACMA Blacklist leak.

No related posts.

3G Speed Test

Justyn — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 11:47:18 +0000

Well my iPhone is on Optus and most people I know or the things I’ve been reading say that Optus’s 3G network is shit. So I decided to do a speed test and here are the results.

Now this was done inside a shopping centre about 12:30pm on a Friday afternoon. Now as the picture shows, the speed isn’t too bad for a network everyone says is shit.

– Post From My iPhone

Say NO to Internet Censorship

Justyn — Sat, 06 Dec 2008 04:59:33 +0000

All of you by now should know that Australia is introducing internet censorship. Now here in Australia we already pay premium rates for the internet compared to other countries, how can they filter out what we browse. I highly disagree with internet censorship, if I’m paying for an internet service, I expect to get that service, not a service that filters out certain content.

If you agree that internet censorship is wrong, please go and sign the petition. Also fill out the details below and tell as many people you can, vote NO on internet censorship.

Internet Speeds Up!

Justyn — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 02:27:45 +0000

Well as most of you probably know, I was on Dialup (Yes, that connection still exists). I just got connected up to ADSL yesterday It’s only a 8000/384 connection due to my line being on a RIM, so no ADSL2+ for me, even thought it is so much cheaper

I’m loving the speeds of the connection too, can’t complain. The modem is syncing at 8136/384 so getting good speed, and the SNR is good too. I have downloaded a few gigabytes, and appreciate the free PIPE usage, loving it.

A few mates of mine are with the same ISP I am (ComCen), and shaping doesn’t work, so hopefully I am lucky enough to have shaping not work for me. I’m not too worried about it as I get free PIPE, but would be nice to know it’s like a true “unlimited” connection