TELECOM Digest     Mon, 8 Nov 93 21:08:45 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 746

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A.Townson

   Re: VCR Plus+ Codes (Barrey Jewall)
   Re: VCR Plus+ Codes (Robert Cohen)
   Re: Sri Lanka is Joining the Internet (Lars Poulsen)
   Re: Sri Lanka is Joining the Internet (Olivier MJ Crepin-Leblond)
   Re: Sri Lanka is Joining the Internet (Dale Williams)
   Re: The Modem Tax Scare ... Again (John R. Levine)
   Re: Dialing From the UK With Sprint (Alan Hales)
   Re: Dialing From the UK With Sprint (Garrett Wollman)
   Re: Don't Overlook Smaller Long Distance Companies! (Clarence Dold)
   Re: Don't Overlook Smaller Long Distance Companies! (Jack Decker)
   Re: Don't Overlook Smaller Long Distance Companies! (Bob Schwartz)
   Re: Great Lakes Long Distance (Ken Hoehn)
   PC Pursuit no Longer Accepting New Users (Dan Goemon)
   Looking For Automatic File Transfer/Software Distribution Program (T. Hull)
   Looking For Docs on 'SATCOM 1-4 SYSTEM' Home Exchange (Koos van den Hout)
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From: [email protected] (Barrey Jewall)
Subject: Re: VCR Plus+ Codes
Organization: Novell, Inc.
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1993 00:06:27 GMT


In <[email protected]> [email protected] (Alan Larson)
writes:

> For those in US:
> wuarchive.wustl.edu in /usenet/alt.sources/articles/7020.Z

I ftp'd this, and compiled it with no problems.

Subject to its limits, it works well.

I enclose part of the readme.txt file, for your edification:

| There are a few weak spots in these programs.
|
|    1.  They only work for the usual kinds of tv shows,
|           a.  Must start on an even half-hour or hour
|           b.  Must end on an even half-hour or hour
|
|    2.  They only handle VCRPLUS code values that are 1-6 digits
|           long (these are the ones that start and end on
|           half-hour or hour boundaries)
|
|    3.  Both programs ask for today's date.  They should
|           instead get this from the computer itself but that is
|           too much involved with O/S details.
|
|    4.  Integers are used everywhere, even for time_of_day.
|           a.  You need to use a 32-bit computer
|           b.  So, nine o clock at night, comes out 2100
|
|    5.  The VCRPLUS hardware uses "channel mapping" for
|           channel numbers above 19, and for cable tv stations.
|           Just decode some VCRPLUS code numbers from each unusual
|           channel and get the "mapped channel" numbers.  For
|           example in this area the VCRPLUS people have
|           mapped cable station ESPN to "channel 22".

Bah

Barrey Jewall - Network Admin. - Novell, Inc. - San Jose - [email protected]
           I don't speak for Novell, and they don't speak for me.

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

From: [email protected] (Robert Cohen)
Subject: Re: VCR Plus+ Codes
Organization: Calif. Home for the Unruly
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1993 07:57:41 GMT


You might try /info-mac/util/mac-vcr-plus.hqx at sumex-aim.stanford.edu.

Haven't tried it but know it is there.


Robert Cohen [email protected]

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

From: [email protected] (Lars Poulsen)
Subject: Re: Sri Lanka is Joining the Internet
Organization: CMC Network Products, Copenhagen DENMARK
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 93 20:08:49 GMT


In article <[email protected]> [email protected] writes:

> Does anyone have any idea why it was necessary or even meaningful for
> Gore or anyone representing the U.S. Government to sign or even be a
> part of Sri Lanka's joining the Internet? What rights or control
> does the U.S. think they have over Internet access? Is there
> something here that I am missing, or is this just more Clinton/Gore
> meddling?

The Internet is widely privatized, but a major part of it is located
in the USA. The Federal Networking Council reserves the right to
determine which networks can be reached from the USA. For instance,
nodes in the former Soviet Union cannot be reached from the USA and
vice versa, because neither the NSFnet backbone nor the CIX carries
their routes.  (Just try "traceroute kremvax.demos.su" from within the
US versus from any site in Europe.)

Presumably, this agreement provides Sri Lanka with connectivity to the
USA. Thus the government involvement. This agreement should please
Arthur C. Clarke.


Lars Poulsen     Internet E-mail: [email protected]
CMC Network Products    Phone: (011-) +45-31 49 81 08
Hvidovre Strandvej 72 B    Telefax:      +45-31 49 83 08
DK-2650 Hvidovre, DENMARK  Internets: designed and built while you wait

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

From: Olivier MJ Crepin-Leblond <[email protected]>
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1993 13:34:05 +0000
Organization: Imperial College, London, UK.
Subject: Re: Sri Lanka is Joining the Internet


In article <[email protected]>, [email protected].
COM writes:

> Sri Lanka is joining the Internet, a worldwide computer network that
> connects computer users in more than 100 countries (UPI, 10/20/93).
> "By connecting universities, schools and laboratories in Sri Lanka to
> the Internet, the U.S. hopes to foster cooperation between the people
> of our country and the people of Sri Lanka in all fields of science,
> technology and the environment," said U.S. Vice President Al Gore, who
> signed the Internet access agreement with Sri Lanka Prime Minister
> Ramil Wickremashighe.

I am quite surprised about this press release.  Sri Lanka has been
reacheable by electronic mail for more than a year, and they already
have an extensive UUCP network. I guess that all what they asked for
was money [$$$] from the U.S to replace UUCP dialup with leased
lines/satellite transmission. The U.S must be feeling rich, I guess. ;->


Olivier M.J. Crepin-Leblond, Digital Comms. Section, Elec. Eng. Department
Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, London SW7 2BT, UK
      Internet/Bitnet: <[email protected]> - Janet: <[email protected]>

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

From: [email protected] (Dale Williams)
Subject: Re: Sri Lanka is Joining the Internet
Date: 9 Nov 1993 00:32:04 GMT
Organization: Sprint


In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (Paul J. Bell)
wrote:

> Does anyone have any idea why it was necessary or even meaningful for
> Gore or anyone representing the U.S. Government to sign or even be a
> part of Sri Lanka's joining the Internet? What rights or control
> does the U.S. think they have over Internet access? Is there
> something here that I am missing, or is this just more Clinton/Gore
> meddling?

I wasn't at the meeting obviously, but as the NSF's International
Connections Manager, I can report what I hear nth hand. When Gore met
with Wickremashighe, he asked how the US might help Sri Lanka.
Wickremashighe replied that his first priority request was for
Internet access!  ( Like many foreign countries, Sri Lanka is anxious
for access to the US 'domestic' internet, both for the US based
services available, AND for international connectivity.  Most foreign
countries 'home' or 'hub' to the US internet.  Traffic from
Scandinavia to Germany goes via the US, for example.)

The problem was relayed to NSF, then to us.  Sri Lanka is a little
isolated from the world's communications infrastructure.  We see it as
an engineering "opportunity!"


Dale

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

Date: Mon, 8 Nov 93 23:14 EST
From: [email protected] (John R Levine)
Subject: Re: The Modem Tax Scare ... Again
Organization: I.E.C.C.


> what would prevent this item from resurfacing every six months or so for a
> couple of years and then the FCC or whomever really does decide to enact it,
> on the theory that everyone will assume it's the same old urban legend and
> not pay any attention to it?

The FCC being a government bureaucracy, can't sneeze without doing the
paperwork first.  If they were going to change the rules related to
connections of data carriers to the PSTN, there'd have to be a docket
number, comment period, and all the other bureaucratic stuff.

If we see a modem tax proposal with a current date and docket number,
then it's time to be concerned.  The outcry to Congress was so loud
last time that I doubt we'll be seeing it again any time soon.


Regards,

John Levine, [email protected], {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl

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

From: [email protected] (Alan Hales)
Subject: Re: Dialing From the UK With Sprint
Organization: Texas Instruments Incorporated, Dallas TX
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1993 05:19:44 GMT


Rich Mintz <[email protected]> wrote:

> This won't work for many of the newer modems. You must also specify AT
> X3 (X <= 3) so that the modem doesn't refuse to "dial" because there
> is no dial tone present.  Thrown all on one line, one would say
> "ATX3D" (return).

A simpler solution is to use "ATO", where the "O" stands for
"on-line".  This will bypass any tests for dial tone.


Alan Hales   [email protected]

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

From: [email protected] (Garrett Wollman)
Subject: Re: Dialing From the UK With Sprint
Organization: University of Vermont, EMBA Computer Facility
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1993 00:21:02 GMT


In article <[email protected]>, Rich Mintz
<[email protected]> wrote:

> This won't work for many of the newer modems. You must also specify AT
> X3 (X <= 3) so that the modem doesn't refuse to "dial" because there
> is no dial tone present.  Thrown all on one line, one would say
> "ATX3D" (return).

Have so many people forgotten their ``AT'' command set?  (Well, maybe
they have, now that computers remember it for them.)

The command to use is ``ATO'' (`O' is for `Originate'), which should
be entered once the other side has started sending its answer tones.


Garrett A. Wollman      [email protected]
uvm-gen!wollman         UVM disagrees.

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

From: [email protected] (Clarence Dold)
Subject: Re: Don't Overlook Smaller Long Distance Companies!
Organization: a2i network
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 1993 04:40:57 GMT


Jack Decker ([email protected]) wrote:

> Just a word of advice to all: If you are looking for great deals on
> long distance service, don't overlook the small carriers that may be

California allows Intra-LATA services, as part of a package of call
detailing, along with some amount of required Inter-LATA service.
That disclaimed, NVTS/Ameritel does offer Dialers at no charge, has
been doing so for over 10 years, and services a fair portion of
Northern California.

NVTS/Ameritel 800-799-7000  707-257-3875


Clarence A Dold - [email protected] - Milpitas (near San Jose) & Napa CA.

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

From: [email protected] (Jack Decker)
Subject: Re: Don't Overlook Smaller Long Distance Companies!
Date: 8 Nov 1993 12:07:56 GMT
Organization: Youngstown State/Youngstown Free-Net


On Mon Nov  1 22:41:15 1993, [email protected] (Gregory K.
Johnson) wrote:

> I'm not going to quarrel with your basic advice about shopping around
> for long distance carriers.  However, I feel compelled to note that
> the rates you are quoting for this particular long-distance calling
> plan do not seem to be all that great of a bargain.

> When I established telephone service in San Jose, I selected Sprint as
> my long distance carrier.  When I established the account with Sprint,
> I inquired about discount long-distance calling plans.

> I ended up selecting their service which is similar to Reach Out
> America, i.e. you purchase an hour of calls at a particular price (I
> think in this case it was about $8, or less) and then all your calls
> at off-peak hours beyond the first hour are billed by the minute.

> The rate for calls at off-peak hours under this calling plan was ten
> cents per minute, which is significantly cheaper than the 11.4 cents
> per minute described above.  It also doesn't have as much overhead
> cost ($8 for the first hour is $2 above the cost of the flat-rate per
> minute cost, versus $5 for this plan.

> Sprint also doesn't have a 15 month minimum contract.

MCI has similar plans for off-peak calling (I don't know if it's still
available, but they used to have a plan called Super Saver that let
you make calls on Saturday for $5.00/hour.  Then, if you are calling
someone in your Friends & Family circle, you may get another 20% off
of that, which would bring the effective rate down to $4.00/hour, or
six and two thirds cents per minute, which of course is considerably
under the 11.4 cents per minute in the plan I mentioned).

But, the customer for the service I mentioned (the one I was
rate-shopping for) has a small business and will be making the vast
majority of his calls during the daytime rate period, and probably few
or none during the night rate period.  For his intended usage, the 13
cents per minute daytime rate is far more important than a slightly
lower evening rate.  And none of the big three carriers (in fact, NO
other carrier that I'm aware of) will give you calls of less than 32
seconds for free, which to me is a definite plus when you play a lot
of "telephone tag".

One other thing I did not mention in my original post is that this
particular carrier offers intraLATA calling (within the same area
code) by dialing 1-700 + number.  One problem with the "big three" is
that many of their best rates apply to interstate calls only (or at
the very least, you have to pay extra if you want the intrastate
calling plan, and often the per-minute rates aren't quite as good).
With this smaller Michigan-only carrier, the rates apply to both
in-state and out-of-state calls.  Of course, since it's a flat rate,
it may be possible that calls to very nearby toll points would
actually be a bit higher with this carrier, but the customer in
question is in a rural area that is in the fortunate (and highly
unusual for Michigan!)  position of having all immediately adjacent
exchanges as local calls, and most of his nearby calls are to points
where Ameritech's basic rate is considerably higher than 13 cents per
minute.  And of course, he could always force calls through another
carrier (or let intraLATA calls default to Ameritech) if he ever finds
it advantageous to do so.

As for the 15 month contract, again keep in mind that it's not binding
until you've had the service for three months.  Prior to that, you can
get out at any time, with no penalty (they'll even pay for you to
switch back to your original carrier).  I'm not crazy about the
contract but I don't think it's particularly onerous, either.
Ameritech does the same thing; if you want to get on some of their
better calling plans you have to make a commitment for some period of
time (which I believe can run as long as 36 months, but don't quote me
on that).

For the benefit of Pat, and others who asked, the company offering
this service is called Metronet, and they are located in Holt,
Michigan (near Lansing).  They do NOT offer service outside of
Michigan, nor in the Detroit metropolitan area (yet), nor in the areas
served by GTE in the Muskegon area (yet).  I also do not think they
serve the Upper Peninsula.  The other company I mentioned in my
original post (that offers reasonably-priced 800 service in most of
Michigan and parts of Indiana) is called Teledial, and is
headquartered in Grand Rapids (but has sales offices in a few other
Michigan cities and in Indianapolis, Indiana).  Their Dial-1 rates are
also pretty good, but in my opinion, not as good as Metronet's for
small business customers.  I'm not connected with either of these
companies in any way.

I'm certainly not implying that no one can do better than either of
these companies, particularly if you are a residential customer and/or
most of your calls are during the night/weekend rate period.  I'm just
saying that for many customers, the "big three" carriers may not offer
the best rates, particularly if the vast majority of your calls are
intrastate or intraLATA.


Jack

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

Subject: Re: Don't Overlook Smaller Long Distance Companies!
From: [email protected] (Bob Schwartz)
Date: Mon, 08 Nov 93 16:50:29 PST
Organization: Bill Correctors, Inc., Marin County, California


[email protected] (Gregory K. Johnson) writes:

> In article <[email protected]>, Jack Decker
> <[email protected]> wrote:

>> Just a word of advice to all: If you are looking for great deals on
>> long distance service, don't overlook the small carriers that may be
>> operating in your state or region.  I'm not going to mention names of
>> specific companies, but here's a couple of deals I've found (in doing
>> some research for a friend) that are especially attractive in low to
>> moderate calling volume situations.

> The rate for calls at off-peak hours under this calling plan was ten
> cents per minute, which is significantly cheaper than the 11.4 cents
> per minute described above.  It also doesn't have as much overhead
> cost ($8 for the first hour is $2 above the cost of the flat-rate per
> minute cost, versus $5 for this plan.

> But my basic point is this: thus far I haven't seen anything that
> seems to be a better deal than service with the major three long
> distance companies.

If rate were the only consideration I'd agree with you but ...
generally, it's the smaller companies that can handle your Service
Area Traffic while the big three can't/don't. Also billing and features
flexability is sometimes better from the small players.  Answer
supervision as it relates to billing accuracy is also important and
this can slice either way. Smaller companies are more likely to
*inadvertantly* inflate your bill with unanswered calls or even more
likely a longer average hold time which can add 30% to your monthly
amount due. Smaller companies are also more likely to have liberal
refund policies because of this (this is the advantage that slices in
their favor :).  If your in an area where Service Area doesn't mean
much and you dont have the time to track average hold times the majors
do have lots of flexible billing plans and reports as well as
competative rates.


Bob Schwartz                                       [email protected]
Bill Correctors, Inc.   +1 415 488 9000   Marin County, California

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

From: [email protected] (Ken Hoehn)
Subject: Re: Great Lakes Long Distance
Date: 8 Nov 1993 09:31:17 -0500
Organization: The w8hd Group


[email protected] (Bill Leeke) writes:

> I just received a mailing from Great Lakes Long Distance. They promise
> calls 10% to 21% cheaper than the standard direct dial rate. The funny
> thing is you don't have to change your long distance carrier. Just use
> an access code simular to the ATT operator code. (10923) + number.

I have used Great Lakes for about a month, since I live in the sticks
a 1 call away from everything.  Matter of fact, this message is being
typed into my serving system via them.

Have not seen the bills yet, but the line quality is fine.


[email protected]
Ken Hoehn - Teletech, Inc.         Compuserve: 70007,2374
N8NYO       P.O.Box 924            FAX: (313) 562-8612
           Dearborn, MI  48121    VOICE: (313) 562-6873

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

From: Goemon <[email protected]>
Subject: PC Pursuit no Longer Accepting New Users
Date: Mon, 8 Nov 93 13:18:58 EST
Organization: Ohio State University; Physics Department


I called PC Pursuit's information line (1-800-736-1130) and although
it was past their business hours, there was a recorded message. It
stated that PC Pursuit is NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW USERS, effective
November 1.

What is the thinking behind that? Aren't they in this to try to MAKE
money? I would think they would want as many subscribers as possible
to make it cost effective. Or is this another typical Sprint anal
retentive move?


Dan

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

From: [email protected] (Terry Hull)
Subject: Looking For Automatic File Transfer/Software Distribution Program
Date: 8 Nov 1993 03:55:42 GMT
Organization: University of Michigan Engineering, Ann Arbor


 I am looking for some automatic unattended file transfer programs
running on Sun SparcStations. But first let me describe what my
company has right now.  There are 40 branch offices across USA.
Everyday, each branch offices will be sending data to and receiving
data from the central office. We are currently using RemoteWare from
XcellNet to do the job. The RemoteWare Server runs on OS/2 PC residing
in the central office, and each branch office has a RemoteWare node
runs on a DOS PC. This is a master slave relation between the Server
and The nodes. The Server part of the RemoteWare has the scheduling
ability. You can program it so that it will initiate calls to the
nodes via modem. While this works fine, it is approaching its capacity
to handle larger volume of data. Now, we are seeking a similar
product, but it should run on SparcStations, and should support both
modem dial-up and also IP-based transport mechanisam.  I was told that
a company call CMI has a similar product. But I don't know anything
more besides that.

 At this moment, we are open to all ideas. If you know anything about
this, or have heard of similar products, please drop a line. All help
will be greatly appreciated.

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

From: [email protected] (Koos van den Hout)
Subject: Looking For Docs on 'SATCOM 1-4 SYSTEM' Home Exchange
Date: Mon, 08 Nov 1993 22:17:00 GMT
Organization: HIN / BBS Koos z'n Doos


I'm looking for documentation on a little exchange (one outside line,
four phone sets) I got from someone.

It seems to only work with pulse dial. But I hope this can be changed.

Some identifying characteristics (I hope):

On the (gray-beige) cover it says 'SATCOM 1-4 SYSTEM'.
The main circuit board has a marking 'SATCOM PBTM 001S'.
The largest microchip on the circuit board is a 'HD6301YOP'.

Does anybody have any information on this exchange? Can it be
modified/ programmed to accept DTMF? How can I transfer a call to
another extension?


Grtx.
Koos van den Hout ----------------------------------------------- Sysop --\
Datacomm, networking, E-mail...   BBS Koos z'n Doos (+31-3402-56619  2400)
Inter-: [email protected]       (+31-3402-36647 14400 v32b v42b MNP5)
net   : [email protected]| PGP key by finger | Fido: Sysop @ 2:500/101.11012
Schurftnet : KILL !!!  |  [email protected]  |     Give us a call !!

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #746
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