__________________________________________________________,+M`______ ________________________________________________________,+MMT_______ ______,xxdggMP____,d+MMMb______________xdwPvM#b,____.xgMMMMM#ggg____ ________`MMMM'__,/"""MMMM|_________.d+P'`___|MMM____'"";MMMT________ ________|MMMT_,/'____+MMM________.gMMP______dMMP_______dMMM`________ ________+MMM_dF_____,MMMT_______dMMM'_____.+MMP_______,MMM|_________ _______jMMML/'______dMMM______.+MMM'___.,dMP"`________+MMP__________ _______+MMMP`______jMMM|______+MMM|_xd/#"'`__________jMMMI__________ ______|MMMP________+MMP______jMMMP""`________________+MMP___________ _____.MMMP`_______jMMMI______MMMM|__________________|MMMI___________ _____jMMM'________MMMP___jI__qMMM|__________,r_____.MMMP___d'_______ ____,MMMT________jMMM|.,/'___'MMMMb_______d/'______|MMM|_,/`________ ____dMMM`________'MMMMP'______'vMMMMM#gP#'`________qMMMM#'__________ ___________________""`___________'""""`_____________'""_____________ ____________________________________________________________________ From: boswell@well.sf.ca.us 1/5/93 Noted on the Net -==--==--==-<>-==--==--==- IN ISSUE 11: LEWIS CARROLL ON NETIQUETTE THE PEN WILL BE MIGHTIER THAN THE FAX EX-CONGRESSMAN TO PUT TELECOM CONTACTS TO WORK IN A JIFFY PRICE WAR BREAKS OUT OVER VIDEOPHONES THE WHISPER OF THE IBM AX IS HEARD IN NEW YORK DUELING ACRONYMS: DISA YAKS TO FCC ON PCS THE YARD GETS A CLUE! JAPAN LAUNCHES OF OPERATION HOPE FOR U.S. CHIP MAKERS APPLE TO BLOW OFF KEYBOARD FROM THE MAIL SPOOL A REALLY USEFUL ERROR MESSAGE -==--==--==-<>-==--==--==- FROM EMAIL TO FLAMES TO KILLFILES TO CRYPTOGRAPHY: LEWIS CARROLL ON NETIQUETTE I sent a letter to the fish, I told them, "This is what I wish." The little fishes of the sea, They sent an answer back to me. The little fishes' answer was "We cannot do it, sir, because ..." I sent a letter back to say It would be better to obey. But someone came to me and said "The little fishes are in bed." I said to him, and I said it plain "Then you must wake them up again." I said it very loud and clear, I went and shouted in his ear. But he was very stiff and proud, He said "You needn't shout so loud." And he was very proud and stiff, He said "I'll go and wake them if ..." I took a kettle from the shelf, I went to wake them up myself. But when I found the door was locked I pulled and pushed and kicked and knocked, And when I found the door was shut, I tried to turn the handle, But ... "Is that all?" asked Alice. "That is all." said Humpty Dumpty. "Good-bye." -- Lewis Carroll, "Through the Looking Glass" -==--==--==-<>-==--==--==- THE PEN WILL BE MIGHTIER THAN THE FAX From com-priv: On 01/05/93 Jeff Haas posted: ] A short note from the peanut gallery: ] ] One other reason that fax machines are much more popular among ] businesses than e-mail happens to be the fact that many people still ] don't type. Or for the ones who can, it may be quicker to pen a ] note rather than enter it using your favorite editor. ] ] While text may be much faster to enter via typing than writing, ] the market may have to wait until reliable speech to text software ] exists before Common-Joe gets on the Net for email. ] New technology perhaps not yet covered in this forum is the "pen-based computer" interaction paradigm: Electronic ink with graphic entry simulating the traditional pen on paper. With fax, the normal non-nerd "Common Joe" scribbles on paper then scans the paper through a fax machine. With a graphic entry communicating device, one scribbles on the smart paper, then directs the message through the pen computer/modem/software equivalent of a fax machine sending the image to any conventional fax machine as well as to an equivalent communicating pen oriented computer. No need for handwriting recognition, no need for OCR, no need for typing ever -- just cursor control with a hand-held pen-like stylus on a sensitive display surface. Everything is in the world of electronic ink like the fax bits after they've been scanned from paper into the conventional fax machine. While the pen paradigm is expensive and not really perfected commercially or technologically yet, it does have a strong existing and growing commercial marketplace in such applications as meter-reading, route delivery, trucking, etc. where signature capture is important and literate but not computer literate people like truck drivers, meter readers and futures/stock market traders use the equipment. The networking aspect fits in via wide area network links to these mobile people -- who cannot be expected to be internetworking gurus. There is a whole marketplace assembling itself around companies ranging from Tandy through PC folk like Microsoft ("Pen" Windows) to VC startups to the telecommunications and wide area network organizations. Carl Helmers, President & Editorial Director, Helmers Publishing, Inc. (what else do you do after starting BYTE?) 174 Concord Street, Peterborough, NH 03458 Phone: 603-924-9631 FAX: 603-924-7408 (We publish ID Systems and Sensors magazines) (-|-) -==--==--==-<>-==--==--==- EX-CONGRESSMAN TO PUT TELECOM CONTACTS TO WORK IN A JIFFY Terry Bruce lost big in his bid for re-election to Illinois' 19th Congressional District, but has won big in his bid to be hired by Ameritech for the aptly named post of "vice president for federal relations. During his four terms in congress, Bruce serve on numerous committees whose present and future members could be of immense benefit to Ameritech. His contacts with the FCC will also be of use. As Ameritech's CEO put it, "His first hand knowledge of the workings of the federal government will be a significant asset." Mr. Bruce will begin his efforts on Ameritech's behalf on February 1. Ameritech oversees Bell companies serving much of the midwest and has interests in cellular communications, systems integration, audiotex services, and lease financing. The revenues for Ameritech have been cited as nearly $11 billion in 1991. Mr. Bruce's compensation has not been disclosed but it is believed to be greater than the salary he received as a member of the house. -==--==--==-<>-==--==--==- PRICE WAR BREAKS OUT OVER VIDEOPHONES Proving that the consumer wins when competition is allowed to flower, AT&T has just chopped $500 off the price of its videophone. The videophone had been placed on the market at $1,500, but the recent announcement that MCI is planned to introduce a competing model at a much lower price may have had something to do with concentrating the marketing minds at AT&T. This idea, however, was stoutly denied by AT&T spokespersons who maintained that they were cutting their price out of a messianic commitment "to bring this new technology to consumers as quickly as possible." Those pioneering consumers who have purchased the AT&T videophone at $1,500 can look forward to a $500 cash rebate. Future consumers will have a chance to buy the AT&T item on an interest free payment plan. Look for more attacks of the price-slashers in the near future. -==--==--==-<>-==--==--==- THE WHISPER OF THE IBM AX IS HEARD IN NEW YORK "Downsizing" has begun at IBM in upstate New York with the announcement that 3,500 jobs in company plants in Kingston, East Fishkill, and Poughkeepsie will be eliminated. Breaking with tradition, IBM noted that layoffs would be used should incentives to depart and outplacement to other parts of IBM fail to meet the target. -==--==--==-<>-==--==--==- "DISA YAKS TO FCC ON PCS" by Paul Robinson, via RISKS Article Summary Government Computer News, January 4, 1993, Page 38 This is a summary of an article about a technology you've probably never seen, complained about by an agency you've probably never heard of. In an article titled "Defense agency wants PCS voice services in public domain", author S. A. Marud tells how the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) has jumped into the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) inquiry into the standards to be set on the operation of the startup Personal Communications Services (PCS) industry. PCS is a wireless digital technology which operates at 2 gigahertz. Cellular is analog. Also, one advantage of the service is that a number can be assigned to a person, not to a telephone. Two groups in DISA, the Federal Wireless Services User Forum (FWSUF) and the Interagency Cellular Radio Working Group (ICRWG) were the impetus for filing comments. They want to be certain that PCS supports at least Group 3 / Group 4 Fax, paging, images, and voice and data encrypted with an STU-III device. i.e. that a group 3 fax modem should work the same whether it's plugged into a wall jack or a PCS phone. PCS should also support dialing "0" for Operator and 911 for Emergency. ICRWG wants there to be two nationwide carriers for PCS, or in the alternative, at least one frequency block reserved nationally to one carrier and the rest awarded to local carriers. DISA's concerns on National Security and Emergency Preparedness makes it want certain basic services (Such as area code 710?) to be part of the new system, and that at least voice services to be available through the public switched (read local telco, AT&T, FTS-2000, MCI etc.) network. The systems should be made to be interoperable (meaning the phone you use in Dallas should also work in Kansas City, Chicago, New York and Los Angeles), either from the start or soon after some industry standards can be developed. DISA would also prefer that PCS licenses be issued for large areas if no nationwide carrier(s) are authorized. DISA is worried that PCS may be declared to be "private carriers" which means that the government cannot mandate that they be part of the Telecommunications Priority System (TSP) which allows the government to seize telephone lines. TSP was invoked by the federal government for more than 4000 circuits and services during Hurricane Andrew. Certain industry groups are watching the rule making process on PCS, including the Wireless Information Network Forum (which represents computer and communications companies including Apple, AT&T & IBM), Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) (guess who they represent). CTIA is worried that the FCC might decide that PCS license won't be issued to a cellular operator in the same area. A decision on how the PCS industry is to be structured is expected from the FCC sometime in Fall 1993. Paul Robinson -- TDARCOS@MCIMAIL.COM These opinions are mine alone. -==--==--==-<>-==--==--==- THE YARD GETS A CLUE! LONDON, ENGLAND-- Divisional fraud squad detectives in Britain have admitted they are missing vital clues when solving crimes due to a lack of computers and computer training. A Home Office report just released shows that, although 85 percent of fraud squad detectives and 53 percent of divisional detectives have come across computers in their investigations, none have been adequately trained to deal with the systems. According to Detective Sergeant Mike Guinney, author of the report and an officer with the Merseyside fraud squad, the problem is one of ignorance of matters concerning Information Technology (IT) within the police force rather than a general lack of money. "Police chiefs are frightened of computers and that means mistakes are being made because of ignorance of IT," he said. In one case, police investigating a ring of men thought to be involved in pedophile activities overlooked a large quantity of incriminating material when they raided one member's house, because the information they were after was on a computer. -==--==--==-<>-==--==--==- JAPAN LAUNCHES OF OPERATION HOPE FOR U.S. CHIP MAKERS A Japanese official said Thursday he will continue to promote cooperation between the U.S. and Japanese semiconductor industries, the Kyodo News Service reported. "I think Japanese and U.S. industries have built a very good relationship by promoting joint development and technical tie-ups," said Yuji Tanahashi, vice minister at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. Tanahashi's remarks followed a reported statement Wednesday by U.S. Commerce Secretary-designate Ron Brown that he would aggressively move to protect U.S. chip makers by pressing Japan to open its semiconductor market further to competition and by more stringent enforcement of U.S. trade laws. The United States and Japan signed a trade pact in 1991 that said foreign chip makers could expect more than 20 percent share of the Japanese semiconductor market by the end of 1992. Tanahashi said Thursday, ``It is clear a 20 percent target is not a commitment.'' He added, however, "We know the United States hopes for the 20 percent share. The government will continue to encourage the U.S.hope." ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ -==--==--==-<>-==--==--==- NEW TECHNOLOGY ANNOUNCEMENT FROM APPLE by Ron Reiner (rreiner@netxcom.UUCP) In a surprise announcement, yesterday, Apple Computer said that it is finally doing away with the keyboard. Apple stated that the microcomputer user has suffered too long with this awkward and inefficient input device. According to an Apple spokesperson, the technology for replacing the keyboard with only a mouse is here and the computer user is ready for it. The spokesperson said that Apple has received a steady stream of complaints over the years about the need to constantly move the hands between the Mac keyboard and mouse. "The solution was obvious - do away with the keyboard completely." Acknowledging that there are still a few Mac applications that depend on textual input in addition to graphical manipulation, Apple said the poor people stuck with such outdated technology have not been forgotten. They are introducing the Spinning Alphabet Wheel (SAW) to replace the keyboard. The SAW is a screen display object consisting of concentric circular strips showing all of the characters which normally appear on the keyboard. The wheel rotates continuously under character selector windows. The user selects a character by placing the mouse pointer in the appropriate window at the same time as the desired character is about the appear. "...and, ta-da, the selected character appears on the screen just as though it had been typed on an old fashioned keyboard." "This is a marvelous new technology with plenty of room for growth." said the spokesperson. For example, the user can configure separate wheels for vowels vs. the consonants. Or, digits can be placed on their own special low speed wheel. "We have conceptualized the keyboard as a big, bulky menu selection device and replaced it with dynamic display menus instead. Apple will eventually replace all menus with their new Rotating Wheel Technology (RWT)." When asked why the wheels have to rotate, the spokesperson said that Apple's engineers had considered using conventional "point-and- click" technology for the wheel. "However," the Apple spokesperson said, "we feel that this type of operation is too complicated for the typical Mac user. So, we have done away with the mouse button too. It is still hard for us to believe that the IBM world has stepped backwards in technology by providing two or more buttons to confuse the user. The IBM compatible sector, apparently, has not yet recognized that 95% of computer usage is devoted to experimenting with different fonts and character styles in documents" Asked if this new technology would reduce the price of the typical Mac computer, the spokesperson countered that it would probably increase the price of the Mac. "After all, display space is already scarce on the current screen. We will now deliver Macs with two screens - one for the normal display and a larger one for the multitude of rotating wheels the user needs to access." Apple said that the user who is confused by complicated devices such as keyboards and mouse buttons will gladly pay a premium to avoid them. "In fact, the easily-confused user is our best customer" replied the spokesperson. "Not only are we doing away with the pesky keyboard, but we are also giving them something they have demanded for a long time - more screen space. This is definitely a win-win situation." Beta testers of the new technology were impressed by its ease of use, but said there are still some minor problems to work out. For example, one tester left his machine unattended with the uppercase character wheel spinning at medium speed. While he was away somebody must have jarred his desk, moving the mouse pointer into the selector window. When he got back he found that his Word document now had one huge paragraph consisting of all of the characters of the uppercase alphabet repeated 2,539,987 times. "At first glance, this appeared to be a big problem. But, I formatted the new paragraph with 33 different fonts and 11 different type styles and it looked great. I hope that Apple fixes this problem before they release it, because these accidents can greatly increase the time spent formatting documents." -==--==--==-<>-==--==--==- FROM THE MAIL SPOOL > Date: Mon, 21 Dec 1992 20:03:05 GMT > From: van@eff.org (Gerard Van der Leun) >> (_______@___.____.com writes: >> I joined Internet to acquire information! I didn't join >> to make the phone company richer while I pay for junk mail! > > If you are here to actually acquire information, investing in a > new Britannica might be more prudent and much cheaper. Information, > opinions, lists, infolets, factoids, opinions, one-liners...this is > not an "Information server". "This" is over a thousand committees of > correspondence, backyard chat, and more opinions than there are > islands in Indonesia. You want information -- Nexis, Plexus or 411. > van@eff.org (Gerard Van der Leun) > Gerard, You may have just created "THE" definition of the Internet today. "A thousand committees of correspondence," is, without a doubt, a far, far better description than I have seen used to date. Most "authorities" have tended to portray the Internet, (as in - used to "sell" the Internet to those who have never experienced it) especially the mailing lists and LISTSERVs, just as our disgruntled "new user" has stated. And, as a result of misplaced expectations, such feelings are generated. Clearly today, "committees of correspondence," is by far the dominant traffic on the Internet. In the future, we may be able to call on the Internet to answer our questions - but not today. Today, we must rely on our fellow correspondents to provide those answers. Gopher, WAIS, ARCHIE, and what-have-you are working to change all that but their "success" today is still limited to the TCP/IP connected Internet. The larger electronic mail Internet still relies on individuals to answer questions and provide pointers. By the way, here in Bell Atlantic turf, one uses 555-1212 for information. William H. Magill Manager, PennNet Computing Services University of Pennsylvania Internet: magill@dccs.upenn.edu magill@eniac.seas.upenn.edu magill@upenn.edu -==--==--==-<>-==--==--==- A REALLY USEFUL ERROR MESSAGE It's interesting, the features people dream up in this age of technology.... We have a Sun SPARC laser printer which even has a feature to print error messages like : "Printer low on toner" on a piece of paper, in addition to those idiot lights on the front panel. The best was last week: I was printing and noticed the printer stopped and on came an indicator light. I looked and realized it was out of paper. So I reloaded it, and sure enough, out comes the next page with: "Printer out of paper." Jeff Butera jvbutera@math.ncsu.edu ====================================================================== =======rec.talk.bionet.bit.news.gnu.k12.misc.alt.comp.soc.sci.======== ====================================================================== NET is a private record of items of interest to the Information Society. Copies are shared with contributors and a small circle of friends.