Internet, Broadband, Akamai Wade Roush wrote: The global network of 34,000 content distribution servers built by Cambridge, MA-based Akamai allows the company to gather massive amounts of data on Internet usage—information that it distilled and published for the first time back in May. Now the company has published its second quarterly “State of the Internet” report, detailing trends such as the number of Internet-connected devices and broadband connections in each country and providing a fascinating overall picture of the Internet and its growing pains. While the number of people and organizations using the global information network continued to increase, for example, so did the volume of attack traffic and malware. In addition to statistics collected by Akamai’s servers, the report brings together numerous published reports of incidents around the Internet—such as the repeated Internet outages in Vermont in May and June as equipment failures, fires, and bridge construction damaged a fiber ring owned by Level 3 Communications, and the bizarre story of the Epilepsy Foundation website, which was hacked by attackers who posted hundreds of flashing images designed to induce seizures in visitors with photosensitive epilepsy. But the most valuable part of Akamai’s report is the data from its own network—information that can’t be found anywhere else. While China was the largest source of attack traffic in the first quarter of 2008, for example, Akamai found that Japan leaped into first place in the second quarter; some 30 percent of all worms, viruses, and denial-of-service attacks originated from Internet addresses there. (China fell to third place, while the United States hung on to its second-place status, generating 22 percent of attack traffic.) The number of unique Internet Protocol addresses detected by Akamai’s network—each address representing a separate Internet-connected device—grew 5 percent in the second quarter, to some 346 million worldwide. Nearly 30 percent of those addresses were in the United States, and about 10 percent were in China, with Japan, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, South Korea, Canada, Spain, and Italy next in line. But when IP addresses are measured per capita, the Scandinavian countries continued to lead: Sweden leads the world with 0.42 unique IP addresses per citizen, followed by Norway, Iceland, and Finland. The United States is in seventh place with 0.34 IP addresses per person. Akamai also tracks the speed at which the citizens of various countries can access the Internet. South Korea held on to its lead in this area, with 64 percent of all Internet connections boasting a speed of 5 megabits per second or more. The United States places sixth globally in broadband penetration, with only 26 percent of all connections beating 5 megabits per second, though the number of broadband connections here is increasing fast (the 26 percent figure is a 29 percent improvement on the first quarter). Within the United States, two of the smallest states, Delaware and Rhode Island, continued to have the largest proportion of citizens enjoying broadband: 66 percent of all Internet connections in Delaware exceed 5 megabits per second, and 43 percent in Rhode Island. New York, Connecticut, Oklahoma, Nevada, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia round out Akamai’s “Top 10″ list of U.S. states with the largest percentage of broadband connections. At the opposite, “narrowband” end of the spectrum, the state of Washington tops the list once again, with 21 percent of all Internet connections taking place at the glacial speed of 256 kilobits per second or less. (Greg has more to say about that over at Xconomy Seattle.) Akamai’s full report is available here. How quickly you can download the 1.5-megabyte PDF file will depend, of course, on where you live. Comments | Permalink | Share |  E-mail Less

Daily TIPs, Biotech, energy Neil Savage wrote: Should the Law Limit Gene Tests? Personal genomic testing is all the rage among people seeking to trace their ancestry or identify their risk of certain diseases, but last week the California Department of Public Health sent cease-and-desist letters to 13 gene-testing companies, ordering them to halt the practice because it violates state rules. The Wired Science blog offers the top ten reasons California ought to relax its regulations. U.S. Could Fall Behind in Entertainment Tech Growth, Says Study Worldwide consumer spending on the Internet and by cell phone—for television shows, music, and mobile Internet access—is expected to grow almost 22 percent annually, to $234 billion by 2012, according to a study by PricewaterhouseCoopers reported in the New York Times . But over that same period, U.S. spending will grow at just 16 percent, to $75 billion, the study says. The study’s authors say developers of technology and content creators such as Hollywood are going to have to learn to work together to make the most of their opportunities. Vermont Aims to Become the Delaware of the Internet Delaware has prospered by passing business-friendly laws that encourage entrepreneurs to incorporate in that state. Now Vermont is taking advantage of a change in U.S. law that no longer requires corporations to have physical headquarters and in-person board meetings, says GigaOm. Vermont Governor Jim Douglas has just signed a law that will allow virtual companies to incorporate in his state. No Tax Credits for Clean Energy Consumers won’t have any tax incentives for installing solar panels on their roofs or buying plug-in hybrids. The Environmental News Network reports that the U.S. Senate blocked debate on a bill that would have extended various credits for from one to three years. Bill Opens 911 Network to VoIP Some telephone companies haven’t been making it easy for Voice-over-Internet-Protocol services like Vonage to tie into the 911 emergency network. Now the U.S. Senate has passed a bill requiring operators of 911 networks to let VoIP customers get through, no matter what service their calling from, says Ars Technica. This follows on the heels of legislation that requires VoIP services to provide Enhanced 911, which gives the dispatcher an address and callback number. Daily TIPs (technology, innovation, policy) is produced in collaboration with Comments | Permalink | Share |  E-mail Less

Connie Latham, a longtime associate of WSFS Bank in Delaware tells us about her career, what keeps her there, how she keeps the work environment fun, and what makes their people special. Interested in working for WSFS? Just go to wsfsbank.com and click on careers. MP3 File Less

Tim Sparrow, a Banking Office Manager at WSFS Bank in Smyrna Delaware reveals his thoughts about working for one of Delaware’s top rated employers. In this 8 minute Jobcast he’ll talk about his career path, his management style, and share stories about why its such a great place to work. Apply online at WSFSbank.com/careers. MP3 File Less

Welcome. The Season after Pentecost is a time for growth in faith under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Easter’s celebration gives way to the hard work of Christian discipleship in grateful response to God’s love. Our text today recounts an extraordinary experience of comfort and promise in the midst of fear and challenges. Our community gathers also this evening in Church Conference session to consider exciting updates to the Comprehensive Plan for Relocation. How does God’s comfort and promise speak to each of us, and to the congregation as a whole? Are we aware of God’s calming presence-even in the midst of our fears-as we reach out and grow in love and service in God’s world? Less

Welcome. The Season after Pentecost is a time for growth in faith under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Easter’s celebration gives way to the hard work of Christian discipleship in grateful response to God’s love. Our text today recounts the unlikely anointing of David, shepherd son of Jesse, as future king of Israel. Today we also reflect on our national observance of Fathers’ Day. Our 11:00 a.m. worship adds the Baptism of Mary Kathryn Barnhart, daughter of Ryan and Liz. When you think of yourself as a child of God, is that rich in the sense of God as divine parent? How does God’s divine parenting, made known especially in the gift of Jesus Christ, inspire your practice of love in God’s world? Less

Welcome. The Season after Pentecost begins with Trinity Sunday. Rev. Tom Starnes, formerly interim senior pastor of Epworth, is our guest preacher. Rev. Jack and others from our congregation are representing the congregation at the closing session of Annual Conference. We are pleased to have you as part of our worshiping community on this day. Consider what do the words Father, Son, and Holy Spirit contribute toward your understanding of God? How does the love of God expressed through Christ and the Holy Spirit influence your practice of love for others in God’s world? Less

Welcome. The Easter season is fifty days, a week of weeks. It culminates in today’s Pentecost celebration, in which the church remembers the gift of the Holy Spirit, descending like tongues of fire upon the assembled crowd. Our Pentecost worship includes Holy Communion. The elements we use are wheat bread and unfermented grape juice. All are welcome at the table of the Lord. As we prepare for worship, you may wish to consider your sense of Easter’s continued presence, and its influence in you and others. How does the Easter Spirit of Christ inspire you to love in God’s world? Technorati tags: religion, church, bible, sermon, sermons, theology, beach, rehoboth, delaware, united, methodist, epworth, reconciling, ministries, network, community, open, heart, mind, podcast Less

Welcome. Our focus in Easter is the presence of the risen Christ, through which we discover new life for ourselves. Today’s keyword is “joy.” We celebrate the joy made possible through Christ’s ascension to God in heaven, and the gift of the Holy Spirit among us. Rev. Leonard Hatch is our guest preacher. Rev. Jack returns from vacation on Tuesday morning. How does Christ’s Spirit manifest itself along the journey of your life? How are we called to joy in God’s world Technorati tags: religion, church, bible, sermon, sermons, theology, beach, rehoboth, delaware, united, methodist, epworth (tag), epworth (blog), reconciling, ministries, network, community, open, heart, mind, podcast, sharing, spirit, joy, ascension, sunday, leonard, hatch More info: epworth.typepad.com Less

Welcome. As we continue our celebration of the Easter season we rejoice in a special way today. The word for today is COMMUNITY and what a right and fitting word it is. Today we honor those who have completed a year of study in the three Disciple Bible programs. We honor as well the students of our Sunday School programs and all of our teachers and facilitators. The word traditionally used at a graduation is “Commencement” signifying that the end of the school year is really a beginning. As we anticipate Ascension Thursday and Pentecost can you find the place for new beginnings in your life? Technorati tags: religion, church, bible, sermon, sermons, theology, beach, rehoboth, delaware, united, methodist, epworth, reconciling, ministries, network, community, open, heart, mind, podcast Less

Technorati tags: religion, church, bible, sermon, theology, beach, rehoboth, delaware, united, methodist, epworth, reconciling, ministries, network, community, open, heart, mind, podcast, sharing, spirit Less