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Ks Toh

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Everything posted by Ks Toh

  1. Ks Toh
    You are absolutely right. The connection is only as far as the slowest link. Singapore's broadband speed is now the fastest in the world. As at June 2015, Ookla ranked Singapore in first position at 118.8 Mbps. The global average is only 23.4 Mbps while the speed is 36.2 Mbps for the United States. In reality, you may be accessing the overseas website at speeds much less than 10 Mbps.
  2. Ks Toh
    Secondly, VPN allows you to spoof your location so that it hides your actual identity and location. Some people might want to use a VPN is to avoid a situation like this:
  3. Ks Toh
    I did not do much research on the various VPN services available. I only checked up on Astrill (recommended on HWZ discussion referred by sarah833) and HMA (very popular and recommended by friend). In the end, I chose HMA primarily because although both offered 2 simultaneous access, HMA allows both access on any device (can be two notebooks as long as connected to different servers) but Astrill required 1 to be on PC/notebook while the 2nd to be on mobile. I thought the HMA arrangement was more flexible. I signed up for 2 years at US$4.99 per month (Christmas offer). After installing the app/software, turning VPN on/off was as easy as turning on/off WiFI. I did not notice any significant decrease in speed but that has to be verified.
  4. Ks Toh
    Virtual Private Network (VPN) I have been thinking about this for some time, but was procrastinating. Finally, I moved my *** earlier this week and signed up with Hide My *** (HMA). Since, many of us are so reliant on internet these days to do all sorts of things, I will share some of the things I know. I am however not an expert on this. VPNs serve many purposes. For corporations, it enables employees in remote locations to connect back to their office servers securely. For people like you and me, there are probably two main purposes. First, it allows us to circumvent geographical restrictions and censorship, by spoofing our physical location. So, content that are available only in the US can be accessed if you choose a USA VPN server. The following are screenshots of my iPhone showing before/after VPN. You will see the VPN symbol come on at the top right corner.
  5. Ks Toh
    The mistake made by many people is that when they find the internet connection on their wireless devices very slow, they think their internet service is not fast enough. So, they want to change their ISP, or upgrade from 100 Mbps to higher, up to 1 Gbps (1,024 Mbps). This is not the correct solution. In reality, you are likely getting very close to what you subscribed for, be it 100 Mbps or 300 Mbps. The problem is that you are getting this speed only at the point of entry to your house i.e your ISP supplied router. So when the ISP technician does a speed test at this point, he will get the maximum speed. The moment you use WiFi, the speed will drop. If you are relying on the ISP supplied router, then it depends. In the past, the supplied routers were very bad. These days, they are not too bad. One solution is therefore to change this main router to a more powerful and faster router, which you did. However, please check with your ISP first because for some ISPs, this router is pre-configured for your network and you cannot change it. The other solution is to use range extenders like what you did too with your Airport Express. However, if you are using it as a wireless range extender, the overall network speed will be affected, reportedly by about half. So, it is best to use it in wired mode, if possible. To fully utilise your speed, and to future proof your home, the best way is to ensure that the connection all the way can support speeds of 1 Gbps and above. This means laying network cables to all rooms as far as possible, and leaving the WiFi to the last leg.
  6. Ks Toh
    The news just now reported massive jams at the causeway.
  7. Ks Toh
    On a related topic, if you prefer to do your exercise outside your house, and if you do not already know, you can sign up for Sports Singapore's ActiveSG membership. Download the app, and Sports Singapore will credit your account with $100. You can use the money to pay for admission to swimming pools, gyms or join programmes. I just used it to enter Bedok ActiveSG Gym the other day. Or if your house is near a NParks Park Connector, that will be good. I am lucky that near my house is the connection between the Bedok PCN and East Coast PCN. I can run to either Bedok Reservoir or East Coast Parkway.
  8. Ks Toh
    Previously also installed a TRX on my roof terrace. But have not used it for some time. For more information on TRX, you can check out http://www.trxsingapore.com
  9. Ks Toh
    Also bought and installed a bicycle rack from Howards Storage World. $59.99 but I read there is 20% discount this weekend for members (can join immediately). This might be suitable for those of you with bikes but no space to park them inside your house. Maybe you can install this at your yard or balcony area. http://www.hsw.com.sg Instructions says maximum weight 30 kg. This means 2 bikes but not those really heavy ones that weigh more than 15 kg each.
  10. Ks Toh
    Exercise Equipment Over the weekend, I did some DIY installation. First, I installed a pull up bar which I purchased from AIBI. It cost $36 and the label shows a man grimacing as he does the pull up. I forgot to take a picture before I threw away the packaging. Anyway, it fits doors 61 to 88 cm wide. Would have been really useful if pull up is still part of IPPT. It's easy to install. http://www.aibi.com.sg Turning in one direction will extend the length, press against the sides of the door and make the installation tighter. But if you are installing, do not install too tightly. When I first installed, I could not close the door. I realised that I had turned the bar too much, pressed against the door frame sides and somehow lowered the top portion of the door frame.
  11. Ks Toh
    Concealed wiring means digging a tunnel along the wall, burying the wirings and cementing back the wall so that you see nothing. Conduit wiring means conveying the wiring in some exposed conduits. Concealed wiring will be significantly more expensive.
  12. Ks Toh
    Not any more difficult than reaching something at the back of your cabinet. But as I said, I leave it "on" most of the time. If you want to switch it on/off everytime, it might be better for the switch to be outside.
  13. Ks Toh
    Actually, I also have a network point at my yard (and in all parts of my house). There are many possible uses, some known some yet to be discovered. Possible uses: Extend coverage: It is not the distance or size of your house. Sometimes, the signal drops the moment you turn a corner. Maybe because your wall is very thick or you have some glass barrier. maybe your yard faces the carpark or the playground or your favourite kopi shop. Telco data being so expensive these days, being able to extend your WiFi network is great. Devices: In my case, I use it for my yard webcam. But it is not inconceivable that in the near future, your "smart" washing machine or dryer will have a network connection which allows you to remotely operate it. Many AV devices like TV already have them.
  14. Ks Toh
    I think it is not a good idea at all. Apart from what teegz said, I think you may have difficulties using some cooking utensils e.g. wok. And the edge of the countertop being so close to the fire, it might warp or discolour from the heat.
  15. Ks Toh
    There should be a switch so that you can isolate power to the device in case you need to repair or change something. For me, I always locate my switch inside the nearest cabinet i.e. not visible. It is always left "on" but it can be switched "off" when needed. Of course you need to tell your kitchen cabinet designer/contractor that you want to do this. This has to be pre-planned.
  16. Ks Toh
    You can safely remove all HDB antennas. In fact, some time after this month (December 2015), the original plan was to stop broadcasting TV signals through this avenue but I think everybody is not ready. Mediacorp has already switched to over-the-air digital TV. For more info, you can read my explanation.
  17. Ks Toh
    Hi sarah I myself have procrastinated in getting a VPN service. But I have just done it! Signed up HMA (Hide My ***) for US$5 per month. I compared HMA with Astrill and I think HMA is better. Astrill is US$5.85 per mth. More importantly, Astrill allows 2 simultaneous access (I did not see 3) but one must be PC/laptop while the other must be mobile (iOS or Android). HMA also allows 2 simultaneous access and both can be PCs as long as they are connected to different servers. The HWZ forum messages claim Astrill US VPN servers give the fastest speeds but if you are torrenting movies or other material (as opposed to accessing US content sites like Netflix or Hulu), I think the last server you should choose is US server. Apologies to nextstep for discussing these things here.
  18. Ks Toh
    I recommend laying network cables to every room. Read the thread on my blog. As for the messy wires, I read somewhere that messy people tend to be geniuses.
  19. Ks Toh
    What wires? Network cables or electricity overloading wires?
  20. Ks Toh
    Hi sorry, already collected by Princess Nini.
  21. Ks Toh
    Thanks sarah and nextstep. My Apple TV currently shows very limited apps. No Netflix or Hulu. Not even a browser. So, I gather the Netflix and Hulu apps will appear if I create and logon to a US iTunes account? And in order to use Netflix or Hulu, I would need to subscribe to a VPN/Teleport service to locate myself in the US. I think it is too troublesome to create another iTunes account, so i will stick to torrenting like sarah. Haha. Sarah, are you using another paid VPN service now when torrenting? Any idea which is a good and inexpensive VPN service which allows me to install the service on one PC and 4 macbooks?
  22. Ks Toh
    The aircon blower unit can be installed at any height. There is no restriction. However, because the water discharge pipe needs to be lower than the unit and the pipe needs to slope towards the discharge outlet, the higher the blower, the easier to install. Otherwise, you may have an ugly pipe running right across your wall. The best way to explain this is to look at the installation in my room. If I install my unit any lower, the discharge pipe will be lower than my window top. So I had to install my unit higher. My unit had to "eat" into the false ceiling to attain the required height. The other reason for the indentation is because the cover usually opens upwards, and you need space to open the cover. For aircon, my advice is never to choose based on looks. You will regret within 3 years when the unit starts to leak water, fail to cool or behave funnily, even if it continues to look pretty. My current Mitsubishi Starmex is one of the ugliest looking, compared to my previous units, but so far it has proven to be one of the best. But I must say I am not aware of the current makes of Starmex.
  23. Ks Toh
    How do you watch Hulu or Netflix using Apple TV? On my Apple TV I don't see these channels.
  24. Ks Toh
    Not sure I understand your question. If you are using WiFi for Android box, there is no network point needed. If you are using wired connection for the Android box, then you need a network point to connect the cable. If you have more than one device at that location that needs a network point, then instead of laying additional cabling for a second or third network point, the usual solution is to buy a simple switch. A bit like an extension cord, but for network cabling. See here. You need to check if your Android box supports wired and/or WiFi connection.
  25. Ks Toh
    Back in 1970s to early 1980s, there is no base. People just put the fridge on 4 square brick-like concrete platforms. Yes, if you are watching StarHub TV on cable, you do not need to move the TP point or lay any cable from the TP point to the TV area. StarHub TV on cable is delivered via the SCV point. Both Apple TV and Android boxes deliver content from the internet to your TV. Depending on your device, it connects to the internet via cable and/or WiFi. If the device supports WiFi, it will still work if your WiFi signal is good at the TV location. However, WiFi connection reliability and speed cannot compare with a cabled connection. My Apple TV is connected via cable to my network. Even with a 100 Mbps internet connection, I can watch youtube videos without any visible buffering. So, if you are really serious about using Apple TV and/or Android boxes, a cabled connection will be better.
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