TELECOM Digest     Tue, 4 Jan 94 20:10:30 CST    Volume 14 : Issue 4

Inside This Issue:                        Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Sprint Response to MCI Announcement (John D. Gretzinger)
    Magazine Telemarketers From (Heck) (Andrew C. Green)
    Book Review: "Kermit: a File Transfer Protocol" by Da Cruz (Rob Slade)
    Need Help Wiring OLD Extension Phone to Modern System (Rob Levandowski)
    Old AT&T/Wsetern Electric Documents (George Thurman)
    TasCom Managers, etc. Sought (Scott Sanbeg)
    NBC Computer Series (Barry Mishkind)
    SWBMS to Reduce Roam Rates! (Mark W. Earle)
    Fundraising/Saving Program (Steve Freedkin)

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From: JOHN.D.GRETZINGER@sprint.sprint.com
Date: 4 Jan 94 19:18:24-0500
Subject: Sprint Response to MCI Announcement 


Passed along for your enjoyment.

John D. Gretzinger

Sprint doesn't speak for me, and I don't speak for them.

  <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<forwarded announcement>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

  Forwarded message from PC SprintMail:

          STATEMENT FROM WILLIAM T. ESREY, SPRINT CHAIRMAN & CEO
            IN RESPONSE TO MCI "NETWORK CATCH-UP" ANNOUNCEMENT
    
      "Sprint is not at all surprised by MCI's network catch-up 
    announcement.  More than a year ago, Sprint announced its 
    broadband network plans to deploy SONET and ATM.  We were the 
    first to offer commercial ATM service in August 1993.  We continue 
    to have the most modern network and remain as the only 
    100 percent digital, fiber-optic long distance carrier. 
    
      "MCI is very good at packaging announcements that make 
    mountains out of molehills.   Sprint hopes the public will take 
    this latest ploy for what it is -- a slick admission of being 
    behind in terms of technology deployment.
    
      "On the other hand, MCI's foray into local access has some 
    merit.  Sprint long has endorsed expanded local competition and 
    believes MCI's efforts may be one in a long series of steps 
    necessary before local competition will exist.
    
    
    Network Upgrades
  
      "We agree with MCI that it's going to take a lot of people 
    working together to build the information superhighway.  Sprint 
    welcomes MCI and others aboard this significant effort. 
    
      "An important first step in the investment in the National 
    Information Infrastructure is the development and expansion of the 
    network.  
    
      "We announced our strategic vision for our advanced network a 
    year and a half ago and are the only carrier implementing a 
    broadband data strategy.  We were also the first carrier to 
    announce plans for SONET, which we revealed over a year ago.  
    Since that time, we have moved from opening up pipes, which is the 
    basis of today's announcement, to the many exciting applications 
    that are driving the National Information Infrastructure concept.  
    
      "The examples are numerous.  For example, our InterNet 
    capabilities are unrivaled.  Sprint offers the most widespread 
    Internet connectivity through SprintLink(R) network -- the first 
    and only TCP/IP network service for commercial and government 
    Internet users to be offered by a carrier.  This service has 
    expanded to offer international connections and forms the core of 
    the global Internet, with two-thirds of the international Internet 
    traffic to and from the United States being carried on SprintLink.  
    This service originated from a cooperative agreement between 
    Sprint and the National Science Foundation to provide 
    international InterNet connections to the domestic InterNet.
    
      "Sprint has been and continues to be the leader in 
    introducing leading edge technologies, which are the 'building 
    blocks' of the information superhighway, to the marketplace.  We 
    led the industry by being the first major long distance company to 
    deploy frame relay, and we have more frame relay customers than 
    any of our competitors.  We were also the first to deploy ATM 
    service and our first customer turned up service last year.
    
      "Our leadership in this key technology has been widely 
    recognized -- most recently by the government by being selected to 
    provide ESNet for the Department of Energy and NASA -- because of 
    our unique ability to offer ATM.  
    
      "That recognition as the technology leader in ATM extends to 
    the telecom industry, as well as the academic and government 
    communities, by being the only company selected to provide ATM for 
    the National Information Infrastructure Testbed.  NIIT is a 
    consortium of business, government and academic leaders working 
    together to speed the delivery of the information highway. 
    
      "Our ATM leadership, in conjunction with our 1993 deployment 
    of SONET, will ensure that Sprint continues to build on its 
    reputation as the advanced networking leader. 
    
    Local Access
  
      "The virtual monopoly that exists today in local access is 
    troublesome for the long distance industry.  Currently, more than 
    99 percent of long distance traffic originates and terminates over 
    facilities owned by local telephone companies, principally the 
    Regional Bell Operating Companies.  Long distance competitors are 
    at the mercy of local telcos, since they are the only way to reach 
    our customers.  Today, about 45 percent of the cost to carry a 
    long distance call is a direct payment to the local telephone 
    company for the 'last mile' connection. 
    
      "Sprint has been an advocate of expanded competition in local 
    access primarily because of the excessive cost of access charged 
    by the RBOCs in their respective operating areas.  
    
      "MCI's plan to build local access networks in major 
    metropolitan areas could be another step toward local competition.  
    Competition will not happen overnight, however.  It took more than 
    15 years of  constant litigation and ultimately the breakup of the 
    Bell System before competing carriers were  able to establish a 
    meaningful presence in long distance.  The local monopolies of the 
    RBOCs are at least as strong as the monopoly enjoyed by Bell in 
    long distance prior to divestiture.
    
      "MCI's plans, no matter how grand, should be viewed much the 
    same as the plans for local access that have been announced by 
    cable television, cellular and PCS providers -- positively, but 
    without expectations of near-term impact.
    
      "The issue of RBOC entry into the interexchange market does 
    not change with MCI's plans.  True competition for local access is 
    still many years away.  Until there is actual and effective 
    competition in the local loop and the bottleneck is broken, the 
    RBOCs should not be allowed to act as both competitors and virtual 
    sole source access providers to long distance carriers.  When the 
    means and opportunity for the RBOCs to discriminate against long 
    distance competitors is lifted through competitive local access, 
    then, and only then, should the restrictions on the Bell companies 
    be lifted." 
    
    Jan. 4, 1994

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 4 Jan 1994 10:33:40 CST
From: "Andrew C. Green" <ACG@HERMES.DLOGICS.COM>
Subject: Magazine Telemarketers From (Heck)


As a member of what are apparently some very popular demographic
categories, I get a constant stream of telemarketing calls. Most are
semi-intelligent types who drop the effort when we decline the offer,
but recently we've had a string of bozos all originating from one
source, and before I go on the attack, I thought I'd poll the forum
here for anyone else who's had the same experience.

I recently renewed my subscription to "Car and Driver" magazine, a
publication boasting circulation of something like 1.1 million, if
memory serves. At about the same time, I received a call from a true
whacko who thanked me for resubscribing to C&D, then offered me one of
those multi-magazine subscriptions where they quote you a low weekly
rate (failing to mention that the monthly charge is higher than
individual subscriptions direct from the actual publishers), plus a
set of Ginsu steak knives. Yes, really. He got insulting when I
pointed out that his math didn't add up and that Car and Driver
probably did not appreciate his trying to sell "Road and Track"
subscriptions from their mailing list.

Last night I got another call from a girl who also thanked me for
my C&D subscription, then tried desperately to foist a 16.9% Visa
card at me. No, thank you, said I. "But it's pre-approved!" she
shrieked, apparently not aware that gainfully-employed people get 
those things all the time.  ;-)

Not _two_ _hours_ later, an elderly lady from "DialAmerica Marketing"
called. You guessed it: she thanked me for my Car & Driver
subscription, and would I like to extend it at the 1993 rate? She
disavowed any knowledge of the preceding Froot Loops, which I sort of
believed, as it appears that Car & Driver has painted my phone number
on an expressway overpass somewhere, and promised to relocate my
number to their "Do Not Call" list. Nevertheless, this magazine has
far surpassed all others on my Telemarketing Annoyance scale, and
before I start complaining to the magazine, I'd be interested in
hearing from any other TELECOM Digest/Car and Driver subscribers who
have experienced the same thing. E-mail is fine; I'll submit any
interesting followup news in the future.


Andrew C. Green
Datalogics, Inc.           Internet: acg@dlogics.com
441 W. Huron               UUCP: ..!uunet!dlogics!acg
Chicago, IL  60610-3498    FAX: (312) 266-4473

------------------------------

Date:  4 Jan 94 14:59 -0600
From: Rob Slade <roberts@decus.arc.ab.ca>
Subject: Book Review: "Kermit: a File Transfer Protocol" by Da Cruz


BKKERMIT.RVW  931123
 
Digital Press
PO Box 3027
One Burlington Woods Drive
Burlington, MA   01803-9593
800-DIGITAL (800-344-4825)

"Kermit: a File Transfer Protocol", da Cruz, 1987
KERMIT@CUVMA.BITNET fdc@watsun.cc.columbia.edu
 
It may be that Kermit is popular because it is a robust file transfer
protocol suitable for almost any line or network conditions.  It may
be that Kermit is popular because it is available for pretty much any
computer you can name (and a bunch that you can't).  It may be that
Kermit is popular because it is free.  Or, it may be that Kermit is
popular because of the (written) communications skills of Christine
Gianone and Frank da Cruz.
 
As Kermit is both protocol and communications program, so this book is
an introduction to computer communications, protocol specification,
introduction to the Kermit implementations and programmers' reference
guide, all rolled into one.  An ambitious task, but one handled with
grace and skill, in this instance.
 
Part one gives us the basics of the development of Kermit and of data
communications from the user's perspective.  This confirms that, yes,
the name was inspired by the Jim Henson muppet character (or, more
exactly, by a Muppets wall calendar).  One hopes that Jim Henson
approves of this memorial.  Chapter two does not get into exhaustive
detail on computer (mostly PC) communications, but does cover the
fundamental steps and needs with more brevity, completeness and wit
than one sees in many works intended for the mass market.  (I am sorry
to see the confusion of "baud" and "bits per second", although the two
terms are correctly defined in the glossary.)
 
Part two gives us two primers; one on computers and data files, and
the other on data communications.  The section is well named.  Both
chapters are easily understood by the novice and provide the minimum
necessary information to proceed from.  Excellent pieces, both of
them.
 
Part three is an introduction to using Kermit.  Chapter five describes
a set of the most commonly used commands, including an introduction to
the simplest login scripts.  Chapter six discusses common problems
while seven deals with the possibly thorny issue of getting Kermit
into your machine in the first place.  Included in this last chapter
is a BASIC source code program for a "read only" Kermit protocol for
downloading files.
 
Part four is a guide to writing a Kermit implementation.  Quite a
complete guide: not only does it give you the protocol specification
(which is still *the* protocol specification) but also optional
features, advanced options and even tips on programming style.
Appendices give you the bulk of the Kermit source code (in C), a
command summary, packet summary, the ASCII character set and a
discussion of binary, octal and hexadecimal numbers and notation.
 
If you want to build your own implementation of Kermit, this is the
book for you.  If you care nothing for programming, and have only
bought your computer in order to "get online", this is the book for
you, too.  (Be sure to get "Using MS-DOS Kermit," too.)  (cf.
BKUMSKMT.RVW) For those in between, this is an excellent resource to
have around to answer those "how does <INSERT NAME OF DATA COMM TOPIC
HERE> work?" type questions.


copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   BKKERMIT.RVW  931123
Permission granted to distribute with unedited copies of the TELECOM
Digest and associated newsgroups/mailing lists.

DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer ROBERTS@decus.ca, RSlade@sfu.ca, Rob Slade at 1:153/733
DECUS Symposium '94, Vancouver, BC, Mar 1-3, 1994, contact: rulag@decus.ca

------------------------------

From: rlvd_cif@uhura.cc.rochester.edu (Rob Levandowski)
Subject: Need Help Wiring OLD Extension Phone to Modern System
Organization: University of Rochester - Rochester, New York
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 94 22:38:20 GMT


Hi!

I have an antique extension phone that I'd like to connect to my phone
system. It's a small black desk set, with no dial, but there is a
blank for one. On the back, below the hook, is stamped the legend "D1
USA".  Inside, "K-7" is stamped into the metal and "IV 37" is printed
in red paint.  The handset is labelled "Western Electric [tm etc] E1".
The cord from handset to base is fabric-sheathed, and contains three
rubber-sheathed wires: red, white, and black. Inside, the hook
operates two leaf switches.  The black and white wires are each
attached to just one of the two leaf switches; i.e., black to one
switch, white to the other. The red wire is attached to a terminal by
itself. The line cord is missing; the empty terminals on the switches
are marked for green (GN) and yellow (Y) wire.

I don't want to add a ringer or a dial; I'd simply like to be able to
use this phone to answer a call when I hear another phone ringing. If
anyone can tell me what I need to do to connect this to a modern phone
system, I'd sure appreciate it -- and so would my mother! :)

Please cc: replies to macwhiz@cif.rochester.edu; I am on vacation and
won't be reading news often, but email will get forwarded to someplace I
can reach it! :)


Rob Levandowski
Computer Interest Floor associate / University of Rochester
macwhiz@cif.rochester.edu

------------------------------

From: gst@gagme.wwa.com (George Thurman)
Subject: Old AT&T/Wsetern Electric Documents
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 1994 05:37:18 CST


Here is a message I saw on Fidonet that I thought TELECOM Digest
readers would find of interest.

                     *********************** 

Msg#:14544 *SHORTWAVE*
07-25-93 21:37:00
From: DON KIMBERLIN
  To: ALL
Subj: AT&T INFO ON-LINE

It's fairly often that someone comes across an old bit of Western
Electric-made equipment from the heyday of the Olde Bell System, and
lacks the needed drawings or instructions to try to make use of it.
Perhaps the most common old items we hear people asking about are the
old 1A Key Telephone Systems using 26-pair cable to hook the telephone
sets up to their common equipment cabinets in a wide variety of
configurations.  Or, perhaps there are items of how things like
managing trouble reports in telecommunications systems are handled, or
what _are_ all those abbreviations and acronyms used by telephone
companies?

Or, perhaps you even need documentation for something newer, like a
3B2 minicomputer or a System 75 or 85 PBX ... or maybe you have a
strange "data set" with a nomenclature like 201C or 2048, and would
like to know if you can make use of it.

There _is_ a repository of much of this information that's often
handed down verbally or misquoted from memory.  Today's name for it is
the AT&T Customer Information Center, and it's located in Indianapolis, 
Indiana.

You can telephone (800) 432-6600 or (317) 322-6484 to get telephone
assistance from the AT&T CIC staff, and place orders with them for
publications to help you, and there's now an on-line searchable link
to their catalog, so you can browse as you will at any hour of the day
or night through all their many years of material.  Here's some text
from their announcement of the AT&T CIC on-line offering:

     "INTRODUCING THE MOST COMPLETE CATALOG OF AT&T DOCUMENTS

        AT&T's Customer Information Center (CIC) now offers a free
on-line catalog where you can locate and order from over 380,000
documents using your PC terminal.

        Find documents using key word, title, subject or document
number.  Then use the on-line order form for simple and quick
service!

        Access the CIC database using the directions below, then
simply follow the prompts:

AT&T Datakit Users                      Dial-Up Users
At the "destination" prompt, enter:     Telephone Sue Rea at
426/813/nik1.telnet..sunids             317-322-6491
                                        for instructions and
                                        a logon ID and password.

              THROUGH THE CIC CATALOG YOU CAN LOCATE:
        o AT&T Plant and Engineering Practices o Product Manuals
        o User Guides o Installation and Service Manuals
        o Books o Brochures o Catalogs o Product Bulletins
        o Handbooks o Newsletters o Training Materials
        o Engineering Drawings o Technical Bulletins
        o Product Specifications o Administrative Forms
        o Employee Benefit Literature
        o International Telephone Directories

        Questions regarding the CIC catalog should be directed to
Brenda Oeff at 317-322-6626."

Origin: Borderline! BBS Kannapolis,N.C. (704) 938-6207  (1:379 (1:379/37.0)

                        -----------------

GEORGE S. THURMAN   (312) 509-6308   gst@wwa.com   

------------------------------

From: ssanbeg@hebron.connected.com (Scott Sanbeg)
Subject: TasCom Managers, etc. Sought
Date: Tue, 4 Jan 1994 14:40:24 -0800
Organization: Connected INC -- Internet Services Provider


Hello all,

We are using two TasCOM systems to provide call-center services to our
client base. I am searching for other users/managers of this system,
and any info on user groups, periodicals, internals and so forth on
the machine. Please email if interested.


Scott Sanbeg    Computer Systems Engineer, Seattle, WA
ssanbeg@hebron.connected.com

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 04 Jan 94 10:52 MST
From: barry@coyote.datalog.com (barry mishkind)
Subject: NBC Computer Series


Last week NBC did a series of reports on the "Information Superhighway."

A couple of things I noticed:

1. The address for the broadcast is nightly@nbc.com

2. During the report on voice recognition, the filming was done at a 
   'state-of-the-art voice recognition company'. The man demonstrating
   the system was dictating something about sending information 
   " ... on voice mail ..." Sure ... the crt printed out " ... envoy
   smell".      Really.
  
Do you suppose this was a poke at the State Department?


Barry

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 4 Jan 94 17:39 EST
From: Mark W. Earle <0006127039@mcimail.com>
Subject: SWBMS to Reduce Roam Rates!


Enclosed with my cellular bill from Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems,
Corpus Christi, TX was the usual glossy newsletter.  Of interest:
 
Now it is more convenient and more economical to take your cellular
phone with you when you're traveling. SWBMS is working iwth other
cellular companies to give you lower roaming rates in over 350
markets, or approximately 25% of all cellular markets.
 
Beginning in December, cellular companies will begin lowering roaming
rates in two ways. First, the daily charges will be eliminated and
second, the per minute rate will be reduced. You will save money based
on the amount of roaming that you do. For example, if you travel to a
market where the daily charge is $3/day and .75/min, you'll receive a
tremendous savings.
 
(Note: I'd be happy while roaming, with zero daily fee and any airtime
rate < $1/min. This looks pretty good)
 
SWBMS customers currently enjoy reduced roaming rates throughout
Texas. When you are traveling in the Lone Star Cellular Network, you
already pay a reduced rate of only .50/min. The LSCN is an exclusive
service of SWBMS (Note: In GTE cities, Houston and Austin, the rate
charged by GTE is .40/min. Although "exclusive" to SWBMS, Texas GTE
MobilNet customers are also part of the LSCN for billing purposes when
they roam in SWBMS cities. mwe)
 
Through these agreements, you will enjoy the added benefit of using
your cellular phone while traveling (Cynical note: We'll make even
more monies!) and you will see what an added value a cellular phone
can be. And you can be sure SWBMS will continue to lead the way by
providing even better service to our coustomers. (OK, when is seamless
roaming for the 'B' side coming? When will my features, forwarding,
voice mail, etc. work while I'm roaming?)
 
(Note: Any month there is roaming billed, a $3 "roamer admin fee" is
added to the bill. With GTE, it's cheaper than roaming in SWBMS nearby
systems, strangely. No list of cities comprising the 350 markets was
provided).
 
Typos my own: SWBMS always spelled out, I abbreviated it.
Likewise LSCN.


mwearle@mcimail.com

------------------------------

Date: Tue, 4 Jan 1994 23:56:14 -0800
From: Steve Freedkin <sfreedkin@igc.apc.org>
Subject: Fundraising/Saving Program


MONEY SAVING & RAISING OPPORTUNITY

Hello, and happy new year! --

I want to let you know about an opportunity for organizations and
individuals to save 10% on all their long-distance calling, and
organizations to raise money with minimal cost and no obligation.

The deregulation of long-distance telephone service created many
opportunities, including this one, which should be of interest to
those who follow telecommunications developments.

   |   * GUARANTEED! 10% SAVINGS ON ALL LONG-DISTANCE CALLS   |
   |   * 5% OF YOUR CALLING BENEFITS NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION   |

I used to be director of a local nonprofit peace resource center that
raised money through a service that saved our constituents money *and*
generated royalties for us.

The program is a long-distance telephone service that was started in
1990 to benefit nonprofits.  The company, Affinity Fund, gives each
customer rates *guaranteed* to be below whatever the person is
currently paying for long distance, and at the same time gives the
nonprofit that signs up the customer a 5-percent royalty on that
person's long-distance usage every month.

(Affinity arranges for the actual service to be provided by one of the
nation's foremost long-distance carriers, so there's no difference in
service quality.)

Groups that are raising money this way now include schools, Central
America support groups, community radio stations, Sister Cities
programs, local and national peace groups (War Resisters League is
one), nonprofit community newspapers and media services, etc.

If you'd like information about Affinity please contact me and I'll
pass it along.  Or, please pass this note on to the appropriate
person.  Let me know whether you're interested as a customer who'd
like to save 10% on all your long-distance; representing a nonprofit
that might like to raise money using this method; or both.

         |    If you *aren't* interested please ignore    |
         |    this message, and accept my best wishes.    |

Thanks for your attention, and have a safe and prosperous 1994!


Peace,

Steve Freedkin          Email:  sfreedkin@igc.apc.org
P.O. Box 91817          Phone:  805/682-9986
Santa Barbara,          Recorded message (3 minutes): 805/569-0983
   CA 93190-1817           Explains Affinity Fund, Available 24 hours


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I'm happy to pass along Steve's message
even though as all regular readers here know, I do the very same thing
myself where this Digest is concerned. Orange Calling Card royalties
along with Telepassport royalties help in a small way to offset the cost
of producing this Digest each day. The 'affinity' method of selling long
distance phone service is an approach which has helped many non-profit
organizations in the past three years since it was conceived.   PAT]

------------------------------

End of TELECOM Digest V14 #4
****************************



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