Review after ISP Move

[Dakota2]

First of all many thanks to IDNet for providing a MAC within minutes of an email request. There is no doubt about it, getting away from the BT backbone is the way to go. I had no problem configuring my Billion router and making the move. Setting up email to deliver from my domain to the new ISP was a hassle. IDNet had spoiled me as they had made it very easy and it was well documented. It didn't help that I was given duff information for the MX record by someone at the new ISP. The documentation was scattered all over the place (not unusual, I've come across this before with other tech outfits). I had to phone support 3 times and twice got "mr grumpy" who didn't really want to help anyone. Luckily I'm not a total stranger to DNS and mail setup so I was able to push him to cough up the right information. The third time I got "mr helpful" who listened to what I said and I was able to sort out a minor problem very quickly.

Bottom line it's all now working very well, but if you have no knowledge of how to set things up, you are better staying with IDNet.

[Technical Ben]

I've had to provide a friend with Google DNS as the ISP they are with does not actually know which DNS they use as default. 

[Steve]

Google DNS I find is pretty slick.

[Gary]

I think google know enough all ready. I have to say who do I trust out of all who collect data, that's idnets dns right now. It's secure Akamai works well with it and downloads are fast. Third party dns are ok if yours isn't but I like to be served my data as locally as possible too.

[Steve]

As you say Google knows it all so I don't worry, there's a program for OS X called namebench which is a DNS benchmark utility

[Bill]

there's a program for OS X called namebench which is a DNS benchmark utility

Last time I used that I found the difference between Google and IDNet DNS was marginal.. it would have needed enough tests for a statistical analysis to be sure that any differences were real, and I cba'd

So I just use IDNet, less hassle.

[Steve]

I agree Bill, however it does probably show your on the right one or thereabouts

[Glenn]

If you are paranoid about who is getting information about your web habits, take a look at https://www.ghostery.com/how-it-works

[nowster]

If you're paranoid, run your own DNS server...

[Dakota2]

I'm not quite that paranoid. But it doesn't mean they aren't out to get me!

[Baz]

If you are paranoid about who is getting information about your web habits, take a look at https://www.ghostery.com/how-it-works

Thats an interesting bit of software, didnt realise just how much info is taken or tracked by sites.

Which are the ones to block and which are ok and do they actually take a lot of personal stuff

[Bill]

Thats an interesting bit of software

It is indeed... I'm temporarily using Firefox on the Linux box atm as the iMac is undergoing surgery elsewhere, so thought I'd give it a try.

Fascinating... I really didn't expect metoffice.gov.uk to be using trackers! The Beeb doesn't.

Methinks Safari will get it too when the iMac comes back.

[Baz]

Sounds like youve been doing the same as me Bill and looking at every site I visit to see what they use     its an eye opener

[Gary]

If you use adblock plus in firefox you can add a tracking sub to it as well as the ad blocking one, works really well.

[Bill]

I only use Firefox on the Linux box, so it's less extensions/add-ons to keep track of (if you'll pardon the expression ) if I use Ghostery on all the machines where I use a browser.

[Gary]

I only use Firefox on the Linux box, so it's less extensions/add-ons to keep track of (if you'll pardon the expression ) if I use Ghostery on all the machines where I use a browser.

ad block plus is available for Safari too, Bill.  I kike to keep adons down to a bear minimum. It is amazing the number of sites that track you though. Ad Block plus provide the tracking protection in IE as well these days.

[Bill]

I'm using Adblock (something) on Safari, from its "Get Extensions" link I think... I didn't realise it was the same one

I'll have a closer look when it comes back.

[Gary]

I'll have a closer look when it comes back.

Whats up with it?

[Bill]

Whats up with it?

The display went horrible... tried various things then rang Apple Support. They suggested a few more things, then arranged a pick-up to a service centre, it should be coming back on Monday with a new LCD panel. Which, I'm relieved to say, AppleCare is paying for, not me- it's a 27"

Re AdBlock Plus- I've added the EasyPrivacy sub and removed Ghostery... but I think I might go back to letting ADP look after the ads and Ghostery look after the trackers etc. It seems to have more flexibility on what I can block on which sites, I don't necessarily want to block everything everywhere.

[Gary]

Fair enough. Hope the Mac comes back ok  Adbock plus privacy sub only blocks trackers on sites that use them, as I see it there is no need to be tracked at all, the sub has a list of known tracking servers etc, for myslef its easier as I would just get all OCD about Ghostery. You can ad exceptions to adblocks privacy list. This was interesting about Ghostery though http://lifehacker.com/ad-blocking-extension-ghostery-actually-sells-data-to-a-514417864

[Bill]

but you can put exceptions in if you want.

I think that may sum up the differences- ADP's default is to block everything and you have to specify what to let through, Ghostery defaults to letting everything through unless you choose to block it, and even then you can unblock it on a site-by-site basis. Or whitelist an entire site. It just seems to better suit the way my mind works

Hope the Mac comes back ok 

So do I... I'm getting the hang of Linux and quite like it, but I shall be mighty glad to get back to Safari! Firefox and me just don't get on for some reason

[Bill]

This was interesting about Ghostery though http://lifehacker.com/ad-blocking-extension-ghostery-actually-sells-data-to-a-514417864

You posted that edit while I was replying... yes, I knew about that. It's hardly a secret- Ghostery describe it on their website!

[Gary]

You posted that edit while I was replying... yes, I knew about that. It's hardly a secret- Ghostery describe it on their website!

I probably have read it before tbh Bill, if I have I can't remember but it seems familiar. Memory issues are plaguing me at the moment.   

[Baz]

If you use adblock plus in firefox you can add a tracking sub to it as well as the ad blocking one, works really well.

how do you add the tracking sub Gary


its ok I found it, thanks though

[Technical Ben]

If you're paranoid, run[...]

Fixed it for you.