batdan

Hello.
"However this is not a true test. Hence why testmy.net is outside of any ISP network."
Try telling that to a Charter Field Tech Supervisor. He'll say, as one did today, "I can't use that test because it's outside our network." Or tell them that Flash tests are not reliable and anything powered by Ookla favors the ISP and takes the peak readings while testing and seems to average them to get their assessment of my speeds.
Fortunately, Charter had opted for a newer test template that shows, at the end, a graph that gives a better view of what's really going on with lost packets and noise with all the valleys with those peaks. If not for that, I'd still be fighting with them over the bad service I've been getting since their digital roll out.
 
Now, the regular techs that come out enjoy my varied speed test compilation. And two have written your site down for testing other folks' problems.
My other problem is that Charter delivers over what they advertise for me on downloads and that's where I start losing packets regularly, at 65Mbs.
Today they had a regular tech, field line tech and field tech supervisor all looking at the issue. Super called me back later in the evening to tell me they found a problem in the main line down the highway and fixed it. I told him I'd give it a couple days and email him with my results.
 
Thanks for all your work on this site. I have some questions that I'll address elsewhere soon.

I have to say missmoondog, gaining network knowledge would benefit the overall understanding of how data travels.
 
Blaming testmy.net for ISP, local machine, peering, traffic on any number of various levels and or any combination of many other aspects, is not valid.
 
For instance, if I had an agreement with an access provider for 10MBps down, and tested within the main ISP network to 90% +/- at advertised throughput, would I be happy, yes. If i did not know any better. 
 
However this is not a true test. Hence why testmy.net is outside of any ISP network. And it's main baseline server is located on the nations largest most well connected pipe.
 
Testmy.net has no control over what speeds the individual user is able to achieve.
 
These feel good flash test scripts are for the most part located within top level ISP tiers, which are interconnected within fiber nodes peered together, for the most part. Of course they will show the best throughput, there is nothing else in the way, like the realities of actual 'internet' usage.
 
Everything important (that a true test of real world usage requires) is skipped, where the weakest link the data travels through is the machine being tested from and users personal drop, then to the ISP's node, how is this a test other than to verify connectivity to the ISP highest level?

I have A LOT of upcoming releases, many of which are going to be built around a new concept.  Because there is so much core programming being changed I'm going to do something I've never done.
 
I normally work on the site live and things are released as I write them... if your in the right place at the right time and you pay enough attention you can see me building sometimes.  Well, I really feel that the version I have out right now is INCREDIBLY stable... I don't want to disturb any testing or use of the site.  So I'm going to offer a beta program for those who wish to join.
 
To join, vote Yes on the poll above. I'll add you to a special member group and you'll be emailed with updates.  You'll also have an option in your menu that will allow you to switch between beta and release.  Smaller updates will be globally available but the major ones will be held back for the beta testers to play with first.  This will help find bugs before public release.  When I'm satisfied with the code I'll offer an option for a while to the general public to turn on the beta... after general public beta testing I'll then release it to the final.  We'll then start the whole process again for another round.
 
This is going to be really hard for me to do, I really hate to hold new stuff back.  But maybe doing it this way will help me spend less time on bug checking and more time of actually building.
 
I'm one person.  Your help with this is appreciated.  Everyone who has ever submitted a comment... you've already helped build this site.  I started with a vison but you guys expanded it.  If I'm going to keep bringing those ideas to paper I really need your help.  I have at least a couple thousand hours of programming planned just for the next 3-6 months. I need to use my time effectively, spending hundreds of hours searching for bugs is not using my time wisely.  Register (If you haven't already), vote yes above and I'll email you later when I have more information. Then, you can tell your friends that you helped build this site.  
 
Thanks
-D