Code, InfoSec and Server Stuff
Views are my own and not my employer's
I recently had an issue where I set up a website for a friend. I invested 6 hours into setting up, the server and backups were automatically deleted after 7 days while I was away from my keyboard because I assumed the account was valid and had credits.
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No matter what server-provider you are using I strongly recommend you have a hot spare ready on a different provider
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Aside
If you have not read my previous posts I have now moved my blog to the awesome UpCloud host (signup using this link to get $25 free UpCloud VM credit). I compared Digital Ocean, Vultr and UpCloud Disk IO here and UpCloud came out on top by a long way (read the blog post here). Here is my blog post on moving from Vultr to UpCloud.
Buy a domain name here
Now on with the post.
Murphy’s Law
I recently had an issue where I set up a website for a friend. I invested 6 hours into setting up..
I setup…
I had tested GTMetrix scores = less than 1 second. Security headers were tested and I was happy with the site.
The server and backups were automatically deleted after 7 days while I was away from my keyboard because I assumed the account was valid and had credits.
Lesson Learned
I have guides on setting up a server on UpCloud, AWS, Vultr, Digital Ocean but setting up can be rather repetitive so how can you prevent resetting up servers?
Why Plan for the Worst
How I will prevent this in future
I hope this guide helps someone.
Please consider using my referral code and get $25 UpCloud VM credit if you need to create a server online.
https://www.upcloud.com/register/?promo=D84793
Ask a question or recommend an article
Revision History
v1.0 Initial Post
This post is for Telstra (to help a 10+-week investigation into Telstra NBN issues).
This post has been split up to make this page load faster: Read [Part 1] [Part 2] [Part 3] [Part 4] [Part 5]
Unresolved Issues with Telstra
Status
I was already with NBN (FTTN, ISP Name redacted) on a 50/20 Megabit plan and Telstra promised fibre to the house (FTTP) instead of FTTN and this is what happened (still unfolding…).
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Telstra NBN (FTTN)
You can read my change over from ADSL 2 to NBN posts here. I was paying for a 50 Megabit Down and 20 Megabit up plan and it was not very after 5 months. I am not into torrenting unless downloading essential Raspberry Pi images or Linux ISO images. I needed a faster and more reliable internet connection and phone line.
My landline was down for 30 days and because I had a stroke recently (all good touch wood) a working phone line is very important. My previous provider said they can’t escalate issues unless the data line is completely down. Some days the internet was fine other days it was terrible.
I was sent a number of routers from my previous ISP to try an diagnose the dead landline and bad NBN speeds.
I was sick of the poor speeds of FTTN NBN. I was frequently talking to my previous NBN provider and had to perform daily router reboots. Some days NBN 50 Megabit seemed like being on a modem on a good day or ADSL1 on a bad day.
All support calls with my previous ISP support usually went one of two ways
The landline stopped working and we got used to rebooting the router multiple times a day.
NBN is having troubles?
NBN woes signal boom in fixed wireless broadband internet (1 in l 6 NBN connections fail.
1st Telstra Inquiry
On the 30th June 2018, I chatted with Telstra to investigate Telstra NBN options.
General Info | |
| Duration (actual chatting time) | 00:40:54 |
| Operator | TelstraOperator (real name redacted) |
Telstra Chat Transcript (*** = “*** removed delayed replies for readability ***”. Some numbers have been pre redated by Telstra?, Telstra Typo’s not corrected.)
P.S The real name provided by the Telstra Operator has been replaced with TelstraOperator (as I promised to hide names when asking for permission to post the conversation on my blog).
fyi: Alison and myself (Simon) are married.
> Info: Thank you for choosing Telstra 24×7 Live Chat. A representative will be with you shortly. At the conclusion of your chat please take a few moments to give us some feedback on your experience today.
> Info: All agents are currently assisting others. Thank you for your patience.
> Info: You are now chatting with TelstraOperator.
> TelstraOperator: Welcome to Telstra, this is TelstraOperator one of the sales representatives. How may I help you today?
> TelstraOperator: Hello Alison how are you?
> Alison: (***Asked about switching NBN to Telstra***)
> Alison: Do you we need to leave the current provider or can we transfer?
> TelstraOperator: Could you please provide me your account /home number with complete name and Date of birth? I will quickly have a look.
> …
> Alison: (*** I provided my addresss ***)
> Alison: (*** I provided my landline ***)
>TelstraOperator: I Thought you are existing Telstra customer
> Alison: Telstra mobile but (Previous ISP Name) phone
> Alison: We want the phone and nbn to be on Telstra with mobile number
> …
> TelstraOperator: Thank you for the address, and yes while palcing the order you will get a option to enter your deatails, so our team will cancel your current broadband plan and switch to Telstra.
> Alison: Nice
> TelstraOperator: Thank you, (Please allow me a moment while i check the same in our system.)
> Alison: Ok
> Alison: I have an optus phone I am willing to switch ove too
> Alison: Over
> TelstraOperator: Greta, yes you can switch your number as well with us.
> TelstraOperator: After running the serviceability check it was found that Telstra will be able to provide you service via NBN which is the fastest fiber optic based technology we offer, and with our NBN plan you will get 50 mbps speed .
> Alison: Are you sure it’s fibre optic?
> TelstraOperator: Great! Based on the information you have provided today, I would like to offer you _ our $79 plan for ***** gb data per month + new smart modem free , and pay as you go calls, however if you want the cals so you can add our calling pack any time for $10 unlimited loclam national ,Aus mobile calls .
> TelstraOperator: And yes its a fibre optic .
> Alison: Our nbn at present is copper vdsl
> Alison: sounds great
> Alison: Do we pay extra to upgrade our house line to fibre from copper?
> TelstraOperator: Thank you, and like to
> TelstraOperator: iNFORM*
> TelstraOperator: Like to inform*
> Alison: What deals can we get with a landline phone, nbn 50/20/***** and 1 or 2 mobiles a month?
> Alison: Sounds good, thanks
> TelstraOperator: After sign up our $79 plan our team will come to your place to set up our service for you,and there is only one time fee of $99 for activtion feeand this fee will be add on your firts bill , so no need to pay any thing right now , and this fee will cover all like set up , line connection technical team visiting etc.
> TelstraOperator: And yes on $79 plan you can add mobile plan as well any time .
> …
> Alison: Can you double check please the fibre optic, is this to the house or nbn cabinet?
> TelstraOperator: Sur
> TelstraOperator: sure*
> Alison: Can I share these awesome details on my blog? So sick of (*** Previous ISP Name ***) NBN
> TelstraOperator: Thank you for waiting, as I have checked and confirm with my team as well, so yes fibre optic its availabl.
> TelstraOperator: Order Processing You will have to place an order from the Telstra website itself, I will help you with the process whenever you are ready.
> Alison: fibre to the house?
> …
> TelstraOperator: Yes , You can connect to the nbn™ network via Fibre to the Curb technology.
> TelstraOperator: Fibre.
> Alison: Oh, so it’s not fibre to the house but copper from the house to the node then fibre the exchange from the node
> TelstraOperator: Yes, but do noty worry.
> TelstraOperator: As I have inform you
> Alison: yes fibre or copper from the house? Huge differences.
> TelstraOperator: That after signup the plan our team will come to your place to do all teh set up from your streret to your house
> TelstraOperator: With a fibre .
> Alison: Sorry to be a pain and ask for clarification but it’s copper from the house to the node not fibre. Answers being blogged here for other to read https://fearby.com/article/upgrade-adsl2-fttn-nbn-national-broadband-network-australia-journey/
> TelstraOperator: I understand it’s been an inconvenience and I’m sorry., but let me explain .
> Alison: Not sure it’s legal for you to say I can get fibre nbn when it’s copper to the node?
> TelstraOperator: As I have inform that our team will set up the service from your street to your home, it means our team will do the new cabling from your strtyee to your home, of fibre .
> Alison: FttN or FttC
> TelstraOperator: For thaat reason only there is one time fee of $99 .
> Alison: Awesome
> Alison: Do we pay for the fibre from our house to the street? Our driveway is 80m long
> …
> Alison: Nice, based on your advice of new fibre and price, we will signup ASAP, do you have a reference number we can use to lock this in?
> TelstraOperator: Thank you we can sign up the plan now as well
> TelstraOperator: And after sign u p the plan our team will call you with i 24 hours for the confirmatoin.
> TelstraOperator: Order Processing You will have to place an order from the Telstra website itself, I will help you with the process whenever you are ready.
> Alison: I need to confirm we can exit our nbn plan from the current provider first
> Alison: do you have a reference number for this chat?
> Info: The chat transcript will be sent to: simon@fearby.com at the end of your chat.
> : ThatTelstraOperator’s fine , no worries please take your time,and once your ready so please feel free to chat back with us
> TelstraOperator: I hope I have replied all your queries successfully?
> Alison: It has, awesome news tekstea
> Alison: telstra
> TelstraOperator: Thank you,I have a small favour to ask.
> TelstraOperator: It has been a pleasure serving you, please take a few moments to give us some feedback on your experience today. Please Initiate the End Chat Session Now, by clicking the (+) sign, and Select the ‘End Chat Conversation’ and you can also get a copy of our chat transcript by selecting ‘Email Transcript’ button.
> TelstraOperator: Thank you,I am glad I was able to assist. Is there anything else I could help you with today?
> Alison: Yep, can I share this info on my personal blog? happy to blur out names.
> TelstraOperator: yes of cource you camn
> Info: The chat transcript will be sent to: simon@fearby.com at the end of your chat.
> TelstraOperator: can*
> …
Summary
I was left thinking that I was being offered fibre to the house (FTTP – fibre laid up my driveway).
Telstra promise of Fibre (FTTN)?
Street to the house cabling (Fibre).
Fibre to the house sounds awesome.
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Exiting my contact with my previous ISP
I asked my previous ISP to release me from the contract I was in (given the ongoing issues)
My previous ISP called and said that I can leave the contract 🙂
2nd Telstra Inquiry (and switchover to FTTN)
On the 3rd of July 2018, I contacted Telstra Chat to confirm fibre again and to switch over if it was fibre.
General Info | |
| Duration (actual chatting time) | 00:47:30 |
| Operator | TelstraOperator (real name redacted) |
Telstra Chat Transcript (*** = “*** removed delayed replies for readability ***”. Some numbers have been pre redated by Telstra?, Telstra Typo’s not corrected.)
P.S The real name provided by the Telstra Operator has been replaced with TelstraOperator (as I promised to hide names when asking for permission to post the conversation on my blog).
> Info: Thank you for choosing Telstra 24×7 Live Chat. A representative will be with you shortly. At the conclusion of your chat please take a few moments to give us some feedback on your experience today.
> Info: You are now chatting with TelstraOperator.
> TelstraOperator: Welcome to Telstra, this is TelstraOperator one of the sales representatives. How may I help you today?
> TelstraOperator: Hello Simon , how are you?
> Simon Fearby: Hello, (Previous ISP Name Redacted) just said I can exit a 50/20 NBN contract early so I can switch to Telsta NBN (Connect Plus)
> Simon Fearby: Shall I cancel with (Previous ISP Name Redacted) then signup with Telstra to make things smoother or transfer and have Telstra pull the number etc?
> TelstraOperator: That’s good to know, and good choice of plan, Sure I Telstra sure provide teh service,and Telstra will cancel yourt current (Previous ISP Name Redacted) plan as well .
> TelstraOperator: While placing the order you will get a option to enter your (Previous ISP Name Redacted) details
> Simon Fearby: So I should signup with Telstra, enter address and number and then have Telstra pull services then call (Previous ISP Name Redacted) to ensure all is cancelled?
> Simon Fearby: Nice.
> TelstraOperator: Yes corret .
> TelstraOperator: Can I have your complete address to perform a serviceability check for you?
> Simon Fearby: I cant wait, Telstra’s service sounds great.
> Simon Fearby: (*** I provided my addresss ***)
> TelstraOperator: Thank you, in our $79 plan you will gte ***** gb data per month+ new smart modem free , no calls included , however if you want the calls so you can add our $10 calling pack for ulnimited local, natioanl ,Aus mobile calls .
> Simon Fearby: Thanks
> Simon Fearby: We dont make many calls. 🙂
> Simon Fearby: So we signup online?
> TelstraOperator: After running the serviceability check it was found that Telstra will be able to provide you service via NBN which is the fastest fiber optic based technology we offer, and with our NBN $79 plan you will gte 50 mbps speed.
> Simon Fearby: Do we pay extra for fibre to be installed?
> TelstraOperator: Once the order will be placed, soon you will receive an email and SMS about the package details. The plan/bundle will be activated in your account within 5 to 7 business working days based upon cabling work required . The necessary devices will be sent within 5-7 business working days, and if you want in urgent so while placing the order you can select connect me soon option.
> TelstraOperator: NO , There is only one time cost for $99 for activtion fee, and thsi fee will be add on your First bill so no need to pay any thing right now , and this fee will cover all like set up, line connectiojn , technical team visiting etc.
> Simon Fearby: Thanks for your information, this has made me decide switch 🙂
> TelstraOperator: Great, Order Processing You will have to place an order from the Telstra website itself, I will help you with the process whenever you are ready.
> Simon Fearby: Will do tonight.
> Simon Fearby: Thanks TelstraOperator
> TelstraOperator: Sure, but I like to suggest to go right now
> TelstraOperator: Because I will be there online for you
> Simon Fearby: go and get connected?
> TelstraOperator: So if you stuck in ay question so i can help you
> …
> TelstraOperator: So you can sign up the plan any time .
> Simon Fearby: Just to confirm we dont need to pay for the fibre optic trench form the cabinet to the house up our driveway?
> TelstraOperator: No need to pay any extra
> TelstraOperator: The $99 wil cover all.
> TelstraOperator: will *
> Simon Fearby: Im happy to switch now, just got the ok.
> TelstraOperator: Awesome, so shall we go a head to sign up the $79 plan ?
> Simon Fearby: Yep.
> TelstraOperator: Sure captain .
> TelstraOperator: https://www.telstra.com.au/broadband/plans-bundles
> Simon Fearby: Lets do this
> …
> TelstraOperator: please visit the above link to sign up the $79 p;lan
> Simon Fearby: done
> TelstraOperator: After visit the link, please enter your address.
> Simon Fearby: I can self install
> TelstraOperator: Yes
> : You have to select self install option.
> TelstraOperator: When you click ‘select’, it will take you to the online order form. You will have to fill the details and pass me the Order Reference Number that is generated after the order is placed successfully for further processing.
> Simon Fearby: doing now 🙂
> Simon Fearby: Whats “Registered Priority Assistance customer.”?
> TelstraOperator: Sure,please take your time, and once you done, please pass me the order id munnuimber for the further process, and Thank you. I am there online in case you need any help.
> TelstraOperator: We offer Priority Assistance which is a free service designed to help customers who have (or are living with someone who has) a diagnosed life threatening medical condition and whose life may be at risk without access to a fully operational phone service. Eligible customers can register for Priority Assistance and we will install a Priority Assistance customer’s first home phone line at their address as quickly as possible.
> Simon Fearby: just confirming phone bundle
> TelstraOperator: Yes
> Simon Fearby: can i select the $10 unlimited calls option later?
> TelstraOperator: yes of cource
> Simon Fearby: “Yes, with another service provider and I want to switch to Telstra” = (Previous ISP Name Redacted)?
> TelstraOperator: you can add the add on stuiff any time .
> TelstraOperator: Stuff*
> Simon Fearby: nice
> TelstraOperator: Yes correct ,and enter your (Previous ISP Name Redacted) details.
> Simon Fearby: “Connection Type” = Cable Other?
> TelstraOperator: please select other .
> TelstraOperator: As part of your service, your name, address and phone number will be published in the printed and online White Pages directories and available from Directory Assistance. If you don’t want your details published, we offer a private number service called Silent Line free per month. We’ll also block your number so that when you call others they won’t be able to see your number. It’s important to know that a Silent Line alone won’t stop all telemarketing or unwanted calls. Would you like a silent Line?
> TelstraOperator: As part of the Telstra family it’s important to know all the best ways you can make changes and view your account online. Your first stop for all things related to your account is My Account found at: https://www.my.telstra.com.au. Here you can view your accounts, current invoices and make change requests to your accoun
> TelstraOperator: The whole process takes anywhere from 5 to 7 business days to get you connected after you sign-up.
> TelstraOperator: You won’t be charged for any excess broadband usage, however your speed will be shaped to 256 kbps for that month or until you do a data top-up.
> TelstraOperator: Your Telstra Technician will call when they’re on their way. Please allow around 4 to 5 hours for your appointment. You must have : an authorised representative on your account on site and available during your appointment(s), access to all work areas (including any required work permits), access to any service configuration emails that we’ve sent you, access to any relevant usernames and passwords. If your installation requires any non-standard services or equipment, your technician will discuss your options and let you know any extra costs before commencing work.
> TelstraOperator: We offer the option to connect to the nbn network if you’re confident with installing your own devices and if your home set-up is fairly simple, this would be the ‘Self Install’ option. If a standard Professional Installation/ tech visit is required, there will be a charge of $240 (one off). The $240/standard Professional Installation/ tech visit fee is available on a 12 month service repayment option. Additional costs will apply if you have complex cabling requirement
> Simon Fearby: DONE.
> TelstraOperator: There must be a working phone line/cable in the property for Telstra to provide services. If cabling is required, additional charges may incur.
> TelstraOperator: https://www.telstra.com/content/dam/tcom/personal/help/pdf/cis-personal/bundles-c/personal-critical-information-summary-telstra-plans-bundles-MOSC2160.pdf
> TelstraOperator: The above link its for our $79 Critiacl info summary , so you can go throuigh it any time .
> Simon Fearby: how do i pay?
> TelstraOperator: you will get a bil after 30 days .
> Simon Fearby: What about $99 setup fee?
> TelstraOperator: It will add on your First bill.
> TelstraOperator: And from second montyh it will be $79 per month .
> Simon Fearby: Nice.
> Simon Fearby: When will the fibre be connected to the house and router turn up?
> TelstraOperator: After sig up the plan our team will come to your place to set up our service for you, and our team will call you with in 24 hours for the confirmation.
> Simon Fearby: Thanks
> TelstraOperator: Thank you, once you done please pass me the order number /
> Simon Fearby: Today?
> Simon Fearby: So I check email?
> Simon Fearby: ########
> Simon Fearby: What’s next? We’ll process your request within 24-48 hours and contact you to clarify details of your order if required. Your order Order reference number: NA########
> TelstraOperator: NO , OUR team will create a pass word them you can checked the email .
> Simon Fearby: thanks, so that is?
> TelstraOperator: Fantastic,thank you for the order id number, soon you will receive an email and SMS about the package details. and one call fro our team with in 24 hours for the confirmation.
> …
> TelstraOperator: Just to summarise what you have purchased today our $79 copnnet plus plan with NBN
> TelstraOperator: My account As part of the Telstra family it’s important to know all the best ways you can make changes and view your account online. Your first stop for all things related to your account is My Account found at: https://www.my.telstra.com.au. Here you can view your accounts, current invoices and make change requests to your account.
> TelstraOperator: CrowdSupport If you have further questions about your services in the future, I also recommend visiting our crowdsupport page at: https://crowdsupport.telstra.com.au/. This is a digital community providing support and answers to a list of commonly asked questions by our customers. Have a browse and ask a question, there are no bad questions.
> Simon Fearby: Yes, with pay as you go phone.
> TelstraOperator: I hope I have replied all your queries successfully?
> TelstraOperator: Yes correct .
> Simon Fearby: Thanks, can I tell my friends on blog how awesome Telstra are?
> Simon Fearby: https://fearby.com
> TelstraOperator: YES please .
> Simon Fearby: Thanks
> …
> TelstraOperator: It has been a pleasure serving you, please take a few moments to give us some feedback on your experience today. Please Initiate the End Chat Session Now, by clicking the (+) sign, and Select the ‘End Chat Conversation’ and you can also get a copy of our chat transcript by selecting ‘Email Transcript’ button.
> …
> TelstraOperator: Thank you for visiting Telstra, have a nice day.
Summary
> TelstraOperator: After running the serviceability check it was found that Telstra will be able to provide you service via NBN which is the fastest fiber optic based technology we offer, and with our NBN $79 plan you will gte 50 mbps speed.
> Simon Fearby: Do we pay extra for fibre to be installed?
> Simon Fearby: Just to confirm we dont need to pay for the fibre optic trench form the cabinet to the house up our driveway?
> Simon Fearby: When will the fibre be connected to the house and router turn up?
Again I was expecting Fibre to the house.
Continue onto Part 2
WiFi Research
I found this Telstra Wifi Page:
https://www.telstra.com.au/broadband/extras/getwifi
I Downloaded the Telstra home Dashboard App https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.telstra.wifidiag
House Plan
My Wifi Speeds
Related Links
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Revision History
V8.2 TIO case closed.
V8.1 upload limit removed by Telstra Specialist.
V8.0 Telstra confirmed that NBN visited last week and fixed a fault. Also 14Mb upload OK ok.
V8.0 slow upload speeds remain
V7.9 slow upload speed
V7.8 unscheduled technician visit while I was out.
V7.7 third plan restart?
V7.6 remote fix scheduled.
V7.5 technician vitlsit booked.
V7.4 Update 4th October 2018.
V7.3 the TIO called and asked that the remaining issue is? (I said dropouts, slow uploads and fluctuating speeds). New Telstra case manager will be assigned.
V7.2 slow speeds
V7.1 Upload speeds now 14Mb (20% lower)
V7.0 Created Part 5 (Part 4 was too slow to edit on mobile)
V6.9 the Internet is going down a lot tonight, 6x already.
V6.8 NBN went down, I called Telstra and the automated voice said they can’t find a NBN plan attached to our landline.
V6.7 data slow again?
V6.6 landline back, data stable, no FTTP. Case over?
V6.5 landline and data are back but no services are listed in our account.
V6.4 Telstra landline is still dead, data poor. Talked to Teksta and they cancelled our contract and will reconnect in 6 days.
V6.5 silent case manager.
V6.5 reconnection date changed to 27/9/2018.
V6.4 reconnection date changed to 1/10/2018
V6.3 dead landline still.
V6.2 dead landline and unstable speeds again.
V6.1 router is working video, why send a tech.
V6.0 Local Telstra technician tried to visit (Telstra did not call him to cancel the call). Again Telstra need a working CRM.
V5.9 I requested a new case manager.
V5.8 Telstra cancelled todays technician visit (news to me), Telstra rescheduled to next month.
V5.7 Telstra CEO blocked me.
V5.6 I advised Telstra of the days I will be home for NBN to visit again. Waiting for a confirmation.
V5.5 TIO said they cant help for a few more weeks, Telstra NBN visit appointment issues.
V5.4 Being booted of NBN so they can reconnect us with the old number.
V5.3 Mandatory Telstra visit required to port a landline.
V5.2 Telstra replied to the query about $40/mobthly landline BILL (needed to port our landline)
V5.1 TIO office and asked Telstra to send a bill.
V5.0 Re adding advertisements’s to this blog post to help pay for my mobile data.
V4.9 Splitting the guide into 4 parts (it is too long and I cant edit on my phone).
V4.8 CEO comments
V4.7 microchip details invalid.
V4.6 two more weeks to wait.
V4.5 two months on
V4.4 deadlines passed, escalating.
V4.3 FTTN running very slowly.
V4.2 my desire for FTTP is my fault?
V4.1 Error porting number.
V4.0 50/20 FTTN is back up.
V3.9 replacement router received.
V3.8 Donated $10 USD to the Electronic Frontier Foundation – The leading nonprofit defending digital privacy, free speech, and innovation (to cover any revenue gained from an ad’s in the post sidebar (no ads are in the header or content).
V3.7 Telstra CEO replied on Twitter.
V3.6 TIO added link to Complaint Handling Procedure.
V3.5 mobile quota update.
V3.4 Weekend with no Internet or phone.
V3.3 dead router, no internet or phone.
V3.2 todo factory reset router.
V3.1 No outages nearby
V3.0 No Internet.
V2.9 TIO resolution time expired.
V2.8 TIO complaint update.
V2.7 no reply from Telstra today, added profit fall link.
V2.6 early update on final day of TIO complaint
V2.5 3pm speed test added.
V2.4 Telstra called.
v2.3 Added WiFi MAp and Telstra call details.
V2.2 added 100/40 FTTN 6am speed test
V2.1 added 100/40 FTTN night speeds.
V2.0 added 100 Mbit FTTN
V1.9 Telstra were in touch.
V1.8 added lunch time speed test.
V1.7 added back flip link on 1gb speeds
v1.6 Instability and dropouts tonight
v1.5 Complaint is back to the Executive Customer Contact Team 🙁
v1.4 NBN Co to slow down heavy NBN users?
v1.3 added requested speed test
v1.2 speed test falling well below 50Mb.
v1.1 Telstra received my TIO complaint.
v1.0 Escalated to ACCC and Telecommunication Ombudsman
v0.99 update 2nd August 2018
v0.98 added Links section
v0.97 Escalated to Telstra “Escalated Complaints Group”
v0.96 Next update in 2 days.
v0.95 escalated to Executive Complaints Team
v0.94 added Telstra link
v0.93 added 2nd phone update.
v0.92 added update re phone line.
v0.91 added nbn issues article
v0.9 Draft Post
This post will explain why I will never buy a new Apple Laptop until they fix the hardware cooling issues.
This post will explain why I will never buy a new Apple Laptop until they fix the hardware cooling issues.
Background
I used to work in retail selling computers and I would go to great lengths to open a desktop computer chassis and talk someone out of buying a cheaper/slower computer (usually when it had a Cyrix Media GX processor in it). I would do myself out of higher commission and burn time educating customers. I have blogged about what to look for when buying a computer (here).
2012
In 2012 I bought my first Apple Mac computer to write iOS apps (write your first OSX app). I would call myself an Apple fanboy (previously being a PC fanboy for 15 years). I have never rebuilt my OSX system in 6 years buy would rebuild Windows every 6 months. Some Apple things I like.
2017
My Mid 2012 Mac Book Pro i7 processor overheats like crazy. I have blogged about my Mid 2012 MPB overheating issues (read here). I have even gone and installed third party software to control the speeds of my Mac’s fans (read here).
Inside my Mid 2012 Mac Book Pro (heatsink and fans at the top)
Stupidly thin heatsink (IMHO).
Complete heatsink (CPU and GPU plate)
I am certain this Mac Book heatsink is too small for the processor and graphics card.
As I type this my Mac Book Pro is Thermal throttling (slowing down the CPU) while typing a blog post (not gaming).
My only option is to crank up the fans to 100% and overrise Apple silence first mantra.
I am currently sitting here at Winter with my MBP 2012 MBP i7 fans running at 100% to try (try) and prevent thermal throtelling killing my productivity. https://t.co/IM6IlnmjC7
— Simon Fearby (Aussie DevSecOps) (@FearbySoftware) July 18, 2018
Intel Power Gadget showing thermal throttling (CPU dropping t0 almost 1Ghz to drop temps).
Move forward to 2018
Today I learned that Apple is putting an Intel i9 Procesor into a laptop, great? Hold onto your cash, that thing will run very hot and will never operate at its maximum potential.
Reviews are scathing.
I tweeted..
What a joke, why is @Apple putting an Intel i9 into a stupidly thin Mac Book Pro, my i7 can barely keep cool https://t.co/IM6IlnmjC7
— Simon Fearby (Aussie DevSecOps) (@FearbySoftware) July 13, 2018
Apple’s Website: https://www.apple.com/macbook-pro/
What a waste of a good processor.
Below you will see the fallout on YouTube from Apple putting an i9 Processor in the latest 15″ Mac Book Pros.
Dave Lee posted “MacBook Pro 15 (2018) – Beware the Core i9”
TechLinked posted “2018 Macbook ALREADY Overheating?”
AppleInsider – 2018 MacBook Pro i9 Thermal Throttling CONFIRMED!
Best of all, Louis Rossmann summed up the Apple situation perfectly.
Update 25th July
Apple is doubling down on the lack of cooling (calling it a “missing digital key”).
I will #BoycottAppleProMachines
That’s all.
Revision History
v1.4 Added update 25th July 2018 Missing Digital Key
v1.3 Gizmodo link
v1.2 Test new db server
v1.1 Added Apple Insider video
v1.0 Initial Post
This is how I upgraded from my standalone 1Password 6.x family licence to a 1Password 7 cloud subscription on OSX. I am not reviewing 1Password here.
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This is NOT a paid endorsement, this is output from my legitimate quest from upgrading an old stand-alone family licence to a cloud subscription. I have been using 1Password for the past 5 years and have recommended it to everyone I know.
Always backup your data before updating (things can go wrong), good luck. At the time of writing 1Password 7 was not out of beta.
Why
I have a number of guides on moving away from CPanel, Setting up VM’s on UpCloud, AWS, Vultr or Digital Ocean and let’s say 1Password has helped me store everything from service invoices, SSH password service passwords etc. I did have a stroke last year (caused by the flu (a cough) and luckily all is OK ) and I now realise that having everything out of my brain and in a secure vault is a good idea (touch wood).
Reasons why I use 1Password – Password Manager.
1Password 7 News
1Password 7 has been hitting my twitter timeline, should I upgrade? Here is the official upgrade guide.
Security Researcher Troy Hunt’s – https://haveibeenpwned.com/ is now a feature in 1Password 7
@1Password just keeps getting better and better. Ping: @troyhunt pic.twitter.com/qTtE6XyoXb
— Grant Harrington (@harringg) May 22, 2018
I wrote a PHP implementation to check a password exposure level with Troy Hunt’s pwned passwords API and know it’s a good idea.
Also, there are loads of great features in 1Password 7.
Anything that can help create secure passwords is a good idea.
86% of Passwords are Terrible (and Other Statistics) https://t.co/pSqbb7IV0g by @troyhunt
— Particular Software (@ParticularSW) May 25, 2018
1Password Twitter Support Shoutout
Before I begin I would like to acknowledge the patient 1Password support team on twitter. They answered well over 20 questions from me and handled my frustrations of there not being a clear standalone family licence, I suspected a plot to force people onto a cloud subscription at first.
In an ideal world upgrading, 1Password should be an easy process (1Password Twitter Support indicated)
Load’s of 1 Password activity on Twitter
Phew! ? 1Password 7 for Mac has generated a lot of excitement! If you have any questions, be sure to check out our forums to see if they’ve been answered. Our team is always here. https://t.co/Xixe8e80yY
— 1Password (@1Password) May 23, 2018
Before I downloaded the latest 1Password 7 I fired heaps of questions at the twitter support. I hope 1Password give them a raise or bonus.
I did spend way too long reading past the negative 1Password support posts on “where is the standalone licence”, “beta discounts are gone”, “why so expensive” and “how can I upgrade from 1password 6 and still use dropbox” etc.
I ended up logging a support ticket (looking for the unicorn beta tester discount/stand-alone licence, I think I was too late to join the beta program).
I backed up my 1Password 6 data
Always take backups of your data before upgrading anything.
I also backed up the 1Password file in Dropbox before upgrading. Simply drag it to your desktop.
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I visited https://1password.com/extlink/signin/ and…
Then I..
I did have a peek at the 1Password SSL certificate strength and other tools and they came up all good (I don’t want to use an insecure service).
You too can test SSL on sites with https://dev.ssllabs.com/ssltest/
The only concern I have is TLS 1.3 is not an option yet. I use it on my blog’s web server (guide here) also a few SSL labs identified weak cyphers are presented as available from the server (Is this an issue)?
I also had a look at Google Chrome’s developer console to see if anything out of the ordinary was popping up? The console appears a little chatty? TLS 1.2 was in force securing the client/server communications so that’s nice.
Now that I am logged into my cloud 1Password (trial) account I can…
Now I can connect my new 1Password cloud account to my local 1Password 6 installation by.
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Now I am prompted to import my local 1Password data into the cloud account from my local 1Password.
When the import completed I was prompted to delete the local vault (I said yes because I backed it up).
Tip: 1Password 6 on my Mac did not appear to delete the Dropbox data so I deleted this manually.
After a few minutes, I noticed Dropbox was still syncing files?
Troubleshooting: I had to set my new cloud vault as the primary vault to save to and not the old vault that was syncing via Dropbox. I also deleted all links to Dropbox on iOS and Android devices.
I did notice that 1Password was 6.8.9 (I thought 1password 7 was the latest?, I did try the update button). I ended up ticking “Include beta builds” and then 1Password 7.0 is a download option (maybe this will change in the next few days)?
I opened 1Password 7 on my local desktop.
I had a quick look around in 1Password 7 for the https://haveibeenpwned.com/ feature. I opened an existing account I added to 1Password. It look’s nice.
Some nice alerts and features I noticed when viewing my data in 1 Password 7.
Aside: I had to opt into beta builds on Windows to get 1Password 7 too.
Summary
When I set out and wanted a stand-alone licence but it appears I would need to pay for a licence on Windows and Mac and portable devices.
I overlooked an earlier DM from 1Password (that provided the purchase links) so I decided to go with a subscription (I think I missed the BETA program too, no reply from the hockey app email when opting into beta on Windows).
Buy standalone licences
From what I could see standalone licences only work via Dropbox (or locally) and not via the 1Password cloud.
However, the subscription does away with the requirement to buy multiple licences (all apps are free once you subscribe). I am not sure when 1Password 8 is coming out so I think it is wiser to go with a yearly subscription (that’s about 10.8c a day in Australian peso’s).
Time to Subscribe
I pulled the trigger and subscribed 🙂
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One nice thing is the trial time is added on to the subscription length so if you have 30 days left in the trial it add’s on to the yearly subscription length (13 months), that’s nice.
Conclusion
Happy = Yes (they are shooting fish in a barrel)
Could have been easier to upgrade from 1 password = Yes
I hope this guide helps someone.
Find out more about 1Password at http://1password.com/
Ask a question or recommend an article
Revision History
v1.3 Fixed typo in the title/url.
v1.2 Added Links
v1.1 Added Conclusion
v1.0 Initial post
Below are the reasons why I am deleting my Facebook account.
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I enjoyed sending photos to Facebook (for family and friends to see) along with reading random information from random people in my timeline. This is not making me smarter (quite the opposite).
I know “echo chambers” on the Internet are making people dumber, I too am sick of blocking racist people online, am I part of the problem with modern society? What is worse using personal data to control people or knowing you can control people with personal data.?
FaceBook was free and I was the product, there is no need to lie to users.
Facebook: “This is their information. They own it”
BBC: “And you won’t sell it?”
FB: “No! Of course not.”Please help this 2009 interview of Facebook’s CEO get seen by people who don’t use Twitter. Here’s a download link so you can pull and repost it: https://t.co/c32DmpVIig pic.twitter.com/quERsO5WZi
— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) March 27, 2018
I am deleting Facebook because
The standard you walk past is the standard you accept.
— Tony Windsor (@TonyHWindsor) February 14, 2018
Related News Items
Facebook ‘ugly truth’ growth memo haunts firm
Cambridge Analytica: The data firm’s global influence
Cambridge Analytica files spell out election tactics
The FTC confirms it’s investigating Facebook over its privacy practices
Cambridge Analytica helped ‘cheat’ Brexit vote and US election claims whistleblower
Robert Mercer: the big data billionaire waging war on mainstream media – With links to Donald Trump, Steve Bannon and Nigel Farage – The rightwing US computer scientist is at the heart of a multimillion-dollar propaganda network (“This article is the subject of a legal complaint on behalf of Cambridge Analytica LLC and SCL Elections Limited.”)
The shadowy firm behind the Trump campaign coming to an election near you – “And in 2017, it wooed Australia’s Liberal Party, selling its brand of detailed voter profiling that can help political parties drill down into constituents’ lives and likes to win elections.”
Cambridge Analytica’s pitching tactics caught on video – Cambridge Analytica used data to build lists of peoples likes/hates/biases to help influence elections by showing said users things that may influence combined with other illegal activities like covertly sending in “pretty ladies” to politicians houses to then bribe the is disgusting.
A former Facebook staffer, Obama campaign boss reveal concerns about Facebook data
It is nice to see the Australian government are debating privacy laws following this – “We believe that political bodies should not have an exemption under the Privacy Act” and “Australians have a right to privacy. This right applies online and offline. They have a right to know why their personal information is being collected, how it will be used and who it will be disclosed to. They have a right to ask to access it for their personal information, and they have the right to make a complaint about an entity covered by the Privacy Act if they believe their personal information—and this is critical—has been mishandled.”
Great leadership by Senator Jordon Steele-John
How to Download your personal data from Facebook
Enter Your Facebook Password
Extract the Zip file contents and view the index.html file to view your Facebook collected contents.
What did my Facebook Data contain?
How to delete facebook
Click here to find out.
Future
I am still the same person (but not on Facebook)
“Matter. How tiny your share of it. Time. How brief and fleeting your allotment of it. Fate. How small a role you play in it“. – Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Done
I have deactivatd my Facebook account
Confirm
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Revision History
v1.4 Added “You Will Wish You Watched This Before You Started Using Social Media”
v1.3 Deleted
v1.2 Added ink
v1.1 Added more links
v1.0 Initial post