Limiting amount of bytes used while on Internet

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Hope this is the right forum???

At home I access the internet with a 3G modem and a contract with my ISP where they provide me a set amount of MB’s per month. So as I “surf”, the modem software gives me an approximate value of how much MB’s I have used during my session on the web.

My question is…
Is there a way to limit the amount of MB’s I use during a session on the web. What contributes to the amount of KB’s as a page loads?

My logical ideas are:

• Prevent pictures from loading by switching off the picture option in IE options (let it display picture placeholders)
• Switch off animation effects
• Try using skins with limited colour on pages that provide interface options
  [/list]Are there more things I can do to prevent excess usage of MB’s? What other tips or IE options can you suggest that I can tweak to allow me to stay online longer whilst using less MB’s.

  Any tips will allow me to lounge around in here loooooooonger

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In line with your preventing pictures suggestion, you could change the setting in your TIF – you’d have to balance the risk of not getting new information/data against reducing the download. Increasing your TIF space allocation would also help by creating a larger depository of already-downloaded data which wouldn’t be refreshed.

I think General Windows may be a more suitable location than Hardware…

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TX Leif,

Going to this dialog, I notice my settings are exactly like yours. (On automatic and allocation is set to 50).

I can increase the allocation and make it a bit higher, but what do you recommend I choose in the Check for newer verions options?

TX

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I would guess Automatic is the ‘safest’ option. I think a lot of it is going to depend on the kind of sites you visit and how they implement dynamic refreshing (if that’s the right term!)

Of course, if you are not revisiting sites, checking for newer versions is not applicable in the first place!

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TX for the info Leif.

PS: Does things like skins affect the MB usage? Will it help to switch to a less detailsed skin?
What about colour?

I know I am pulling things from my hat now… , but its a learning curve…knowledge is power!!

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The definitive answer to that is ‘possibly’

I suspect that it is pretty minimal!

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My definitive reply is “COOL”!

PS: Whats this with swopping admin logos. I saw it earlier.

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The lower one is my personal logo, the upper one is the default Admin logo used when I do something administratively, like moving one of your posts

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Wow…I didn’t know we can get personal logos! Don’t suppose I can get one too??

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>> Don’t suppose I can get one too??

You do continue to surprise me with your correct suppositions, Rudi.

( ‘Flags’ are limited to WMVPs I’m afraid – see Help 06 )

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Hi Rudi,

For sites such as the Lounge where you’re given a selection of forums, with many posts below, you can limit the amount of bandwidth by using your back button in the browser, rather than going to the “Main Menu” link.

It takes a bit of getting used to, but I find I can get to all the new posts in the forums I read, and then do a refresh of the main menu when I think I’m ready to leave the Lounge (temporary of course). If any of my favourite forums have a new post or reply, I can go take a look.

Note, this may simply be Woody’s Lounge specific, as I don’t generally post on any other message forum like this.

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That is a great tip Christopher. Thanks. I’ll take this into mind and see how it goes.
Cheers for that!

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Rudi:

I assume you are looking for ways to reduce your internet access costs and/or increase your online time.

You posted a picture of your modem in an other thread. I think the brand name was “Vodaphone”. That, and your reference to 3G, leads me to think you are accessing the internet through a cell phone provider. Don’t know how it is in SA, but where I live that has got to be one of the more expensive ways to access the Interwebby. Have you looked into more economical access plans from your provider, such as “unlimited access”, if available? Are there more economical alternative providers such as DSL or cable services?

Are you really limited to the “MB” range? I have DSL service. There is a transfer cap, but it is 200GB per month. My ISP stats show that I have never exceeded 6 GB/M, except this month… I downloaded Windows 7 and the ShadowProtect package.

Cheers,

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Hi Paul,

Your reply is very insightful. I have indeed got a cell phone provider account. I have looked at other types of access, and some of them are very well priced, but for my purposes, and the fact that I travel fairly often, this roaming option with a 3G anywhere/anytime type access is best for me. This also coupled with the fact that I am currently renting my house and do not have a fixed line does not allow for cable services that have larger to unlimited transfer caps.

I am very happy with my current ISP and I am not so hard pressed for bandwidth, etc. I thought I’d just ask as my son often wants to get onto the web (for home) and check out the latest WWE wrestling results etc! Its crazy the way he goes on!

Cheers

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