Thinking of DigitalFilipino Skin & My Globe Tattoo Experience

[Janette Toral]

I own two Globe Tattoo broadband usb sticks. The first one I got during my stint as one of the volunteer Purple Crew to help out those joining the Yahoo Purple Hunt last July. Received the second one as a token in accepting a sponsored award (Digital Elder) in the recent Philippine Blog Awards last month.

I have a DSL connection at home and whenever out, usually connect through my mobile phone's postpaid plan. However, just noticed that no one could call whenever online through it (except receive text messages). This has its disadvantages.

I first used Globe Tattoo when my DSL was unavailable and lately during offsite workshops. Noticed that if you ran out of load, you still get connected but nothing happens with your surfing activity. I hope Globe can include that in their next software update as people often confuse it for having poor Internet connection.

As Internet connection quality can vary by location, it is best to configure your settings and make it 3G only so you can get the best connection as possible. The ones I got are fairly new and is already set to time-based charging. However, if you only do quick e-mail checking, it may be more practical to switch to kb-based charging. To check your default browsing, text STATUS to 1111. To switch to Per-KB browsing, text KB to 1111.

My surfing habit is fairly similar whenever at home and outside, I could hardly feel the difference between the two. Although the difference becomes more evident when I engage into file uploading, downloading, and video streaming.

To maximize Internet connection quality, I make sure that my personal computer and laptop is in good shape as having too many browser plug-ins and pre-loaded programs can affect the surfing experience. The same also when you have trojans, spyware, and viruses which can eat bandwidth especially if it is sending data in and outside your machine. Best to have a reliable anti-virus installed and run checks regularly.

I guess since this wireless broadband usb is a gadget for people on the go, telcos have taken the effort to make it fashionable or trendy, such as Globe, by coming out with Globe Tattoo broadband new skins. During the Yahoo Purple Hunt mall tours last June, I recall visiting the one in Glorietta and was anxious to see how the purple skin looks like since the purple mania was high at that time. Was even considering to buy one as I thought a purple skin customized for the Yahoo Purple Hunt campaign will surely be a collector's item worth keeping.

Since USB storage and related gadgets are now popular as corporate giveaways, I'm now even considering to make a DigitalFilipino skin and wonder how will that look like. Perhaps I should get that one made and submit it to Globe. If it qualifies, perhaps it can be included in their Globe Tattoo broadband gallery.

How about you? Do you use wireless broadband usb?