Firefox and DNS prefetching
Featured, Techie, Today I learned, tutorials August 4th, 2009
Firefox and DNS prefetching – I read about this being a feature in Google Chrome, but I wasn’t sure if it was, yet, a feature of Firefox. It is in Ff 3.5. Here you can find a list of the new features in Firefox 3.5.
What is DNS prefetching? – It is the process of requesting domain name and IP (Internet Protocol or Intellectual Property) address resolution used in links, images, documents and other content linked to from a page a web surfer is currently browsing. Theoretically, by taking care of the name resolution before a surfer desires to navigate to a file or another page from a link on the current page can save fractions to X number of seconds. Name resolution being out of the way the surfer should arrive at its next destination faster. The former is my definition and understanding of DNS prefetching. In my experience, at leased in Google Chrome, I am able to see performance improvements.
I needed to know how can I tell if it is on or off. In Google Chrome it is in the options menu and it can easily be turned on and with a simple check-mark click.
But, in Firefox this is not a function in the options menu. At leased not at this time.
Verizon rep – being a long time customer is definitely important, but….
Critic's Realm, General, Today I learned July 25th, 2009
I just got off the phone with a Verizon Wireless representative. I was inquiring about upgrading my phone and what kind of deal they could offer me. I had to revert back to a 5 year old phone due to a recent mishap with the mobile phone I was actively using. The deal they could offer me was … none! Even after I mentioned that I have been a Verizon Wireless customer since 1998 the guys could not offer me anything, because my number still has 6 months left before it becomes eligible for the “sponsored” upgrade, which of course comes with a mandatory 1 or 2 year contract.
What the heck? I have been a Verizon customer for over 10 years now. I have had Verizon land line numbers, I’ve had Verizon DSL. I have also had and still have multiple mobile lines with Verizon, but apparently none of this is a factor. What happened to customer appreciation for brand loyalty. I can tell you what happened to it. It is gone, if it ever existed! From my experience with Verizon, AT&T, Comcast and other companies, a customer’s loyalty is only tracked as long as that customer doesn’t change their number, address or service. More on that in a future post.
Unlike AT&T we have not ever had any problems with the service, but I…
Good morning ……. (Hmmm should I respond?) …….. Yooo
Around the World, Based on Reasoning, Critic's Realm May 28th, 2009
Wow, I said “Good morning” to someone earlier and I could see that person actually contemplating about responding to me. Eventually, after I had already started walking away, probably 20 seconds later their response was “Yooo”. WTF!! What kind of a response was that, how is it even relevant to what I said, and most important of all, what took so long to even happen.
“Yoo”?!!? WTF is that. First of all – I have a name, and that person is well aware of it. Second, a similar response or something in the lines of “What’s happening” will be more in line of the “topic” of what should be a dialog, but a lot of times ends up being a monologue for many people.
If it takes someone more than half a second to a second to provide a response, which at this point in their life should be automated, then don’t bother responding. It won’t be the first time. Same applies if you have to think about responding or not in the first place!
In my opinion, the time limit rule for comebacks also applies in this case.
BTW, most of the time, my verbal response to the lack of one in cases of “Good morning”, “Good afternoon”, “Good day” or “How is it going?”, is “That good, huh?”.



