Windows only: HeatMapper is a really novel way to map out the signal strength of wireless networks. Armed with a wireless-enabled laptop you can map out signal strength, security issues and more. More »
Reader Rob P. uses Firefox quick search bookmark to see if web servers aren’t reachable. He says: Add this as a Bookmark in Firefox: http://network-tools.com/default.asp?prog=ping&host=%s I have its keyword as “ping” … so all I have to do is type ping google.com in the address bar.
The advantage of pinging a server using a webapp versus from your own command line is that you can see whether or not your network connection is the problem. This looks like a good alternative to sites like DownForEveryoneOrJustMe.com, though a bit more geared towards networking geeks. Thanks, Rob P.!
Web service Down For Everyone Or Just Me? serves a singular and useful purpose: to see if that web site you’re trying to reach is actually down, or if your busted-up computer or network filters is the problem. When you can’t get your Gmail or hit your favourite (hint, hint) weblog, just go to DownForEveryoneOrJustMe.com, type in the address of the site that’s MIA, and find out if it’s really, you know, down for everyone or just you. I imagine this wouldn’t work perfectly in a multi-server situation—like if some Google servers were up but not others. Still, a quick and easy way to see whether your problem is widespread.
