Richard Lennox » Edinburgh

Virgin Media Broadband Speed Testing

Richard Lennox — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:15:14 +0000

I am convinced I am not getting my money’s worth from Virgin Media‘s broadband service! For those who don’t know, Virgin Media is a Cable provider (the only one?) in the UK. They have the adverts with Samuel L. Jackson hinting at the 50 mbps service provided using their fibre optic network! I pay for the full XL package which provides me with TV, phone and Broadband at a reasonable price for the bundle. This is their most expensive package that gets me:

up to 20mbps braodband
their full (non-HD) TV package and
Unlimited anytime calls to UK landlines.

20 mbps, No way!

Ok it says up to, but what would you say is fair? 18 mbps? 15 mbps? At least over the 10 mbps on the next package down, right? Well I am certain I don’t get more than 5 mbps!

So I am going to test this an post my speed test results here for prosperity!

The setup form my test is my standard home setup for my desktop, but removing all other network traffic:

Computer: Windows Vista Ultimate, Intel Core2Duo 6600 (2×2.40GHz) processor, 4 GB of RAM (32bit Windows only uses and recognises 3.5 the rest is utilised by the hardware!).
Router: Netgear 54 Mbps Wirelss Router – WGR614 v6 with fully up to date firmware.
Cable Modem: Motorola – S85100 Surfboard Cable Modem

As many Windows processes as possible have been killed without killing Windows iteself, including for this test the Firewall and Virus Protection. The wireless has been switched off and the only connections are wired and between the computer and the router and the router and the modem (which is obviously plugged into the outside world!).

Day 1 results (21:45):

www.speedtest.net – download: 4508 kbps (4.5 mbps); upload: 678 kbps.

http://www.broadbandspeedchecker.co.uk/ – download: 4912 kbps (4.9 mbps); upload: 577 kbps

This isn’t very scientific but I will continue to post my results as and when I test the broadband speed. Let me know your thoughts.

Browser Wars

Richard Lennox — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 23:31:17 +0000

Web browsers have moved on a long way over the years. Here is a nice visualisation of the runners and fallers.

See the original: Pixellabs

Fringe madness

Richard Lennox — Thu, 16 Aug 2007 11:17:23 +0000

It is the time of year, for the Edinburgh Fringe festival. The city is buzzing with tourists and there is far too much to see and far too little time (and money) to see it all.

I have been on holiday since finishing up work on Friday evening and Susan's sister was staying with us up until yesterday. So it has been a bit of a mad weekend and first half of the week. I for the most part let the women go ahead and book what they wanted to see, and tagged along. This worked really well and I was able to have my input when I wanted to. It also meant I saw a few shows that I would quite happily have given a miss if I had had the time to look at what they were when asked if I wanted to go. This turned into a bit of a triumph as I thoroughly enjoyed everything I saw. Obviously some more than others, but that is the way it is!!

With ticket prices rising though I think gone are the times of running around fitting in 3-4 shows a day. Although it is quite manic just getting along to 2, with places like the spiegelgarden to hang around in between.

The Filthy Six at The Lot

Richard Lennox — Sat, 26 Aug 2006 10:26:20 +0000

The Filthy Six are a Soul Jazz Funk sextet from London. Having read reasonably good things about them, I decided to go along to the Lot and check them out.

An interesting mix of players, as with many fringe music events they were using session players to cover for those with real jobs!! However the core seemed to be there. It was an unusual makeup with the down on their luck Russian Mafia Groovy Head Nodders on guitar and base, the "too cool for my jeans and flip-flops" band leader and trumpeter and the jiving Duracell bunny on Speed leading the way with some admittedly fabulous organ riffs.

The honest use of session players meant that, while individually the many of the players were great, together they were a bit slack. At times they managed to hit it off though and if you are into a real jiving funky tunes they might just do it for you. Their interpretation of some soul classics was good fun, and they did get the crowd going, with some amazing individual solos.

One big find was a local saxophonist that apparently came into the mix at the very last moment. He slotted in well and his improvisation and soloing was phenomenal. As was the Duracell Bunny's sleek hand speed along an organ which at times carried the performance. Obviously enjoying his work, he jived and boogied to every song, the coolest of Duracell Bunnys!!

The performance was let down by two things. Firstly the venue was not the greatest. The converted chapel has a cavernous ceiling and at times it felt like much of the sound was being lost into the room. This is a band that shouldn't be doing gigs in venues like this. They are good for a dark enclosed space with a good vibe for those wanting to dance.

Second was the band leaders penchant for his own voice. They could of played two more funky hits had he not mumbled and grumbled along between every song! Most probably because they weren't as slick as they could be and he was covering for it but more funky tunes and less mutterings would go down better.

All in all a funky band and would be great for a bit of fun. Too be honest I haven;t decided on whether their album is worth it. A bit funky for the times you need it, and the soul hits went down really well. The jury is still out on this lot. I would probably like to get a shot at the full lineup next time and see how it goes, unless someone was to send a free CD!!

Festival Recommendations Anyone?

Richard Lennox — Fri, 18 Aug 2006 07:24:21 +0000

So, I am looking for something to do this weekend, more specifically I am looking for inspiration for a Fringe show that is so good. Ideally it would be funny, [I don't enjoy much of the childish humour that can be found on today's TV, so need a comedy fix somewhere!] but I am not averse to something cultural or serious.

If anyone comes across this and has seen something of interest that they can recommend or even tell me what to avoid, please leave a comment. If you manage or are part of a particular show, tell me about it, tell me what it is about, how good you all are and where you are at and I might just come along and see your show!

I look forward to your recommendations!

Bill Bailey’s ***** Steampunk

Richard Lennox — Tue, 15 Aug 2006 08:28:05 +0000

I cannot recommend this Edinburgh Festival show highly enough! Not usually one for this behaviour but I must have guffawed my way through at least half of it! Absolutely hysterical in places!

Bailey puts on a dramatic twist to the genre of Stand-Up comedy. His act of slick jokes, musical interludes and the use of the big screen was hilarious. He had a new toy, a keyboard like instrument that distorted the images on the big screen!

His content sails a little close to the wind and using similar material (with the US the butt of his jokes) to the mainstream can seem a little old news but his new slant more than makes up for it. And don;t forget his musical prowess, a comic musician of the highest order. If you get the chance to see it, look out in particular for his superb Friends theme renditions and of course his legendary Hokey-Kokey in German!

Certainly one of the highlights of the Edinburgh Festival.

Festival Time Again

Richard Lennox — Thu, 06 Jul 2006 17:54:10 +0000

The Edinburgh Festival is almost upon us again. One of the better sides of living in Edinburgh is that once a year, everything by way of entertainment comes to you. Whether it be opera, jazz, blues or any other sort of music you can think of; theatre; musical theatre; dance or comedy, the Fringe has it all and right on my door stop. There are a few things that sound really good to me this year.

There is Bill Bailey to start with. I have already booked tickets for his stand up show and this will be the third Festival in a row that I have seen his show. First it was his stand-up Part Troll and last year it was his comedy theatre. I really enjoy his sense of humour so am really looking forward to that.

While I have been to Fringe shows before this is the first year that I am planning things I want to see in advance. I haven't figured everything out as such but I am looking through the guide and online reviews starting with the Music stuff. I enjoy a bit of Jazz and the Fringe festival has its Fair share of Jazz events. There are a few shows in particular that I am interested in:

Filthy Six @ The Lot, in the Grassmarket
Having read good things I took a look at their MySpace site and was able to listen to a few tracks. Their soul/jazz/funk blend is appealing.
The Jazz Centre – Colin Steele Quintet
A great Jazz quintet that I enjoy!

These are two that I think would be good but I am acutely aware of the venues that have surprisingly good acts that are not advertised, particularly during the festival. I Will be checking these out a little.

I may be back with some more once I get sat down and go through the guide a bit further.