From: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu (TELECOM Moderator)
Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom
Subject: What is TELECOM Digest?
Date: 11 Sep 92 08:15:00 GMT
Reply-To: TELECOM Moderator <telecom@eecs.nwu.edu>
Organization: TELECOM Digest
X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu
X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu


                    What is TELECOM Digest?
                    =======================


TELECOM Digest is a internet mailing list dedicated to several aspects
of telephone communications. While the emphasis is toward voice telephony, 
we touch on all aspects of telephones and telephone services.

The Digest is not intended as only a place for 'hi-tech' commentaries.
As Moderator, I welcome questions and comments from 'techies' and
regular users alike. Questions about telephone equipment are also very
welcome. 

The mailing list is distributed all over the world. In addition to
copies sent to individual readers, copies are posted on numerous BBSs
and similar services. The Digest is distributed by mail to readers on
various commercial services such as MCI Mail, SprintMail, and AT&T Mail. 
Copies also go to PC Pursuit where they are available on the "Net
Exchange", a BBS for PCP subscribers. Several readers receive copies
via email at Compuserve as well as Germany's Telebox Mail System.

Another distribution point is Usenet, where the Digest is distributed
to readers via the newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom' -- the place where
you are reading this message now. In most instances, the Digest is
distributed as a single mailing -- that is, the many articles which
make up each issue are sent as one in a digest, or newsletter format.
In the case of Usenet and comp.dcom.telecom, the messages are sent on
a one-by-one basis, with a reference in each message to the place
where the message was located in the mailing list version. This single
style message format seems to be preferred by many Usenet readers.
Usenet readers who prefer the single message, newsletter style format
are invited to subscribe to the mailing list. Details will follow.

TELECOM Digest is a moderated publication. What that means is that
messages for the list are submitted to the Moderator who edits them for
clarity, sorts them in a logical order and distributes them. Many
times a "Moderator's Note" will be appended to clarify or correct some
item, or to ask further questions, soliciting a group response. 

All articles for the Digest must be submitted to:

                        telecom@eecs.nwu.edu

All subscription requests or other correspondence should be addressed:

                     telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu

Unlike an unmoderated group, direct posting of articles to comp.dcom.
telecom is not possible. Usually the news software at your site will
accept your item, but forward it by mail to the Moderator rather than 
posting it. To be certain it arrives, it is best to email it to the
addresses shown above.

Personal replies are difficult because of the volume of mail received.
Each day typically brings 100+ articles for publication, of which only
a fraction can be used, and even fewer can have personal answers. In
most cases, you will receive an 'autoreply' message -- a computer
generated response advising you that your article was received and is
being considered for publication. The autoreply program sometimes will
fail for lack of an address to which it can respond, so if you do not
receive an answer, do not be unduly concerned ... watch the Digest for
a few days and see if your article was selected.

Please use a modicum of editing: No excessive quotes are allowed, and
signatures are pared to a minimum. Have a relevant subject title, and
when REplying to a previous article, match the earlier subject header
for ease in sorting here. Before REplying, read what others have
written. Do not needlessly duplicate the comments of other readers.
Avoid cross-posting, especially to other telecom-related newsgroups.
It is discourteous to expect the same readers to have to see your
article in two or three different forums.

The TELECOM ARCHIVES provides a wealth of information including a full
set of the back issues of TELECOM Digest (eleven year's worth) and
dozens of other files, including a "Frequently Asked Questions" file.
Please review the archives if possible for answers to questions you
may have, but do not hesitate to write to the Digest if necessary.
The archives are available using anonymous ftp:  lcs.mit.edu. Users at
non-Internet sites (ie UUCP, Bitnet, MCI Mail, etc) will need to use
an email/ftp server.

TELECOM Digest began publication in August, 1981. It is prepared and
distributed using the computation and network facilities at the
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Laboratory of Northwestern
University, Evanston, Illinois, USA with whom I have no affiliation
other than as a guest of the University and the EECS Department. I
appreciate their continued generosity, along with that of the
Massachusetts Institute of Technology for providing space and ftp
privileges for the Telecom Archives.


Patrick Townson
TELECOM Digest Moderator