Dec
15
Protect IP Act, Stop Online Piracy Act (Sopa) could affect the growth of the internet.
Relevant links
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16195344
http://www.tehelka.com/story_main51.asp?filename=Op171211proscons.asp
http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/2011/12/internet-engineers-dont-like-pipa-and-sopa/
https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2011/12/internet-inventors-warn-against-sopa-and-pipa
Mar
31
You can view your ICICI credit card statement online at
https://infinity.icicibank.co.in/web/cards/creditcardNLI/jsp/ccNonLoginPage.jsp
For generating a 3D secure code for online transactions (Visa /Mastercard), use
https://www.3dsecure.icicibank.com/ACSWeb/EnrollWeb/ICICIBank/main/index.jsp?utm_source=GA&utm_medium=display&utm_campaign=3dsecure-RHS-banner-4
If your computer is hacked or ISP connection is insecure, the hacker may use the credit / debit card number entered to generate the 3D secure code himself and you will not be able to use the debit card for online transactions. In such cases, the card will have to be blocked to prevent misuse online.
Nov
23
As an online publisher , I have often wondered how the number of visitors to my websites compare with best selling authors in India.
From http://business.in.com/printcontent/17642
An English book was considered a bestseller if it sold 10,000 copies. Five Point Someone and each of the other books he wrote sold a million.
I have been reading a lot of books in the last few months and books published offline are usually of much better quality than most of the content online (especially if it is India specific). An online publisher with a network of websites gets more than one lakh visitors a month , more than a million visitors a year, but monetizing the websites can be difficult. Profits depend both on your technical and writing skills.
Nov
18
Last Saturday, I was speaking to someone and was surprised at the poor quality of communication network. I could not hear what he was saying for a major part of the conversation and it seemed that his voice was changing suddenly.
With the increasing computerisation of phone technology, it appears that it is easier to intercept, distort and spoof phone conversations on both mobile and landline phones.
These notes on Intercepting communications are very educative.
Oct
6
If you purchase a desktop / laptop /netbook, without an OS preinstalled, finding suitable drivers can be very time consuming.
You can download the drivers you need using the links posted at Driverpool
Jul
16
One of big advantages of the internet is the ability to work from anywhere. A number of websites offer crowdsourcing / workers on demand . Some of these websites are:
Amazon Mechanical turk – mturk.com – the oldest, you can use your Amazon login, offers payment in Indian Rupees. Has a large number of tasks available, usually in thousands for US residents.
Microworkers – microworkers.com – workers can appeal if a task is not approved, payment through Paypal , Moneybookers and check.
Cloudcrowd.com – need a Facebook account, offered daily payments through Paypal
Crowdflower.com
Jobboy.com
Simpleworkers.com
Shortask.com
Myeasytask.com
Humangrid.de (redirects to clickworker.com)
Minijobz.com
Rapidworkers.com
Domywork.net – for students
Minuteworkers.com
Iamoney.com
Saycomment.com
MyMicroJob.com
Payment for each task usually varies from 5 cents to a dollar and completed tasks are to be approved manually. After signing up on these websites for testing, there seems to be a lot of difference in the way these websites are run. Popular tasks involve signing up for programs, writing blog posts, manipulating social media, posting links. Some tasks are reserved for users from USA / Canada. You can earn a few dollars a month with these websites in your free time.
Apr
26
In the last few days some of the high speed internet connections (from different ISPs) which I use have become very slow and the reason is a cut in the international submarine cable SEA-ME-WE 4 in the Mediterranean Sea last week.
Based on this report at http://www.itp.net/580051-repair-work-on-damaged-cable-delayed-by-a-week, it appears it will take at least 2 more days for the cable to be repaired.
Usually cable cuts are the main reason why usually high speed internet connections become slow. If just a single broadband DSL / cable connection is slow or non functional, it is a problem with the local cable network as the cable is cut during digging by other utilities. If both the wireless and DSL/cable broadband connections are slow, it is usually a problem with some undersea cable far away.
Apr
20
Today Paypal sent the following message to Indian users who had made a withdrawal between April 6 and 9, 2010.
Your withdrawal has been reversed
Dear ***,
Due to a technical issue we were experiencing between April 6 and 9, the withdrawal you initiated to your Indian bank account was not completed.
This issue has been resolved and we are in the process of restoring your PayPal account balance. In addition, you will see a reimbursement during the coming days for any applicable fees. After this has been completed, you may request another withdrawal to your bank account at your convenience.
We apologize for any inconvenience that this may have caused.
Sincerely,
PayPal
Withdrawals on or after April 10, 2010 from Paypal accounts seem to be processed as usual.
Users have been charged a fee of Rs 250 , and the fees were not reimbursed till April 22, 2010
Apr
5
In March 2010
The cost of the basic Photon plus device (Epivalley) : Rs 2299
Activation charge : Rs 99
If you contact the number specified on the Photon plus website, you may not get any response, but if you go to a TVH outlet, the Photon Plus Prepaid Internet connection is activated in less than an hour. You only have to pay MRP unlike the MTS MBlaze device, where some retailers are charging more than MRP. Some of the promotions like free usage, specified on the Photon plus website are not available in Mumbai.
User name : Connection no.@photon.ttml.in
Phone number : #777
It is very easy to install and use. Before connecting check if the signal is available. The device heats up if used continuously.
To check the balance, you have to register at tataindicom.com. A notification is sent by SMS to your mobile and by email also twice a day regarding balance and validity of your account. Online recharge is also possible, you are redirected to ichoose.in. Most of the packs are valid for 30 days only. The maximum validity of the recharge available is 90 days at present. Speed is usually as specified, but some times it fluctuates.
Online recharge
|