* Posts by Matt 130

8 publicly visible posts • joined 19 Jun 2009

Broadband advertising speed gap widens

Matt 130

Better than that

I'm on the 20mbit/s service and about 90% of the time I consistently get 15-20mbit/s.

I've had similar experience with (what's now) their cable service since it was NTL / Telewest. In the last decade I've been on .5, 1, 2, 4, 10 and now 20 mbit/s and the speed has always been close to the advertised rate. The only downside is the low upload rate. It's not below the advertised rate, but I get the same UL from my BT 2mbit/s at work as I do from my 20mbit/s at home.

Perhaps it's a local issue. I only have experience in the Tyneside and Wearside areas.

Broadband boss: 'The end of freeloading is nigh'

Matt 130

License fee?

It seems to me that this shortfall should be covered by the TV license fee.

Traditional distribution of terrestrial telly is done by broadcasting stations, paid for out of the license fee.

The Beeb and other license fee receivers are now broadcasting over the broadband network, so surely it makes sense that the new distribution network should be paid for out of the license fee!

TV License opposers will of course hate this idea, but distribution isn't free and it's unfair to make private companies such as Virgin and BT take the broadcasting burden without offering them something.

Air France offers two-seat deal for fatties

Matt 130
Coat

Oompah oompah, Stick it up your joompah

25% off the cost of the seat for being a little large, eh? How long before someone tries to smuggle on an extra passenger on board under their clothing (midgets strapped to midriffs abound) and give their "belly" a seat for a healthy cash saving.

I suggest that this is the true reason for the new Airport Perv Scanners. They are, in fact, cheeky cheapskake spotters.

Vomit cannon to protect vessels from pirates, paparazzi

Matt 130

Easily foiled

Meanwhile in Somalia, the pirates are attaching big mirrors to the front of their boats - Avast! Ye sea sick landlubbers and feel the force of your own chundergun!

Vatican awards self 'unique copyright' on Pope

Matt 130
Pirate

Hijack the Pope

It's a shame because I really wanted to see the media quit using "tsar" to describe anyone in a position of authority. I think "Pope" would have been such a worthy replacement.

Windfarm Britain means (very) expensive electricity

Matt 130

Storage??

I've not done any research here so I'm just spouting off, but I know there will be times when wind is overgenerating, and times that it will undergenerate. So if there were a means of store and switch at the farm it might be viable alternative to switching back to bad ol' fossil generators; Is it not possible to make the generators switch from supplying the grid, to charging hydrogen cells during periods of oversupply (similarly for tidal generators whose supply exceeds demand through the night)?

Russians demand flying cars and telepathy

Matt 130

WINGS

Sod the flying car, I want some wings! (and earmuffs that don't look girly 'cos it's cold up there).

Telepathy would be the worst invention since old-age. Just think of its effect on the legal process and the inevitable thought crimes that would go on the statute books. Gah!

Hydrogen-powered two-seater car unveiled

Matt 130
Thumb Down

Form over function.

For £200 pcm I want a car that will do more than transport me. I'd like room for my shopping. I'd like to go somewhere with luggage and a passenger. Fat chance. Oh, and I'd like to not have to use a disabled spot to have room to open my doors.

Why can't they just take the technology that they've produced, and ask GM if they'll put it in a Corsa?