Web Tool to check any site status

Today, when I tried to commit some project code changes to SVN server (hosted on sourceforge.net) I got error. Then I tried to open sourceforge.net in a browser and it said “page cannot be displayed”. Ping and tracert also failed with request time out.

I knew sourceforge.net is down, but to make sure there is no problem with my network/proxy settings, I wanted somebody from outside my network to try and tell whether sourceforge.net is working for them or not. But unfortunately there is none of my friend was online at that time.

Found this site(http://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/) - which tries the given site and tells whether it is up or not. This is site contents too cool, just contains what you want. Without this site, it is little harder to find whether the problem is with local network or actually the site is down.

Internet in India

Broadband

Getting broad internet connection in India still seems to be issue. From discussion forums and blogs, Airtel seems to be comparatively good. Here is my order of preferred ISPs: Airtel, BSNL … (other ISPs) and lastly Tata Indicom. However the problem with Airtel is they are seems to be not giving new connections anymore in many places. BSNL - they and their process takes time. In my place Airtel guys said “currently there is no feasibility and it will take another one month to give new connection”. BSNL said they will give telephone connection immediately but broadband will take minimum 3 months.

Wireless

I gave up on broadband connection and tried to get wireless connection. The only concern which stopped me going for wireless is its initial cost. Airtel USB modem costs 6K and Reliance costs around 4K.

Airtel GPRS - Mobile Office

Few days back I came to know about Airtel’s GPRS scheme “Mobile Office”. No installation charges, no documentation, no application, no waiting…

To use you need a phone with GPRS support with Airtel PostPaid connection and software to share the internet with your PC/laptop. The plan I opt is unlimited download and Rs.140 per week. It converts into 700(140x5) per month which is ~equivalent to a rate of 128KB unlimited broadband connection.

Speed

So far I am getting good speed. The max speed I got is 33KB. This is more than enough for me to browse and download small applications.

Activation, Deactivation is done through SMS

Action	SMS Number	Content
To Activate	6123	MO
To get GPRS settings	2567	ALL
To unsubscribe	222	MO CNCL

However for my Windows Mobile I have to manually configure the GPRS settings. Start->Settings->Connections->GPRS is where you have to create a new connection if you want to configure you Windows Mobile. The only thing you have to input is “Access Point” and the value is “airtelgprs.com”.

To share the internet connection with your PC, click Start in your mobile and select “Internet Sharing”. This will disable the “Windows Mobile” activesync connection and creates a new Network connection – “Windows Mobile based Internet Connection Sharing device”. That’s it, you can browse in your PC.

Happy surfing :)