We’re back to share your favorite tools and tips.
Image available as wallpaper atChrisHarrison.net.
If you’re interested in using NetBalancer Pro check outour previous tutorial here.
Bob was one of the many readers who relied onNetLimiter:
Yes, unfortunately.
So far it shows about 1.3 GB per day.
Stumbled across Networx shortly after that and installed on all 3 web link computers in the house..
If you’re curious about NetWorxour guide will walk you through setting it up.
For readers with more complex home networks, router-based traffic monitoring was the way to go.
Many readers used custom firmware upgrades likeDD-WRTandTomatoto enhance their monitoring abilities.
Krysaenaar writes:
DD-WRTon my Linksys Router.
I have a 250GB cap so i need to monitor my WAN usage from one central location.
Steve writes:
I use the built in bandwidth monitoring ofTomato firmwareon my Linksys wrt54g-tm router.
I’ve checked it with my Comcast account online monitor and it’s accurate within 1 meg every month.
If your ISP has a report system it’s definitely wise to check your readings against their readings.
Many readers reported monitoring their mobile bandwidth and used an array of applications.
For iOS, the most popular app wasConsume.
Every reader who reported monitoring their iPhone was either using Consume or the built-in data monitoring tools.
When it came to Android monitoring things got a little more diverse.
James, quoted above in the home monitoring section, kicked off by suggesting3G WatchDog.
Fireball followed up with:
DroidStatsfor my Android
Monitors 3G, Wi-Fi, SMS and talking time.
Right now, Verizon says I used 151.58 MB on my Droid X as of yesterday.
3G Watchdog Pro says I used 47.87 as of about an hour ago.
Grandfathered unlimited, but for how long?
Among these readers were was either no cap or an extra fee for the privilege.
Wayne, for example, pays extra for a cap-free connection:
I don’t monitor bandwidth.
I pay Time Warner for their fastest and best internet package.
As of right now, I don’t have a bandwidth cap.
However I usually enjoy 5 times the speed or about 30 Mbps here in Southern California.
Finally there are the readers who, despite having a cap, simply disregard it.
Jon_hill writes:
I don’t.
TalkTalk give me a 40GB cap, but they don’t seem overly strict about it.
I have downloaded near twice that and they have not complained.
Surely they know that no one would get an expensive broadband account just to check their email!
