Tools To Check Your Internet Speed
Whenever I think my internet is slowing down I use speedtest.net. But it appears that Google have decided to create their own testing site after receiving complaints about Youtube videos lagging.
You can access your internet provider’s video quality report by clicking here.
Songza Joins Google
Music streaming service Songza has announced that they are joining Google on a July 1st, 20014 blog entry. Google confirmed this purchase on a Google Play post, stating it will add the best features from the service to Google Play.
Canada Day 2014
It’s Canada Day 2014 and most Canadians have probably noticed their email inboxes filling up with requests to confirm their subscriptions to several mailing lists.
This is of course because the new anti-spam legislation comes in effect today, restricting the sending of unsolicited emails to Canadians.
I’ve personally taken advantage of several offers to confirm my subscriptions in exchange for contest entries. But I have also used the opportunity to unsubscribe to the mailings lists I no longer read regularly and recommend that you do so as well, as soon as possible.
You should note that this legislation is not limited to commercial email but extends to “malware, spyware, address harvesting, and false or misleading representations involving the use of any means of telecommunications, short message services (SMS), social networking, websites, URLs and other locators, applications, blogs, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and any other current or future Internet and wireless telecommunication threats prohibited by Canada’s anti-spam legislation.”
You can also help stop some of this activity by securing your Wi-fi with a password and by updating your antivirus & firewall software regularly.
Excellent News For Music Fans
I have just received word that the “Tour Tax”, a prohibitive fee that international artists were subjected to when performing in Canada, has been scrapped.
This counterproductive fee kept newer artists out of Canada, especially independent and unsigned artists, and has caused many clubs to stop featuring live acts altogether.
Over 143,000 signatures had been registered on a change.org petition promoted on this blog in 2013, which was presented to Jason Kenney, Canada’s Minister for Multiculturalism.
Gift Card Discounts
iTunes gift cards are on sale for Father’s Day at participating Staples, Pharma Plus pharmacies and Sobeys grocery stores.
At Staples a discount of 15% is applied on the purchase of $50 and $100 cards until June 17th,2014.
At Pharma Plus and Sobeys a discount of 15% is applied on the purchase of $25, $30, $50 and $100 cards until June 12th, 2014.
Please consult your local flyer for details. And don’t forget, you can also order iTunes gift cards by clicking here as well.