Category: Geekdom

Sunriver Would Like To Be A Google Fiber Town

Last month, Google announced plans to build and test ultra high-speed broadband networks in a small number of trial locations across the United States. While the official list of cities and communities that applied hasn’t been released yet, looking at the map on Google’s site, there were obviously several communities in Oregon that applied or sent in a response. Sunriver was one of them.

The Sunriver Owner’s Association sent a release about why they’re doing it, created a site to keep the community updated, and created a video for their RFI response. They’ve also setup a twitter presence, for those of you who are into that sort of them (I’m not).

Many of their points make good sense, but considering the sheer number of folks who have applied (more than 1,100 communities responded, according to Google), and all the crazy tactics — one mayor promises a tattoo and other cities will rename themselves — it’s going to be a tough pitch. But considering the flat-out lack of really decent, reliable, high speed internet access out here (while I like the Cable company’s service and the people there, 100% reliable it is not), it might put them up the list over places that already have good service and a large quantity of fiber already underground.

Reading Material

Reading Material

Reading Material

The iPhone Is Finally (Officially) Coming To Bend

A couple months ago, folks with iPhones in the area were starting to see 3G coverage, and now you can officially get an iPhone in Bend, starting April 1 (hopefully not some sort of April fools joke).

I still have nearly another year on my contract with Sprint and with my phone, but my plan is quite a bit cheaper than the plans offered by AT&T. I’m probably going to go Android on renewal rather than an iPhone, but we’ll have to see.

Update on 3/2/10: Apparently US Cellular is now offering 3G in the area, which might convince me to go back to them as their phone coverage is probably the best around here in the areas I work, but their data speeds sucked. Their coverage out here in Sunriver was far better than what I get from Sprint. When I force my phone to roam on the USCC network, it actually performs better. I noticed a “EV” icon showing up on my wife’s phone last week (she on US Cellular), and was wondering if they had turned on an EVDO service here, just didn’t have a chance to contact them. So I guess that answers that question.

I’ve Dealt With Some Hilarious Tech Support Issues…

…but nothing quite like this:

Sysadmin Credo

More Reading Material

Cleaning out the links that have collected over the last few days before I head to the concert tonight (there are still plenty of tickets available at the door, all free, so I’d encourage you to come!):

Post Concert Reading Material

Recovering from not sleeping last night and then a this weekend’s concerts and rehearsals, so enjoy some evening reading:

That’s enough for now. Will post more later if I get motivated.

Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Pro On Sale, Today Only

Thanks to Slickdeals, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (MBAM) is on sale for $14.95 today only for a lifetime license (usually $25 or so). Why am I plugging a pay-for product for removing Malware and spyware when there are free ones out there? Because MBAM’s free edition has single handedly cleaned off obnoxious spyware on more systems successfully than any other product I’ve ever used. The paid edition offers real-time protection that goes above and beyond the protection offered by your anti-virus program (it’s meant to be used in conjunction with anti-virus programs, not in replacement as it looks for different stuff). I’d highly recommend spending the money — I just did.

Note: I’m not getting paid to do this (as folks who have e-mailed me suggested) — it’s just a dang good program at a good price. If you’d rather not use MalwareBytes, or want an alternative SuperAntiSpyware is also very good and I’ve used it a bunch, but neither will offer real-time protection unless you pay for them.