CA3LE

I did a Download+Upload and it is different than my Download?
This was on my iPhone by the way.
..::Download+Upload::..
DL-2.1
UL-1
..::Just Download::..
DL:6.4

They were both done on the same server, same place, and a couple of seconds apart.
This isn't the first time this has happened.

Thanks in Advance!

I don't mean to be rude, but straight from Stanford:
-http://folding.stanford.edu/English/FAQ-Points#ntoc3
The reason GPU points are higher is because they do the math faster. They have hundreds of Shaders working together to allow for the math to be done at enormous speeds. The newer GPU Cores are likely more optimized than the older ones. (I don't know all the information about them, I can only assume based on what little data I happen to have.)

Thanks,
EBrown

I'll look into it and see what I can find. It's not supposed to be about the points though.
Thanks,
EBrown

I will preface this post by saying that I am a Windows dummy, so I don't have a whole lot to offer to the Microsoft bunch out there.  However, my quick little tips don't apply so much to a particular OS as to general system settings good for almost any OS, so here goes:
 
1.  Minimize the amount of running services on your system.
 
I cannot overstress the importance of this one -- the more services & applications you have running simultaneously on your box, the more overhead utilized.  So many people have all kinds of virus scanners, supposed "speed up" apps, unnecessary running services/daemons/etc. which do not need to be running 24/7.  For instance, say you have a virus scanning platform.  **Please note, I am not advocating that you turn off your virus protection -- and only you can determine the level of protection you need, so in the end, use your own judgement and don't hold me responsible (please) **
 
Anyway, virus scanners are generally not needed constantly.  You're not going to get a virus if you don't have one already and you are not downloading files, visiting malicious sites or running untrusted software.  There are times the preceding statement if false, but rarely enough to cause concern.  So, I suggest that you only have your virus software set to scan files on demand - e.g. when you download something or when you are reading emails.  Use your browser security settings to help minimize the chance you wonder into an insecure site and always make sure the sites you are using for sensitive information (such as bill payment, purchases, sensitive data, etc) are encrypted with trusted encryption (check the pad lock icon and make sure it is a "https" connection).  Using your browser to help with security is a performance sparing method to minimize the processor intensive constant scanning by a virus detection package.
 
If you have a ton of system services running in the system tray of Windows, take a look at which ones you really need and eliminate the others. Same for system startup -- clear out everything that does NOT need to be started upon startup; this will save memory (RAM) and processor usage...which leads to quicker page response and transfer speeds.  Advanced users should check actual "services" in Windows and turn off those you don't need.  If you're running a linux flavor, I assume you're already pretty versed in modifying your configuration.  If not, PM me.  e.g. . chkconfig --list  to see a list of services or service --status-all to see what's running currently (RH/CentOS/etc.)
 
2.  Change your MTU (max transmission unit) to 9000 if you're on a high speed cable or ethernet link.  This allows your network interface to send much larger frames than the standard 1500 value.  Basically, this parameter sets how large a single transmission frame may be, minus overhead.  So, if your system includes overhead in the setting, set it to less than 9000 so you don't get an error for exceeding 9000 (e.g. set it to 8900 to be safe).  Just make sure you do this if you know what you're doing only and if you're sure it is appropriate for your set up.  It shouldn't cause any problems, but make sure you know how to get back in there and change it to the previous value in case it breaks your connectivity (which I doubt!)
 
3.  Try different browsers - not only are some browsers actually much better at speed natively, they save on system resource usage as well.  My suggestion: firefox or opera.  I was never a fan of opera until recently when they made a lot of improvements.  Firefox is always a good choice.  IE would be my last choice, but many people love it.  Chrome is pretty good too but I have noticed some issues with it lately.
 
4. Stop background file transfer daemons such as online data backup utilities, cloud sync systems (iCloud, etc).  If you have things like that running in the background, they obviously will take a lot of your bandwidth away (unless you specifically configure them not to, they will use as much bandwidth as they can get their hands on).  So, shut down iCloud from syncing while the system is active and if you use something like Carbonite backup, let it work when you are not using your box (e.g. overnight).
 
5. If you are using wifi, make sure you have a good signal and make sure you are using the faster encryption settings.  You should use 802.11g at a minimum and preferably 802.11n for best connectivity.  Most network connections (note I said most) will not realize much (if any) performance gain by going direct ethernet unless the previous 3 suggestions (signal, encryption, protocol) are not followed.  If you cannot adjust the first 3 settings, then you probably should connect directly to your router's ethernet connection or to your cable modem/DSL/etc.  You can also change the "power" or "energy" saving settings on your wifi box by setting the transmission power to 100% all the time.  Search your manufacturers KB or google for "increasing wifi transmission power" or, more generally, "tutorial to speed up wifi" Note that wifi is going to give you a theoretical maximum of 450Mbits per second in the best and hardly ever realized conditions.  Generally 300Mbits is as fast as you'll see and if you're not using 802.11n, 54Mbits optimum.  These optimal speeds are what the manufacturers tout, but it is nearly impossible to see them. Believe me, wifi can interfere (pardon the pun ) with even a moderate cable speed of 30-40 Mbits/second.  Summary: wired is always better, but there are ways to maximize your wifi connection.
 
I will put the last 5 of my first 10 tips online over the next few days ... but, please feel free to reply to this post or PM me if you need help doing these things. 
 
I hope some of this helped!
 
SIETEC
 
President & Lead Network Engineer
SIETECserverNet :: sietecFASTcom :: sietecMATRIXcom
 
Coming soon, I will be launching a hosting service unlike anything you have ever seen -- take a look at my test results here:
 
 
My clients will be able to achieve similar, depending on the service chosen, and it is my goal to help them do so.  Interested in pre-sales information? Drop me a line at [email protected] and let me know what you are looking for ... deep discounts to the first 25 people!  My website is being re done right now, but I basically offer anything most hosting companines offer, just in a virtual box.  (which, believe it or not, that is how I achieved most of these results, through one of my virtual machines).  You still get to pick how many processors, RAM, type of HD and space on disk, NIC speeds, etc. You can even choose a free virtual appliance that suits what you are doing and launch it on my platform.  Or, I can assist you in installing your OS and let you take it from there .. full root/administrator access!  Again, if interested, email or PM me!

I know why Testmy.net is 10x better.
Ookla Sucks, TMN doesn't
It's just plain simple

Wow man, good read.  At a loss of words, rare for me.  It's been a while since I felt this validated.  Sometimes it feels like an uphill battle educating people on why the site is not like any other.  I can type till my fingers bleed trying to explain it... but coming from me it doesn't mean as much.  I really look forward to reading that blog.
 
Thanks for taking the time to share your opinions.

Thanks for visiting Richard, I'm glad you like the site.  It's my labor of love.
 
This has been suggested a couple times, not exactly how you're talking about but similar.  For some people their connection craps out and causes the test to end completely.  I'll address this and your issue in my next version of the automatic speed test.
 
What I'll probably do to fix your issue is have it where if it's taking too long... it will either end the test and calculate based on the data it gathered already... or have you forwarded to a smaller size to hopefully get you to complete the test in a timely fashion.
 
What you can do right now that may resolve this is to uncheck 'express' this way the test will start at a lower value each time and adjust to what's happening at the time the test is taken.  Let me know if that helps.
 
.. tell your friends if you really like TestMy.net, this is word-of-mouth.

I totally agree with you.  I've been wanting to do that for a long time but there are so many areas to this site it can be hard to pull myself from more critical areas to get to it.
 
When I first designed the graphing system... well, first there were not graphs.  It was just the list data you see below the graph.  When I built on the graphing I pretty much threw it together to suit my purpose... I wanted the X-Axis to have data but annoyingly the two datasets won't match because the time is different.
 
All it's going to take is some of my time to sit down and research and play around to get multi-xaxis into one graph.  Right now, if I turn it on it will graph one or the other.  Either the upload times or download times.  Because the tests can be taken independently of each other and the time is variable we run into an issue.  ... it's technically possible but I have to take the time.  It's definitely on my to-do-list.
 
For now, you can filter by test type...
 

 
... once you've displaying only one test type and you hover over you'll see the time in the details.
 

 
I appreciate the suggestions.. keep them coming!  Even if they've already been suggested... the more I hear something, the more likely it will be prioritized.

Hi all,
 
I just wanted to put my two cents in here for what it's worth.  First of all, I have no interest in any online speed test.  I host mirrors for the two most popular speed test sites, one of which you are on right now.  My only interest is in helping people get accurate and informed information when it comes to measuring their internet speed.  I will probably upset some people with this post, but what I am saying comes from my 12+ years of experience in tweaking web servers and meticulously measuring the details of different transports.
 
For http (e.g. "internet" or web-browser compatible) speed testing, I can say with 100% certainty that you will not find a testing methodology more accurate than testmy.net.  The attention to detail and every little tidbit of information involved in http/tcp transport is second to none.  I can say that since I host a mirror on here and can measure the results from both ends.  For example, if you make a request on my box, apache keeps a log of the transfer information and precisely how long the socket was open and how much information (exactly) was transferred. The timing is accurate to less than 1/10000 of a second.  Therefore, I can measure the precise time it took to transfer, say 100MB from my box to your computer and determine from that the speed in which the transfer took place. 
 
TMN goes a bit further than most, in that you can see the actual speeds during the xfer as it fluctuates.  The other speed test engines take an average of your speed over the duration of xfer and throw away a significant amount of the data as "erroneous."  My question is, if it is erroneous yet contributes to the overall time it takes to transfer a file, it is NOT erroneous and should NOT be discarded as such.  This is where you will see significant differences on the "other" sites. 
 
Sometimes it is disappointing to see the real numbers your machine is capable of.  Believe me, I know.  I get upset when I think a measurement is wrong.  But, it gives me valuable insight into how to increase  the throughput and achieve better results.
 
Take a look at my max and averages
 

 

 
These come from my VNC (e.g. linux remote desktop) connections to one of my boxes using Firefox or other browsers to test the box.  The average has been skewed by testing all kinds of different settings (e.g. jumbo frames, different MTUs, browsers, servers, etc) and so could be much higher if I dedicated an account singly to testing with my best settings...but that would kind of defeat the purpose, in my opinion!  If you consider the overhead on the processor and network interface just to support my 1920x1080 VNC connection, then factor in that I am remoting into a server to test it's connection; furthermore that it is just a TCP link with limited threads that can be opened (due to the nature of the protocol), my box is capable of much more.  But when it comes to true INTERNET ability, I have never measured anything faster than I can through testmy.net.  Consider that the "other" sites use Flash and other visual enhancements, a limited amount of data and basically, nondiscriminatly discards data assumed to be erroneous, which site do you think will be more accurate?
 
I will soon be starting a blog regarding how to improve you internet connection speed and will post the link when I publish it.  I would like people to try before and after modifying system settings as well as the other speed test sites.  I say everyone should try the other sites as well and see where the discrepancy lies.  But if you are truly looking to improve your performance, in my opinion, you have found the spot (that is, unless you want to write your own code and try to start from scratch what has taken a decade to get where it is...good luck by the way).
 
Anyone with questions, please feel free to ask.  Understand, please, that I am often distracted and cannot immediately reply -- but I will reply.  Probably your best source of information is in the threads on this site, or directly from Damon.  He is very active on his site and generally answers anyones questions or posts fairly rapidly. 
 
Thanks for reading and forgive my spelling and/or rambling!  Good luck!
 
SIETEC

I have a problem with my internet connection where it gets very bad from about 4-8pm till sometime the next morning, I am trying to pin down when and what is causing it and this site is very useful for that, there is nothing like it on the web.
 
However during the time when the connection is bad the test slows down so much, from about 5Mb to less than 100kb sometimes, that it takes so long to complete the download test that the next scheduled test is missed. It may be also that my browser backs off so much that it never completes for some reason (maybe dropped packets or something).
 
I have tried resetting the test but sometimes this cancels the next scheduled test and it does not continue with automatic testing.
 
Is there a way to have a timeout set so that the test reports ~0kb and resets so that the next try can detect when the connection starts working again?
Richard90 Speed Test Results.pdf

Testmy.net now has a multi threaded speed test

It's Calculus. Very basic calculus.

The n! portion means take the arbitrary integer n (from 0 to infinity) and the multiply it by each of the next lower numbers.
function factorial($number) { if ($number == 0) return $number; else return $number * factorial($number - 1); } That's how it works. (Arbitrary pseudo-code, I didn't actually test it, but it should work fine.)

0! = 1;
1! = 1 * 0! = 1;
2! = 2 * 1! = 2 * 1 * 0! = 2;
3! = 3 * 2! = 3 * 2 * 1! = 3 * 2 * 1 * 0! = 6;
4! = 4 * 3! = 4 * 3 * 2! = 4 * 3 * 2 * 1! = 4 * 3 * 2 * 1 * 0! = 24;

Thanks,
EBrown

That works with any 111 sequence...

111*111 = 12321
1111*111 = 1234321
Etc...
111,111*111,111 = 12345654321
Etc...

Math is riddled with tricks like that. One of the beautiful aspects of math is that it has patterns, the same patterns are displayed in nature. On both macro and micro scales. Math is amazing on many levels. It has always facinated me.

That works with any 111 sequence...

111*111 = 12321
1111*111 = 1234321
Etc...
111,111*111,111 = 12345654321
Etc...

Math is riddled with tricks like that. One of the beautiful aspects of math is that it has patterns, the same patterns are displayed in nature. On both macro and micro scales. Math is amazing on many levels. It has always facinated me.

Finally got my connection fixed. Poor cable guy was here for over 2 hours. He was frustrated. It kept doing everything I said it did. Plug in the other computer, Modem crashes. Then when it does work it was REAL slow. 
 
He replaced just about everything. Started from the pole, to the house, to under the house, replaced all of it. Works great now. My game plays fine. No lag. 
 
So am I gonna change the settings. NOPE. Its not broke, i am not gonna fix it. 

That last big number is 394,573,089,701,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 times bigger than Avogardo's Number 6.022E23 which is the number of molecules in a mole of a substance. So yes, that is a lot of combinations.

Oh. And I forgot: 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12345678987654321

I want to share something with you that some of you may not know. Knowing this might save you from being defrauded or having your identity stolen.

Obviously your password should be secure but even with the most secure password imaginable it does little if you're going out every day telling people the password. You might do this often and not even realize it!

Let me ask you this. When you find a new website that you like and you sign up, do you use the same password that you use for your primary email? If you do, you're asking for trouble.

Malicious webmasters (and hackers who hack legit sites) can log that information and attempt to login to your email account that you supplied them with during registration. If you use the same password to signup as you use for your email and they're able to get in... the fun for them has just begun.

Do you bank, get receipts from online retailers or associate that same email address with anything financial or personal? They will search and scour your inbox and outbox for anything of value. If your inbox has nothing of value, they'll use it to spam people.

The password you use for your primary email needs to be secure. You don't necessarily need to get crazy on it but keep this stuff in mind when you set important passwords.

Here are some suggestions and best practices for strong passwords.
Password should contain characters from at least three of these categories: uppercase (A - Z); lowercase (a - z); base 10 digits (0 - 9); non - alphanumeric (e.g. !, $, #, or %); Unicode characters (if allowed). Password should not contain more than 3 characters from your account name For extra protection don't use any dictionary words. Even if you modify them slightly, it's build into many brute force algorithms to check for dictionary words and common modifications on dictionary words (use my nick as an example, CA3LE = CABLE... or 1337 = LEET ...CA3LE = 1337 too - simple math, lol). That will make it nearly impossible to hack, each addition makes it exponentially harder to figure out the password.

Let me give you some examples with math. Well use a length of 8 characters in our password and see the difference in the number of combinations.
If you use only a-z in your passwords
26^8 = 208,827,064,576 combinations A-Z and a-z
(26+26)^8 = 53,459,728,531,456 combinations A-Z, a-z, 0-9
(26+26+10)^8 = 218,340,105,584,896 combinations A-Z, a-z, 0-9 & special characters
(26+26+10+32)^8 = 6,095,689,385,410,820 combinations A-Z, a-z, 0-9, special characters & unicode characters (currently 1,114,112 characters and growing - Unicode Lookup is a cool website to check on that)
(26+26+10+32+1114112)^8 = 2.37532993765908E48 ... so 237,532,993,765,908,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 combinations See how much harder the password becomes. Although, like I said, if you're using it elsewhere it might be sifted making it's complexity null.

Personally, I have a little list of stupid passwords that I use to sign up for stupid things... sites that I'm not buying stuff from. Then a list of difficult passwords I use for everything else. If I think a site looks a little shady I'll register with a junk address on top of using the junk password.

I'm not suggesting you make your password Uf∞8&iE¶ª2^;k¡∞¢•. But for god sake you can't use password123 anymore and you can't use the same email and password to signup on other sites. Trust me, it's dumb. Always has been but even more today.

CA3LE is very much one of those guys who wants it to work regardless of what's installed so I doubt he'll use C or java

First, welcome.
 
You know what, a lot of people have asked for that over the years... I'm going to put something together for you.  I don't know how long it will take me, I'll update this thread once I've played around a bit. But before I can do anything I need to get my Windows virtual machine back up.  Been meaning to do that for months anyways.
 
I'll check out Centrastage... looks complex.  Doesn't seem like something that could quickly and easily be used by your clients.  Why not just send them to TestMy.net?  Why do you necessarily need a command line program?  I'll be happy to put one together for you... actually one of my first tests was a simple command line program, I think it would be fun to put that together.  

I feel sorry for anyone stuck on Windows 8.  
 
Yeah, that should work for you.  Windows 8 takes control over the BIOS, one of my biggest beefs with that OS.   ... uh, geeze, leave my BIOS alone! What the hell are you supposed to do if if totally crashes?  What, you have to put windows 8 on first, just to take control of your BIOS? ... then install what you want, what a headache! What are they going to do next, try to run everything off the cloud and take away my ability to store local files?!   (don't laugh, it could happen... even CPU power could be taken out of your control and processed across the net. Devices could get really, really small in return... basically a display with a connection. But we'll lose our computing freedom. If that happens, the powers that be would have too much control in my opinion. Whole different subject.)
 
Once you disable UEFI and enable legacy boot you can then boot up off your install media and install like normally, format your drive and install Win7. If you want the ability to use the recovery partition for windows 8 and go back later... don't format the whole drive, only format the partition that's booting windows 8. In other words, leave the recovery partition.
 
Good luck!  Welcome to TestMy.net by the way!

Thanks for the replies. I really don't care whether Windows 8 lives or dies, I just want Windows 7 on the machine. I've read articles like this and wonder if that's all there is to it: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2417361,00.asp

Hey man... You're a sophist user, you shouldn't have that restriction... I went in and changed it so you and any other accounts higher than a normal registration have that lifted. Anyone who has a good reason like yours to want the restriction lifted can PM me for special account consideration.

Okay, moved.
 
I originally posted that in the beta testers area but I decided it's ready for everyone to play with.
 
There is a link to turn the feature on and off on the download speed test page below the SmarTest button.
 
Really boosts my TMN score. Read the opening post of this thread in detail to understand why both methods are beneficial.  Both results are accurate, just rendered a different way so they yield different results.
 
Using Linear Load method

 
Using Multithread Method

 
Both results matched readings taken off my network interface. I'll have some youtube videos up soon.
 
The number output by the multithread speed test falls exactly in line with what I experience with really good torrents or giganews usenet transfers... still falling short of the 150 Mbps that Cox is supposed to deliver... and obviously maxed out because Pandora cuts out during the test.
 
Another tool from my arsenal to yours.

lol - we have an 'old' tech section , made for posting images and such of early tech , DX procs ect -- it's here just hiding
 
I vision when you wrote that, you had one hand resting on your right hip bone , that at the time was pokin out to the right, and your left finger pointing at the screen

I can do anything I want... lol
 
no problem.