Johnux.com

Clearwire decided to play the “you use too much internet” card on me this week. As far as I can tell I’m using the internet the same way I always do, so something must have crawled up their collective ass lately. I’ve been uploading and downloading site files from vaious FTP’s just like any other web guy, also been downloading some rails screen casts that I subscribe to. They’ve sent me the following emails along with a coupld of general and annoying phone calls.

Dear [Johnux],

While monitoring our network, we noticed that an excessive amount of internet traffic from your Clearwire connection is negatively impacting other Clearwire customers in your area. These issues can be caused by a virus or spyware on your computer, by having a wireless router with no password set or by using peer to peer/file-sharing and FTP programs.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us at 888 – 657 – 1456. For more information on Clearwire’s Acceptable Use Policy, please follow this link:

https://www.clearwire.com/company/legal/aup.htm

Thank you for your prompt attention.

And after my prompt honest reply my internet got cut to UNTESTABLE speeds. Yes, I tried doing a connection test that wouldn’t even connect to the speakeasy speed test application. BOOOOOO!!!!! I check and yes there is another voice mail from them and a new email that reads:

Dear [Johnux],

We have recently notified you regarding an issue with your account. An excessive amount of Internet traffic on your Clearwire connection is negatively impacting other Clearwire customers in your area. These issues can be caused by a virus or spyware on your computer, by having a wireless router with no password set or by using peer to peer/file-sharing and FTP programs. Until the issue is resolved, we have modified your connection to the network. Please contact us at 888 – 657 – 1456 as soon as possible so we can assist you in resolving the issue.

Excess Utilization of Network Resources
The excessive use or abuse of Clearwire’s network resources by one subscriber may have a negative impact on all other subscribers. Accordingly, you may not use the Service or take any action, directly or indirectly, that will result in excessive consumption or utilization of the system or network resources, or which may weaken network performance, as determined in Clearwire’s sole discretion. Such prohibited actions include, but are not limited to: using the Service to host a web server site which attracts excessive traffic at your location, continuously uploading or downloading streaming video or audio, usenet hosting, or continuous FTP uploading or downloading.

Violations of AUP
In the event that you violate this AUP, Clearwire may, without limitation, restrict your access to Clearwire’s network, increase the fees associated with your Service, including upgrading you to a higher class of Service, or immediately suspend or terminate your Service. In the event of termination of your Service, all applicable termination charges will apply. Except as expressly provided herein, the rights and remedies of Clearwire are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies that Clearwire may otherwise have at law or in equity.

For more information on Clearwire’s Acceptable Use Policy, please follow this link:

https://www.clearwire.com/company/legal/aup.htm

Thank you for your prompt attention.

What is with these ISP’s saying unlimited usage isn’t unlimited. I used to work for an ISP who did that. It was dial-up also. You’ve downloaded over 100mb it’s time to call you and tell you that our terms of usage are being violated even though it doesn’t make sense. I never knew how to handle those calls. I would get the customer on the phone and say “your usage is effecting other customers you need to use it less” when honestly the only reason for it was the owner was a complete and total douche who was greedy as hell and treated his customers and employees like cattle.

So I get on the phone with one of their techs who says basically the same thing. I’m honest with him and tell him that I need this kind of useage in order to stay in business and his only suggestion is to find another ISP. Which doesn’t really bug me because clearwire has been hell for me. The service has an extremely weak upload speed and is often cut down so much it scores dialup speeds on connection tests. I don’t expect much from wireless but out here it seems like a gust of wind knocks me back to the stone age. Ahh, to not live in the sticks, that would be great. Another issue I’ve been having is the stupid wiring/breakers in this 120 year old house are driving me nuts. It’s 95F all week and if I turn on the air conditioner and someone else uses the microwave all my power gets wiped out. I have battery backups on all of my tech, but it is still extremely annoying to have to go out and flip the breaker 5+ times a day.

So after my phone call with clearwire I decide to get the service turned back on and use it sparingly until I can come up with some other solution for getting online. Maybe even something fast enough to play on xbox live for once since I pay for it yearly and currently can’t quite use it.

Now I get back to work and check my emails to find that I’ve got some web revisions to do just to satisfy Internet Explorer 7′s inability to read modern content. I F***ING HATE INTERNET EXPLORER! I do this all of the time. I design something that is 100% validated, SEF, Beautiful and 100% functional on Firefox, Safari, Opera, Opera mobile but NOT IE7. Why can’t Microsoft design a browser or release an update that makes IE7 something other than useless? Now I have to trouble shoot these menu’s and figure out why they throw all of my text outside of their designated spaces.

I really need to do the following:

1. Save up enough money to buy a house in a city that doesn’t suck.
2. Get internet service that doesn’t suck.
3. Devise some global campaign that helps inform users that using IE is the most harmful thing they can do to their computer short of tossing it in a lake.