Telstraclear steam server metered?

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silens

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Topic # 100915 20-Apr-2012 23:29
I used a third party tool to make sure I would only download my steam games from the telstraclear content server. Unfortunately while download we checked our usage online and learnt that we had 11gb+ was downloaded today, I know not all of it is due to my steam games but most of it is. Because of this we are more over our quota. Is the telstraclear steam content server still unmetered? The quote below is me querying this on the telstraclear facebook page. Hey, I've been using SteamManager to limit my connection to the telstraclear steam server, and in download options of steam it is set to New Zealand (telstraclear). We had a huge spike on our downloads today that could only be attributed to my steam downloads.

Ragnor

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Reply # 612668 20-Apr-2012 23:58
What games have you downloaded recently? It seems some Steam content is delivered by http CDN's now and doesn't come from hosted Steam content mirrors. http://code.google.com/p/steam-limiter/wiki/HttpDownloads

silens

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Reply # 612724 21-Apr-2012 08:21
A Team Fortress 2 update, Galcon Fusion (small game), and most of Deus Ex: Human Revolution (7,560.8 MB / 8,520.9). I stopped download Deus Ex when we realised that our usage was charged.

teamyoyo

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Reply # 612765 21-Apr-2012 11:22
Try using http://www.anguswolfcastle.co.cc/steam to limit your connections to the Telstraclear servers. Steam changing to HTTP downloads pretty much destroyed the point of having an unmetered server and Steam Manger is the only program I've found that makes sure you're downloading from the correct server regardless of haw it's connecting. Be warned though, TelstraClear's server isn't always that good so it might take a while for a connection to be made.

silens

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Reply # 612881 21-Apr-2012 17:28
I was using SteamManager.1.30 (or at least that's the name of the folder it unzipped to). I made sure that it was blocking all but telstraclear by running it as admin and pressing the '7' key. Telstraclear, my house is very unhappy the your unmetered service doesn't actually appear to be unmetered.

TelstraClear

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Reply # 613544 23-Apr-2012 10:24
It is important that you read the FAQs. In particular, these ones: How do I select which Steam Content Server to use?Steam has decided not to include the ability for users to select which Steam Content Server they wish to download from specifically. This is to ensure that the integrity of the load balancing of the Steam content distribution system is maintained to a nominal degree. Steam does allow users to select a "download region". While this can help you to get the TelstraClear Content Server, it is not a guarantee that you will end up downloading from the TelstraClear server - It merely tries to use it primarily if it and the content is available. For various reasons, our server may not always be available. We do recommend that you select the New Zealand (TelstraClear) or default region. There is currently no completely reliable method to effectively change which Steam Content Server you are using. These third party applications may be your best choice to manage your Steam usage. How do I stop Steam downloading anything?Unfortunately, as the whole purpose of Steam is to download files, it can be very easy for the client to automatically update or download titles you have installed or purchased. There is no way to stop it downloading updates to the Steam client itself, but these updates are generally very small and can be delivered from the TelstraClear Steam Content Server at times. To stop Steam downloading content for individual games, it is necessary to click on the 'Games' button on the Steam main page. For each game that is listed in the Games dialogue, you will need to right click on each game and select 'Properties'. You will then see a section on the Properties panel that says 'Automatic updates'. You will need to change the dropdown under this section so that it reads 'Do not automatically update this game'. This should stop Steam from automatically downloading content for those games. Please note, there are no guarantees that Steam will actually stop downloading and download no further. It is very important to keep track of your usage if you are using Steam.

silens

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Reply # 613570 23-Apr-2012 11:21
I have read those faqs, that's why I have my download location set to telstraclear and I run one of those third party tools everytime before I open steam to try and only use the unmetered service. I'll call the number this afternoon and talk to someone about it.

garvani

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Reply # 613573 23-Apr-2012 11:31
Unfortunately its not Telstraclear's fault that your content didn't come from there content servers. Its going to be a harsh lesson im afraid. As they state in that article, there is no way to guarantee the data will come from them.

silens

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Reply # 613578 23-Apr-2012 11:45
Yes, but if you use a third party tool to block steam from downloading from non TelstraClear servers (like they suggest in the faq), then it shouldn't affect your data usage. This is why I would like it resolved because I did the steps suggested to make sure I only utilised the unmetered TelstraClear steam server. And if there is no working way to limit which server you are connected to [using the third party tools suggested], then TelstraClear shouldn't have Steam on the unmetered list because that'll just cause lot's of problems when people complain because they are not receiving the unmetered benefits.

garvani

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Reply # 613582 23-Apr-2012 11:52
The third party tool isn't a guarantee that it will only download from telstra though, its all there in black and white. "However, after much discussion with Valve Software, it has been concluded that running a Steam Content Server is no guarantee that TelstraClear customers will get unmetered traffic via the TelstraClear Steam Content Server.. " "However, please be aware there may be usage costs that are incurred as Steam can download from other content servers that are not unmetered for TelstraClear customers."

TelstraClear

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Reply # 613583 23-Apr-2012 11:52
silens: Yes, but if you use a third party tool to block steam from downloading from non TelstraClear servers (like they suggest in the faq), then it shouldn't affect your data usage. This is why I would like it resolved because I did the steps suggested to make sure I only utilised the unmetered TelstraClear steam server. Silens, sorry but as the FAQs state: "There is currently no completely reliable method to effectively change which Steam Content Server you are using. These third party applications may be your best choice to manage your Steam usage." "It is very important to keep track of your usage if you are using Steam." The On3Network post about the third party tools also clearly states: "PLEASE NOTE TelstraClear takes no responsibility for any user incurred charges for content served from another Steam Content Server. TelstraClear takes no responsibility for any damage or harm caused by the use of this unsupported third party software." As the first question in our FAQs notes: "If you are a TelstraClear Residential broadband customer, content downloaded from the TelstraClear Steam Content Server will be unmetered against your usage. However, please be aware there may be usage costs that are incurred as Steam can download from other content servers that are not unmetered for TelstraClear customers." Gary

silens

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Reply # 613585 23-Apr-2012 11:55
Yes, but that is mainly about automatic updates of games. This blocking of all but telstraclear steam server has worked in the past, and therefore stops steam downloading from anywhere else (eg. if it's not on the telstraclear server and you try to download you will get an error message), which shows that the third party tools do work, and therefore when you use them correctly you should be able to expect no usage charge.

silens

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Reply # 613599 23-Apr-2012 12:06
But as the usage meter isn't completely up to date, while checking it it won't have to latest usage so be the time it shows up on the meter you could have download lots without realising that the method used to limit steam to only telstraclear content server that used to work, isn't working anymore.

TelstraClear

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Reply # 613612 23-Apr-2012 12:32
Hi again. As stated, with Steam there are no guarantees. Note that at least one Steam thrid party option is no longer available. Frey's Steam Filter's pages says: "In light of Steam introducing a HTTP method of downloading Frey's Steam Filter is no longer recommended to stop Steam from downloading from non-quota free sources." Gary Edit: The following may be of use to Steam users. Again, there are no guarantees when it comes to using Steam. TelstraClear takes no responsibility for any user incurred charges for content served from another Steam Content Server. TelstraClear takes no responsibility for any damage or harm caused by the use of this unsupported third party software. http://code.google.com/p/steam-limiter/

garvani

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Reply # 613621 23-Apr-2012 12:42
/thread