Return-Path: Received: by massis.lcs.mit.edu (8.7.4/NSCS-1.0S) id CAA05279; Fri, 16 Aug 1996 02:24:17 -0400 (EDT) Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 02:24:17 -0400 (EDT) From: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu (TELECOM Digest Editor) Message-Id: <199608160624.CAA05279@massis.lcs.mit.edu> To: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Subject: TELECOM Digest V16 #416 TELECOM Digest Fri, 16 Aug 96 02:24:00 EDT Volume 16 : Issue 416 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Internet Law Symposium 96 (ils95@halcyon.com) Destiny Telecomm Spam (Clive Dawson) Inbound Call Blocker (Glenn Kurtzrock) Agis - Formerly Net99 Performance (Eberhard Weber) Need Simple Phone Line Tester (Dave Close) Re: What is Davar? (John Dearing) Re: PBXs and Year 2000 Problems (Mickey Ferguson) Re: Voicemail and Unix (Jailbait) Re: What is a Panasonic 12/32 Worth? (Michael N. Marcus) Re: Wireless Satellite Communication - A Challenge (Marvin Demuth) Re: End of Permissive Dialing in 954 (Ron Schnell) Re: ISDN D-Channel Data and Internet Voice (Gary Sanders) Re: USA Technology is Awfully Backward (Craig Morton) ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Internet Law Subject: Internet Law Symposium 96 Date: 16 Aug 1996 02:50:02 GMT Organization: IGI A N N O U N C I N G INTERNET LAW SYMPOSIUM 96 http://www.internetlaw.org THE SECOND ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL LAW & POLICY SUMMIT FOR THE GLOBAL INTERNET internet.l@w/symposium/96..Seattle, Washington..USA..September 9 & 10, 1996 I N T R O D U C T I O N T O I L S 9 6 INTERNET LAW SYMPOSIUM 96 (ILS96) is the second annual international law and policy summit for the global Internet. Within a few years, the Internet has dramatically changed the way the world shares information in a borderless environment. Because law is an information business, it too will undergo immense change as the Internet re-configures domestic and international political and economic structures. INTERNET LAW SYMPOSIUM 96 soars beyond other Internet conferences by providing a platform where technology and law converge in a healthy tension balanced by experts or delegates from business, education, policy, legislation security, and justice. From this wealth of perspectives ILS96 will develop a sound framework for Internet law, regulations, and legislation. INTERNET LAW SYMPOSIUM 96 not only provides a platform for conversing with many international Internet legal and technology experts, it will present some of the latest Internet technology breakthroughs in the areas of electronic commerce and distance collaboration -- and even a glimpse into the future. INTERNET LAW SYMPOSIUM 96 September 9 & 10, 1996 - Seattle USA Host: Seattle University School of Law Approved CLE Credits: 10.5 With Support of: IBM MICROSOFT US WEST AT&T CHRISTENSEN O'CONNER JOHNSON & KINDNESS CORPORATE COMPUTER INC. INTERNET GROUP INC. In Cooperation With: PROGRESS & FREEDOM FOUNDATION CENTER FOR INTERNET FUTURE ELECTRONIC COMMERCE RESOURCE CTR. (ARPA) WASHINGTON ST. DEPT. OF INFORMATION SERVICES UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON CLE e-COMM NORTHWEST P R E S E N T I N G HON. ALEX KOZINSKI A highlight of ILS96 will be the appearance of Judge Alex Kozinski of the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals (Pasadena). Associates describe Judge Kozinski as a "path breaker who refuses to do things the same old way. He innovates as he goes ... The sky is Judge Kozinski's limit. "His non-judicial talents include bungee jumping, snow boarding, and performing magic tricks . According to Professor Laurence Tribe, Judge Kozinski possesses "one of the few genuinely interesting minds in the judiciary." D I S T I N G U I S H E D F A C U L T Y ...Neil Abrams, Counsel, Internet Division, IBM ...Bret Arsenault, Director, Internet Western Division, Microsoft, San Francisco ...Eric Bozich, Market Development, US West !NTERPRISE, Denver ...Lisa Brownlee, Attorney, Trenite Van Doorne, Amsterdam ...Scott Charney, Computer Crimes Division, Department of Justice, Washington DC ...Tony Clapes, Senior Advisor, IBM, Armonk NY ...Robert C. Cumbow, Associate, Perkins Coie, Seattle ..Carl R. Middlehurst, Asst. Gen. Counsel, Sun Microsystems, Mountain View ...Dr. Peter Gemmell, Sr. Member Technical Team, Sandia National Labs, Albuquerque,NM ...Neal Friedman, Attorney, Pepper & Corazzini, LLP, Washington DC ...M.Graeber Jordan, Sr. Mgr., Electronic Commerce Implementation, Boeing Co., Bellevue ...Margaret Chon, Assoc. Prof., Syracuse Univ. Law School; visiting Seattle Univ. law professor ...Michael J. Phillips, Pres. & CEO, The Frank Russell Company, Tacoma ...Robert Gellman, Exec. Director, Virtual Magistrate Project, Washington DC . ...Richard T. Black, Associate, Christensen O'Connor Johnson Kindness, Seattle ..Giuliano Chicco, Mgr. Legal Resources, General Electric Company, Faifield, CT ...Rex B. Hughes, Internet Strategist, Corporate Computer, Seattle ...Charles C. Marson, Outside Counsel, Netscape, San Francisco ...Tom C. Rose, Consultant, Market Response/ Sr. Applications Engineer, GTE Northwest, Everett ...James E. Bond, Dean, School of Law, Seattle University ...Chun M. Ng, Attorney,Christensen O'Connor Johnson Kindness, Seattle ...Joan Rogers, Legal Editor, ABA, Bureau of National Affairs, Washington DC ...Robert C. Smith, Sr. Engineer, Electronic Commerce Resource Center/ Concurrent Technologies Inc.,Bremerton ...Mark Ryland, OLE Business Systems Group, Microsoft, Redmond ...David Skover, Professor, School of Law, Seattle University ...Horton Smith, Exec. Direc., Pacific Basin Council, RAdm. US Navy, Attorney, Seattle ...Walter Taucher, President, Corporate Computer, Inc. ...Dr. Robert Spitzer SJ, CPA & Professor of Ethics, Seattle University ...Daniel J. Weitzner, Co-founder Center for Democracy & Technology, Washington, DC ...Dr.Peter Gemmell, Sr. Team Member, Sandi National Laboratories, Albuquerque ... ...Dan M.Waggoner, Partner, Davis Wright Tremaine, Seattle ...Jonathan Wallace, Author, Attorney & VP Operations, Pencom Systems, Brooklyn ...Charles C. Marson, Outside Counsel, Netscape, San Francisco ...Hon. Walter E. Webster, Presiding Chief Judge. Wash. St. Court of Appeals, Seattle ...Hon. Rick White, US House of Representatives, WA 1st District (w/ US Congress Internet Caucus) Quick Info................Quick Info................Quick Info.............. Information 206 329 3392 Tel Registration 206 236 9559 Fax Registration 203 329 3225 Secure Internet Registration by IBM: http://shop.ibm.com/shopping/law Mail Registration coupon at end of this message: ILS96 - PO Box 1400 - Seattle, WA 98114 Housing Hotline (Seattle Visitors Bureau) 800 535 7071 Seattle University Location: Broadway & Madison SU Parking: Broadway parking garage Email: ils96@internetlaw.org On the World Wide Web: http://www.internetlaw.org ILS96 program chair Robert C. Cumbow of Perkins Coie Seattle explains the purpose of this annual forum: "INTERNET LAW SYMPOSIUM 96 is an important event that will address growing concerns about digital communications and Internet issues that face the entire international community--attorneys and clients alike. There is worldwide interest in this second annual meeting to update our ongoing analysis of legal and civil rights issues related to the Internet." Who? What? How? Hence, with sleeves rolled up during the two days of INTERNET LAW SYMPOSIUM 96 managers, executives, educators, lawyers, judges, engineers, developers among others will examine the Internet as a medium with no equal and one that challenges all sectors. Through lively Q&A delegates from all walks of life will offer advice for the scheduled faculty of experts. ILS96 Program Topics ...Reviewing the Year of the Internet ...Questions & Advice for US Congress Internet Caucus: Live ...Harmonization Across the Global Internet ...Black Letter Law & Blue Ribbon Rights: Internet Civil Liberties ...Alternative Dispute Resolution via the Internet ...Net Crime Report from US Dept. of Justice ...Internet Technology Break Throughs Especially for Professionals ...Intranets in Corporate Legal Departments ...New Directions in Electronic Commerce ...Intellectual Property Adventures on the Internet ...Netiquette, Etiquette, & Ethics ...The Futurists Look at the Internet, the Law, & You WHAT GEORGE GILDER SAID AT INTERNET LAW SYMPOSIUM 95... As Forbes ASAP contributing editor, George Gilder, noted at last year's INTERNET LAW SYMPOSIUM: "In the future, virtually, all law will be Internet law in one way or another ... Law is an information business, and like all other informational businesses, it will be transformed." For the sake of your company or profession, by attending ILS96 you can do your part to make sure that the information/communication transformation works for you and your interests! REGISTRATION FEE The cost of the program is $345 per person with advanced registration paid on or before August 20, 1996. After August 20, the fee is $395. SEPTEMBER 9-10 SEATTLE UNIVERSITY USA http://www.internetlaw.org ils96@internetlaw.org Name___________________________________________________________________ Firm/Company___________________________________________________________ Practice_______________________________________________________________ Address________________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip_________________________________________________________ Tel____________________________Fax_____________________________________ WWW____________________________E-Mail__________________________________ PAYMENT INFORMATION: Charge: __Visa __MasterCard #________________________________________________ Exp.Dat __ __ __ __ *Essential Information* Street Address of Cardholder_________________________________________________ CANCELLATION/REFUND POLICY: Cancellations must be made in writing. All refunds are based on U.S. Postmark date of written notice. Cancellations postmarked on or before August 10, 1996, receive full refund less $50 processing fee. No refunds will begiven after August 20, 1996. Substitutions are allowed when notice of such presented in writing. By my signature below, I hereby authorize ILS 96 to debit my credit card for the total amount. I have read and understand the terms and conditions of this registration agreement. ________________________________Date___________________Total $_______________ (Signature) ________________________________________________ ------------------------------ Date: Thu, 15 Aug 96 17:04:50 CDT From: Clive Dawson Subject: Destiny Telecomm Spam Hi Pat, I just got spammed by somebody representing Destiny Telecomm International which is apparently in the business of reselling prepaid calling cards. Apparently you can sign up to be one of their "agents", and then you get to sign up still more agents, etc. Of course it's not long before one or more of them resorts to spamming. Have you heard of this outfit before? I would be VERY surprised if you haven't already been asked to publish this drek in the Digest. Cheers and congrats on getting to year 15! Clive Dawson [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Yes, I've heard of Destiny and I get their junkmail now and then ... every couple weeks or so. What you say is true; its just another MLM scheme with lots of spamming and junkmailing to the net as part of the process. Thanks for your kind note of encouragement on the latest anniversary here. PAT] ------------------------------ From: Glenn Kurtzrock Subject: Inbound Call Blocker Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 01:49:24 -0400 Organization: PANIX Public Access Internet and Unix, NYC Hello, I was wondering if someone could help me out. I'm trying to find a place that sells inbound call blockers (you may know it by a different name). What it is, is a device which you hook up to your phone line, and when anyone calls you a recording asks them to enter a code. If they type in the correct code the phone rings, if they don't it hangs up on them. This obviously is a fantastic way to eliminate unsolicited telemarketers, wrong numbers, crank calls, etc. I've spoken to several electronic retail outlets and a few of them said they sold these years ago (one said they ran out a few months ago). I would figure an item like this would be very popular (one place told me it was only about $45). I have been looking for this for some time, if anyone knows where I might be able to get one, please let me know, it would be much appreciated. Thanks! ------------------------------ From: glosys@valleynet.com (Eberhard Weber) Subject: Agis - Formerly Net99 Performance Date: 15 Aug 1996 15:31:28 -0700 Organization: Research Project On Global Systems My service provider uses Agis, formerly net99, and the performance of Agis is pathetic, to be generous in my choice of terms. Invariably, if traffic slows down or is interrupted, it is due to Agis. Does anyone else share this experience? I am puzzled that a company is allowed to remain part of the internet communication links when its performance is routinely far below acceptable standards. Your experiences/impressions would be appreciated. Eberhard Weber glosys@psnw.com Research Project On Global Systems ------------------------------ Subject: Need Simple Phone Line Tester Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 23:09:17 -0700 From: Dave Close I've looked through a few catalogs but I haven't found what I really need. We have quite a few users with portable PCs using PC-Card modems in strange locations daily. All too frequently, they connect those modems to digital phone lines and then get very upset when their calls don't go through. Sometimes they destroy the modems. What I'd like is a simple test tool they could use to verify that the phone line is appropriate and working before they connect their modem. I know that a handset connector device would solve the problem. But in a portable world, carrying a separate power supply, indeed carrying anything more than a three-inch line cord with a green light at one end, just wouldn't get done. I don't need a solution for a permanent location, I need a test that can be performed in a minute or less. And, of course, price is important; I suspect such a device should be possible for less than ten dollars. Any suggestions? Dave Close, Compata, Costa Mesa CA dave@compata.com, +1 714 434 7359 dhclose@alumni.caltech.edu ------------------------------ From: jdearing@netaxs.com (John Dearing) Subject: Re: What is Davar? Date: 15 Aug 1996 17:06:32 GMT Organization: Philadelphia's Complete Internet Provider Tad Cook (tad@ssc.com) wrote: > In GTE territory east of Seattle, you can dial 411 (which was retired > about a quarter century ago as the directory assistance number) and > get a computer voice which reads back the number you are calling from. > If you dial # before the voice starts, then it reads back the number > in the form of a rapid DTMF sequence. > I've heard this system is called DAVAR. What is it used for? I can > understand how the voice announcement could be useful for pair > identification, but exactly how is the DTMF readback of the calling > number used? DAVAR is used by the Telco to verify what is actually on each pair. The results are then passed on to folks that compare the DAVAR records with the mechanized database. Discrepancies are then corrected in the mechanized databse. This is a quick way to verify large numbers of pairs that appear at places like SAI (Serving Area Interface) boxes and large DC terminals in businesses. There are plenty of opportunities for discrepancies to creep in to the databases placing the database "out of sync" with the Real World. 'Fer instance ... It's late in the afternoon and pouring rain. You just fixed a customers trouble by dropping the "out pair" at a SAI. Everything is OK now and you head off to the C.O. to dry off and give the updated information to the inside forces. You call and call but can't get through because there are too few inside folks for the call volumes. It's getting late and it's time to start heading back to the garage to drop off the truck and go home. Back at the garage you make one last try to get through ... no luck. You make a mental note to call back again on Monday but forget. And so it goes ... (Been there, done that) John Dearing : Philadelphia Area Computer Society IBM SIG President Email : jdearing@netaxs.com U.S.Snail : 46 Oxford Drive, Langhorne PA 19047 (USA) Voice Phone : +1.215.757.8803 (after 5pm Eastern) ------------------------------ From: Mickey Ferguson Subject: Re: PBXs and Year 2000 Problems Date: Thu, 15 Aug 1996 10:18:56 -0700 Organization: Stac, Inc. John G. Brouwer wrote: > My question for all of your wise and knowledgeable readers/ > participants is this: > Will the "year 2000 issue" which is reported to be threatening so many > mainframes, workstations and PCs also have an impact on PBXs or other > telephone equipment ? Short answer: Absolutely! When I worked for Rolm, we had even talked about this issue back at least four years ago. We knew it was coming, and were putting plans into place to deal with it. But let's face it; some companies keep their equipment in place for many years, so a PBX which was built in 1992 may still be in service, yet never dealt with the issue. Every company with their own equipment (not under a maintenance contract which would / should cover this) will have to deal with it. Typical issues that are affected are things like Call Detail Recording (Rolm's term, maybe not industry-wide), where they make a record of all calls made. Basically, just about any statistics gathering will be affected, and PBXes have many areas where they gather and analyze stats that have time and date impact. Note that I no longer work for Rolm and obviously have no official word from them. ------------------------------ From: jailbait@asylum.apocalypse.org (Jailbait) Subject: Re: Voicemail and Unix Date: 15 Aug 1996 12:55:22 -0400 Organization: JB Distribution Uninc. Reply-To: jailbait@apocalypse.org Ed James (edjames@migration.com) wrote: > Has anyone had any experience hooking a unix box up to a > vociemail system that isn't designed for it? > If I could hook the unix box up to the parallel port of the > Startalk, and if I could convince the startalk to generate > reports on a daily basis (or more frequently), I could parse > the report on the unix side, and generate the required > voicemail. Not that it's acutually helpful in this instance, but FYI: If you want to consider changing voicemail systems to Meridian Mail, I know that the controling hardware/software behind the system is a HP/UX box. In your case, you may want to badger your verdor for as much technical information as possible, wherein you may find out that the underlying hardware is already something much more useful than you thought. My big switch question is: WHY haven't they built TCP/IP support into phone switches yet? With a little bit of work you could make a secure system that could be programmed from the office of the person who does the programming work and not just from a dedicated terminal in the same room with the switch. Hell, at a very very minimum, I want NTP (Network Time Protocol) support built in. Having to reset the time and date manaually on my (well, my (previous) company's (previous)) switch everytime power went out or such, and having to check it regularly for drift when we had a perfectly good ntp server sitting ten feet away from the switch was always really annoying. JB ------------------------------ Date: 15 Aug 96 13:00:10 EDT From: Michael N. Marcus <74774.2166@CompuServe.COM> Subject: Re: What is a Panasonic 12/32 Worth? > I have a Panasonic PBX that is a 12/32 (but configured as an 8/32) > that I want to sell, and am curious what it is worth. It is mfg'd in > Dec. 94, and was lightly used between 1/95 and 3/96. I think we paid > about $2700 for it. Any suggestions as to how I can find out the > going price for this item would be appreciated (and any offers will be > considered). The price you get will depend on how close to the "end-user" you can sell it. If you can sell directly to an end-user, you should be able to get 60-80% of what you paid. If you sell to a dealer, probably 40 - 50% of what you paid. If you sell to a wholesale distributor (or "refurbisher"), who sells to dealers, you might get only 25-30% of what you paid. You did not indicate whether this is the analog or digital 1232. There is currently much less market for the analog 1232. My company (Able Communications, Inc.) specializes in Panasonic KX-T systems. Our Website has a "flea market" page, with free classified ads for people who want to sell used equipment. There is no charge for a listing, and we don't make any money on the sale. Take a look at www.ablecomm.comm, and send email if you want to list your system. Good luck, Michael N. Marcus Able Communications, Inc. 74774.2166@compuserve.cpm www.ablecomm.com ------------------------------ From: MarvinDemuth@worldnet.att.net (Marvin Demuth) Subject: Re: Wireless Satellite Communication - A Challenge Date: 15 Aug 1996 14:18:30 GMT Organization: AT&T WorldNet Services Earlier I wrote: > WHAT WE NEED: > We need facilities, preferably involving satellite communication with > voice, fax and email capabilities, at low cost. I have seen figures > from $1.49 to $9.00 per minute on the Web for satellite service. We > need something better than this. We need to be spending our funds on > drilling wells and providing medical care for people who have no > resources. Preferably, we need to be able to operate at both ends with > non-licensed operators, just the same as it would be if we were making > a telephone call. Mark Rivers confirmed the cost of INMARSAT-M at $4.50 (US) and wrote: > A cheaper alternative would be using an MSAT which provides coverage > over North and Central America. Currently the system offers voice and > data capabilities but does not offer fax. The fax capability should > be out soon but do not hold your breath. Cost for this system is > approximately $4K US for the equipment (+ or - $1K depending on the > model) and airtime rates vary but range between $1.55 - $2.75 per > minute CANADIAN. I am not sure how the rates and billing proceedures > work in the states. Can anyone give their experience with MSAT from the US to the Caribbean area? Can anyone give me by posting or e-mail the best rates available in the US for this service? Does anyone know of any special MSAT arrangements that can be made for organizations engaged in humanitarian work? Marvin Demuth ------------------------------ From: ronnie@twitch.mit.edu (Ron Schnell) Subject: Re: End of Permissive Dialing in 954 Date: 15 Aug 1996 12:33:40 GMT Organization: MIT In article wes.leatherock@hotelcal. com (Wes Leatherock) writes: > Some customers (by far the vast majority) are not like the people in > this newsgroup and are very concerned to know when they are dialing a > toll call. Your sarcastic generalization is misplaced. How does allowing customers to dial 1 before any ten digit number prohibit this? If you want to know if it is a toll call, don't dial 1. If the call goes through, it isn't a toll call. It would be the same as it is now. The only difference is that software and people who expect to be able to dial 1 would be able to. If you had read previous posts, it would be obvious that "people in this newsgroup" don't want to prohibit what you are looking for. Ron ronnie@space.mit.edu ------------------------------ From: gws@monroe.cb.att.com (Gary Sanders) Subject: Re: ISDN D-Channel Data and Internet Voice Date: 15 Aug 1996 12:41:55 GMT Organization: AT&T Bell Labs, Columbus Ohio. Reply-To: gary.w.sanders@att.com In article is noted: > Ameritech has D channel packet service available, and you can access > thier WEB page for pricing and other specifics. However, I don't think > you'll be able to use the Dx.25 service for voice calls, internet or > not. They may have it but it doesnt go anywhere outside ameritech as of a few months ago. Gary W. Sanders (N8EMR) gws@sunray.cb.att.com AT&T Columbus,Ohio 614-860-5965 ------------------------------ From: Craig Morton Subject: Re: USA Technology is Awfully Backward Date: Fri, 16 Aug 1996 14:51:38 -0700 Organization: Communications Engineer / Moving Data P/L Reply-To: cmorton@ozemail.com.au Demian Vieira de Souza wrote: > On the other hand the use of measurements is particular to the field > of work you are in. For example aviation uses "feet", particularly > "thousands of feet" worldwide (according to some pilots I know). And > we techies all over the world do have an affinity for those darn 1's > and 0's we call "bits." So it is all relative. I believe its feet for vertical, metres for horizontal - standardization at work. Do you count your bits from the left or right? Ha Ha Craig ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of public service systems and networks including Compuserve and America On Line. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. Subscriptions are available to qualified organizations and individual readers. Write and tell us how you qualify: * ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu * The Digest is edited, published and compilation-copyrighted by Patrick Townson of Skokie, Illinois USA. You can reach us by postal mail, fax or phone at: Post Office Box 4621 Skokie, IL USA 60076 Phone: 847-329-0571 Fax: 847-329-0572 ** Article submission address: ptownson@massis.lcs.mit.edu Our archives are located at mirror.lcs.mit.edu. The URL is: http://mirror.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives They can also be accessed using anonymous ftp: ftp mirror.lcs.mit.edu/telecom-archives/archives A third method is the Telecom Email Information Service: Send a note to tel-archives@mirror.lcs.mit.edu to receive a help file for using this method or write me and ask for a copy of the help file for the Telecom Archives. ************************************************************************* * TELECOM Digest is partially funded by a grant from the * * International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in Geneva, Switzerland * * under the aegis of its Telecom Information Exchange Services (TIES) * * project. Views expressed herein should not be construed as represent-* * ing views of the ITU. * ************************************************************************* Finally, the Digest is funded by gifts from generous readers such as yourself who provide funding in amounts deemed appropriate. Your help is important and appreciated. A suggested donation of twenty dollars per year per reader is considered appropriate. See our address above. All opinions expressed herein are deemed to be those of the author. Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. ------------------------------ End of TELECOM Digest V16 #416 ******************************