Before I went into business for myself this would have been me!

A mere 8 months ago this article would have been me. Since that time I have changed my ways, because I don't have the time to manage the consequences. Unlike the author in the article below my track record still stands!

http://blog.madskristensen.dk/post/Ie28099m-ashamed-e28093-very-ashamed.aspx

Determine If The Current Time Falls Within a Range

This code is useful if you need to determine if the current time falls between two other times, and then execute some code or processes based on the results. This implements a user-defined function named InRange().

Declarations:

'(None)

Code:

Public Function InRange(startTime As Date, endTime As Date) As Boolean

    Dim dtNow As Date

    dtNow = Now

    Select Case TimeValue(dtNow)
        Case Is > TimeValue(startTime)
            If TimeValue(endTime) > TimeValue(dtNow) Then
                InRange = True
            End If
        Case Is > TimeValue(startTime)
            If TimeValue(endTime) > TimeValue(dtNow) Then
                InRange = True
            Else
                InRange = False
            End If
        Case Is < TimeValue(startTime) And (TimeValue(endTime) > TimeValue(dtNow))
                InRange = True
        Case Else
            InRange = False
    End Select

End Function

Private Sub Form_Load()
     Debug.Print InRange(CDate("03:00:00"), CDate("18:00:00"))
End Sub

Testing Internet Connection State

This article describes an easy approach to building two controls used to monitor the status of an internet connection and provide the user with some indication of that status. Within the attached project, there are two controls, one shows the user what the connection type is and whether or not the machine is connected or offline, the other one is used to show some indication of the quality of the connection in terms of whether or not the connection is good, intermittent, or offline.

Collect User Information from Installations

This article-style submission describes an easy approach to keeping track of each installation of an application. The intent of the example is to demonstrate the use of a simple web service to collect and store information about each user and machine running the application. If the application has not been registered, it is disabled and the user is informed that registration is required.

The Dakota Fire Hole

Neat article on creating a fire and making it so others can't see it.

The Dakota Fire Hole

New FCC Review Committee

A recent article from DSL Reports could mean good or bad things for the future of broadband deployment. Obama has pegged two long term net nuetrality advocates to head up his FCC (Federal Communications Commision) Review Committee. Kevin Werbach a former FCC staffer and Susan Crawford a University of Michigan Law professor.  I cannot argue that the FCC needs to be over hauled, they have controlled the air waves like a tyrant for many, many years (in the future this may prove to be a good thing). They both have argued that broadband proliferation in the US has been dismal, making it too hard for some to get highspeed connectivity (I have to agree with this, as I have to use Satellite connectivity combined with a Verizon wireless card to get on the internet because I live 3 miles from the DSL termination point in my area).

What worries me is that they both push that internet connectivity should be classed as a utility not as a commercial service. This makes sense in some aspects, but with that governance, companies may move even slower to push services out to the rural areas in fear of loss of profits. This type of governance usually means additional taxes along with the utility (look at your phone bill for an example of that).   Government regulated utilities or services normally move slower than a free market service and at times make things more difficult for the consumer. A good example of how they have made things more difficult is as follows:

I live in an area where I cannot get cable tv. On a clear night I can receive 3 channels through an "over the air" antenna to get the free channels normally I only get 2 reliably. I opted for satellite TV from Dish Network, which offers the normally free Network channels through their service, but because of government regulations for utilities Dish Network has to get "permission" from the local Network providers to deliver the service to my location. Since I live in a certain radius of the local Network towers, even though I cannot reliably receive the signal from my antenna that is mounted 25 feet over my second story roof, the local networks will not give Dish Network permission to deliver the signal to my location.    

I can hope that the new committee will bring good things to me, because of my previous experiences with government regulated utilities I am not going to hold my breath.
.

Verizon Broadband Connection

Broadband speeds from Verizon is actually faster on download speeds than my hotel provided "highspeed" internet connection
Verizon:


Hotel Connection at Marriot Courtyard

Off to B'ham

Off to B'ham to finish off the latest Job. Hopefully I will be able to stop over in Sylacuaga to do some Sporting Clays on my way back tomorrow

Current Verizon Speeds

Current Speeds

Verizon EVDO settings

If you live in a "fringe" area of coverage sometimes you have a stronger "National Access" signal than "Broadband Rev A" signal. When this happens the VZW client swaps over to the slower connection, even if there is still sufficient EVDO signal to stay connected.  If you are using a security sensitive application like a VPN when this happens then you will be dropped and will have to reconnect.

There is an answer to this. With your card inserted in your laptop start your VZW client. Then hit ctl-d enter the super secret password of diagvzw click settings on the menu then choose HDR only.