From: editor@telecom-digest.org (unknown)
To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu
Subject: [telecom] TELECOM Digest V22 #131
Date: Mon, 18 Nov 2002 14:16:12 -0500 (EST)


TELECOM Digest     Mon, 18 Nov 2002 14:15:00 EST    Volume 22 : Issue 131

Inside This Issue:                             Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    By Choice or by Chance: How the Internet Is Used (Monty Solomon)
    The Lives and Death of Moore's Law (Monty Solomon)
    Corporate Cyberstalking: An Invitation to Build Theory (Monty Solomon)
    Qwest Erases $358M More From Profits (Monty Solomon)
    The 'Digital Divide' Among Financially Disadvantaged (Monty Solomon)
    Examining the Determinants of Who is Hyperlinked to Whom: (Monty Solomon)
    Exploring the Future of Digital Divide Through Ethnographic (M. Solomon)
    Reality Bytes: Cyberterrorism and Terrorist 'Use' of the Net (M. Solomon)
    Re: Visa, Mastercard Seen Foiling Rivals ( my_name@is.invalid )
    Re: Visa, Mastercard Seen Foiling Rivals (Paul Wallich)
    Re: Visa, Mastercard Seen Foiling Rivals (Ed Ellers)
    Re: Visa, Mastercard Seen Foiling Rivals (Gary Novosielski)
    Re: Debit vs. Credit Cards, was: Re: Retailers' Suit  (John R. Levine)
    Free World Dialup 3.0 has Launched! (Jeff Pulver)
    Have Fax on ACS R3.1 System Ring Only For Calls on Line 4 (Mike Sweeden)
    Re: Anti Telemarketer Phone (Thomas A. Horsley)
    Re: Telephone Answering Machines (Thomas A. Horsley)
    Re: ECLong Distance and Calling 1-800 Numbers (Joseph)
    Definity (CatFinder)
    Charter Cable Leak: Reporting It (j debert)

All contents here are copyrighted by Patrick Townson and the
individual writers/correspondents. Articles may be used in other
journals or newsgroups, provided the writer's name and the Digest are
included in the fair use quote.  By using -any name or email address-
included herein for -any- reason other than responding to an article
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VIRUSES. DON'T DO IT.

See the bottom of this  issue for subscription and archive details and
the name of our lawyer; other stuff of interest.



Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 13:21:58 -0500
From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com>
Subject: By Choice or by Chance: How the Internet Is Used


By Choice or by Chance: How the Internet Is Used to Prepare for, 
Manage, and Share Information about Emergencies
by Laurie Putnam

Abstract

Access to reliable information is essential for emergency managers, 
whether they're facing tornados or terrorist attacks. How well 
information is managed before, during, and after a disaster can have 
a direct influence on how well the crisis is managed.

Today the Internet plays a recurring role in all phases of emergency 
information management. As a communication system and an information 
repository, a strategic tool and a populist medium, the Internet can 
be a powerful element in crisis situations. It has been readily used 
in recent crises and it will, no doubt, be used in the next 
emergency, by choice or by chance. The choice must be made to use it 
well.

This article explores the implications of the Internet for agencies 
that work to mitigate, prepare for, and respond to natural and 
human-made disasters. It also looks at implications of the Internet 
for members of the general public who are directly or indirectly 
affected by disasters.

Contents

Managing emergency information
Internet applications
Internet complications
What next?

 
http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue7_11/putnam/index.html



Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 13:33:54 -0500
From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com>
Subject: The Lives and Death of Moore's Law


by Ilkka Tuomi

Abstract

Moore's Law has been an important benchmark for developments in 
microelectronics and information processing for over three decades. 
During this time, its applications and interpretations have 
proliferated and expanded, often far beyond the validity of the 
original assumptions made by Moore. Technical considerations of 
optimal chip manufacturing costs have been expanded to processor 
performance, economics of computing, and social development. It is 
therefore useful to review the various interpretations of Moore's Law 
and empirical evidence that could support them.

Such an analysis reveals that semiconductor technology has evolved 
during the last four decades under very special economic conditions. 
In particular, the rapid development of microelectronics implies that 
economic and social demand has played a limited role in this 
industry. Contrary to popular claims, it appears that the common 
versions of Moore's Law have not been valid during the last decades. 
As semiconductors are becoming important in economy and society, 
Moore's Law is now becoming an increasingly misleading predictor of 
future developments.

Contents

1. Introduction
2. Moore's original formulation
3. Reformulations of Moore's Law
4. Losing the memory
5. Empirical evidence on Moore's Law
6. Computers and development

http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue7_11/tuomi/index.html



Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 13:45:59 -0500
From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com>
Subject: Corporate Cyberstalking: An Invitation to Build Theory


by Paul Bocij

Abstract

Cyberstalking describes a relatively new form of stalking behaviour 
where technology is used as the medium of harassment. The term 
corporate cyberstalking is often used to describe incidents that 
involve organisations, such as companies and government departments. 
This paper uses a number of case studies in order to propose a 
typology of corporate cyberstalking. It is suggested that incidents 
involving corporate cyberstalking can be divided into two broad 
groups, depending on whether or not the organisation acts as a 
stalker or as a victim. Examining the motivations behind corporate 
cyberstalking allows these groups to be subdidvided further. The 
motives behind corporate cyberstalking can range from a desire for 
revenge against an employer to cyberterrorism. The paper also briefly 
discusses definitions of stalking and cyberstalking, concluding with 
a revised definition of cyberstalking that is more in keeping with 
the material discussed.

Contents

Introduction
What Is Corporate Cyberstalking?
Categories of Corporate Cyberstalking
Conclusion

http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue7_11/bocij/index.html



Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 13:53:28 -0500
From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com>
Subject: Qwest Erases $358M More From Profits


DENVER (AP) - Qwest Communications International Inc. said it
has found more accounting mistakes that will force it to erase $358
million more in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization for 2000 and 2001.

  Qwest previously disclosed that it overstated revenue by $1.86
billion in 2000 and 2001, affecting $1.2 billion in earnings. The
new disclosures in a regulatory filing Thursday bring the total
affected earnings to $1.56 billion.

  Qwest also said it could have trouble meeting debt service
obligations in 2004, even if it sells the rest of its QwestDex
phone directory arm, if economic conditions do not improve. The
first half of the $7.05 billion deal closed last week.

  Shares were up 5 cents to $3.76 in midday trading Friday on the
New York Stock Exchange.

  The phone company said it misclassified some costs associated
with designing, deploying and testing facilities, erasing $200
million in adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation
and amortization for 2000 and 2001, and it improperly deferred
commissions, erasing another $158 million for 2001.

     - http://finance.lycos.com/home/news/story.asp?story=29741815



Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 13:57:02 -0500
From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com>
Subject: The 'Digital Divide' Among Financially Disadvantaged Families


The 'Digital Divide' Among Financially Disadvantaged Families in Australia
by Jennifer McLaren and Gianni Zappal

Despite figures suggesting that Australia is a high consumer of 
information and communication technologies (ICT), it is well 
documented that the pattern of this consumption is not spread evenly 
across the population; a 'digital divide' exists. In general, 
research suggests that people from higher socioeconomic backgrounds 
have greater access to ICT compared to those from lower socioeconomic 
backgrounds. A less well-researched area is the factors that may 
influence ICT access and usage within certain demographic and 
socioeconomic groups. 

This paper presents new data on the access and usage of ICT (computers
and the Internet) by 3,404 households and 6,874 children from
financially disadvantaged backgrounds. Fifty-nine per cent of the
sample had a home computer and just under one-third had the Internet
connected at home. The most common location for accessing the Internet
was at school. A striking finding was the strong association between
the level of parental education and ICT access and use. Schools are
important in closing or levelling the access gap, as most students use
computers and the Internet at school. However, considering the
importance of having home Internet access for children's educational
performance, the fact that almost three-quarters of students in this
study did not use the Internet at home is of concern, particularly
given that almost half of a comparable Australian population have home
Internet access. Finding ways to increase the home access of
low-income families to the Internet should therefore remain a policy
priority for all sectors aiming to bridge the digital divide. Policies
aimed at bridging the digital divide should also ensure that programs
provide appropriate parenting support and emphasise the educational
importance of having home access to computers and the Internet.

Contents

Introduction
The 'digital divide' revisited
ICT Access and Usage in Australia
Background to the data
Profile of the Sample
Key Findings
Discussion and Conclusions

http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue7_11/mclaren/index.html



Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 14:01:48 -0500
From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com>
Subject: Examining the Determinants of Who is Hyperlinked to Whom:


Examining the Determinants of Who is Hyperlinked to Whom: A Survey of 
Webmasters in Korea
by Han Woo Park

This paper assesses the determinants of who is hyperlinked to whom on 
the Web. It details the results of a conducted survey with 64 Korean 
Webmasters to examine the reasons Web sites form hyperlink networks 
with other sites. The results indicated that Webmasters consider the 
credibility of hyperlinked Web sites to be above average when 
deciding to hyperlink. Particularly, the item "usefulness" had the 
highest score, indicating that Web sites are more likely to hyperlink 
to Web sites possessing practical content, information, or services. 
Additionally, the qualitative analysis reveals that hyperlinking 
motivations and advantages are largely grouped into two dimensions: 
navigational functionality and for business purposes.

Contents

Hyperlink Research: Overview and Methodological Aspects
Determinants of Hyperlinking: Web Site Credibility
Research Question
Methods
Results
Discussion

http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue7_11/park/index.html



Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 14:04:05 -0500
From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com>
Subject: Exploring the Future of the Digital Divide Through Ethnographic


Exploring the Future of the Digital Divide through Ethnographic Futures Research
by Matthew M. Mitchell

Abstract

This study examines leaders who work for social change in an
information society. Grounded in the notion that leadership and social
change are necessarily future oriented, this study attempts to learn
how those who lead the effort to ameliorate the digital divide in
Washington State perceive the optimistic, pessimistic, and most
probable futures. In this study, the digital divide is framed as a
social problem that is caused, in part, by inequities in the ability
to access and to use information communication technologies. Further-
more, this study is concerned that the digital divide impacts the
opportunities for participation in social and economic arrangements,
which may be a threat to social and economic justice.

Although the scope of the digital divide is global, this study narrows
its focus in three ways. First, the digital divide is explored only
within the context of Washington's sociocultural system. Second, only
the perspectives of those who lead efforts to bridge the digital
divide were sought. Third, only perceptions and cognitions of possible
future sociocultural systems were explored.

The method used in this study is called Ethnographic Futures Research
(EFR). EFR is a type of ethnography adapted for use in studying
perceptions of a culture's future. Thirteen individuals who lead
various efforts to bridge the digital divide in Washington State were
interviewed using the EFR method. In each interview, three possible
scenarios (optimistic, pessimistic, and most probable) of Washington
State's sociocultural system set in the year 2016 were elicited. The
interviewees then provided recommendations of what action is required
to render the optimistic scenario more probable by the year 2016. The
digital divide was discussed within the context of the future
sociocultural systems described in the three scenarios and the
recommendations.

The findings of this study include a) multiple definitions of the
digital divide; b) descriptions of the forces perceived to be driving
the digital divide; and, c) suggestions for future efforts to
ameliorate the digital divide. A general discovery made by this study
is that significant optimism exists that Washington State will build
and maintain a more just and equitable sociocultural system in the
future.


http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue7_11/mitchell/index.html



Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 13:17:16 -0500
From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com>
Subject: Reality Bytes: Cyberterrorism and Terrorist 'Use' of the Internet



Abstract

This paper examines the concept of cyberterrorism. Fringe activity on
the Internet ranges from non-violent 'Use' at one end to
'Cyberterrorism' at the other. Rejecting the idea that cyberterrorism
is widespread, the focus here is on terrorist groups' 'use' of the
Internet, in particular the content of their Web sites, and their
'misuse' of the medium, as in hacking wars, for example. Terrorist
groups' use of the Internet for the purpose of inter-group
communication is also surveyed, partly because of its importance for
the inter-networked forms of organisation apparently being adopted by
these groups, but also due to the part played by the Internet in the
events of September 11 and their aftermath.

Contents

Introduction
What is Cyberterrorism?
'Use' and 'Misuse': Some Empirical Observations
(Inter)Networking and 9-11
The Internet and 9-11: The Aftermath
Conclusion

http://firstmonday.org/issues/issue7_11/conway/index.html



Subject: Re: Visa, Mastercard Seen Foiling Rivals
From: my_name@is.invalid
Organization: Not Much
Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 16:08:00 GMT


In article <telecom22.130.14@telecom-digest.org>,
Thomas A. Horsley <tom.horsley@att.net> wrote:

>> ...and even trying to disguise their debit cards so merchants
>> couldn't tell them from credit cards

> Just for curiosity, why should merchants be able to tell the
> difference?  As long as they get their money, why do they care if the
> buyer uses a debit or a credit card? 

Because they *DON'T* 'get their money', not all of it, that is.  Card
issuers _charge_ those who accept cards for that 'convenience'.

I speak as a merchant who _accepts_ credit-cards for payment, and
there is a *significant* difference.  The 'service charges' I have to
pay on a transaction against a debit card are nearly *DOUBLE* those I
pay for processing a real 'credit' card.  VISA also has another
'wrinkle', the 'corporate' charge-card.  This is a credit card that
provides a number of 'enhanced' services to the card-holder --
'classification' of expenses, mgmt summaries, etc.  Unfortunately, the
merchant who _accepts_ that card as payment for his services, *pays*
for those services for the customer.  I pay more than 30% _more_ for
accepting a 'corporate' card than I do for accepting a regular card.
And there is *ABSOLUTELY*NO*WAY* to determine in advance _which_ kind
of a card it is.  I don't know, and _can't_find_out_ what this
transaction is going to cost, until *after* I've been charged for it.
My clearinghouse has told me this, and VISA _itself_ has confirmed it.

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note:  Anyway, who says they 'disguise' the
> cards?  My card says rather plainly on it, 'Commerce Bank Check Card'
> although it does have a VISA logo on it, and the number sequence is
> a usual VISA type number: twelve digits beginning with '4'.  

If the card is not present, as in telephone or mail-order sales, or
over the internet, for that matter, there is *NO*WAY* to determine
which kind of a card it is.  I take telephone orders -- I found out
about this the "hard way".

Note: for "card not present" transactions, VISA _could_ claim that
=any= arbitrary transaction was a 'debit', or 'corporate' card, and
the *merchant* CANNOT verify whether they're telling the truth or not.


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note:  But as a merchant, I am sure you know
quite well the costs involved in carrying your own paper ... in fact
very few stores attempt to maintain their own credit departments any
longer, much preferring to pass off the paperwork and risks to large
creditors like Visa. And regards debit cards, would you rather have to
collect on NSF checks all the time or have a guarentee from Visa for
some fee per item?  PAT]



From: Paul Wallich <pw@panix.com>
Subject: Re: Visa, Mastercard Seen Foiling Rivals
Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 11:18:00 -0500
Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and UNIX, NYC


In article <telecom22.130.14@telecom-digest.org>,
tom.horsley@att.net (Thomas A. Horsley) wrote:

>> ...and even trying to disguise their debit cards so merchants
>> couldn't tell them from credit cards

> Just for curiosity, why should merchants be able to tell the
> difference?  As long as they get their money, why do they care if the
> buyer uses a debit or a credit card? 

Because, according to the articles, the debit version, if
authenticated with a PIN, carries a fee of about 9-20 cents, while the
credit version carries a fee of about 25 cents to $1.50. So for a
store with a lot of small and mid-ticket sales, debit vs credit means
the difference between making or losing money on a particular sale.

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Anyway, who says they 'disguise' the
> cards?  My card says rather plainly on it, 'Commerce Bank Check Card'
> although it does have a VISA logo on it, and the number sequence is
> a usual VISA type number: twelve digits beginning with '4'.  I'll
> grant you Commerce Bank is having a promotion all the time called
> 'skip the PIN' where they suggest in stores with terminals where the
> customer swipes the card (like Walmart) to punch in 'credit' rather
> than 'debit' and not be asked for a PIN. The daily floor limit of
> half your available balance or $1000, whichever is more, still
> applies.  Of course if you use the card at the ATM in front of the
> bank to get cash you still can't skip the PIN. PAT]

"Skip the PIN and let us charge your merchant an extra buck." Nice
campaign.  Let;s just say that a disguise doesn't have to be
completely effective to still make a big difference. If you have to
train each checkout clerk to read the card for any of the various code
words that might indicate it's a debit card, and to double-check with
the customer which way to ring the transaction, that's an extra cost
to doing business.

It's kinda ironic that online verification should be deprecated
because it interferes with profits, considering that the pervasive US
telecom infrastructure is one of the reasons that we have credit and
debit instead of smartcards in the first place ...


paul

[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Whatever extra the bank charges the 
merchants goes for the prizes Visa/Commerce Bank gives to the winners
of their monthly drawings on 'skip the PIN'. PAT]



From: Ed Ellers <ed_ellers@msn.com>
Subject: Re: Visa, Mastercard Seen Foiling Rivals
Date: Sun, 17 Nov 2002 00:20:33 -0500


Thomas A. Horsley <tom.horsley@att.net> wrote:

> Just for curiosity, why should merchants be able to tell the
> difference?  As long as they get their money, why do they care if
> the buyer uses a debit or a credit card?

That's just it -- they don't get all the money you pay; the credit
card company and issuing bank hold back some of it.  Merchants tend to
prefer debit card networks other than Visa or MasterCard because that
holdback is often much lower; Visa and MC want merchants to accept all
their branded cards in order to keep the advantage of universal
acceptability that makes their debit cards more attractive than
others.  The merchants in this case apparently want to be able to
refuse Visa and MC debit cards, to steer their customers toward other
debit card networks that offer a better deal to the merchant, while
still accepting Visa and MC credit cards.



From: Gary Novosielski <gpn@suespammers.net>
Subject: Re: Visa, Mastercard Seen Foiling Rivals
Date: Mon, 18 Nov 2002 02:27:16 GMT


Thomas A. Horsley <tom.horsley@att.net> wrote in message
news:telecom22.130.14@telecom-digest.org:

> Just for curiosity, why should merchants be able to tell the
> difference?  As long as they get their money, why do they care if the
> buyer uses a debit or a credit card?

> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: ... I'll grant you Commerce Bank is
> having a promotion all the time called 'skip the PIN' where they
> suggest in stores with terminals where the customer swipes the card
> (like Walmart) to punch in 'credit' rather than 'debit' and not be
> asked for a PIN....]

And that should tell you something.  Merchants have to pay far more (often
MANY TIMES as much) in processing fees to process a "credit" payment rather
than a "debit" payment.  That is why merchants would much prefer you to use
your debit card as a debit card, and also why your bank probably makes your
debit card look as much like a credit card as possible (often making it
impossible to tell) and tries to convince you that punching in a PIN is
soooooo inconvenient, and that you should tell the merchant it is really a
credit card..

If you ask me, punching in a PIN is more convenient than trying to
sign the usually malfunctioning touch screen, or even signing the
register tape, but I have a long name.

If you like your banker and hate your merchant, always tell them "Credit"
and if you like your merchant and hate your banker, always tell them
"Debit".

If you either like them both or hate them both, use cash, or write a check.

Gary

[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: But if I write a check, then Walmart is
the *only* store in town which makes me show a driver's license or in
my case, the state ID card (since I do not know how to drive a car).
The other stores (in the downtown area) just accept my check since
they have seen me before.  But almost all the 'regular' stores downtown
have a sign on the door which refers to the 'Kansas Bad Check law' and
the store's right to charge three times the value of the check if it
gets returned to them even once. That's why I cut my deals with the
bank manager, in the event my money runs out before my next social
security check comes in; she covers my checks and notifies me, but
does charge me $10 (ten dollars) when it happens.  PAT]



Date: 16 Nov 2002 23:16:27 -0500
From: johnl@iecc.com (John R. Levine)
Subject: Re: Debit vs. Credit Cards, was: Re: Retailers' Suit 
Organization: I.E.C.C., Trumansburg NY USA


> I can get an ATM card, but it can't be used for purchases.

Indeed.  That's what that humongous class action against MC and Visa
is about.

On the other hand, my friendly local bank offers a variety of pieces
of plastic.  They have a Visa branded debit card which costs $12/yr,
money comes directly out of my account immediately, in case of dispute
I'm out the money until and unless I get the charge unwound.  They
also have a Visa branded gold credit card which costs $0/yr if I set
it up for auto-pay so the money comes out of my account on the day the
monthly grace period is over so I get to hold on to the money for an
extra month, in case of dispute I can tell them not to pay the
fraudulent item so the money's still in my bank account, and it has a
bunch of other minor freebies such as rental car insurance.

The only advantage that the debit card has is that if I'm away from
home and have time to kill, I can walk into other banks and get an
over the counter "cash advance" from the debit card, thereby saving
the $2.50 it would cost to use it at an ATM, but I'd have to do that
five times a year to save the annual fee, which I don't.  (Yes, this
works and really doesn't cost anything.  I did it a few times when I
had a debit card.)

I have three Visa credit cards, all of which have an auto-pay option
so I never pay any interest.  Unless their credit rating is so bad
that they can't get a credit card at all, why would anyone use a debit
card?

Regards,
John Levine johnl@iecc.com Primary Perpetrator of "The Internet for Dummies",
Information Superhighwayman wanna-be http://iecc.com/johnl Sewer Commissioner
"I dropped the toothpaste", said Tom, crestfallenly.

ObTelecom: both debit and credit cards work at Bell Canada payphones,
and cost less than using an AT&T or LEC calling card, but it's even
cheaper to use a prepaid smart card with embedded chip.



From: jeff@pulver.com (Jeff Pulver)
Subject: Free World Dialup 3.0 Has Launched!
Date: 16 Nov 2002 08:53:17 -0800
Organization: http://groups.google.com/


Hi All,

The Free World Dialup Network ( http://pulver.com/fwd ) has lauched!
Details with the latest FWD news is available at:
http://pulver.com/fwd/fwd30news.html .

The Free World Dialup (FWD) Network is the free peer-to-peer worldwide
community telephone service for people with broadband Internet
access. It provides a great free way for people to keep in touch with
their friends and family members who also have broadband internet
access.

Two devices (endpoints) that we have tested and are known to work with
FWD are the Cisco 7960 (with the SIP image) and the Cisco ATA-186. We
are currently working on making enhancements to support additional
devices. You need to own a supported device to use FWD. Please contact
your local Cisco office to find a local reseller where you can
purchase these devices.

You can subscribe to the FWD Mailing list by visiting:
http://listserv.pulver.com/cgi-bin/wa.exe?SUBED1=fwd&A=1 .


Kind regards,

Jeff



From: Michael Sweeden <michaelsweeden@comcast.net>
Subject: Fax on Partner ACS R3.1 System Ring Only For Calls on Line 4?
Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 10:18:39 -0500


I have a Partner ACS R3.1 system with multiple phone lines. On one
extension I have both a fax machine and a system phone. The phone and
the fax machine both ring on incoming calls. I am told that the system
used to be configured so that the fax machine only rang when a call
came in on line 4 while the system phone on that extension rang on all
incoming calls. I do not know how to do this. I know I can turn off
ringing for the first 3 lines, but that would turn of ringing on the
system phone as well. Line 4 is the last line in the rollover, and has
a different ring when it is dialed directly than when it rings as a
result of rollover.

Can the system be configured so that the fax machine only rings for
calls on line 4 while the system phone on the same extension rings on
all incoming lines, and, if so, then how? Thanks!



Subject: Re: Anti Telemarketer Phone
From: tom.horsley@att.net (Thomas A. Horsley)
Organization: AT&T Worldnet
Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 16:15:23 GMT


I just got my Avinta VN100 which was designed as a small home or
business PBX, but (since you have to dial an extension number), also
works as a box that can require a code to be punch in before your
phone will ring.

Unfortunately, it doesn't really work as well as advertised, but I did
manage to get it working somewhat.

The docs for it say to plug your answering machine into the phone line
(so the recording message can tell folks about the code to punch in),
then the VN100 into the answering machine.

In that configuration, the VN100 never recognizes the extension
number.  Maybe there is something about the answering machine. Can't
say for sure what is wrong.

However, I did find that if I plug the answering machine and the VN100
in parallel (on a splitter), it does work (but you have to dial a
number before the extension -- that's the way you use it as an
intercom locally).

The other problem is that you are supposed to be able to plug an
answering machine into the VN100 instead of just a phone, so if you
really aren't there, the 2nd answering machine can be used to leave a
message. I've never gotten this to work at all. The phone does ring
when plugged in to the VN100, but the answering machine plugged into
it never picks up.  There must be something not quite right about the
ring signal it generates.

Conclusion: Seems to be useable, but not nearly as spiffy as
advertised.  I too would rather have a all in one box (and I'd really
rather have one that would accept lots of different codes so I could
give out individual ones).

At least my phone doesn't ring off the hook all the time
anymore. Peace at last! :-).


>>==>> The *Best* political site <URL:http://www.vote-smart.org/
>>==+ email: Tom.Horsley@worldnet.att.net icbm: Delray Beach, FL 
<URL:http://home.att.net/~Tom.Horsley> Free Software and Politics<<==+



Subject: Re: Telephone Answering Machines
From: tom.horsley@att.net (Thomas A. Horsley)
Organization: AT&T Worldnet
Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 16:20:56 GMT


The GE Digital answering machine (model # 29869GE2) I have seems to
work pretty well (it is highly recommended on amazon.com which is
where I got it). One of the options you can configure is how long an
individual message can be (it can do a total of 40 minutes recording).

>>==>> The *Best* political site <URL:http://www.vote-smart.org/> >>==+
      email: Tom.Horsley@worldnet.att.net icbm: Delray Beach, FL      |
<URL:http://home.att.net/~Tom.Horsley> Free Software and Politics <<==+



From: Joseph <joeofseattle@yahoo.com>
Subject: Re: ECLong Distance and Calling 1-800 Numbers
Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 12:31:01 -0800
Organization: Posted via Supernews, http://www.supernews.com
Reply-To: joeofseattle@yahoo.com


On 14 Nov 2002 16:52:19 -0800, ian@jardine.net (Ian) wrote:

> Let me ask another question somewhat off topic, but here goes.

> A friend from Overseas has two children studying at a private High
> School in NJ (and then on to College in the USA). They have no credit
> rating in the USA and no SS#s.

> They want to give the two kids cellphones for use in NA and they want
> to provide a means of the children calling their parents (in
> Singapore) at decent rates.

> I can only think of a prepaid cellphone service which is pretty darn
> expensive allied to some form of prepaid international telephone card
> which can be charged to an International Credit Card number.

> Anyone got a better solution?  I think that with the numbers of
> International students in the USA this could be a large market.

Pre-paid is not the cheapest solution, but if your kids do not "gab"
it is workable.  Using T-Mobile's pre-paid "Easy Speak" plan it's $25
with a month's expiry on the time.   Very often you can find a deal in
a store (often pharmacies and the like) where you can get a handset
with a SIM card which includes $30 of talk time.  I've seen these
packages go for $69 to $79.  Amazon often has good prices on the
T-Mobile pre-paid if you wish to go that route.  There are other
pre-paids that you may want to look at from AT&T or Verizon.  Larger
denomination cards give you more talk time at a cheaper per minute
rate. 

If you have a pre-paid service that includes long distance in
the air time (such as T-Mobile's) you simply call a number in New York
City, NY get a dial tone and dial the international number.   If you
do not have long distance included you can call a toll-free "866"
number though there is a 15 cent surcharge on calls made through the
866 number.  Calls to Singapore are 9 cents per minute.  To use the
service you have to register a credit card (Visa/Master Card/Amex) and
they will debit cost of calling from your credit card.

http://gorillamobile.com/

Replies are seldom read.  Please reply in the group



From: fgwing@adimexico.com.mx (CatFinder)
Subject: Definity
Date: 16 Nov 2002 13:16:56 -0800
Organization: http://groups.google.com/


Hi,

I have recently started work at a company that uses a definity PBX and
we want to implement authorization codes but our servicce providor
tells us that we need to make an upgrade on our system. I kow nothing
about the Definity system so I;m not sure if this is correct or not, 
Can someone help??

Thanks.

John W.




From: j debert <jdebert@garlic.com>
Subject: Charter Cable Leak: Reporting it
Date: Sat, 16 Nov 2002 14:53:33 -0800
Organization: Posted via Supernews, http://www.supernews.com


I just got off the phone with Charter re a possible leak on their
system in Hollister CA. Told them it was heard on air and Public
Safety bands.  The call-taker did not want to hear about it unless it
was a "customer with a problem" and almost got away without being told
the location.

How long should one wait before follow-up? A week?

On next follow up, if nothing seems to be done, I may mention filing
complaints with FCC and CPUC: the signal interferes with local police
and fire freqs and probably even with LifeFlight and other operations
at the local hospital, which is right next to the apparent leak.

This leak appears to have started just within the past 6 weeks, and
sounds like intermod on some freqs, but tuning makes the signal sound
better, as does switching from narrow to wide FM.


j d e b e r t < a t > g a r l i c < d o t > c o m



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