I just downloaded the full install of XP SP2 at 4.7MB/second. MB, not Mb. MB. It actually took IE longer to do its stupid “copying from C:\temp to D:\” thing than it did to download the file. I didn’t think you could get an Internet connection that fast in the real world… Firefox took seconds to download, too.
Yes, I’m in Germany. Not for the World Cup (that would have been a disincentive normally), but on a student exchange programme that Shall Not Be Named. I’ve been going around the country for a while and haven’t had an Internet connection, but now I’ve settled down and registered for in-room Internet, and the connection is fast, fast, fast. So expect Deutsche-Blogging from now onwards for a few months.
I’m in the East in a small, pretty (apart from where the DDR got a hold of it) university town. The weather is hot and bright, and yet not too disincentivising. It’s a beautiful country, too. And electronics prices here are surprisingly low – I just bought a 512MB SD card for €16.99 (£11.76) from the German equivalent of Comet, K&B, which as far as I can see only eBuyer type places can beat in the UK. And wouldn’t you rather buy from a shop than eBuyer? I know I would.
It’s going to be an interesting few months, that’s for sure. In the meantime, however, I’m going to go off to my local large screen, drink beer (obviously, this is Germany) and watch Germany-Italy with my fellow trainees. Speak to you later.
F L I C K E R I N G / F R A M E 