Vorax.org

Server news

YASP (Yet Another Service Provider)

Well here we go again. We're moving ISP from our current provider (bethere.co.uk) to a shiny new one (Virgin) in order to get the high bandwidth we deserve. Our current sub is for a 24Mb line, however, the download speed on it is a pitiful 6Mb. This I am reliably informed by my ISP is because of the quality of BT copper wires running to my property. My alternative plan involves selecting an ISP who provides a different backbone to the BT copper. There is only one ISP who fits this bill and they recently cabled our area.

New computer room

Vorax has moved into his new room. Sadly no longer a resident of the lounge, I'm surprised how quiet (maybe lonely??) the lounge now is.
Vorax has settled onto a shelf in the new computer room where he can whir and click to his hearts content without disturbing anyone.
I am thinking of starting a new "Silent server in the lounge project" to replace the original "Server in the lounge" project that Vorax was.

The line upgrade (finally) cometh

I have placed the order for my new internet line. Oddly enough, this one is £2.99 cheaper than the old one and is a 24Mb line. It also has a significantly faster upload speed.

All in all, I'm sad to be leaving Zen, they have been very good to me and they have excellent customer service, but I've been tempted away by a line speed that is three times faster and cheaper as well.

I hear that Zen are moving into the high-speed ADSL2 world later this year, perhaps I'll move back when they become available in my area, but who knows, I may be really happy with my new ISP.

Installed Ion3

I have installed Ion3 on Vorax which allows me to make use of the system to browse the internet using only a keyboard. I'm currently typing this article using my keyboard from my armchair across the room whil the TV serves as a monitor for Vorax. Ion3 is running an instance of Firefox where I add this article to the site.

Ion is a nifty keyboard based window manager that allows you to do away with the mouse and still work in a X environment.

Drupal bits

OK, so I finally got sick of looking at badly formed crappy links and titles in the Drupal aggregator module. I was forced to go in and fix the problems. So hence fourth, my Drupal is personalized :P