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What Happened- Speedtest.net?


Cluttermagnet

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Cluttermagnet

Hi, All-

 

That site looks different. They seem to want you do download stuff in order to run their test.

I left that site discouraged. Anyone know what happened to those guys? Also please- would

appreciate any recommendations on similar, reputable speed test sites?

 

Thanks, Clutter

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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Cluttermagnet

Ahem- My computers run Linux and I want to find out how fast my cable pipe is.

The website presented me with essentially download demands for some sort of zip file.

I am used to it just allowing me to run the test. The behavior of this website, from

my perspective and limited experience, has totally changed. BTW I understand a

zip file to imply that it possibly contains Windows executables? So this seemed to

present me a significant problem as a Linux user. I can't use them. I don't want to

have to download anything from them anyway. It was giving me some sort of nonsense

about configuring a little server to tun their test. That makes me uncomfortable.

I certainly don't remember seeing anything like that on my last visit there.

(speedtest.net)

 

BTW I'd appreciate seeing this thread moved back to the Linux forum. This surely

has nothing to do with social media. And then I can do appropriate edits and clean

up this thread, which is becoming more administrative than anything.

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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Cluttermagnet

OK, this is bizzarre- the site has resumed working as I remembered it.

 

Four hours after I ran into the behavior described above.

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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securitybreach

Odd. BTW Social Media covers:

Social Media will cover all topics related to Social Media, Web 2.0, browsers and web applications, email, and more.

 

I felt this was more of a browser issue as I use speedtest all the time and never have been asked to download anything. It sounds like someone was trying to send you malware or something similar.

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Guest LilBambi

This topic needs to be seen by folks from all different OSes, not just linux. This is a browser related issue and being moved to Social Media so others will find it if needed even if they run Windows or Mac.

 

A link to this topic remains in BATL to make it easier for folks to find it.

 

Speedtest.net by Ookla requires Flash to run. It has required that for years.

 

!

Speedtest.net requires Flash

You must have Adobe Flash installed and Javascript enabled to use Speedtest.net.

We recommend using Google Chrome which includes both by default.

 

That's what it says when I go there with Google Chrome with Script blocker running, as well as Firefox with script blocker running. Or any browser that does not have Flash installed.

 

I also have to allow all kinds of *speedtest.net servers through when it tests for the fastest server.

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Guest LilBambi

Wow, that's the fastest connection test I have ever received at Speedtest.net!

 

3720118428.png

 

Usually it is half that and the peak is ONLY in one spot across the download test.

 

Shame I am limited to 20GB per month and pay through the nose for it on Verizon Wireless.

 

That is still on 3G/EVDO by the way, not 4G.

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Guest LilBambi

That's true! It's the only way I could install Linux these days as well as see many videos like Google IO and WWDC conferences, and speeches, and take many open courseware courses, etc.

Edited by LilBambi
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V.T. Eric Layton
BTW I understand a zip file to imply that it possibly contains Windows executables?

 

David, that's incorrect. Zip is a method of file compression. It has nothing to do with MS Windows, Mac, or any other specific OS.

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Guest LilBambi

I looked through the entire source on speedtest.net and no zip files are even called.

 

This is also not a network issue. It is right where it needs to be in Social Media.

 

This is a browser issue; regarding flash and the javascript that calls it.

 

This is not a zip file issue either. Zip files can be opened on all OSes.

 

If you look through the entire source code it mainly is calling .js (javascript files) and image files, page placement/CSS, and ad files from their ad networks. Those can be blocked with ad blockers.

Edited by LilBambi
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Cluttermagnet

Seems to be working OK for me. This is the Ookla site, correct?

 

This one also works:

 

http://www.bandwidthplace.com/

 

Yes, the Ookla site. It was bizzarre. Never seen it do that before- or since.

But I did not take well to a suggestion to download something and I just left in frustration.

What throws me is I think I can rule out a mistyped url- because I navigated there from

my own bookmark of the site from when I had successfully used it before.

 

Oh BTW it was definitely not any sort of problems with NoScript. I've long since

gotten used to its idiosyncracies, and value the protection that I trade for the

inconvenience. It was not a javascript disabled sort of scenario. Honest.

 

Perhaps the ultimate explanation is- I had the 'misfire' on a different computer 4 hours

previously- and DID mistype the url somehow and got a hacked, bogus site.

Then, 4 hours later, on a different computer at a different location, I got normal

behavior again- from my bookmarked url.

 

Maybe? Possibly? Guys, I'm a little stressed lately. Endured surgery a couple months

back, then my partner fell and broke her shoulder a month ago. It all keeps me busy.

Then there's my compulsive computer re-building activities... I'm sometimes not sure

if I'm firing on all 12 cylinders... Heh!

:whistling:

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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Cluttermagnet

OK, Social Media (if you guys say so). This is not a forum I've ever used. "Social media" has negative connotations for me. I had no idea you intended so many other subjects to be subsumed here. Perhaps I'd take more kindly to it, then, if it were called something with "Software" in it. Or even "Networking".

 

I do not Tweet. Ever. I am not on Facebook. I don't blog (so far- but I do write). Heck, I don't even text, guys. I have an 'unlisted' web page, if that counts for anything. The most offensive thread I ever found in the Cooler was that stupid 'just three words' one that you guys so loved. I absolutely hated that thread, never participated. I refuse to limit myself to 140 characters EVER! (Are you getting it yet, why 'social media' is so very negative to me?) So this is the first time I have ever come in here, possibly the first time I ever read anything in here. Can you at least understand why I took offense?

 

There, I feel much better now. Carry on...

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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Cluttermagnet

Seems to be working OK for me. This is the Ookla site, correct?

 

This one also works:

 

http://www.bandwidthplace.com/

 

Thanks for the bandwidth place link! That one is just about as good IMO.

 

Remember, guys- four hours later when I tried, Ookla worked normally.

So it's a bit of a mystery, yet there is probably some rational explanation

for what I saw...

 

Anyway, long story short, both sites rate my lowest tier Comcast at

about 29M down and 6M up. And that's generally good enough for me.

At Betty's, with recent upgrade, I think we have 50M downloads, nominally.

Or maybe that's 100M nominal. I don't remember.

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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Cluttermagnet

Here is a hint of what I was seeing:

 

http://www.speedtest.net/host.php

 

Please install Ookla Speedtest Mini on your server before filling out this form. Note that we need two host names for the server.

 

Yep. I think that's what I was seeing the other night. No, officer, I'm not drunk- honest... :whistling:

 

 

This is my last, best guess as to what happened...

Edited by Cluttermagnet
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Guest LilBambi

You clicked on becoming a host. And yes, then you would need to install something if you wanted to become a speedtest.net host computer.

 

That would definitely explain it.

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