Posted on: January 24, 2025, 5:17 pm

If you’ve ever dealt with slow internet speeds, flaky connections, or ISP drama, chances are you’ve stumbled across DSLReports.com at some point. For years, it was the place to get real talk about broadband services, run speed tests, and hang out in forums with people who at least tried to understand what they were talking about. It’s been one of the sites I’ve cruised for the last 20+ years, so seeing it down hits hard. The site is down, and honestly, it doesn’t look like it’s coming back.



What Was DSLReports?

Back in the early days of broadband, DSLReports was a lifesaver. Whether you were trying to figure out which ISP sucked the least or troubleshooting line issues, it had everything, speed tests, tools to measure packet loss, reviews, and most importantly, the forums.

Those forums were a goldmine. People shared real, no-nonsense experiences about their ISPs, vented about bad customer service, and even helped each other tweak settings to squeeze out better speeds. It wasn’t just a website; it was a community.

Where Did It Go?

No one’s really said anything official that I can find, but it’s not hard to guess why DSLReports has gone dark.

People moved on -- Let’s be real, forums just aren’t as popular as they used to be. Everyone’s on a social media app or in a private group now (see my post about Dead Internet Theory). DSLReports was part of the old-school internet, and while that was great, it also made it harder to stay relevant with newer platforms.

Keeping a site like that running isn’t easy. Hosting, maintenance, and updates take money and lots of time. If traffic and ad revenue started dropping, it’s no surprise they might’ve decided to pull the plug. In an attempt to keep the site running, I reached out to Justin, the owner of DSLReports and I offered him VPS hosting and dedicated servers with DataPacket at no charge, along with any administrative support he might need. Unfortunately, I haven’t heard back from him yet.

Smaller Audience -- DSLReports catered to a specific crowd, tech enthusiasts and people who remember struggling with DSL modems and noisy phone lines. As broadband got faster and easier, fewer people need the kind of in-depth troubleshooting DSLReports was known for.

Competition -- These days, there are plenty of speed testing tools and review sites backed by big companies with big budgets. It’s tough for an independent site to keep up.

Losing A Valuable Resource

Losing DSLReports isn’t just about missing a website; it’s about losing a community and a resource that had a real impact. The site wasn’t afraid to call out ISPs for bad practices, and the user reviews were brutally honest. It wasn’t about paid promotions or corporate spin. It was about real people sharing real experiences.

And let’s not forget the tools. The speed tests, line quality checks, and other tools on DSLReports were some of the best out there. Even ISPs themselves couldn’t deny their usefulness.

What’s Next?

If you’re looking for a replacement, places like ReviewYourISP and Reddit can fill part of the gap, But let’s be honest, it’s not the same. Reddit has largely become a toxic cesspool, whereas DSLReports had a depth and focus that you just don’t see on those platforms.

This is also a reminder that independent sites like DSLReports.com need support to survive. Without them, we lose the spaces where consumers can get unbiased information and actually hold companies accountable.

Goodbye, DSLReports

It’s sad to see a site like DSLReports go. It was a product of a different time, and it stuck around for way longer than most. To everyone who contributed to the site, whether you ran it, posted in the forums, or even just lurked in the background, you made a difference.

DSLReports may be gone, but it won’t be forgotten. Thanks for everything.

Posted on: January 11, 2025, 6:15 am

I was just watching a TikTok about the upcoming ban, and the lady said something like, "They want to ban me from watching Chinese TikTok, as I watch it on my Chinese-made phone, in my Chinese-made clothes." That got me thinking.

Why is TikTok such a threat to national security, but outsourcing American jobs to China over the last 30 years is not? The answer seems to be that America primarily caters to corporate interests. The ban appears to be more about protecting Meta, the owner of Instagram and Facebook, as well as X, than about any genuine threat TikTok poses. The notion that TikTok is harmful to its users seems like a scapegoat.

When it comes to content, American-owned social media apps like X, Reddit, Instagram, and Facebook are far more toxic and damaging to society. They also collect astronomically more user data. And let’s not even start on Google and the evil ways they operate. TikTok is the only platform I can access right now where I consistently have a positive experience. So why is that considered a national security issue? 🤔

As for the ban, all they can really do is make Apple and Google remove the app from their app stores. People would still be able to access TikTok through a web browser or sideload the app if they wanted to. Depending on the demand, easy workarounds will likely pop up.

Posted on: January 5, 2025, 10:53 am

I’ve been seeing talk of the Dead Internet Theory again, and I wanted to provide some insight since the internet is, in a way, my domain by profession.

The theory basically suggests that most people have abandoned the internet and been replaced by AI bots. In my view, what people are actually observing and feeling is a shift. People have moved on from mainstream social media apps, while AI has taken up residence on those older platforms.

Where did everyone go?

To more intimate and private digital spaces. This could mean a private Discord group instead of an old-school forum on a website, or group messaging on their phones instead of Facebook.

So, I believe the Dead Internet Theory is simply a reflection of a shift away from the traditional hangout spots of the last 10-15 years.

Posted on: January 4, 2025, 11:16 am

Twitch is built around community-driven content and support, with subscriptions being one of the primary ways for fans to financially support their favorite streamers. I see an emerging trend on the platform with some streamers manipulating the subscription system, leveraging regional pricing and psychological tactics to boost their earnings.

How the Scam Works:

Twitch introduced region-based subscription pricing in 2021 to make supporting creators more accessible worldwide. Subscription prices are adjusted based on local purchasing power, allowing fans from lower-income countries to subscribe for a fraction of the cost paid in wealthier regions. While this policy has undoubtedly helped equalize access to content, it has also opened the door for exploitation. Here’s how the scam unfolds:

Leveraging Cheap Sub Prices - Streamers organize a "team" (often friends, moderators, or alternate accounts) to start "sub trains" — rapid streaks of subscriptions during live streams. By using accounts tied to regions with significantly cheaper subscription prices (as low as $1.49 in some countries compared to $5.99 in the U.S.), these team members initiate the train with minimal investment.

Exploiting FOMO - Once the sub train gains momentum, viewers are urged to join in, often with high-energy prompts like flashy alerts, timers, or competitive goals to hit the "next milestone." These tactics prey on viewers' fear of missing out on being part of the action or contributing to the streamer’s apparent success. Many viewers, unaware of the manipulation, purchase subscriptions or gift them to others at their region's full price.

Net Gain for Streamers - The math is simple: streamers receive approximately 50% to 70% of the subscription revenue (depending on their Twitch agreement). By leveraging cheaper regional prices to start the train, streamers minimize their costs. When viewers from higher-priced regions jump on board, the streamer reaps the benefits of the higher cut, creating a significant profit margin.

A Hypothetical Breakdown - Initial Investment (Cheap Sub Prices): A team member subscribes or gifts 10 subscriptions from a country where the price is $1.49 per sub. The total cost is $14.90. The streamer earns roughly $7.45 (50% revenue split).

Viewer Participation (Standard Sub Prices): Motivated by the sub train, 20 U.S.-based viewers gift subscriptions at $5.99 each, totaling $119.80. The streamer earns $59.90.

Net Profit: For an initial investment of $14.90, the streamer generates $59.90, resulting in a net gain of $45.00.

While this tactic might seem like a clever hustle to some, it raises serious ethical concerns:

Deceptive Practices - Using low-cost regions to artificially inflate subscription activity misleads genuine supporters, undermining the authenticity of community engagement.

Exploiting Viewers’ Trust - Loyal viewers may unknowingly spend money under false pretenses, believing they are part of an organic sub train rather than a staged event.

Impact on Small Streamers - This practice creates an uneven playing field, making it harder for honest small streamers to grow and compete.

Twitch Policy Violations - Twitch has clear policies against deceptive practices and harm to the platform. While this tactic may skirt the line, it could attract scrutiny from the platform, leading to penalties or bans.

The Twitch subscription scam highlights the darker side of creativity in monetization. While the platform’s regional pricing model was designed to foster inclusivity, it is now being exploited by a good amount of streamers to manipulate their viewers. Addressing this issue requires effort from Twitch, its creators, and the community to uphold the integrity of the platform. For viewers, the best advice remains: support your favorite streamers, but stay informed and vigilant. Don’t let FOMO cloud your judgment when spending your hard-earned money.

Posted on: December 7, 2024, 5:10 am

I put in a lot of work today to establish the foundation of Hive. My goal is to make it super easy for anyone to use, with features like detecting and installing necessary server software. The aim is for almost anyone to install it on a VPS or dedicated server and have a fully functional server for hosting websites, email, and databases. I believe I successfully laid that foundation today and also created the basic visual layout for Hive.



Update (12/17/2024): Hive now has its own domain name, and the website is currently under development. You can check it out at: hivepanel.com.