120M : Virgin's file mirrors down?

[cook1984]

I noticed that Virgin's site mirrors have been down for a few days, with only a mis-spelt message and no explanation: http://mirrors.virginmedia.com/

Ignoring the worrying illiteracy of VM's network staff for a moment, does this mean that the classic speed test files they try to fob you off with whenever you complain about a slow connection are no longer available?

I was using them to monitor an on-going over-utilization problem in my area.

---------- Post added at 22:53 ---------- Previous post was at 22:41 ----------

I noticed that the link on their own site is down too: http://www.virginmedia.com/testmyspeed/manual.php

It's quite annoying as I was able to reliably saturate my connection indefinitely with that site, and it ruled out external network bandwidth issues.

[BenMcr]

Hmm, don't think that second link and page should really still be around, I'll flag it tomorrow to get removed

[cook1984]

Can you comment on the entire mirror's site going down, or the lack of basic spelling ability or spell checking?

[BenMcr]

I'll flag that too, although it might be that they have been taken down for good. I'll see what I can find out

[Ignitionnet]

Originally Posted by cook1984

Can you comment on the entire mirror's site going down, or the lack of basic spelling ability or spell checking?

Only on condition you comment on why the apostrophe in your post is in the wrong place

Being a grammar / spelling pedant is tough.

[Pauls9]

I often wonder how people who can't spell or punctuate can create reliable complex software.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Pauls9

I often wonder how people who can't spell or punctuate can create reliable complex software.

Different rules.. I work for a Uni and I know a *lot* of professors and doctors who are incredibly intelligent and excellent in their chosen field but have little or no skill outside that field. They just become so focused on the one area that they don't bother with anything outside it.

Admittedly they can spell, and usually form grammatically correct sentences, which is something I don't necessarily do. Having said that, when I am communicating with someone in a work capacity, I do my utmost to ensure I do spell words correctly and use correct grammar. To do otherwise makes me look unprofessional. With personal communications, such as posting on forums or Facebook, I am a little more relaxed.


On the flip side, I deal with students every day and a lot know their stuff from a technical point of view and have absolutely abysmal spelling, which makes me wonder what some schools teach.

[BenMcr]

Reply from VM here about the Mirrors http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/...2270533#M53745

[Kushan]

Originally Posted by Pauls9

I often wonder how people who can't spell or punctuate can create reliable complex software.

Spelling, punctuation and grammar are very different rules and mindsets to programming. I know quite a few, very talented dyslexic programmers.

[cook1984]

How strange to take it down while deciding what to do. I was using it the moment they took it offline.

[cook1984]

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet

Only on condition you comment on why the apostrophe in your post is in the wrong place

Being a grammar / spelling pedant is tough.

It is in the correct place. I meant the web site of the mirror, which is itself an FTP server somewhere. Somewhat awkward wording, I'll admit.

Then it should have been 'has' (the singular), rather than 'have' (the plural), surely?

[General Maximus]

Originally Posted by cook1984

How strange to take it down while deciding what to do

that means it won't be coming back. Nobody takes down a server while they decide what to do and then bring it back online. You leave it online while you conduct the assessment and then take it offline if you decide to. Muppets

[cook1984]

Originally Posted by Hugh

Then it should have been 'has' (the singular), rather than 'have' (the plural), surely?

What are you on about?

---------- Post added at 17:38 ---------- Previous post was at 17:37 ----------

Originally Posted by General Maximus

that means it won't be coming back. Nobody takes down a server while they decide what to do and then bring it back online. You leave it online while you conduct the assessment and then take it offline if you decide to. Muppets

Looks like it. I worry that they objected to me testing my connection with it, but I was trying to save them external bandwidth and rule out external factors.

[ianch99]

Originally Posted by cook1984

What are you on about?

---------- Post added at 17:38 ---------- Previous post was at 17:37 ----------



Looks like it. I worry that they objected to me testing my connection with it, but I was trying to save them external bandwidth and rule out external factors.

I guess the best way to do that now is using the internally hosted VM speedtest.net servers:

Baguley
Basildon
Birmingham
Brentford
Bristol
Bromley
Croydon
Edinburgh
Glasgow
Leicester
London
Luton
Manchester
Nottingham
Wolverhampton