Not any more. In September, BT announced that anyone living more than 6km from an ADSL (Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line) exchange would be able to get a 512Kbps connection. The limit had prevented many from taking up broadband. So if you have been refused a broadband connection, apply again.

As well as the 512Kbps distance limits being lifted, BT has also increased the distance homes and businesses need to be to exchanges to get an even faster 1Mbps connection. Previously, only those within 4km of exchanges enabled for faster speeds could get the service. This has now been effectively stretched to 6km, meaning about 96% of the UK could get the 1Mbps speed. I was previously refused a 1Mbps connection but have now upgraded and am blasting around the world from the banks of the River Dart in Devon.

Here is the BBC's report of the changes announced back in August.

We sure all need to brush up on our Netiquette every once in a while. I highly recommend Netiquette by Virginia Shea. The full book is now available online for you to read or skim.
At least check out Virginia's Core Rules of Netiquette

• Rule 1: Remember the human
• Rule 2: Adhere to the same standards of behavior online...
• Rule 3: Know where you are in cyberspace
• Rule 4: Respect other people's time and bandwidth
• Rule 5: Make yourself look good online
• Rule 6: Share expert knowledge
• Rule 7: Help keep flame wars under control
• Rule 8: Respect other people's privacy
• Rule 9: Don't abuse your power
• Rule 10: Be forgiving of other people's mistakes

Froogle UK is up and running in beta and it is certainly so much cleaner than all the other UK shopping catalogues.

froogle (fru'gal) n. Smart shopping through Google.
No more popping down to the shops, we'll all be off froogling.

If you are using Outlook, do download a free copy of Lookout. Lookout is lightning-fast search for your email, files, and desktop integrated into Outlook.

Built on top of a powerful search engine, Lookout can search all of your email from directly within Outlook - in seconds...

You can use Lookout to search your:

• Email messages
• Contacts, calendar, notes, tasks, etc.
• Data from exchange, POP, IMAP, PST files, Public Folders
• Files on your computer or other computers
• ... Very soul (okay, not true)

Just enter your search and press enter. Results are fast. Good Looking!

Came across a neat Interactive Map of the UK call MAGIC which claims to be the first web-based interactive map to bring together information on key environmental schemes and designations in one place. MAGIC is a partnership project involving seven government organisations who have responsibilities for rural policy-making and management, and although it has been designed to meet the needs of the partner organisations, the facility is available to anyone over the Internet.

The MAGIC partners are:

• Defra (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
• Countryside Agency
• English Heritage
• English Nature
• Environment Agency
• Forestry Commission
• ODPM (Office of the Deputy Prime Minister)

Tapped in my postcode and displayed the Land Registrations layer - Ooops I am in an Indicative Floodplain - Fluvial!