<OT> How do ISPs work?

[Tony Alfrey]

Lonni J Friedman wrote:
> On Wed, Jul 2, 2008 at 6:13 AM, Tony Alfrey <tonyalfrey at earthlink.net> wrote:

<snip>
>>
>> Question:  Is this actually possible, i.e. that an ISP could give selective
>> web access to a particular web browser?  Does a web browser somehow encode
>> within its packets some identification?
> 
> Coming into this thread late, but yes, an ISP can do this and much
> more.  Comcast has become notorious for interfering with their
> customer's internet usage.  See the recent debates on network
> neutrality.
> 
> A quick-n-easy way to determnine whether Comcast is fscking you over
> is to install the User Agent Switcher, and make Seamonkey identify
> itself as IE.  If the problem suddenly goes away, then Comcast is
> screwing with you:
> http://chrispederick.com/work/user-agent-switcher/

Whoa, cool!
Thanks very much!  I've installed this thing and will play with it a 
bit.  I've become convinced that Comcast is fussing with the connection; 
  I can simply switch browsers and in a second, go from being totally 
stuck in the mud to instant web access.  And then, off peak traffic 
hours, the effect goes away.  So I will need to document it a bit in an 
organized fashion to prevent the urban myth effect.

> 
> Filing a complaint with the FCC would be in order.

Well, it would, but I've got a notion that this might be like waiting 
for hell to freeze over.



-- 
Tony Alfrey
tonyalfrey at earthlink.net
"I'd Rather Be Sailing"