Why Cable Modems Provide Asymmetrical Speeds

Via Multichannel: Upstream Bandwidth And Symmetry: Cable's Not Precluding Users From Symmetrical Broadband Speeds

Technology Resources Guide For Non-Profits

From TechSoup which bills itself as "The Technology Place for Nonprofits" - Tech Beginner's Guide

Using OpenDNS For More Than DNS

I've used OpenDNS (208.67.222.222 and 208.67.220.220) in the past because I found those servers to be more responsive than the local Charter DNS servers (24.247.15.53 and 24.247.24.53). Plus ISP's can place advertisement tracking/injection servers in-between the local DNS serves and the data network. By sending DNS lookups elsewhere I can possibly bypass some ISP based web tracking.

But you can do much more if you sign up for a free OpenDNS account. The link below is a wonderful write-up of using OpenDNS as a poor-man's web filter.

Protect Your Kids Online Using Open DNS

(*NOTE* - using OpenDNS can only protect from maliciousness based on domain name lookups and is just one part of a comprehensive protection strategy)

EFF Releases ISP Watching Software

Switzerland Network Testing Tool

Developed by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, Switzerland is an open source software tool for testing the integrity of data communications over networks, ISPs and firewalls. It will spot IP packets which are forged or modified between clients, inform you, and give you copies of the modified packets.