How twisted is this? ATT rolled out the HSUPA (High-Speed Uplink Packet Access) here in Baton Rouge LA. I have been using ATT mobile data service for my laptop for about 2 years now. Although latency is quite high compared to DSL or cable, it is quite acceptable for mobile use and more important my requirements. I have been using skype over this connection and other than an occasional jitter the connection is pretty useful.

The download speed test to NY is not that impressive.

Speed test to Houston, TX is a little better.

It’s too bad that most of the mobile service providers have implemented a 5GiB download cap. I can easily exceed this cap just by download few linux/*BSD isos and few video podcasts. Luckily, I still am on the original unlimited plan I got 2 years ago.

I have heard that Verizon has better connection speed but I think ATT is more than $20(with my state employee discount) cheaper than verizon.

Finally, here it is. 450 MB for a update? Makes me wonder what people on dial up or slower connections have to do to get updates like this. 

Here is the changelog for 10.5.3 http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1141 

It finally happened. Someone stole my credit card and bought a domain (mykarf.com) with my name and address through Yahoo! Domains. I wouldn’t have noticed this but for a fraudulent charge on my credit card. Upon checking the whois info on the domain I came to realize that someone has not only my credit card number but also my name, address, phone number. The clever bastard(s) has made few typos in my phone number and also used a bogus email address to sign up for this domain. Although, I use Yahoo! Domains for three of domains, I never used this particular credit card with Yahoo!I have already contested this charge with my credit card company and actually got the credit card canceled and reissued. My immediate concern is  somebody using this fraudulently obtained new domain to spam or do some illegal stuff and people would think that I am the one behind it. One thing I have learnt from this is: NEVER USE YAHOO!. In fact, I am going move the three domains I have from yahoo away from it. Two things that bug me:

1. There is no way to contact Yahoo! regarding fraudulent  activity. I tried calling Yahoo! Small Business support line but even after spending 40+ minutes on hold still couldn’t reach anyone. I did manage to get through to their sales line, which is not a surprise, but was given a number that go me nowhere. 
2. How in the world did Yahoo! authorize the charge? Don’t you need the authorization code on the credit card to actually complete the transaction?

 Damn the intertubes.

* Don’t take eatables from strangers. You can take everything else.

* Don’t get drugged and loose your peace of Journey.

I was a little reluctant to fly with emirates for this year’s trip to India but my travel agent assured me that emirates have changed, for better, in the past few years. The upgraded Boeing 777-300 were amazing. I was surprised to see power, cat5 jack and more importantly what felt like more leg room. One thing that remains all most the same, in size, is the restrooms. These facilities are designed for a 5 foot 5, 150 pound person.

I am deeply saddened after reading this article on India’s child labor issue. The article is well over an year old but everything still holds true. Like everything else in life this problem is not all black and white. India had banned child Labor with the Child Labour Act of 1986 but never enforced.

Raju’s father, a daily wage laborer, frets that the ban will only exacerbate his family’s financial woes. “At least now, he doesn’t steal. He earns his meals with dignity,” he says. “If the ban is enforced, he might be forced to beg for alms, or the family might go hungry.”

I can relate to that. Well, in a second degree. My dad used to work when he went to school out of necessity. with hardwork and some luck he was able to provide me with opportunities and worldly items that he had. Most of of are lucky; never to have known what it means to beg, to sell yourself for another meal and more importantly being deprived of a childhood.

I remember collecting money for this organization called C.R.Y(Child Relief and You) when I was probably in 2nd or 3rd STD. Did not know what it was or why they needed money but did it because they were giving out prizes for collecting money.

Please donate to C.R.Y America