TELECOM Digest     Thu, 16 Dec 93 01:07:00 CST    Volume 13 : Issue 820

Inside This Issue:                        Moderator: Patrick A. Townson

   Book Review: "Ecolinking" by Rittner (Rob Slade)
   Executone CPI - Far Too Expensive? (Harry Skelton)
   Need Information on T1's and Equipment (Lee Havemann)
   Dedicated Line Provivsioning Systems (Yohan)
   5ESS Questions (Tom Ace)
   NEC Information Needed (Antonio Saponaro)
   Cellular Phone on a PC Board (Filippo Tripiciano)
   Low-Bandwidth Speech (Ulrich Neumann)
   Magazine Contacts Wanted (Brian Combs)
   Help Wanted Restoring WECO '64 Six Button Set (Thomas P. Brisco)
   Call For Papers and Panel Session Proposals (Bing Gao)

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Date: 16 Dec 93 15:22 -0600
From: Rob Slade <[email protected]>
Subject: Book Review: "Ecolinking" by Rittner


BKECOLNK.RVW  931117

PeachPit
2414 6th St.
Berkeley, CA   94710
510-548-4393  fax: 510-548-5991  800-283-9444
"Ecolinking", Rittner, 1992, U$18.95/C$23.95
[email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

Working in computer virus research, I can have a lot of sympathy with
those involved in the environmental movement.  Both fields can be
relatively unpopular.  Both suffer from the fact that a "critical
mass" of concerned individuals cannot often be gathered in one place.
Both fields are multi-disciplinary, and require input from experts in
a variety of fields.  The only reason the virus research community has
survived at all, is because of computer communications networks.  It
is quite reasonable to assume that computer networks would be of help
to the environmental activist, wherever located.

Rittner's book, indeed, gives numerous examples and case studies of
computer links giving victory to the environmental side -- sometimes
just in the nick of time.  It is both introduction and resource for
those who are interested in using the new computer communications
tools in their ecological work and study.

Part one (or, more accurately, chapter two) is an introduction to "The
Basics" of getting online, dealing briefly with modems, communications
software, and communications functions.  Very briefly.  As noted in
chapter one, those involved with computers will find nothing new here.
Newcomers, however, are advised to take the advice of chapter one and
find a local friend for help.  You are unlikely to get online
successfully, with only this as your guide.  As far as it goes,
however, it is a reasonably good primer, with only a few idiosyn-
cracies such as "8-0-1" for what most online people would call "8N1".

I was happy to see a mention of virus checking, although, since most
ecological researchers would be primarily interested in information,
some discussion of data versus program files might be in order.
Still, I suppose it's best to err on the side of caution.  I was also
pleased to note the brief discussion of online etiquette.  Given the
strong emotions involved in the environmental movement this could be
quite important.

It is difficult to see why parts two, three and four are separate
parts.  Certainly there are differences in price, interface and
availability, but functionally, the similarities are greater than the
differences between bulletin boards, networks and commercial services
in regard to communications and access to information.  Quarterman's
"The Matrix" (cf. BKMATRIX.RVW) is obviously admired: its structure
has also been copied.  This is appropriate to a technical reference
work, but, for the computer communications neophyte, a structuring of
features, with discussions of the differences, by system, might have
been more helpful.  As it is, the VAX and Mac specific references may
occasionally confuse the reader using other systems.  To be fair,
though, Rittner has obviously worked hard to try and keep technical
matters as generic as possible.  The US-centric listings of systems
and access may be more of a problem for international readers.

Part five, "Libraries That Never Close," demonstrates to a certain
extent the enormous quantity of information now available either
online or on disk.

The appendices are rather odd.  The first lists communications
software, and states that many are cheap or free.  Kermit, however,
which is available (basically) free for any system, is listed only for
the Mac.  Appendix B is a list of Internet mailing lists with an
environmental bent.  Very useful -- but the Fidonet, BITNET and Usenet
lists are printed within their respective chapters.  Appendix C lists
gateway services that provide access to the nets, this time
*definitely* US-centric, while D is a sample BBS session.

The most useful part of the book will likely be the listings of
various environmental Fidonet "echoes," BITNET "listservs," Usenet
"newsgroups," and Internet distribution lists.  While these tend to be
somewhat ephemeral, the wealth of research done here will quite
possibly save you years, in getting linked into the proper channels.

copyright Robert M. Slade, 1993   BKECOLNK.RVW  931117
Permission granted to distribute with unedited copies of TELECOM
Digest and associated mailing lists only.

DECUS Canada Communications, Desktop, Education and Security group newsletters
Editor and/or reviewer [email protected], [email protected], Rob Slade at 1:153/733
DECUS Symposium '94, Vancouver, BC, Mar 1-3, 1994, contact: [email protected]

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

From: [email protected] (Harry Skelton)
Subject: Executone CPI - Far Too Expensive?
Organization: USS Enterprise
Date: Wed, 16 Dec 1993 22:30:03 GMT


A bit ago our Executone rep. gave us a quote of $17,000 for
software/hardware to allow our computer to access and control the
Executone system directly via a Computer Port Interface (CPI).  This,
in my opinion, is far too expensive.  This considering that it cost us
$20,000 for the system.

I was told directly that the cost involved is more involved in
granting us permission to access and control the system than it is for
software or hardware to allow this.  Not being of a deep telcom
background, the company found this cost ludirous.  Especially since we
OWN the system and it only cost us $20k in the first place.

My questions are:

1. Is there a way I can gain control over the CPI without Executone's
'help'.

2. Is there an inexpensive, T1 capable, 30 phone system available that
would allow us to control it?  Something cheaper than the $17k?

3. Has anyone delt with Executone on this issue? If so, what happened
in your environment?

4. Are there other Executone offices that might give me a better price
or is this a case of proprietary schemes raised to the limits? i.e.
I'm SOL?

Many thanks!!


Harry Skelton - 1848 Beaver Dam Lane - Marietta, Georgia - 30062
404-590-7100 or 800-366-8181 Work -- 404-578-8085 Home
   [email protected]

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

From: Lee Havemann <[email protected]>
Subject: Need Information on T1's and Equipment
Date: 15 Dec 93 12:54:33 EST
Organization: HSH Associates


We are faced with the possibility of having to install a T1 on our
premises, and as I am not familiar with this technology, I thought I
would turn to the net for help.

We would be averaging approx 50,000 minutes/month over a T1, of which
12 lines would go do a dedicated fax broadcast system. The system
(using gammaLink hardware) is supposedly T1 ready.  The other 12 lines
would go into a Premier 24/60 phone system which is not equipped for
T1.

Our phone carrier says we need two channel banks, one at their POP,
and one at our location to make this work.

My questions:

Where can I get some more info on T1's and related equipment?

What do these channel banks do? Are they just a kind of digital to analog
converters?

Why do I need _2_ channel banks?

Can I buy these channel banks from another source (preferably cheaper than
paying $500/month lease from our LDC?)

Does anybody else out there have any T1's installed who can answer these
(and other :-) questions for me?

Any info would be gratefully appreciated!


Lee Havemann, Comp Ops Dir.    HSH Associates      (201) 838-3330
Internet: [email protected]    Compuserve: 70410,3507    AOL: HSH Assoc
"Any opinions expressed are not necessarily those of anyone else,
including myself."

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

Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1993 14:30:00 PST
From: Yohan <[email protected]>
Subject: Dedicated Line Provivsioning Systems


I am doing a study on dedicated line provisioning systems (Fractional
T1, T1, T3 ). I am looking for information regarding relevant services
offered by IXCs, RBOC or CAPS, the cycle times involved for provisioning
and some information regarding the underlying provisioning processes
and systems.

If anyone can answer some of these questions or point me towards some
sources I would appreciate it.

Thank you in advance.

------------------------------
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 1993 16:30:57 -0800
From: [email protected] (Tom Ace)
Subject: 5ESS Questions


A recent article (in a magazine not noted for thoroughgoing and
authoritative reporting) discussed the White House phone system, and
included the following statement:

Now, stuffing a 5ESS in the White House basement would have been
impressive and it would have given the Clinton Administration the
telecommunications power of a city roughly the size of New York,
give or take a couple of boroughs.  Sensing overkill, the Clinton
administration went with the cheaper Definity G3R PBXs.

Could someone knowledgeable about the 5ESS please tell me:

1)  I assume that a 5ESS can be had in different configurations,
   suitable for different numbers of subscribers.  What's the
   minimum number of lines appropriate for a 5ESS installation,
   and what's the maximum number of lines a 5ESS could be
   configured for?

2)  Does it even make sense to suggest a 5ESS for a PBX application
   like the White House?


Tom Ace       [email protected]

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

Subject: NEC Information Needed
Date: Thu, 16 Dec 93 1:50:37 CET
From: Antonio Saponaro <[email protected]>


I'm looking for technical informations about Nec cellular telephones,
like service manuals and programming tips. Can anyone help me?


Antonio Saponaro

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

From: [email protected] (Filippo Tripiciano )
Date: Wed, 15 Dec 93 11:49:34 MET
Subject: Cellular Phone on a PC Board


I'm looking for a PC board (possibly AT compatible) that provides a
direct connectivity to a cellular phone line.

In fact, what I'm really trying to do is to build a system that
connect to a remote site (using cellular phone network) without having
a modem connected to a cellular phone device.

Any help would be appreciated. :-)

Please answer by  e-mail. My correct e-mail address is:

[email protected]

Filippo Tripiciano
BULL HN Italia          Voice: +39-2-6779 2553
Via del Parlamento 33     FAX: +39-2-6779 2439

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

From: [email protected] (Ulrich Neumann)
Subject: Low-Bandwidth Speech
Date: 15 Dec 1993 20:31:38 GMT
Organization: The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill


Does anyone have knowledge of very low bandwidth speech communications
systems?  I'm looking for <10K bits/sec technology for toll-quality
speech.  Please email pointer to algorithms and/or hardware to:

                        [email protected]


Thanks,

UN

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

From: [email protected] (Brian Combs)
Subject: Magazine Contacts Wanted
Date: 15 Dec 1993 22:19:21 GMT
Organization: Quadralay Corporation


If anyone has any information about the following magazine (i.e.
contact info, whether they are still publishing, etc.)  I would be
very grateful if you would e-mail the information to me.

The list is as follows:

Sun World
PC Week
Communication Week
Communications of the ACM
Computer World
Data Communication
Datamation
Information Week
EDN
Electronic Design
Electronic Products
Electronics
EDN News
ECN
Electronic News
EE Product News

I would prefer e-mail over a response posting as I do not normally
read TELECOM Digest.  However, I am perfectly willing to forward
information I receive to interested parties.


Thanks,

Brian Combs             Tel:  512-346-9199  Fax:  512-794-9997
Quadralay Corporation   FTP Address:  ftp.quadralay.com
combs @ quadralay.com   WWW Server:   www.quadralay.com

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

From: [email protected] (Thomas P. Brisco)
Subject: Help Wanted Restoring WECO '64 Six Button Set
Date: 15 Dec 93 21:30:48 GMT
Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J.


   During a "rotary unit decom" sweep last summer (yes, we're just
getting rid of all of the old rotary units) I managed to get my paws
on a six button rotary set -- the bottom is marked "565HK 2-64" -
presumably 1964 unit, and some of the guts bear this out.  (BTW: Can
anyone fill me in on the 565HK bit?).  What is odd (or odd to me)
about this unit is that the push button/lights are round -- not square.

   Anyway, I just (today) came across a "harmonica" to RJ11 converter
for this beastie (one Radio Shack claimed to not have them, another
had it on the wall -- go figure) so I can hook my conventional home
lines into it.  I get tone and can dial fine, but the bell and
appropriate light doesn't work.

   I took off the shell, and the internals had been modified (pretty
badly -- it's hard to tell if it's Bell work or not :-) for a RJ11.
(I can't get anything if I plug my line into that - but I'm not
concerned there).  There appears to have been about four wires moved
off of the wiring block in there -- does anyone know where I can get
schematics for this puppy?  I'd dearly love to hear that old jangle
again, blinkey lights are, of course, a thrill.

   I've got an old 30-or-so button set also, which I can cannibalize
if necessary (though I'd like to get that working -- if only for
kicks).

   While I'm here; the unit is a bit dirty, and has some of the
required "911/Emergency" sticker on it (which gives you a clue how
recently it was used :-).  Any hints on cleaning this thing?  I'm
reluctant to throw chemicals on it.  Additionally, I'd like to get new
paper inserts for the dial and buttons -- any clue on those?  (BTW: I
just took apart the handset, it looks like wax paper in the speaker,
and the inside of the speaker cap is marked 2-64 also -- so I don't
believe it's been refurb'd).

   From the top:
1) Schematics for WECO '64 era 6 button set?
2) Suggestions on cleaning the plastic/metal?
3) Where to get new paper inserts?  (Maybe I'll
    just ask my local repair person)

   Thanks for any pointers/tips ...

The dial and face-plate are metal, but the handset and casing are
_heavy_ plastic -- was this at the beginning of the "plastic era"?  Can
anyone recommend any books that might detail the construction of the
phones over the years?  While this one is pretty nice, I think a '50's
period piece would be even nicer.  It adds a nice bit of charm to my
den.


[Moderator's Note: All the six button (five line plus hold) phones
until sometime in the 1960's had round buttons rather than square
ones. I think your phone is made of very hard rubber rather than
heavy plastic. Does it have a curly cord between the handset and
the phone or a straight cord? Straight cords were used until about
the same time, and cloth cords (as opposed to rubber covering) were
also common until during the 1950's. The phone you have also requires
a control box (a rather big, ugly unit) which hangs on the wall nearby
*if* you want the hold button to work and the lights to flash when the
phone rings or a line is put on hold. Obviously you can wire five lines
into it if you don't mind doing without hold and the lights.

The other thing you can do is modify it a little so you use the six
buttons to handle *three* lines with a hold button for each line. i.e.
line one, line one hold; line two, line two hold; and line three, line
three hold.  You don't need the control box for that, just re-arrange
the wires in the phone itself so each of three lines goes to two
buttons, but with every other button terminated right there and *not*
getting back to the receiver. Then, you also have to do a little
surgery and castrate the phone -- cut those balls out from up in front
under the buttons.  See the little ball-bearings under the buttons
which slide back and forth, forcing one button to rise when another is
pressed down, and see how the hold button on the left end is spring
loaded so it comes back up anyway when pressed? Maybe button six has
the same spring loading in it in the event the former owner was using
one of the lines for ICOM and the last button for the ICOM signal.
Fix those so that *two* or more buttons can be made to stay down at
the same time, i.e.  line 'x' hold-path and line 'y' talking-path.

Basically what you will then have is the GTE (Automatic Electric) ver-
sion of a multiline phone from the 1940-50 era since theirs had three
lines and three hold buttons. For extra points, pick up a DC transformer
at Radio Shack and fix things so those buttons at least light up when
you are off hook on one of them (or on hold on one of your three lines
if you go that way) even if you can't get them to flash in rythmn with
the ringing cadence lacking the control box. If you prefer, get a few
neon test lamps; they'll sit there on the line without causing any
disturbance since they don't illuminate until they get 90 volts or
so. Squeeze one behind each of the six buttons or at least behind the
buttons with lines. That will cause your buttons to flash when the
associated line rings (but not stay lit while you are talking).  Have
fun and report back to us, y'hear? Those old phones can make such
great hobbyist kits on their own merits.   PAT]

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

From: [email protected] (Bing Gao)
Subject: Call For Papers and Panel Session Proposals
Date: 15 Dec 1993 22:00:22 GMT
Organization: Univ. of Florida CIS Dept.


           CALL FOR PAPERS and Panel Session Proposals

                          COMPSAC 94

              The Eighteenth Annual International
         Computer Software and Applications Conference

               Conference:  November 9 - 11, 1994
            International Convention Center, Taipei

    Professional Development Seminars:  November 7 - 8, 1994
            Science and Technology Building, Taipei
The conference is a major international forum for researchers,
practioners, managers and policy makers interested in computer
software and applications as well as software industry.  Original
papers and panel session proposals on various research and practical
aspects as well as future trends are invited.  It is anticipated that
leaders and experts from industry, academia and governments will
participate in the program.  The following topics are examples of
sessions planned for the conference.  Special sessions facilitating
the presentation of timely results from the industry will be arranged
for those papers with presentation material only.


* Software Development and Maintenance Paradigms and Environments

* Software Quality Assurance, Process Improvement and Maturity Models

* Software Reliability, Security and Safety

* Risk Assessment and Management of Large-Scale Software Projects

* Re-engineering, Reverse Engineering, Reuse and Customization

* Software Metrics and Modeling

* Software Development for Distributed and Parallel Processing systems

* Co-design of Hardware and Software for Application Specific Systems

* Interoperability in Systems and Tools

* Large-Scale Software System Integration

* Formal Methods

* AI Tools and Techniques

* Data and Knowledge Bases

* Computer-Aided Support for Document Preparation

* Advances in CASE

* Interactive Computing and Groupware

* Multimedia Systems and Virtual Reality

* Software Engineering Education

* Applications:  Government Services, Telecommunications, Banking
 Systems, Health Care, Entertainment, Consumer Electronics.

* Industry Trends:  Downsizing, Outsourcing, Off-Shore Software Support.

* Legal and Social Issues of Computer Software


Information for Authors for formal papers (included in the proceedings):

* Mail six copies of an original (not submitted or published elsewhere)
paper (double space) of 3000-5000 words.

* Include the title of the paper, the name and alliiation of each
author, a 150-word abstract and no more than 8 keywords.

* Include the name, position, address, telephone numbers, and if
possible, fax numbers and e-mail address of the author responsible for
correspondence of the paper

Information for Authors for providing presentation material only:
                                     ^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^
* The presentation material of all accepted papers in this category will
appear in a bound conference record.

* Mail six copies of an original paper with the title and a 300-word
abstract to the Program Chair.

* Include the name, position, address, telephone number, and if
possible, fax number and e-mail address of the author responsible for
the correspondence of the presentation.


Information for Panel Organizers:

* Send six copies of panel proposals to the Program Chair.

* Include the title, a 150-word scope statement, proposed session chair
and panelists and their affiliations and locations, the organizer's
affiliation, address, telephone and fax numbers and e-mail address.


IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

* March 1, 1994 all papers and panel proposals due

* April 1, 1994 panel organizers notified of acceptance

* April 20, 1994 organizers of accepted panel proposals provide final
information on session chairs and panelists

* May 16, 1994 au;thors notified of acceptance

* July 12, 1994 camera-ready copies of accepted papers and panelists'
 position papers to be included in the conference proceedings due

* September 20, 1994 camer-ready copies of presentation material of
 accepted paperd to be included in the conference record due


Program Chair

C. V. Ramamoorthy
University of California at Berkeley
Department of Electrical Engineering
 and Computer Science
Berkeley, CA 94720, U.S.A.
Tel: 1-510-642-4751
Fax: 1-510-642-5775
e-mail: [email protected]

Conference Chair

Yun Kuo
Institute for Information Industry
11th Floor, 106 Hoping E. Road, Sec. 2
Taipei (10636), Taiwan

For further information, contact:

Stephen S. Yau
COMPSAC Standing Committee Chair
University of Florida
Department of Computer and Information
 Sciences
301 Computer Science and Engineering Building
Gainesville, FL 32611, U.S.A.
Tel: 1-904-392-1211
Fax: 1-904-392-1220
e-mail: [email protected]

Sponsored by IEEE Computer Society, the Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers, Inc., and hosted by the Institute for Information
Industry.

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

End of TELECOM Digest V13 #820
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