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Filed under: Business, VoIP

Earthlink considering an exit from VoIP business?

We at Download Squad aren't sensationalists, but a title like this is destined to draw the ire of Earthlink TrueVoice customers. That said, we love getting answers--and the question of the day is this: Is Earthlink prepping for an exodous from the VoIP phone service business? And when industry-insider Andy Abramson is asking the question, it's a legitimate one.

First there was a story about Earthlink hemorrhaging jobs, then a tale of a botched shipment of severance packages for terminated employees. Following that, a strange comment appeared on Wired from a former Earthlink employee claiming their voice service is going to be shut down in January. Sour grapes or a real concern for current customers? As we wait for Earthlink to provide some clarity, time will indeed tell.

Filed under: Business, Internet, Web services, Google

Google celebrates its first year of WiFi

Google celebrates its first year of WiFiIt's been a year since the folks at Google successfully knocked off WiFi in Mountain View California. Transmitting all those great 802.11 b/g signals to the grateful residents, businesses and visitors at absolutely no charge at all. They are still trucking along on the San Francisco wireless deal with EarthLink and the city to give all residents free connections to the internet, but who knows when that will all be resolved.

Nevertheless, Google is on a mission to provide top notch WiFi networks, but what exactly does it take? Well, in Mountain View there are over 400 mesh routers that cover 12 square miles and 25,000 homes, with 15,000 unique users per month. Traffic over this free network has risen 10% every month and handles 300 gigabytes of data each day and 95% of the routers are being used every single day.

Here's to hoping that Google someday manages to blanket San Francisco, and a few other cities with WiFi.

Where would you like to see Google create their next free WiFi Network?

Filed under: Business, Internet, Web services, Google

Waiting for San Fran WiFi

san francisco wifi waiting periodIf you have been one of the patiently waiting San Francisco residents to hear the outcomes of the wireless city network, you might have to wait a little longer.

Earthlink seems to be having doubts about building a wireless network in the city causing the municipal WiFi proposal in San Francisco to get delayed until at least August. With a vote by officials now scheduled for September 11th. The original proposal for city wireless signals to be sent through the air was put together in 2004 and saw Earthlink being the supplier for the paid service, and Google chipping in to offer a special free service to residents and travelers in the area. The plan did see some snags including quality, privacy and health concerns.

San Francisco isn't the only place that Earthlink has held back plans, they have completely scaled back nationwide amidst doubts that the company can make enough money in the municipal sector.

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The World's Hardest Game 2.0 - Time Waster

So, just how good at time waster games are you? Think you've got the stuff? Well, The World's Hardest Game 2.0 doesn't think you do. Yes, amazingly, it's possible to have a sequel to a game called "The World's Hardest Game". It doesn't seem logically possible, since if the first one was actually the world's hardest, how could another one come along and share the moniker? It made me doubt the name in the first place. That is, until I tried the game. The mechanics of the game are very simple. You are a small red square, ...

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