HDTenEightyP/NetNews huggingface dataset:
From: jon@Turing.ORG (Jon Gefaell (KD4CQY))
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Cellular Interception in Private Talk
Date: 5 Oct 92 21:15:05 GMT
Organization: The Turing Project, Charlottesville Virginia.
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 762, Message 14 of 16

In article <telecom12.760.3@eecs.nwu.edu> louie@sayshell.umd.edu
(Louis A. Mamakos) writes:

>> [Moderator's Note: We have touched upon this several times recently.
>> Cellular calls are quite easy to intercept on a scanning radio which
>> covers the 800 mh range of frequencies. The 'technical problems'
>> consist of sometimes having to make a small modification in the radio
>> itself. Conversations cannot easily be followed between cells.   PAT]

> Why assert that conversations cannot easily be followed between cells?
> It is not as if the mechanism for handoffs is secret; it is done in
> band and someone with sufficient motivation should easily be able to
> decode and interpret this information.  While its true that Joe Blow
> with a scanner won't be able to, it is by no means difficult enough to
> to give anyone a sense of security.

> [Moderator's Note: But by and large it is Joe Blow with his scanner
> who causes the privacy violations of cell phone users. Therefore, if
> Joe Blow can't do to, for all practical purposes it can't be done.
> Naturally, spies and other persons specially trained in surveillance
> can get around the complications, but Joe Blow isn't among them.  PAT]

I tried to respond the original 'Moderator's Note' above, but it
didn't make it past the moderation point. I'll state it again, since
it needs clarification. Joe Blow CAN and DOES intercept and TRACK cell
phone conversations between cells. The allocation of frequencies among
cells allows this to be a relatively simple operation.

Trust me, I do it all the time ... (I mean, I _could_ do it all the
time, I'd never actually break a law ...)
Date: Sun, 4 Oct 1992 04:12:39 GMT
From: lchiu@animal.gcs.co.nz (Laurence Chiu)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: British Call Waiting (was My Favorite Intercepts)
Organization: GCS Limited, Wellington, New Zealand
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 759, Message 7 of 14

In article <telecom12.748.9@eecs.nwu.edu> alan@acpub.duke.edu (Alan M.
Gallatin) writes:

> The British have won my award for best call waiting handling anywhere.
> A week or so ago, I was talking to a friend who lives outside London.
> In the middle of our conversation, she got what she thought to be a
> call-waiting beep (this was the first time she encountered
> call-waiting over there ...) -- anyway, I hear her say "hold on"
> followed by a click.  A few seconds later, I hear (in a VERY proper,
> English voice), "I'm sorry, but the other person is temporarily
> engaged on another call.  Please hold the line."  This cycled a few
> times with a good ten seconds between repeats.  The recording got
> interrupted by another click and my friend returning to the line.

> I, for one, hate call waiting (I got it under protest, but enough
> pepole that I talk to insisted that I get it).  I despise the idea of
> making someone wait.  However, if you're going to do it, at least do
> it with style!

> [Moderator's Note: At one point Illinois Bell was considering music on
> hold for the held party in a call-waited conversation. Nothing ever
> came of it, but it might have been a pleasant addition, and certainly
> one that IBT could have charged another dollar a month for!  :)   PAT]

In New Zealand, the waiting party hears either a ringing tone, or
distinctive long short tone sequence, depending upon when the exchange
had the software installed. The long short sequnce is certainly not
heard anywhere else so can't be mistaken, the normal ringing tone
could be confusing. Music on hold would be better!


Laurence Chiu    lchiu@animal.gcs.co.nz
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 92 11:07 PDT
From: john@zygot.ati.com (John Higdon)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: LD Transmission Quality Comparison
Reply-To: John Higdon <john@zygot.ati.com>
Organization: Green Hills and Cows
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 762, Message 12 of 16

John_David_Galt%portal@cup.portal.com writes:

> I have used MCI for everything, since before the breakup, and have
> never had any problems with it.  I wouldn't be surprised if the people
> with problems are calling to or from some rural location that only
> AT&T has wired yet.

I find PEP connections over MCI to suffer a substantial loss in
throughput. Granted, many including myself consider San Jose
(California, for those outside the state) to be a cow town (formerly a
One Horse town). The other parties are in places such as Los Angeles
(California) and San Diego (California). I understand that LA is
coming right along in its efforts to become a big town.


John Higdon  |   P. O. Box 7648   |   +1 408 264 4115     |       FAX:
john@ati.com | San Jose, CA 95150 | 10288 0 700 FOR-A-MOO | +1 408 264 4407
Date: 26 Sep 92 14:21:15 GMT
From: applix!jim@uunet.UU.NET (Jim Morton)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Two-Line Switching Device
Organization: Applix, Inc., Westboro, MA
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 736, Message 9 of 10

What I'm trying to do: Install a FAX machine so incoming calls are
answered on an outside telco local number, but outgoing calls from the
FAX machine use an internal PBX line/trunk which goes through a T-1
and gets much cheaper long distance rates. I would need some type of
box that when it sees an off-hook request switches to the internal
line and busies-out the external line (no need to busy-out the
internal line when off-hook from an external call-in).

Can anyone think of a good way to do this? I have a NT SL-1 switch,
but cannot think of a way to do this with private-line (PVL) class
trunks...so I'm looking for some kind of "black box" to do this.


Jim Morton, Applix Inc., Westboro, MA  ..uunet!applix!jim  jim@applix.com
From: johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us (John R. Levine)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Last GTE Cord Board Removed
Date: 1 Oct 92 03:37:14 GMT
Organization: I.E.C.C.
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 751, Message 13 of 14

> The first commercial telephone cord board was placed in service in New
> Haven, Conn., in January 1878, creating the first exchange.

Actually, the first cord board was in Bridgeport.  New Haven had the
distinction of the first phone book.  I lived in New Haven in the
1970's and the local phone books had fancy covers commemorating the
centennials of both.


Regards,
John Levine, johnl@iecc.cambridge.ma.us, {spdcc|ima|world}!iecc!johnl

PS:  This may have been the same year the phone book had science facts
for filler.  My favorite was "Although the moon is smaller than the earth,
it is also farther away."
From: Bob_Frankston@frankston.com
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Two-Line Switching Device
Date: 1 Oct 92 15:58:00 GMT
Organization: TELECOM Digest
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 751, Message 10 of 14

I think that Radio Shack used to and might still sell a device
designed for sharing an answering machine on two lines.  It will
respond to a call coming in on either line.  I presume that the first
line is still the default for outgoing.  Unlike the switch box, it
would be automatic.  Since I never used the device, I might be wrong.
Date: Mon, 5 Oct 1992 08:09:10 GMT
From: ct@dde.dk (Claus Tondering)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: My Favorite Intercepts
Organization: Dansk Data Elektronik A/S
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 762, Message 16 of 16

A British friend of mine had this experience once he visited
Washington, DC:

He was trying to make a phone call, but being unacquainted with the US
telephone system, he wasn't aware that he was supposed to dial an
initial 1 in front of the area code. The phone responded with a
recording saying: "You have a problem. Please replace the receiver and
dial again."

This offended him somewhat, because in his particular dialect of
English, "You have a problem" implies something like: "Try using a
deodorant!"


Claus Tondering    Email: ct@dde.dk    
Dansk Data Elektronik A/S, Herlev, Denmark


[Moderator's Note: But at least the recording did not say something
like 'please check your deodorant and spray again, or ask your former
friends for assistance ... this is a recording  PU-U2.   :)   PAT]
Date: Thu, 01 Oct 92 19:33:42 EST
From: Sashidhar K. Reddy <KONDARED@VM.CC.PURDUE.EDU>
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Corporate Internal Networks - Ownership and Maintainance
Organization: TELECOM Digest
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 753, Message 6 of 18

I have one simple question.

Roughly what percentage of corporate internal networks are

   *  maintained by the carriers;
   *  owned completely by the companies themselves.

 If you think this is too trivial, reply to me by email.


Thanks,

sashidhar
BITNET: kondared@purccvm  INTERNET: kondared@mace.cc.purdue.edu
Date: 5 Oct 92 19:28:16 GMT
From: lairdb@crash.cts.com
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: What it Costs to Have the President Over
Organization: TELECOM Digest
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 763, Message 5 of 6

In <telecom12.757.13@eecs.nwu.edu> mattair@sun44.synercom.hounix.org
(Charles Mattair) writes:

> Totally off the subject of telecom but Barbara Bush decided to take a
> walk in Hermann Park (the largest park in Houston proper) during the
> Economic Summit a couple of years ago.  They cleared the park.

> [Moderator's Note: Whatever happened to government of the people, by
> the people and for the people?  Surely she could have walked in the
> park, perhaps with an agent or two and been perfectly safe without
> causing all that annoyance to everyone else who was using the park.  PAT]

No, no, you're confusing this with Britain, a constitutional monarchy
with a number of terrorist organizations active, where (until pretty
recently, when the press have been such a bother) it was not at all
rare to see one of the Royals pop out for an afternoon's shopping.


Laird P. Broadfield     lairdb@crash.cts.com    ...{ucsd, nosc}!crash!lairdb
From: barry@coyote.datalog.com (Barry Mishkind)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: What it Costs to Have the President Over
Date: 30 Sep 92 07:22:51 GMT
Organization: Datalog Consulting, Tucson, AZ
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 751, Message 8 of 14

TELECOM Moderator notes:

> streets closed off, massive traffic jams on the streets still open,
> and delays in getting phone installation/repairs for two or three days
> before the visit and a couple days afterward while all the phone techs
> are assigned to install all sorts of stuff which will be gone two days
> later. We had the same thing with Reagan, Carter and Nixon. Personally
> I wish those guys would stay away. I don't have any interest in seeing
> them personally and I'd much rather be able to follow my normal routes
> of transportation, etc. I wish someone could tell me why ten percent
> of the phone stuff which gets installed wherever he goes wouldn't be
> adequate. Taxpayers certainly do not owe free phone service to the
> members of the press. Let them put quarters in pay phones like the
> rest of us.  PAT]

I don't think the press gets free anything from the taxpayer, although
I have my suspicion about the amount paid covering the press
bus/plane, etc.  I think the phones are part of the normal overkill
any politician demands due to his inflated opinion of his importance
to history.

I agree with you ... keep 'em out of my neighborhood. Expensive,
inconvenient, and I'd rather not be used as a politician's poster boy.


Barry Mishkind   barry@coyote.datalog.com    FidoNet 1:300/11.3
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1992 01:41:08 GMT
From: Mike Stump <mrs@kithrup.com>
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Phone Number in "Sneakers"
Organization: Kithrup Enterprises, Ltd.
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 734, Message 13 of 13

Ah, kinda interesting: My AT&T operator told me they had picked up the
phone, but then it started to ring again, like an extension.  The IRS
office was probably closed when I called so after seven rings at the
`extension' I told the AT&T operator I would try again later ...

So yes, whoever got the phone forwarded may not have a job tomorrow,
but nice touch!

In article <telecom12.709.7@eecs.nwu.edu>, lchiu@animal.gcs.co.nz
Laurence Chiu) writes:

> I called the number (in area code 510) and the phone rang a few times
> and then switched and rang somewhere else.  The person who answered
> the phone said the number I reached was for the IRS. The person said
> the number I reached was not the number dialed (273-4196.)

I guess someone wants to play a joke on the IRS?
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 1992 18:53:16 EDT
From: Peter M. Weiss <PMW1@psuvm.psu.edu>
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: What Does a DS-3 Circuit Terminate at?
Organization: Penn State University
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 739, Message 3 of 17

In article <telecom12.734.9@eecs.nwu.edu>, mmt@redbrick.com (Maxime
Taksar) says:

> In article <telecom12.717.6@eecs.nwu.edu>, is written:

>> The T-3 Backbone of the Internet/NSFNet runs on IBM's RS/6000-based IP
>> routers -- does anyone know if IBM is selling these commercially yet?

> Nope.  The NSFnet runs on IBM PC/RT machines.  Yes, the horribly old,
> relatively slow machines of years past.  This is the biggest
> Internet-related scandal you can imagine: these routers couldn't
> possibly handle DS3 speeds.  In fact, when everything works, you're
> lucky to get DS1 speeds.  However, the routers frequently fall back to
> their T1 links anyway.

According to the _Link Letter_ March/April 1992 - Vol. 5 No.1, lead
article "T3 Network Nears Full Production":

      "Merit obtains NSFNET backbone services from ANS which
      provides a major national network that operates at T3 speeds
      using circuits provided by MCI and central networking
      technology based on the IBM RS/6000 (TM)."

The three-page story was written by Ellen Hoffmaan, Mark Knopper and
Pat Smith of Merit/NSFNET.  Frequent references to these efforts can
be found in the IETF Internet Monthly Reports.

Feel free to use anonymous FTP nis.nsf.net and cd newsletters.  Lot's
of info.


Pete pmw1@psuvm.psu.edu
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 1992 19:02:12 GMT
From: mcharry@mitre.org (John McHarry(J23))
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Cellular Phones With Deals Attached
Organization: The MITRE Corporation
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 754, Message 9 of 13

> [Moderator's Note: You say the cell company 'paid $300 of the phone's
> cost' but some of us believe the prices of cell phones are
> artificially inflated so the cell company can then 'offer them at a
> cheaper price.' 

Last I knew, what was going on was that the cellular provider was
paying cell phone retailers a bounty for new subscribers.  The going
rate was about $250.  Since the phones are standardized and made by a
number of companies, I don't think the carriers have much control over
the equipment pricing strategy.
Date: Sun, 27 Sep 92 2:41:50 EDT
From: David Lesher <wb8foz@SCL.CWRU.Edu>
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: 800 Numbers Restricted by NYTel
Reply-To: wb8foz@skybridge.scl.cwru.edu  (David Lesher)
Organization: NRK Clinic for habitual NetNews abusers - Beltway Annex
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 741, Message 8 of 9

> NYTel may NOT restrict 800 calls from ITS payphones. 

{if they do ... then}

> Day after that, call the NYTel President's Helpline, at 800-722-2300.

> just call the PSC at 800-342-3377. 

I'm clear on the concept, but seem to be having a BIT of trouble with
one MINOR detail of the implementation ...  ;-}


wb8foz@skybridge.scl.cwru.edu
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 92 19:53:12 -0400
From: shri%unreal@cs.umass.edu
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Information Wanted on Diskfax
Organization: TELECOM Digest
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 748, Message 7 of 12

Hi,

   In a recent (24 Sep) issue of {Financial Times}, a certain Peter
Burton, ALpha Systems, UK, claims that their company was first (two
years ago) and not a recent Japanese introduction as reported earlier.

   The product he's talking about "takes a computer disk and send it
as a fax" or somesuch thing.

   Whats this thingummy? Anybody used it?


shrikumar ( shri@legato.cs.umass.edu, shri@iucaa.ernet.in )
Date: Sat, 26 Sep 92 17:34:59 -0400
From: shri@freal.cs.umass.edu
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: Modem <-> Digital Telephone System
Organization: UMass, Amherst, MA / Temporal Systems &CN, Bombay, India.
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 734, Message 7 of 13

In article <telecom12.727.4@eecs.nwu.edu> jacksch@insom.eastern.com
write:

> We have electronic key set telephones; the four wire ones which plug
> into RJ-11 jacks and allow you to select from a set of lines, an
> intercom, etc.  After playing around trying to build an acoustic ...

> Plug the phone into one side of the [modular] splitter, connect the modem
> using the modular cable with the [1:1] audio transformer in it.  Select a
> phone line on the keyset phone, tell the modem to dial, and you're in
> business.

> It didn't seem too great at 14.4 kbps, but it seemed completely
> reliable at 2400 bps.  You could probably connect the modem direct

How did it work?

The modem needs to switch loop current on and off to simulate on and
off hook. (Ok I assume you use tone dialing, so at least dialing can
go thru the 1:1 ;)

And if the 1:1 was *parallel* to the line, how do calls get
disconnected at all?

Or am I missing some crucial wisdom about key telephones?

I have two lines at home ... now if only I could put together some
similar $10 in parts and have the answering machine on one line answer
calls on both lines, (while both lines are separate for all other
purposes.)

The simplest I can think of is a ring detector, with some logic to
diplex the two lines into the ans machine. But thats uses active parts
and not a five minute job to tie together.


shrikumar (shri@legato.cs.umass.edu, shri@iucaa.ernet.in)
Date: Wed, 30 Sep 92 23:30:13 -0700
From: tjoa@cory.berkeley.edu (Richard Tjoa)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Switch to Connect/Disconnect Phone Line 
Organization: TELECOM Digest
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 753, Message 8 of 18

I was in the process of making a switch for a friend of mine with a
speech impairment that would disconnect his TDD when he was just using
it to communicate with people in the room.  When he turns on and
starts typing on his TDD, it renders the phone line busy.  What he
wants me to do is to put in some kind of switch that will disable or
enable the device to communicate over the phone line.

So, my question is: What is the best wire to install the switch on?
Red?  Green?  Both?


Richard


[Moderator's Note: You could split the connection on either the red or
green wire or you could use a double-pole double-throw switch and
break both wires which might be best if there are other extensions
which might want to use the phone when the TDD is not. Either way
would probably work fine.  PAT]
Date: Fri, 2 Oct 92 13:52:26 CDT
From: mattair@sun44.synercom.hounix.org (Charles Mattair)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Re: What it Costs to Have the President Over
Organization: Synercom Technology, Inc., Houston, TX
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 757, Message 13 of 13

> [Moderator's Note: Harry S Truman used to take walks alone around
> downtown Washington, DC during his term in office. I don't need an
> explanation of why that is not feasable these days, but it seems to me
> there is a massive overkill of protection and telecom services for the
> President.   PAT]

Totally off the subject of telecom but Barbara Bush decided to take a
walk in Hermann Park (the largest park in Houston proper) during the
Economic Summit a couple of years ago.  They cleared the park.

The convention wasn't too bad although the area around the Dome became
somewhat of a Ptomkin village with all the cleanup.

Kinda makes you think of the blessing for the Tsar from "Fiddler on the Roof."

"May the Lord bless and keep the Tsar.  Far away from Me."


Charles Mattair		 mattair@synercom.hounix.org
Any opinions offered are my own and do not reflect those of my employer.


[Moderator's Note: Whatever happened to government of the people, by
the people and for the people?  Surely she could have walked in the
park, perhaps with an agent or two and been perfectly safe without
causing all that annoyance to everyone else who was using the park.  PAT]
Date: 5 Oct 92 00:02:00 UT
From: steven@alchemy.uucp
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: Cheap Cellular Phones in California 
Organization: TELECOM Digest
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 12, Issue 761, Message 5 of 8

Well that seems to be changing. Radio Shack was advertising their hand
held phone for a lot less then it has been in the past. The problem
was you had to pay $100.00 more for it if you did not get their
service (LA Cellular). Since I had PacTell Cellular, and have never
had any problems with it I saw no reason to change. I was shown the
costs for the phone in other states and it is a lot more.  By the way,
North Carolina appears to have gone the way of the other states. I
bought an OKI 900 for a fair price had it programmed at the selling
price and paid PacBell $15.00 for an ESN change.

I also found out that a phone sold by Circuit City, Silo and so on as
XXX by and a brand name phone are made for them and may not be as
good. Also if you don't want to sign up for the service they really
don't want to sell you one.


Steven H. Lichter     COEI GTECA
Mad Dog (Steven)             Sysop: Apple Elite II -- an Ogg-Net BBS
UUCP: steven@alchemy.UUCP    (714) 359-5338  1200-2400 bps 8N1


[Moderator's Note: This is another example of mail coming from gte.com
under the name of Gloria Valle. I had to change it to the address
shown above. I *wish* correspondents from GTE would show the correct
address when writing here.   PAT]