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Instead of connecting everyone at full speed then throttling the flow of data-packets further upstream, they're now going to be varying the actual DSL connection speed based on the user's chosen rate.

This will likely increase latency for all but those on the full-speed JetStream plans but Telecom claims the benefits outweigh the penalties. It says that hose who live too far from a DSLAM to get the current service are more likely to get a usable level of connection at the lower rates and that we'll all benefit from better network management as a result of these changes.

Gamers and VOIP users are eyeing this change with some skepticism, fully aware that latency spells bad news for both these types of internet use.

The $60,000 question however is whether the average DSL user will notice this increased latency.

Well I'm wagering that many will, and that's not good.

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On a superbly designed website such as this one (ha ha), the difference will likely be unnoticeable -- but there are many other vastly more complex pages out there that will be hit hard by any increase in latency -- due to their much higher number of individual page elements.

The time taken to build and tear down the TCP/IP connection often needed for each individual element is a major factor in the perceived speed at which complex web pages load and even a 20% increase in latency can have a disproportionate effect on the loading of such pages.

Anyone who's used a satellite-based internet service will know exactly what I'm talking about. Such high-latency systems are great for downloading large files but when you've got a web-page with dozens of small graphic items they are often no faster (or even slower) than a plain old dial-up system.

Don't get me wrong, DSL broadband will still be much faster (and more convenient) than dial-up, but it's unlikely to be as good as it was -- from a latency perspective.

I did predict some time ago that if VOIP became a threat to Telecom then they'd play their "get out of jail free" card by hiking latency on the DSL network -- but I don't think that this is their goal right now.

Chances are that they are indeed simply attempting to provide better service to marginal DSL users and better manage their network resources -- that's got to be good.

Of course with JetSurf 10GB users being switched to 2Mb/S next month, the latency issue won't be too much of an issue for them anyway.

MP3s versus CDs
I see that CD sales are up in the USA according to the RIAA. Let's hope that they stop their perpetual whining and political lobbying now!

There's also some discussion on Slashdot today in which it's claimed that the MP3 format is declining in popularity.

I don't know about you but my aging ears find that MP3s encoded at a reasonable bitrate are more than adequate for my needs and I won't be surrendering myself to a DRM-enabled format any time soon.

In fact, if I did feel the need for greater fidelity, I'd almost certainly switch to some other open format such as Ogg.

But what about you? Have you dumped MP3 in favour of something better -- or do you not bother to rip your legally purchased CDs onto your PC's hard drive for fear of incurring the music industry's wrath?

Footnote
Keep those lighten-up suggestions coming in -- I've got a few but need a lot more. Fear not, although I've been a bit slack in delivering the Lighten-Up content for the past couple of weeks, I have a bumper edition due for next week.

And enjoy your long weekend, the next edition of Aardvark Daily will be on Tuesday. I was going to take a couple of days away from my desk this long weekend but an unexpected lack of funds has put paid to that so I guess I'll have to stay home and mow the lawns instead (bugger!)

Remember, it's just 64 sleeps to Christmas (ugh!) so pull out your credit cards, fire up your browsers and start (online) shopping.

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