Four years later. Where are we? Depends on how you look at it? Broadband providers still do not announce the upload rate on commercials. But, they are easier to find on their website and it is published more readily. Also, although the upload to download ratio has remained about the same (10% of the download speed) , at least now the upload speed is now something you can do something with. I currently am operating off a cable modem with 5000 download and 512 upload. Of course, I am paying the higher rate to get that speed, as if I opt for the cheaper cable modem price, i get down to a barely acceptable 128 upload rate.

So, all and all things are much better. Why? At least I have choices!! If I am willing to pay, I can get the speeds I need. 512 is serving me well. Would I like more? Of course, but I cannot complain about 512. It works for all the things that are important to me!

Just remember, Upload speeds are still VERY important, even more important. Why? As one example, look at the VOIP craze. Broadband Telephone, Internet telephone. I have been on that bandwagon since 2002 when I wrote the original Dbyte, but the rest of the world is catching on to it. If you have VOIP telephone and ever wonder why the conversation is choppy, and the other person complains they cannot hear you very well - Better check that upload speed! A normal VOIP connection requires about 110 kbps of continuous upload and download to work right. So, if you only have 128 upload, then you better not be doing any thing else with the internet. I have found that a 256 kbps upload speed is really necessary for real world working of internet play and VOIP integration, so keep that in mind when you order your high speed service.

Cable modem companies and DSL companies often cheat you by your lack of knowledge, or just because they can. There are two parts to any internet connection. The downstream (files being sent to you) or Downloading - DL for short. Secondly, the upstream (files you share, or send to others) or uploading - UL for short. - When you view a picture on the web, that's DL. - When you send a picture/file to your friends email address, that's UL. A "Symmetrical" internet connection is where the DL speed and the UL speed are the same. (very rare) The most common internet connection is considered a "Asymmetrical" internet connection where the DL speed is different then the UL speed. When internet companies tell you they offer you "blazing speeds" they are discounting the UL speed. Here was my situation less then a year a go. I had Verizon DSL. $39.95 a month which advertised a 640kbps internet connection. (not bad huh) The truth was it was 640kbps download and 90kbps upload! (OUCH) In fairness, Verizon did eventually increase its DL/UL speed to 768/128. (the increase from 90 to 128 really made a noticeable difference)

Your first thought might be, I do not upload files or share files or upload very often - so I do not need it. False misnomer. The fact is when ever you are downloading you are also uploading. You're always sending confirmation packets back to the computer you're downloading from. There is always basic communication that is required back and forth - So, no matter what, you NEED to have some upload speed. Have you ever been uploading a picture or file to a friend over email, and then started to surf the web. All the downloading of the web is VERY SLOW. Why? You have such little upload speed available, and you're using it to send that picture/file to your friend, that it DIRECTLY affects and destroys your ability to download because it is unable to responsively deal with its basic communication from the site you're downloading from. The simple fact is, you just cannot multi task your internet connectivity very well if you do not have fast enough DL and UL speeds. And multitasking internet connectivity is becoming common. Do you email? or surf the web or run a instant messenger program at the same time? Just about everyone does, and each program eats a little bit of DL/UL speed. But - if you have little upload speed, once that runs out, remember it will diminish your entire internet connection regardless of how much download speed you might have. Between Microsoft windows trying to connect to the net and sync your computer clock, or check for updates, or any other programs that might use your internet connection to check for updates, and any internet related programs you have, I guarantee you're doing a LOT more uploading then you might think at first glance!

So what's good enough? SHOP AROUND! Don't settle for the main stream internet providers that promise SIZZLE and deliver FIZZLE. You should get at least a 128kbps upload speed. Anything less should not be tolerated, although I would really suggest 256kbps UL speed or higher if you can find it. A good DL/UL ratio would be a 768/256 or 512/256 or 368/256. DSL and Cable Modem companies both play this asymmetrical game. Look on the AT&T broadband cable modem website. See if you can even find the actual speed they are selling you! Here is the most descriptive information I found. excerpt below taken from attbroadband.com (FAQ) sheet :

As a side note - the line about 'Acceptable Use Policy'. Amongst many other things, in that agreement it disallows you from using "ALL" file sharing programs such as the defunct Napster, or the newer ones. Talk about taking your rights away - So, be aware of that! - gosh that burns my britches. Back to the topic at hand, notice there is NO mention of DL speed or UL speed, and a quick mention at the end stating UL speed is limited. Drive the market with your dollar. Don't always believe their flashy million dollar TV ad spots. Get the specifics. Here are some excellent questions : What is my actual download load speed? What is my actual upload speed? As long as I'm not using my internet connection for illegal purposes or commercial purposes, are there any limitations to what I can or can not do with my internet connection such as file sharing programs. Is it a dedicated connection? Do you lock out, restrict or censor out any content whom do not wish it. Do you lock out or restrict any tcp and or udp port numbers? These questions in most circumstances will not be able to be answered by the 'reading from a cue sheet' sales rep on the other end of the phone, so be prepared to be transferred a few times.

A good resource I have used in the past in finding a Broadband (high speed) internet connection is http://www.BroadBandReports.com Although it is very dependant on your physical location, it pays to shop around. COVAD tends to offer a wider variety. You might find your self in a physical location where your choices of broadband are slim to none. Make sure you tell the companies that are not offering your needs why they have missed your business. When I canceled my Verizon DSL account after 2 years with them they asked what they could provide me with to keep by business. I told them that a 128kbps UL speed was too slow for my daily needs and they offered no such plan that would yield a better UL speed. Companies are hurting right now in the pocket books. If they can get away with it, they will give you less, and charge you more. Your voice counts, but only if you raise it. The problem is, many people do not have a full understanding and the companies take advantage of that!

The sharing and selling of ideas and communications has become a primary activity in our daily lives, mainly due to the relevance of the internet. Consumers now have a wealth of programs to choose from, where before they might have been limited to what ever programs their friends had in a stack of 5 1/4" floppies, or that you could get through your local BBS on your 2400 baud modem. Through endless hours of net scouring, I have come across countless "no name" programs for countless utilities, some of which I used once and tossed out, others I have taken quite a liking to, and some (in my eyes) worthy of being placed on my links page.

With the increasing popularity of "banner ads" and "spy ware," it has become more and more common to find programs that incessantly annoy the user with pop up ads or registration notices, and even more annoying are the many programs out there that stick "spy ware" on your computer, without you knowing about it....

I guess because of my frustrations with spam and spy ware, I have made a promise to myself as a fellow programmer: To practice what I preach. Is there any one out there that actually enjoys spam email, or enjoys having continuous pop up windows attempting to entice you to their product. Don't get me wrong, I do believe commercialism is a necessity on the Internet as it is the corporate monies which has turned the Internet from a fragile hodgepodge to the massive communication power system that it is today. But spam and pop ups are not the way, as they create animosity between the company and the potential consumer.

I am a full fledged Internet consumer. I purchase goods, and services constantly. But, no one has gotten my business through unsolicited spam or pop up windows. The Internet consumer has access to millions of online stores, and services. This creates a wonderful competition which has enabled me to save good money by doing a little online snoop shopping. When I shop on the Internet, I know exactly what I want. So, I do believe that the key to online marketers is to be competitive, user friendly, and versatile. If an online store doesn't have a full search database , description , price and stock quantity, if it doesn't have the means to purchase the item online through a secured connection with versatile shipping options and immediate email notification and email tracking information, no popup ad is going to give you my business.

This has sure created a level playing field between ma and pa companies and big corporate super stores. Why? Most super stores sell their products at the same price in which you can purchase them if you walked into their store. Big mistake. Too much of a mark up. They are scared to sell their products at a lower price, because then they believe they will loose money by selling their products for less on the net then in their stores. Again - Big mistake. It's better to take a 1% markup rather then forcing your 10% markup and not selling the product at all. Perfect example: a brand new digital camera I wanted to buy for my father. The product, exact to every specification including warranty, at the big yellow and blue electronics super sold for $999.00, yet I purchased it $750.00 online. (By the way, my dad loved it, and he took it with him on his trip to Holland, where he took some amazing pictures!)

The moral of this Dbytes story is, don't frustrate the Internet consumer. Don't attempt to overcharge the Internet consumer. Because on the Internet, your business is a dime a dozen. Sure, you may be able to take advantage of that newbie Internet un-savvy person, but it doesn't take long for every Internet user to realize their purchasing power and realize that on the Internet, it's a buyers market. Not a sellers market!