I have a friend that is using DirectTV's satellite data service for Internet access.  He can't get any high speed access where he lives short of a T1.  For $60 a month, you can't beat it if you can't get DSL or Cable.  He has been having problems since it was installed.  We've logged many hours with tech support and have even had the local installation company out to realign the dish.

One of his kids shut down the AOL client the other night.  He got on to look at the news and it was amazingly fast.  He then realized he wasn't accessing CNN through AOL.  He launched AOL and things slowed back down.  I never stopped to ask him "how" he was accessing the Internet.  The moral of the story is:  Don't use AOL over a satellite uplink.  There has to be some funny business going on between the AOL protocols and satellite communications protocols.

Well, maybe I don't have to set up a videoconferencing server.  Microsoft has done it for us.  With NetMeeting 3, you can use the Microsoft Internet Directory instead of the Internet Locator Service, which was a server component shipped with NT and 2000.  NetMeeting 3 is also integrated with MSN Messenger services, so all of your MSN buddies show up as available for video calls.  I'll be giving this a try this weekend.  If I can get it to work, I'll write up a quickstart guide and publish it here.  In the mean time, you can find out more about videoconferencing with NetMeeting via these links:

The Official NetMeeting site
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/netmeeting/

How to Use the Microsoft Internet Directory
http://directory.netmeeting.microsoft.com/MoreInfo/nmMoreInfo2.htm

MSDN Support Article Describing MID
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-US;q249267

Videoconferencing from your PC doesn't have to be nearly as complicated at this.  A USB webcam that supports 30fps with built in microphone, a little client software, and access to a videoconferencing server is all you need.  Access to a videoconferencing server is the tricky part.  I've been iching to set one up.

Videoconferencing gets boost for travel-leery companies [IDG InfoWorld]

Gee, what's new?  Is customer service any better in the retail stores?  I don't think so.  Better customer services equals higher prices. It's pure economics.

Report reveals poor online customer service during holidays [IDG InfoWorld]

Will 2002 be the year of the Blog?  Hey, Dave, you need to petition these guys to add a category for the best Radio-powered Weblog.

Weblog Awards - 2002 Bloggies [Geeknews]

Score one for the advancement of the human/machine interface.  You can't get a Personal Area Wireless Network more personal that this!  What is scary is that there is no information on the Medtronic web site (http://www.medtronic.com) about this product.  It is also interesting that this has not been picked up by mainstream press yet.

Wireless heart device approved by FDA [Geeknews]

Nothing pisses me off more than these morons at BSA.  They are a bunch of bean counters that get a percentage of the license fees they help secure or turn legal.  Don't get me wrong.  I think software piracy is a huge issue.  A $2.6 billion issue, as this article points out.  I think the blame is being misplaced.  I place the blame on the software creators for not protecting their assets.  Almost every PC is connected to the Internet is some way.  Each software manufacturer should collect licensing information once a month automatically.  This functionality should be embedded in their software.

Group offers amnesty to software pirates. The Business Software Alliance is offering a limited amnesty program this month to businesses using illegally copied software. [CNET News.com: Enterprise]