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TELECOM Digest Fri, 3 Jun 2005 18:53:00 EDT Volume 24 : Issue 247 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Telecom Update #484, June 3, 2005 (Angus TeleManagement Group) McAfee Targets Wi-Fi Security (Telecom dailyLead from USTA) Wireless Networks on Verge of Makeover (Monty Solomon) Google's Long Memory (Lisa Minter) ADSL in Britain (istan@interia.pl) Porting an 800 Number (Fred Atkinson) Prepaid SIM Cards - Are They Any Good? (gavin@interprom.com) Nokia 3310 (GSM) and Prepaid in the US? (gaikokujinkyofusho@gmail.com) SEX.COM Owner Arrested For Child Molestation, Heroin (Nancy Howard) Re: Police Officer Misbehaves in Chat Room for Children (Lisa Hancock) Re: Porn Sites Get Own Domain Name, '.xxx' (Robert Bonomi) Bennett LeBow ? (Lisa Hancock) Re: Schools Prohibit Personal E-Mail Sites (Lisa Hancock) Re: Schools Prohibit Personal E-mail Sites (mc) Re: Schools Prohibit Personal E-mail Sites (Robert Bonomi) Re: GSM and Roaming (Robert Bonomi) Re: Known Spam Sites (Steven Lichter) Re: Apparent Junk Mail (Wolfgang S. Rupprecht) Telecom and VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Digest for the Internet. All contents here are copyrighted by Patrick Townson and the individual writers/correspondents. Articles may be used in other journals or newsgroups, provided the writer's name and the Digest are included in the fair use quote. By using -any name or email address- included herein for -any- reason other than responding to an article herein, you agree to pay a hundred dollars to the recipients of the email. =========================== Addresses herein are not to be added to any mailing list, nor to be sold or given away without explicit written consent. Chain letters, viruses, porn, spam, and miscellaneous junk are definitely unwelcome. We must fight spam for the same reason we fight crime: not because we are naive enough to believe that we will ever stamp it out, but because we do not want the kind of world that results when no one stands against crime. Geoffrey Welsh =========================== See the bottom of this issue for subscription and archive details and the name of our lawyer; other stuff of interest. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2005 11:46:43 -0700 Subject: Telecom Update #484, June 3, 2005 From: Angus TeleManagement Group <jriddell@angustel.ca> Reply-To: Angus TeleManagement Group <jriddell@angustel.ca> ************************************************************ TELECOM UPDATE ************************************************************ published weekly by Angus TeleManagement Group http://www.angustel.ca Number 484: June 3, 2005 Publication of Telecom Update is made possible by generous financial support from: ** ALLSTREAM: www.allstream.com ** AVAYA: www.avaya.ca/en/ ** BELL CANADA: www.bell.ca ** CISCO SYSTEMS CANADA: www.cisco.com/ca/ ** ERICSSON: www.ericsson.ca ** MITEL NETWORKS: www.mitel.com/ ** SPRINT CANADA: www.sprint.ca ** UTC CANADA: www.canada.utc.org/ ************************************************************ IN THIS ISSUE: ** Telus Plans In-Territory VoIP ** Is Bell Exiting Rural Phone Business? ** Telecom Policy Discussion Paper Due Monday ** Telecom Hall of Fame Launched ** OneConnect Complies With 9-1-1 Order ** AOL Rolls Out National VoIP ** Nortel Results Finally Current ** CRTC Updates Service Withdrawal Rules ** CRTC Urged to Set VoIP Compliance Deadlines for Bell, Shaw ** Hydro One, WilTel Offer Cross-Border Ethernet ** CIRA Sets Board Election ** New President at Telehop ** Virgin Launches Service in Maritimes ** Bell Offers Wireless Tracking for Small Business ** CATA Launches "Women In Technology" Forum ** CRTC Names New Communications Director ** Telemanagement Live Expands ============================================================ TELUS PLANS IN-TERRITORY VoIP: On Wednesday, Telus CEO Darren Entwistle told reporters that his company will offer residential IP-based local phone service in Alberta, British Columbia, and eastern Quebec later this year. IS BELL EXITING RURAL PHONE BUSINESS? There's no official comment from Bell Canada, but published reports say the telco is hoping to raise $3 billion by selling 850,000 local telephone lines in rural Ontario and Quebec. Rumoured buyers include Bell Nordiq (a Bell subsidiary) and independent telco Amtelecom. TELECOM POLICY DISCUSSION PAPER DUE MONDAY: The Telecom Policy Review Panel plans to release its consultation paper on Monday, June 6, outlining focus areas and inviting submissions. To read the paper or register, go to the panel's website. www.telecomreview.ca/ TELECOM HALL OF FAME LAUNCHED: This week, Lorne Abugov, a partner at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, announced the formation of Canada's Telecommunications Hall of Fame, to honour pioneers and leaders of the industry. The first laureates will be announced during the TeleManagement Live conference in October. The interim selection committee includes Abugov and: ** Stuart MacPherson: Principal, MacPherson Telecom Consulting; Former CRTC Executive Director Telecom. ** Lis Angus: Executive Vice-President, Angus TeleManagement Group Inc.; co-editor, Telecom Update. ** Wes Scott: Corporate Director; former BCE Chief Corporate Officer. ** Carol Stephenson: Dean, Richard Ivey School of Business, University of Western Ontario. www.telecomhall.ca ONECONNECT COMPLIES WITH 9-1-1 ORDER: Hosted IP telephony provider OneConnect says that by June 24 specialized call centres will intercept its subscribers' 9-1-1 calls and route them to the proper 911 dispatch points. The CRTC has ordered VoIP providers to offer basic 9-1-1 service by July 3. (See Telecom Update #476) AOL ROLLS OUT NATIONAL VoIP: AOL Canada's IP telephony service, TotalTalk, is now available across Canada. Introduced in Toronto earlier this year, TotalTalk is offered in two packages, depending on the amount of North American LD included: $19.95/month with 60 minutes of LD, $29.95/month with 1,000 minutes. Both plans include unlimited calling to other TotalTalk subscribers. ** AOL's website says the service includes 9-1-1, "if your telephone number and the 9-1-1 address that you supply to us during registration correspond to a TotalTalk serving area exchange." NORTEL RESULTS FINALLY CURRENT: At last, Nortel Networks financial reporting is back on schedule. First quarter results show revenue of US$2.54 billion, up 4% from a year ago and down 2% from the previous quarter. Net loss: $49 million. Nortel's order backlog increased 10% to $4.5 billion. ** CEO Bill Owens says Nortel is taking "aggressive actions" to lower its cost structure and may close some of its 30 R&D sites. CRTC UPDATES SERVICE WITHDRAWAL RULES: Responding to a January 2005 application from Bell Canada (see Telecom Update #463), the CRTC has outlined new procedures to deal with telco applications to destandardize or withdraw tariffed services. The new process provides timelines and criteria to be relied on by customers and carriers when service withdrawals are proposed, but does not allow for automatic approval as proposed by Bell. www.crtc.gc.ca/archive/ENG/Circulars/2005/ct2005-7.htm CRTC URGED TO SET VoIP COMPLIANCE DEADLINES FOR BELL, SHAW: Industry players want the CRTC to set firm deadlines for Bell Canada and Shaw Communications to comply with the new VoIP rules: ** Cogeco, Quebecor, and the CCTA say Bell should be required to file a tariff for its "Digital Voice" VoIP service without delay, and should not be allowed to offer the service to any new customers until the tariff is approved. ** Telus says Shaw should not be permitted to expand its telephone service to new communities until it is in compliance with all CLEC obligations. www.crtc.gc.ca/PartVII/eng/2005/8622/c6_200503997.htm www.crtc.gc.ca/PartVII/eng/2005/8622/q15_200504151.htm www.crtc.gc.ca/PartVII/eng/2005/8622/c13_200504028.htm www.crtc.gc.ca/PartVII/eng/2005/8622/t66_200503418.htm HYDRO ONE, WILTEL OFFER CROSS-BORDER ETHERNET: Hydro One Telecom now offers wide-area Ethernet service into the United States, in partnership with Tulsa-based WilTel Communications. CIRA SETS BOARD ELECTION: Elections for the Board of Directors of the Canadian Internet Registration Authority will be held online and by fax, from June 16 to June 22. Everyone who holds a dot.ca domain name is eligible to join CIRA and participate in the election. www.cira.ca/en/election_2005/election-2005.html NEW PRESIDENT AT TELEHOP: Ruth Bartholomeusz, who has been Chief Operating Officer of Telehop Communications since 2000, has been named president of the company. Former president Hersh Spiegelman continues as Chairman of the Board. VIRGIN LAUNCHES SERVICE IN MARITIMES: On May 31, Virgin Mobile expanded its prepaid wireless service to the Atlantic Provinces. (See Telecom Update #471) BELL OFFERS WIRELESS TRACKING FOR SMALL BUSINESS: Bell Mobility's new GoTrax service provides "affordable wireless tracking for small and medium-sized businesses," using a combination of handset-based GPS and cellular technology. CATA LAUNCHES "WOMEN IN TECHNOLOGY" FORUM: The Canadian Advanced Technology Alliance has launched the Women In Technology Forum, which aims to "boost women's participation and progress in a very challenging sector." The WIT Forum plans to offer online resources, a mentoring network, educational programs, and a book, "Leadership Success for Women," to be launched this autumn. www.cata.ca/Media_and_Events/Press_Releases/cata_pr05310501.html CRTC NAMES NEW COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR: On June 2, Claudine Renauld joined the CRTC as Director General Communications, replacing Denis Carmel, who will work with her during a transition period. (see Telecom Update #477). TELEMANAGEMENT LIVE EXPANDS: Telemanagement Live, Canada's premier user-focused conference and exhibit on business telecom and networking, has doubled the size of its educational program this year. The initial sponsors for the event, to be held October 17-19 at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, are Allstream, Avaya, Bell Canada, Cisco Systems and Telus. www.telemanagementlive.com ============================================================ HOW TO SUBMIT ITEMS FOR TELECOM UPDATE E-mail ianangus@angustel.ca and jriddell@angustel.ca =========================================================== HOW TO SUBSCRIBE (OR UNSUBSCRIBE) TELECOM UPDATE is provided in electronic form only. There are two formats available: 1. The fully-formatted edition is posted on the World Wide Web late Friday afternoon each week at www.angustel.ca 2. The e-mail edition is distributed free of charge. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to: join-telecom_update@nova.sparklist.com To stop receiving the e-mail edition, send an e-mail message to: leave-telecom_update@nova.sparklist.com Sending e-mail to these addresses will automatically add or remove the sender's e-mail address from the list. Leave subject line and message area blank. We do not give Telecom Update subscribers' e-mail addresses to any third party. For more information, see www.angustel.ca/update/privacy.html. =========================================================== COPYRIGHT AND CONDITIONS OF USE: All contents copyright 2005 Angus TeleManagement Group Inc. All rights reserved. For further information, including permission to reprint or reproduce, please e-mail rosita@angustel.ca or phone 905-686-5050 ext 500. The information and data included has been obtained from sources which we believe to be reliable, but Angus TeleManagement makes no warranties or representations whatsoever regarding accuracy, completeness, or adequacy. Opinions expressed are based on interpretation of available information, and are subject to change. If expert advice on the subject matter is required, the services of a competent professional should be obtained. ============================================================ ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2005 12:58:34 EDT From: Telecom dailyLead from USTA <usta@dailylead.com> Subject: McAfee Targets Wi-Fi Security Telecom dailyLead from USTA June 3, 2005 http://www.dailylead.com/latestIssue.jsp?i=22084&l=2017006 TODAY'S HEADLINES NEWS OF THE DAY * McAfee targets Wi-Fi security BUSINESS & INDUSTRY WATCH * Satellite ISPs seek to overcome hurdles * Analysis: SBC's low-cost DSL may pressure other broadband providers * O2 signs up to use Intel chip * Motorola: Low handset prices not only key to 3G's success USTA SPOTLIGHT * Register Onsite for USTA Conferences at SUPERCOMM Starting Monday EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES * BT, Virgin to launch mobile TV trial VOIP DOWNLOAD * AOL Canada expands VoIP service * CIOs offer tips on VoIP implementation REGULATORY & LEGISLATIVE * Former Qwest CFO to plead guilty Follow the link below to read quick summaries of these stories and others. http://www.dailylead.com/latestIssue.jsp?i=22084&l=2017006 ------------------------------ Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2005 07:16:58 -0400 From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com> Subject: Wireless Networks on Verge of Makeover By MATTHEW FORDAHL AP Technology Writer SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) -- The technology behind wireless data networks in homes and businesses is on the verge of a makeover that promises to fix long-standing complaints of spotty coverage, flaky connections and inconsistent speeds. The next generation of Wi-Fi will be so powerful that it's expected to be capable of carrying everything from Internet phone calls and music to high-definition television streams over the airwaves without a hiccup. Problem is, the standard technically known as 802.11n does not yet exist. Not even a draft has been approved. In fact, the final 802.11n specifications aren't expected to receive an official nod until late next year at the earliest. But that has not stopped the makers of access points, networking cards and other wireless gear from launching a parade of products that claim the benefits and even the underlying technologies of the still-to-be-defined 802.11n. The situation is setting a new standard for market confusion _ even in an industry that plasters its boxes with claims of unobtainable speeds, fuzzy math and a dizzying collection of acronyms. Some products are labeled "Pre N," which some believe might lead consumers to think the equipment is upgradeable to actual 802.11n. - http://finance.lycos.com/home/news/story.asp?story=49601956 ------------------------------ From: Lisa Minter <lisa_minter2001@yahoo.com> Subject: Google's Long Memory Stirs Privacy Concerns Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2005 10:15:12 -0500 By Andy Sullivan When Google Inc.'s 19 million daily users look up a long-lost classmate, send e-mail or bounce around the Web more quickly with its new Web Accelerator, records of that activity don't go away. In an era of increased government surveillance, privacy watchdogs worry that Google's vast archive of Internet activity could prove a tempting target for abuse. Like many other online businesses, Google (Nasdaq:GOOG - news) tracks how its search engine and other services are used, and who uses them. Unlike many other businesses, Google holds onto that information for years. Some privacy experts who otherwise give Google high marks say the company's records could become a handy data bank for government investigators who rely on business records to circumvent Watergate-era laws that limit their own ability to track U.S. residents. At a time when libraries delete lending records as soon as a book is returned, Google should purge its records after a certain point to protect users, they say. "What if someone comes up to them and says, 'We want to know whenever this key word comes up'? All the capability is there and it becomes a one-stop shopping center for all these kinds of things," said Lauren Weinstein, an engineer who co-founded People for Internet Responsibility, a forum for online issues. Google officials say their extensive log files help them improve service, fight fraud and develop new products, and unlike many other online companies, it seems willing to pay for the enormous storage capacity needed to save the data. "If it's useful, we'll hold on to it," said Nicole Wong, a Google associate general counsel. Google complies with law-enforcement investigations, Wong said. She declined to comment on the frequency or scope of those requests. From the ground up, Google designs its offerings to minimally impact user privacy, Wong said. Google doesn't share the information it collects from visitors with outside marketers. Employees must get executive approval before they examine traffic data, she said. Google logs the numerical IP address of each computer that visits many of its sites, and deposits small bits of code known as "cookies" on users' machines to automatically remember preferences like which language they use, she said. Users can reject cookies if they wish, but some services like Gmail, Google's e-mail, will not work without them. It's difficult to tie cookies and IP addresses to a particular person, Wong said. The IP address of a computer can change every time it signs on to the Internet, and different services use different cookies so the company doesn't know, for example, that a particular Gmail user has visited the Web site of an abortion providers. POLICIES COULD CHANGE But absent regulation, there's nothing to prevent Google from linking together those cookies in the future, said Chris Hoofnagle, who heads the West Coast office of the Electronic Privacy Information Center. "Events can change corporate culture, and those who use the Google service may experience a shift in the definition of 'evil,"' Hoofnagle said, referring to the company's "Don't be evil" motto. Rivals like Yahoo Inc. and Internet service providers such as Time Warner Inc.'s America Online also track user activity. But ISPs generally don't hold onto such information for more than a month because storage costs and privacy concerns can mount quickly, said Stewart Baker, a Washington lawyer who has represented ISPs in law-enforcement matters. "If you don't have a reason to keep a bunch of data around, it's probably prudent to get rid of it," he said. Yahoo declined to say how long it holds on to its log files. Google's generous mail service creates risks as well. While AOL purges customer e-mail from its servers after 28 days unless users specify otherwise, Gmail encourages users to hold onto their messages indefinitely. Most people don't know that a 1986 law gives less protection from government searches to messages more than six months old, said Ari Schwartz, an associate director at the Center for Democracy and Technology. "That doesn't mean that Google needs to change its technology, but they do need to do some consumer education," he said. Even when a user deletes a message it may remain on company servers, according to the Gmail privacy policy. Some don't see Google's long memory as a bad thing. "You wouldn't want them to throw away all the queries that have been done -- that's like throwing away history," said Danny Sullivan, editor of the trade publication Search Engine Watch. Weinstein doesn't think so. "There's really no good reason to hold onto that information for more than a few months," he said. "They seem to think that because their motives are pure that everything is OK and they can operate on a trust basis. History tells us that is not the case." Copyright 2005 Reuters Limited. NOTE: For more telecom/internet/networking/computer news from the daily media, check out our feature 'Telecom Digest Extra' each day at http://telecom-digest.org/td-extra/more-news.html . Hundreds of new articles daily. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Lauren Weinstein, quoted in the Reuters news item above has been a long time netter. He was a founding, or charter subsriber to Telecom Digest back in 1981. Although many times he makes good sense in what he says, there have been times I felt he was unduly concerned with some obscure privacy issues. I have read some of his postings here, also in RISKS and elsewhere and wondered if he really felt some of the concerns expressed were realistic or not. His things make good reading, to be sure, but how _real_ are a lot of his concerns? PAT] ------------------------------ From: istan@interia.pl Subject: ADSL in Britain Date: 3 Jun 2005 03:40:59 -0700 Hi, Couple weeks ago I saw on TV a BBC's documentary film about ADSL access to the Internet. There was some information about BT and their plans in the future. There were also interviews with customer who shared their experience with using the Internet, Skype, VoIP. They complained about BT as well :). They didn't agree with policy of BT to charge a landline and an ADSL access to the Internet in the same time without giving a choose to resign of a landline. I'd like to ask about a copy of this document or information where can I find it. The film is very interesting for me and useful in my work. Regard, Paul ------------------------------ From: Fred Atkinson <fatkinson@mishmash.com> Subject: Porting an 800 Number Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2005 07:53:04 -0400 I've accepted a position that is relocating me to the Cullowhee, NC area. There are about three VOIP providers that provide telephone numbers for nearby Sylva, NC. Vonage is *not* one of them. So, I have to change VOIP providers when I move. Of the three, one has a bad reputation with the BBB. The other two check out with a good reputation. On the recommendation of someone with professional judgement that I trust, I've decided which one to go with. When I got Vonage service, they wouldn't retarget my personal 800 numbers to my Vonage phone, though they told me I was welcome to use a toll-free provider to report my number to my Vonage number (Vonage will provide you with a new 800 number, but they won't retarget one that you already have). This company says they will accept your existing 800 numbers and add them to your service. But, you have to arrange to have them retargeted to their facitilies yourself. So, can anyone tell me [or provide me with a link to the instructions on] how to do this? I'm also trying to find out if I can get my local Columbia area Vonage number retargeted to my new provider as a virtual number. I've sent them an email asking them about that. I gave them the area code and the exchange. Verizon is the local provider in that area. I've already corresponded with them about getting a foreign listing for my new residential VOIP number. They say absolutely yes and they charge about half of what Bellsouth charged me for the same thing. I have the name of a person who is in the know about this and I can contact them once I get my new number. After all the trouble I had getting my number listed with Bellsouth (I had to call the PSC in SC to get it done), it'll be interesting to see how this goes. Regards, Fred [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Fred, I may be missing something here, but regards the redirection of your personal 800 number, why wouldn't you just do that yourself (to wherever you like) rather than pointing it at still another 800 number from Vonage, so you will now get twice the fees for your inbound calls? PAT] ------------------------------ From: gavin@interprom.com Subject: Prepaid SIM Cards - Are They Any Good? Date: 2 Jun 2005 21:21:19 -0700 I travel to the US a lot and refuse to pay the inflated roaming charges that Rogers Wireless, and I'm sure ALL cariers charge. I was wondering if services such as www.interlinkwireless.ca who provide prepaid SIM cards that you can refill are on the up and up? BTW - I have an unlocked phone :) ------------------------------ From: gaikokujinkyofusho@gmail.com Subject: Nokia 3310 (GSM) and Prepaid in the US? Date: 2 Jun 2005 19:52:08 -0700 Hi, I got a Nokia 3310 (GSM) while i was in Italy but will be in the US for a few months and don't want to bother getting a new phone or locked in monthly phone service. Can the 3310 be used in the US and if so what prepaid options are there? Any help would be *greatly* appreciated! Cheers -Gaiko ------------------------------ From: nancyhoward2@gmail.com Subject: SEX.COM Owner Arrested for Child Molestation; Possession of Heroin Date: 2 Jun 2005 20:23:14 -0700 [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I take this opportunity to remind all our readers that criminal allegations are just that -- allegations -- and not 'proof' of anything. Proof can only be detirmined by a judge in a court of law. Police do not make those decisions, neither do netters. I've never spoken to Ms. Howard, and cannot give any credibilty to what she says, either way. PAT] BY NANCY HOWARD SEX.COM owner arrested for Child molestation and possession of heroin. Gary Kremen the owner of the infamous web site Sex.com has been arrested and release on bail for "Child Molestation" of 13 year old boy, possession of heroin and possession of hypodermic needles. A police source familiar with the incident stated that Kremen is a well known user of drugs such as speed and heroin and has admitted to being bisxual during a police interview. Dr. Adrian Copeland, a psychiatrist who works with sexual offenders at the Peters Institute in Philadelphia, said that, from his experience, pedophiles tend to be homosexual and "40% to 45%" of child molesters have had "significant homosexual experiences." Police are currently investigating other unspecified criminal charges against Kremen. Kremen who became famous for his court victory against Stephen Cohen over the sex.com domain name has had his problems according to the police source since winning back the sex.com domain name. The sex.com web site produces a small amount of money for Kremen who has been forced to endure large continuing legal expenses because of Kremen's failure to collect from Cohen. Kremen's prior attorney Charles Carreon was forced to sue Kremen over proceeds from the victorious lawsuit to win back the domain sex.com. Carreon claimed Kremen promised him 15% ownership in Sex.com. Kremen denied any such deal. Kremen settled his obligation to Carreon for an undisclosed amount of money. Last year Kremen for unknown reasons settled his action with VeriSign for $150,000.00 according to a VeriSign public filing with the Security Exchange Commission. In phone interview with Kremen today he stated he was not a child molester and the charges are false. Kremen admitted that he does have a problem with drugs and that he does supported groups that protect the rights of children. Mandy Howard of "Parents United Against Child Sexual Abuse" stated that people like Gary Kremen should be incarcerated for life since there is no cure for these people. We should start to think about protecting the rights of our children over the rights of child predators like Kremen. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: I wonder if 'Mandy Howard' of Parents United is any relation to 'Nancy Howard' who submitted this article? I would also like to point out that in this somewhat offensive article (to me, at least), neither of the Misses Howard's is entitled to use absolute terms like 'predator' or 'should be incarcerated for life', certainly without _an adjudication in a court_. My first reaction was to pitch the article out unused, but with the possibility there is some smidgen of truth herein, i.e. Kremen _was_ arrested on the allegations named, and his known legal problems with the 'sex.com' domain, etc I decided to use the article. However I could have done without the blurring/blending of sexual lifestyle choices and pedophilia. I did not need opinions from any Philadelphia 'expert' nor any pronouncements from Mandy Howard about 'what should be done'; whether the item is true or false, I do not need that. I would point out also to Mandy Howard that kids have been known to _lie_ on this topic and 'life incarceration' is a bit steep under the circumstances. That's not to say he is or is not guilty; I have no idea. So Ms. Nancy Howard, if you wish to write to us further on this topic or any other which is bound to stir controversy, please write only with the facts as they are known at that moment. Thanks. PAT] ------------------------------ From: hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com Subject: Re: Police Officer Misbehaves in Chat Room for Children Date: 3 Jun 2005 09:22:57 -0700 Organization: http://groups.google.com Lisa Minter wrote: > Police Say a Popular Officer Sought Boys in Children's Chat Rooms > Michael Costello, 39, a popular youth officer in the 114th Precinct in > Astoria, Queens, seemed like a model of community policing. > Nancy DiMeglio, 74, vice president of the 114th Precinct's community > council, described Officer Costello as a popular officer and said she > was "in dead shock" to hear the charges. Is it possible this was the result of a malicious frame-up or technical error in identification? Could the messages have been forged? These are very serious charges and are reported on from time to time. But is the technical computer basis absolutely solidly accurate to identify the sender and content? [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: All those things are possible, except that 'someone' who produced a picture of Costello also somehow arranged for Costello to go to the Starbucks at the appointed meeting time and that same 'someone' arranged for Costello to have items in his possession of a sexual nature. Certainly not illegal, but when taken in the context of the other known things in the case, rather peculiar to say the least. This is _precisely_ or quite nearly the same as the Kremen's matter which Ms. Howard wrote about in the other message in this issue, but unlike the third-party bystanders in Ms. Howard's report (an 'expert' discussing any possible relationship between pedophilia/homosexuality/ bisexualty and conveniently getting it all blurred together; an aggrieved parent organization with suggestions [albiet they are premature] of how to administer punishment, etc; and an alleged 'confession' of bisexuality to police officers), the only third-party bystander in Lisa Minter's report, was the 74 year old lady in the community organization who said she was 'shocked' by the report. And a news source (Watch Right.com) I have had experience with versus a news source (Howard) with whom I have no experience. The above Editor's Note brought to you as a public service for the readers who wonder why transgressions of the cop _as reported_ were fair game but transgressions by the proprietor of sex.com _as reported_ were looked at somewhat askance. PAT] ------------------------------ From: bonomi@host122.r-bonomi.com (Robert Bonomi) Subject: Re: Porn Sites Get Own Domain Name, '.xxx' Date: Fri, 03 Jun 2005 01:55:14 -0000 Organization: Widgets, Inc. In article <telecom24.246.1@telecom-digest.org>, Lisa Minter <lisa_minter2001@yahoo.com> wrote: > By Andy Sullivan > Sex sites will soon be able to sign up for Web addresses in the .xxx > Internet domain, but a virtual red light district won't guarantee that > people can avoid pornography online, Internet experts said on > Thursday. > The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers said late > Wednesday it would move ahead with plans to set up a separate .xxx > Internet domain for sexually explicit material. It's a *damn* shame ICANN couldn't be bothered to read RFC 3675. <ftp://ftp.rfc-editor.org/in-notes/rfc3675.txt> [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: All that RFC business is so quaint since ICANN took over the Internet a few years ago. ICANN seems to take the position RFCs-be-damned! They'll do as they please, thank you just the same. And did you notice how all along, ICANN was sticking to the 'we do not want to judge or determine content' line regards '.xxx' all the while they were churning out and giving blessings and imprimateur to '.info' and '.biz', two big spam hives? Then a lawyer comes along with his ICM Registry and for some odd reason ICANN no longer has their objections to '.xxx'. Kind of makes you wonder, doesn't it? By any chance has Vint Cerf and his buddy Esther Dyson and the gang managed to collect enough money for their next overseas vacation trip yet? PAT] ------------------------------ From: hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com Subject: Bennett LeBow? Date: 3 Jun 2005 13:49:27 -0700 I was wondering about the background of this fellow. He is a wealthy businessman who has donated a great deal of money to colleges that have named stuff for him. According to Google, we had a post mentioning him in the bankruptcy proceedings of Western Union some years ago, and he was involved in that somehow. I get the impression he was kind of an aggressive corporate takeover artist. I was wondering if readers here had any opinions of him beyond the official history. Thanks. [public replies please] ------------------------------ From: hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com Subject: Re: Schools Prohibit Personal E-mail Sites Date: 3 Jun 2005 14:08:06 -0700 Steve Sobol wrote: > Not completely true. Private employers don't have to worry about First > Amendment issues; public school districts do. However, there are > probably ways to avoid those issues. The rights of free speech and assembly does not say the govt has to provide you the platform or medium for your activities. For that you're on your own. A student on his own home computer on his private (not school issued) email or web account could do pretty much anything he/she wants, subject to standard law that everybody has to obey. Likewise, any student may stand at the entrance of his school and hand out leaflets to students. That's all classic stuff. But when the student uses school-owned facilities for personal expression, it's another story. Students do not have a right of free speech in the school newspaper -- the publisher (the school) has the ultimate say, just as the publisher of any newspaper has the ultimate say in what goes in. Likewise for electronic transmissions -- the hosts of web sites, chat rooms, email networks, etc., have ultimate control. It is important to remember that publishers and electronic host s are ultimately legally responsible and liable for stuff they 'publish'. This is particularly important when dealing with kids because (1) the original kid who put out something bad may be immune to suit on account of being a minor and (2) the victim of something bad may be a minor and as such have additional rights of law. In other words, if some kids snaps a cellphone photo of another kid naked and then publishes it on the school's media, the school would in a heck of a lot of trouble. This has happened and school officials were in a big mess for failing to protect and control their networks from such actions. The courts have issued varied rulings on this. Sometimes schools are between in a rock and a hard place -- sometimes they are forced by the courts to let kids publish crap and then they're the ones who get sued over it. Schools have to play all sorts of games to cover themselves. Accordingly, we see rules like this -- banning some student activity -- so the school can protect itself. Given out litigous world and the fact some kids can be incredibly cruel -- I don't blame the school. This isn't anything actually new. Even in my day there were a lot of stupid school rules for legal reasons. For instance, we were forbidden to leave school grounds during lunch and the school aggressively enforced it -- even having the cops raid local lunch stops. The thing was, during the school day if a kid got into any kind of trouble (ie hit by a car) the school was liable. Also, teachers/staff were forbidden to transport students in their personal cars (ie give a kid a ride home in a rainstorm) due to liability risk. When I was in elementary school and learning weights and measures, we had to bring in sample ads from the newspapers as examples. It turned out most of us found liquor ads. The teacher was very upset. It wasn't of course our fault, but the teacher was worried -- realistically -- of having an elemetary school classroom full of liquor ads. ------------------------------ From: mc <mc_no_spam@uga.edu> Subject: Re: Schools Prohibit Personal E-mail Sites Date: Fri, 3 Jun 2005 01:37:18 -0400 Organization: Speed Factory ( http://www.speedfactory.net ) Steve Sobol <sjsobol@JustThe.net> wrote in message news:telecom24.246.9@telecom-digest.org: > Lisa Hancock wrote: >> I don't see why this is a big deal. It's the school's computers and >> they should be able to regulate them any way they choose. It's no >> different from the workplace where an employer dictates what can and >> cannot be done on his computers. > Not completely true. Private employers don't have to worry about First > Amendment issues; public school districts do. However, there are > probably ways to avoid those issues. That is another advantage of private schools. Everybody is there voluntarily. I'm not sure education is really *possible* in a government institution that is compelled to be neutral on every moral and political controversy. It is certainly often an odd experience, as this story shows. ------------------------------ From: bonomi@host122.r-bonomi.com (Robert Bonomi) Subject: Re: Schools Prohibit Personal E-mail Sites Date: Fri, 03 Jun 2005 01:39:59 -0000 Organization: Widgets, Inc. In article <telecom24.246.9@telecom-digest.org>, Steve Sobol <sjsobol@JustThe.net> wrote: > Lisa Hancock wrote: >> I don't see why this is a big deal. It's the school's computers and >> they should be able to regulate them any way they choose. It's no >> different from the workplace where an employer dictates what can and >> cannot be done on his computers. > Not completely true. Private employers don't have to worry about First > Amendment issues; public school districts do. However, there are > probably ways to avoid those issues. Yuppers. First Amendment means that, as a government agency, you cannot monitor/filter/block/etc what students _say_ in outgoing email. (It's even a seriously sticky situation in government agencies with their employees.) On the other hand, you _can_ ban individuals from using the equipment _at_all_, if you have a rational reason for doing so. Like they've been using it abusively. Silly as it seems on the face of it, restricting them from 'saying anything' it not the First Amendment problem that restricting them from 'saying *specific* things' is. BTW, this is _nothing_ new. 50-70 years ago -- _couldn't_ restrict the *politician's* sound trucks going around trying to drum up votes, at election time. *COULD* ban *all* sound trucks, _all_ the time.. Similarly, a government operation can restrict "what functions" the multiple-purpose box known as an 'Internet-connected computer' is used for, without running afoul of First Amendment. The critical difference, from a legal viewpoint, is that when you merely restrict the 'use' of the government's equipment, people are free to go use _other_ equipment for the same purpose, and not be encumbered by those restrictions. [TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: Same thing in Chicago at the Daley Plaza downtown. City said if you want to use loudspeakers or musical instruments we will allow only one set of same each day, generally first come, first served. Otherwise the Democrats on one side of the plaza with their loudspeakers will be drowning out the Republicans on the other side of the plaze with their sound equipment, and the resulting cacophony will keep the public servants working in their offices upstairs distracted. Now you had a legitimate government concern. 'Administrative Convenience' nearly always trumps the First Amendment. PAT] ------------------------------ From: bonomi@host122.r-bonomi.com (Robert Bonomi) Subject: Re: GSM and Roaming Date: Fri, 03 Jun 2005 01:11:11 -0000 Organization: Widgets, Inc. In article <telecom24.245.2@telecom-digest.org>, Eric <to.eric.smith@gmail.com> wrote: > Hi, > Anyone know of commercial or other solution to implement call hunting > between sim cards / lines? > Only solution I know of is HP's opencall framework. > Thanks for any suggestions. Grossly "insufficient data" for an intelligent answer. But that won't stop me. <grin> Your question is unclear -- are you a cell phone service *PROVIDER* looking to offer this capability as an option to your customers, and are seeking to add the requisite functionality to your switches? Or are you a cell-phone *user* wanting hunting between several cell phones? In the first scenario, talk to your switch equipment vendor. In the second scenario, ASK YOUR CELL-PHONE PROVIDER. If they offer a re-direct to voice-mail when your phone is _in_use_, they should have the physical capabilities in their switches to 'call forward on busy' to a different number. Whether or not they *choose* to offer that functionality to customers is a whole nuther story. <wry grin> Good luck. ------------------------------ From: Steven Lichter <shlichter@diespammers.com> Reply-To: Die@spammers.com Organization: I Kill Spammers, Inc. (c) 2005 A Rot in Hell Co. Subject: Re: Known Spam Sites Date: Fri, 03 Jun 2005 02:30:52 GMT I'll give that a try. It seemed to have slowed down a a bit the last few days. I posted one message here when I first set up my reader, but had not fixed my address, and I get one or two a day here, but my e-mail client seems to know that they are junk and deletes them before they get to my HD. Steve Sobol wrote: > Steven Lichter wrote: >> Over the last month I have noticed that over 60% of the Spam e-mail I >> have received has come from e-mail addresses and sites that are >> registered to Godaddy. Has anything been done or being done to shut >> this company down? > Have you complained to abuse@godaddy with the relevant information? >> All of what is being sent out appears to be fraud related, plus they >> must be ripping these newbies selling them these new targeted lists. >> The big one now is the $400,000 loan that they called you on last >> night and the Universal Studios, Orlando, where they want your >> credit card number. > GD is actually better than a lot of registrars about nuking domain > names registered by spammers; many registrars refuse to do it even > after you notify them of the abuses. GD does get more spammers than > some other registrars due to their low prices. Try filing some abuse > reports first, before you talk about getting them shut down. > JustThe.net - Apple Valley, CA - http://JustThe.net/ - 888.480.4NET (4638) > Steven J. Sobol, Geek In Charge / sjsobol@JustThe.net / PGP: 0xE3AE35ED > "The wisdom of a fool won't set you free" > --New Order, "Bizarre Love Triangle" The only good spammer is a dead one!! Have you hunted one down today? (c) 2005 I Kill Spammers, Inc. A Rot in Hell Co. ------------------------------ Subject: Re: Apparent Junk Mail From: wolfgang+gnus20050602T200108@dailyplanet.dontspam.wsrcc.com Organization: W S Rupprecht Computer Consulting, Fremont CA Date: Fri, 03 Jun 2005 03:17:39 GMT John Levine <johnl@iecc.com> writes: >> Notice the original message has telecom23.354.10@telecom-digest.org > As Pat noted, that was a Usenet message ID scraped off the net many > years ago. Quite a few years ago I noticed that just about anything that appeared in a header and looked faintly like an email address would eventually find its way into a "spam-me" CD of "A million suckers wanting to hear your latest email scam." That's also the Achilles tendon one needs to attack. If one's messages have a bit of header fluff that points to a spamtrap account on their machine one can often block spamming sites before they get much spam through to real people. Wolfgang S. Rupprecht http://www.wsrcc.com/wolfgang/ ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly but not exclusively to telecommunications topics. It is circulated anywhere there is email, in addition to various telecom forums on a variety of networks such as Compuserve and America On Line, Yahoo Groups, and other forums. It is also gatewayed to Usenet where it appears as the moderated newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom'. 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