Posted: 26 Jan 2011 12:55 AM PST

In the past, changing broadband providers was something people sometimes experienced as a problem. Often, this had to do with the lack of choices available. However, this is no longer the case. Presently, there are more choices than ever before.

People now have more options. With that in mind, many of the providers today have to stay more competitive with their rates to stay in business. Providers now have more risk than ever with losing their customers if they fail to keep up with customer service standards and quality. If you are unhappy with your current provider, switching could potentially save you money in addition to getting you the type of service deserve.

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How the Internet has changed?

For a number of years, ISPs could choose whether they would give customers their MAC address. Many times, this lead to problems with switching providers, leaving some customers stuck with their current service or without. Customers found themselves limited with the type of broadband deals they could access.

Luckily, 2007 brought change and no longer allowed ISPs to have the choice of whether they would give customers their MAC code. More specifically, new regulations passed to ensure that all customers would experience an easier time with switching to take advantage of other broadband deals. Following this, the option did not remain for ISPs any longer at the start of 2007. The new rules required an ISP to provide a customer their MAC address when requested.

Understanding How a MAC Address Works

MAC stands for Migration Authorization Code. The MAC represents a unique code used for the identification of a broadband line. Therefore, when you decide to take advantage of any broadband deals, you need to request your MAC code. According to the new rules, your ISP must give you this within 5 days of your request.

Following the ISPs compliance to your request, the MAC address remains valid for a period of 30 days. The MAC code usually starts with L, followed by four other letters and seven to nine numbers. By providing your MAC code to the new ISP, you will find the switching process much easier.

The Basics of Switching

As mentioned before, you need to request your MAC code to give it to the new ISP provider. Keep in mind, however, that before you start the process of switching, it is a good idea to go over your existing contract. Generally, most contracts consist of either 12 or 18-months. You should know that early termination will often lead to fees for the remainder of the contract.

After reviewing your contract and confirming that your existing contract will soon end, you are ready to start researching for some of the best broadband deals. When you are doing this, you will find that a number of sites offer comparisons for the different providers. Most go according to your postcode. When you find a company that you want to go with, you need to fill out your personal information along with your MAC code.

How to switch Broadband Providers is a post from: Tech Mania

By Blogsdna

Intel hires Will-i-am as ‘director of creative innovation’

Posted: 26 Jan 2011 12:19 AM PST

This comes as a surprise to me and most of the world — Intel’s just signed up the Black Eyed Peas’ Will.i.am as a “director of creative innovation.” The hip hop star responsible for flooding CES 2010 and every BlackBerry event since with an irritatingly cheery tune is about to commence a long-term, “hands-on” collaboration with Intel on its development of “new technologies, music and tech advocacy.” Basically, it sounds like he’ll act as an ambassador for the chip company, who’ll in turn pretend to listen to his zany ideas about mega-giga-bass.Check out the press release.

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Intel Teams with will.i.am, Black Eyed Peas Front Man

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

* will.i.am joins Intel as “director of creative innovation.”

* Unique collaboration entails the development of new technologies, music and tech advocacy.

* Intel and will.i.am “share a strong interest in innovation around music, art and lifestyle.”

ANAHEIM, Calif., Jan. 25, 2011 – He’s best known for being a multi-platinum music artist, producer and front man for The Black Eyed Peas, but will.i.am is also an innovator, technology fan, entrepreneur and philanthropist. With today’s announcement at the Anaheim Convention Center, the seven-time Grammy winner has added another title to his multi-faceted resume: “director of creative innovation.”

As an extension of his insatiable fascination with technology, which plays a significant role in his professional and personal lives, will.i.am will engage in a multi-year, hands-on creative and technology collaboration with Intel Corporation. He already sports an Intel ID badge, which he proudly showed off at a news conference in Anaheim, where Intel is holding an internal sales and marketing conference.

“Nearly everything I do involves processors and computers, and when I see an Intel chip I think of all the creative minds involved that help to amplify my own creativity,” said will.i.am. “Teaming up with the scientists, researchers and computer programmers at Intel to collaborate and co-develop new ways to communicate, create, inform and entertain is going to be amazing.”

Added Deborah Conrad, Intel vice president and chief marketing officer: “We’re thrilled to tap into the limitless creativity will.i.am brings to the table. He’s not only a brilliant artist and producer, but also an innovator pushing the bounds of technology professionally and personally. We share a strong interest in innovation around music, art and lifestyle, and are excited to join forces to establish an authentic, emotional connection with consumers.

The relationship ties in with Intel’s “compute continuum” vision, in which more and more devices will compute and connect to the Internet, and the company’s “visual life” initiative that explores how visual experiences such as photos, videos and movies are redefining the relationship consumers have with laptops, smart phones, tablets and other devices.

In his unique role, will.i.am will collaborate with Intel on many creative and technology endeavors across the “compute continuum” that may include such devices as laptops, smart phones and tablets. Complementing his visionary role as the front man for The Black Eyed Peas, will.i.am is also already working on music expressly for Intel.

Specifics haven’t been disclosed, but Conrad said that the partnership between will.i.am and Intel is the marrying of two worlds — entertainment and technology — in order to create what she calls “the ultimate experience.”

“Intel is in the midst of transforming the way we communicate with people,” Conrad said. “Our partnership with will.i.am is a prime example of how we want to convey and deliver the Intel experience. It’s imperative that Intel and our innovations are kept in front of the global youth culture that embraces new devices and new forms of communication and entertainment.”

Via Engadget

Intel hires Will-i-am as ‘director of creative innovation’ is a post from: Tech Mania

By Blogsdna

A Beginner’s Guide to Broadband

Posted: 26 Jan 2011 12:01 AM PST

Mostly everyone agrees that they need an internet connection in their home. The reason why more and more people are becoming "connected" every day is because common, daily activities are becoming more and more reliant on internet access. However, those new to the internet may wonder if dialup, broadband, mobile broadband, cable, or satellite internet is for them. As many pleased customers will state, broadband remains the top choice for their internet needs.

Those new to the concept are definitely advised to explore what it has to offer. Then again, it may be those who still have dial up or cable internet; if so they need to ask themselves 'Should they make the switch to the best broadband available?' Considering the many great benefits that broadband offers. the answer would be a resounding yes. Of course, this means the term "best broadband" needs to be defined.

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So, how do you find the top broadband service available for your needs? It is not all that complicated once you answer the question "What is broadband?" Basically, broadband is a faster speed connection that traditional dialup. It does, however, employ the same phone line that a dialup connection would employ. The positive news here is that in addition to being a much faster connection, broadband will not cause a busy signal on your phone line. This is because the signal employs a DSL line which is highly advanced and sophisticated. It maintains the ability to provide sharp and fast connections while using less bandwidth on the actual server line.

Another point on broadband speed is that broadband services will offer different rates of speed at a set price. You can subscribe to a slow speed or the fastest speed available, and options in between. The monthly charge will be adjusted accordingly. Select the speed you wish and subscribe to it. That’s all you have to do!

The connections on a broadband signal are perpetual. That means they do not disconnect at the same alarming frequency of dialup or cable. Cable, for all its vaunted attributes, is known to drop out with alarming frequency. You will not have this problem with a good broadband connection.

Broadband is frequently offered in package deals these days. That means you can sign on with broadband service and combine it with phone calls, TV or both. You do not have to do this and just take out to broadband alone. Or, you can sign a package deal if you wish; it all depends on your needs.

There are greater expanded options when you have access to a good broadband service. The speed is fast enough to display all manners of audio, video, and multimedia. Downloading can be done with relative ease due to the well established speed of broadband service. Really, broadband is a fantastic option for those looking for enough speed to perform their daily internet tasks.

A Beginner’s Guide to Broadband is a post from: Tech Mania