FAO Mweb

[xrapidx]

It is easy to download via HTTP from unshaped sources. You don't need to run a VPN/tunnel. You find the stuff you need on an FTP or HTTP site or you use a lesser known host. Easy-peasy.

The problem is MWEB says downloading at line speeds for a period of time is considered abuse, bypassing shaping or not - so you're probably better off just sticking to a known shaped source.

--

What I've found interesting - sometimes newsgroups crawl, and torrents fly, then torrents crawl and newsgroups fly - Ithink MWEB change their rules to heavily shape one pool at a time.

 

[PeterCH]

The problem is MWEB says downloading at line speeds for a period of time is considered abuse, bypassing shaping or not - so you're probably better off just sticking to a known shaped source.

--

What I've found interesting - sometimes newsgroups crawl, and torrents fly, then torrents crawl and newsgroups fly - Ithink MWEB change their rules to heavily shape one pool at a time.

And hence the need for clarification and the outcry.

 

[hammell]

I find it strange that we now have a situation where we're having to bypass restrictions our ISP applies to us. The term "uncapped" is being dictated to us by our ISPs and we seem to accept it. I pay Telkom for a 4mbps line. I pay Mweb for an uncapped 4mbps account. Yet here we have a situation where we're warning each other how we mustn't actually use the line to its potential. Who is the consumer here? Who sets the precedent? Why do we roll over and accept things like this?

To those here who are more concerned with witty answers, state clearly what it is that will get one banned and try to add some value to this forum. To those who have actually received warnings, what are the circumstances around this? How much data? What was the form of the warning?

Till then, I'm going to see how much I can wring from this...

 

[Chevron]

I find it strange that we now have a situation where we're having to bypass restrictions our ISP applies to us. The term "uncapped" is being dictated to us by our ISPs and we seem to accept it. I pay Telkom for a 4mbps line. I pay Mweb for an uncapped 4mbps account. Yet here we have a situation where we're warning each other how we mustn't actually use the line to its potential. Who is the consumer here? Who sets the precedent? Why do we roll over and accept things like this?

To those here who are more concerned with witty answers, state clearly what it is that will get one banned and try to add some value to this forum. To those who have actually received warnings, what are the circumstances around this? How much data? What was the form of the warning?

Till then, I'm going to see how much I can wring from this...

Are you being a bit unrealistic by expecting 4meg speeds 24/7 when the cost of the package is not even double that of 512, but 8 times the speed?

Yes people will argue that it's the ISPs fault for pricing the package unrealistically. Then though you must keep in mind that most people don't make use of their line as much as the people here do. If they priced the package at R1999 which is not even 8 times the price of the 512 package it would be way to expensive for most people and no one would by it. For most people a 2grand account really is unnecessary. It's only us power users that need more that what this R539 package can offer.

I will say though it'd mweb's fault for not making an in between package though for power users. Not everyone needs unshaped.

 

[Nanfeishen]

I will say though it'd mweb's fault for not making an in between package though for power users. Not everyone needs unshaped.

My sentiments exactly.
There is no reason why Mweb cannot offer a number of packages , in the 720kb , 1mb and 2 mb range.
Offer them as capped to "x" amount however once the cap is reached, they are shaped to say 384 for the remainder.
At least this will provide a decent choice, as well as clearly defined parameters with regard the service and package.

 

[gregmcc]

Who uses torrents any more?

Usenet
SSL
Port 80

You will get kicked for this if do you pull enough data.

I used to do *cough* NNTP over http and was getting 400Kbps during the day. (As is should be Mweb!!!!) but removed it otherwise they will kick me for bypassing their 'shaping'

 

[Necuno]

My sentiments exactly.
There is no reason why Mweb cannot offer a number of packages , in the 720kb , 1mb and 2 mb range.
Offer them as capped to "x" amount however once the cap is reached, they are shaped to say 384 for the remainder.
At least this will provide a decent choice, as well as clearly defined parameters with regard the service and package.

go with afrihost they do this kind of service, else it's not going to help to sit and whine like some whiny *****.

 

[hammell]

Can anyone point to the link stating that bypassing shaping will get you banned? I can't actually find it on their website.

 

[GingerBeer]

Can anyone point to the link stating that bypassing shaping will get you banned? I can't actually find it on their website.

Their reps and pseudo-reps have made
this quite clear many times.

 

[gregmcc]

Their reps and pseudo-reps have made
this quite clear many times.

Surely if this is not in their T&C's they cannot enforce it?

 

[GingerBeer]

Surely if this is not in their T&C's they cannot enforce it?

The terms mention affecting performance.
They can say if you don't abide by the
shaping on a shared service, then you
affect everyone else.

It's a cover-all system if you ask me.

 

[hammell]

I'm sorry I don't accept that. Where does it say that if I bypass their shaping I will be banned? There has to be something legally stating these?

 

[PeterCH]

You will get kicked for this if do you pull enough data.

I used to do *cough* NNTP over http and was getting 400Kbps during the day. (As is should be Mweb!!!!) but removed it otherwise they will kick me for bypassing their 'shaping'

This is ridiculous. Imagine this scenario. The same files available on P2P and newsgroups are also available (at some cost) on HTTP sites. If you chose the HTTP site over shaped news/P2P/RS you are also bypassing shaping. I mean how far does one take this situation?

 

[hammell]

And what constitutes "bypassing" shaping? Are you telling me that if I download isos or large files (virtual appliances) or anything that is on port 80 that I won't be shaped? What ports are shaped? This is ridiculous as PeterCH says - there is no actual definition here of what is considered as bypassing, apart from a few forum posts.

 

[GingerBeer]

And what constitutes "bypassing" shaping? Are you telling me that if I download isos or large files (virtual appliances) or anything that is on port 80 that I won't be shaped? What ports are shaped? This is ridiculous as PeterCH says - there is no actual definition here of what is considered as bypassing, apart from a few forum posts.

This has been covered. If you use VPN to bypass you
get banned. If you download all night every night
unattended and use a lot of data, you also get cut.

The protocols that are shaped very badly are Games,
Torrents and the like. Also filesharing sites like Rapidshare.
It's pointless trying to use those during the daytime.

 

[grok]

Apparently even using Megaupload or some sharing sites that they don't shape means violating the FUP. Crazy logic there, rather ****ed up if you ask me.

 

[aubreyk]

I use torrentsites for my development. I have a permenent on up/dl of specific torrents (linux iso's) and found over the last week I can not sustain my downloads. (4MB/uncapped/MWEB) This is causing me HUGE developmnet problems as I have no other way of transferring data and rebuilding OS's.

I would like to kick MWEB under their bloody bums, as I have a huge (+R68k/month) contract with them. My B/W for this month do show 1.7TB of data, but it is work...

just my 10c
aubreyx

 

[MWEBHelp]

Who uses torrents any more?

Usenet
SSL
Port 80

Hi hammell

commercial news feeds that tunnel over SSL are very much on the 'not playing fair' list. We prioritize SSL as I'm sure is common practice globally by all ISPS to ensure that services like internet banking work as smoothly as possible.
These services tunnel over SSL partly to provide privacy to their users because of the nature of the *cough* binary content, but also because they know that this provides the best speed possible and many of them openly promote this fact in their advertising.
If you utilize a service like this on a shaped product extensively it will get red flagged and you will recieve a warning from our abuse team.

Kind Regards
MWEB Operations (Tech Manager)

 

[MWEBHelp]

I use torrentsites for my development. I have a permenent on up/dl of specific torrents (linux iso's) and found over the last week I can not sustain my downloads. (4MB/uncapped/MWEB) This is causing me HUGE developmnet problems as I have no other way of transferring data and rebuilding OS's.

I would like to kick MWEB under their bloody bums, as I have a huge (+R68k/month) contract with them. My B/W for this month do show 1.7TB of data, but it is work...

just my 10c
aubreyx

Hi aubrey

Am I correct in reading into this that you are a business customer? If so and you are utilizing a business product then this shouldn't be applicable to you. Please PM me your details and I can look into what products you have and clarify this for you.

Thanks
MWEB Operations (Tech Manager)

 

[xrapidx]

Hi hammell

commercial news feeds that tunnel over SSL are very much on the 'not playing fair' list.

I would say MWEB is not playing fair with their current shaping on the 4MB @dslmweb.co.za connection - no wonder users don't play fair.

Hi aubrey

Am I correct in reading into this that you are a business customer? If so and you are utilizing a business product then this shouldn't be applicable to you. Please PM me your details and I can look into what products you have and clarify this for you.

Thanks
MWEB Operations (Tech Manager)

As I've said before - your product advertisement page clearly says home office use.... MWEB can't dictate what is considered a home office by the amount of bandwidth used. Different home offices will use different amounts of bandwidth, i.e. a data capturer vs. a graphic designer vs. the guy above.