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TELECOM Digest Tue, 27 Sep 2005 14:38:00 EDT Volume 24 : Issue 439 Inside This Issue: Editor: Patrick A. Townson Google to Remove Boast About Index Size (Michael Liedtke) Mediation Begins in Music Copyright Trial (Audra Ang) Cellular-News for Tuesday 27th September 2005 (Cellular-News) Verizon Inks Franchise Deal With Virginia (USTelecom dailyLead) Oakland Calif Conversion From 6 to 7 Digit Dialing? (Lisa Hancock) Don Adams Passing; "Maxwell Smart, Secret Agent 86" (Lisa Hancock) Why is VOIP Getting Hot Now? (John) Re: Getting Rid of "Legal" Spam? (Barry Margolin) Re: Getting Rid of "Legal" Spam? (Dave Garland) Re: Bell System Phone Label Code? (Lisa Hancock) 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. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- From: Michael Liedtke <ap@telecom-digest.org> Subject: Google to Remove Boast About Index Size Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 13:01:33 -0500 By MICHAEL LIEDTKE, AP Business Writer Google Inc. will stop boasting on its home page about the number of Web pages it has stored in its index, even as the online search engine leader continues a crusade to prove it scans substantially more material than its rivals. The Mountain View, Calif.-based company planned to remove the index size late Monday. It will mark the first time in more than five years that Google hasn't listed the size of its search index on its sparse home page. When Google started the practice in mid-2000, the index spanned 1 billion pages; as of Monday afternoon, Google's home page said the search index contained 8.17 billion pages. That figure qualified it as the largest in the industry until last month, when nemesis Yahoo Inc. revealed its database included 20.8 billion documents and images. Unlike Google, Yahoo never listed that figure on its home page, disclosing it only in a Web posting by one of its executives. Yahoo's claim nevertheless came under immediate fire from Google executives, who questioned its accuracy before finally concluding that the two companies are counting things differently. Both companies want the bragging rights to the biggest index because it can attract more traffic from less sophisticated Web searchers who equate size with quality. Google's index is bigger than ever, according to company officials, although the breadth of the latest expansion will remain a mystery. Marissa Mayer, Google's director of consumer products, said the index is three times larger than its rivals and 1,000 times bigger than when former Stanford University graduate students Larry Page and Sergey Brin formed the company seven years ago. The index is believed have spanned somewhere between 25 million and 65 million Web pages then. If it's 1,000 times larger today, that would put its current size at somewhere between 25 billion and 65 billion pages. Mayer said that since apples-to-apples comparison are no longer possible, Google decided to stop listing the size of its index and instead invite Web surfers to conduct the equivalent of a "taste test" to see which engine consistently delivers the most results, Mayer said. "We think the absolute numbers have become meaningless, so we are encouraging users to find out for themselves," she said. Yahoo, whose search engine is the second most used behind Google's, welcomed the challenge. "As we've said in the past, what matters is that consumers find what they are looking for and we invite Google users to compare their results to Yahoo," the Sunnyvale, Calif.-based company said in a statement. On The Net: http://www.google.com http://www.yahoo.com Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. 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. For more headlines and news stories with no obligation to log in or register, go to http://telecom-digest.org/td-extra/newstoday.html ------------------------------ From: Audra Ang <ap@telecom-digest.org> Subject: Mediation Begins in Music Copyright Trial Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 13:02:53 -0500 By AUDRA ANG, Associated Press Writer Four music giants and their local subsidiaries have entered mediation with Baidu.com, China's largest Internet search engine, over the recording companies' claims of copyright infringement. No agreement was reached after more than five hours of discussions that began Monday at the Beijing No. 1 Intermediate People's Court, the official China Daily newspaper said. A judge would resolve the issue if there is no resolution. It is the second time this month that Baidu, whose share price went as high as $153.98 after an initial public offering at $27 on the Nasdaq Stock Market in August, was in a Chinese court dealing with accusations of copyright violations. Baidu's U.S. shares were up 22 cents at $77.50 in morning trading Tuesday on the Nasdaq. Universal, EMI, Warner, Sony BMG and local subsidiaries claim that Baidu made it easy for its users to illegally download copies of 137 of their songs through the mp3.baidu.com search page. The music companies are seeking 1.67 million yuan, or $206,000, in compensation, the China Daily newspaper said. A man who answered the phone at the court Tuesday said the case was still under mediation but said he was unclear about what progress had made. He refused to give his name. According to the China Daily, Baidu defended itself by saying that it is simply providing basic search functions, not downloading services. The company also says it advocates improving copyright protection on the Internet and promises to provide protection if a company can prove it owns the rights to a song, the newspaper said. Baidu's lawyer, Li Decheng of the Zhonglun W&D Law Firm in Beijing, said Tuesday that he could not comment on the case without his client's permission. Cynthia He, a Beijing spokeswoman for Baidu, said the company had no comment. Baidu's MP3 search page is hugely popular among young, increasingly tech-savvy Chinese. Analysts say it has grown into China's largest search engine, prompting U.S. search giant Google Inc. to buy 2.6 percent of the company last year. On Sept. 16, the People's Court of Haidian District in Beijing ordered Baidu to pay 68,000 yuan, or about $8,400, to mainland music company Shanghai Busheng Music Culture Media for unauthorized downloads of 46 songs. Baidu is appealing. Copyright 2005 The Associated Press. 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. For more news reports, please go to http://telecom-digest.org/td-extra/more-news.html ------------------------------ Subject: Cellular-News for Tuesday 27th September 2005 Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 07:44:54 -0500 From: Cellular-News <dailydigest@cellular-news.com> Cellular-News - http://www.cellular-news.com 3 UK Bottoms On Customer Satisfaction Survey http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14207.php 39 million UK adults now own a mobile phone, spending on average US$36.40 per month on their bills. Now that mobile penetration is so high, the future market will be overwhelmingly that of churners rather than subscriber... Could Telefonica Launch a Bid for KPN and O2 ? http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14208.php A new research note from Merrill Lynch's European telecom analyst Jesus Romero, has postulated the idea that Spain's Telefonica could launch a takeover bid for KPN, should the company emerge as a part owner of a split O2... ISP Market Represents Huge Opportunity for African Operators http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14209.php GSM operators in Africa have an opportunity to drive massive growth in average revenue per user (ARPU) and traffic on their networks by offering ISP services such as Internet and e-mail access to their customers. That's ... High Taxes Slowing Phone Sales in Developing Nations http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14210.php High taxes in many developing countries have made mobile communications unaffordable for hundreds of millions of people, holding back social and economic development, according to a study by the GSM Association (GSMA).... Ringtones are Fashion, Mobile Music is Another Gadget http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14211.php M:Metrics has published some new insights on ringtones and mobile music. The measurement firm reports that although ringtones are universally popular among both males and females, there are significant differences betwee... Nokia Twists Again with New Music Phone http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14212.php Nokia has launched a new handset that has an unusual keypad twisting design. This unique design twists to transform a traditional phone keypad into dedicated music keys. The Nokia 3250 stores up to 1 Gigabyte (750 songs)... More Than a Third of Mobile Game Downloads Are Free http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14213.php Telephia has reported that 64% of all games downloaded in Q2 2005 are revenue-generating purchases while the remaining 36% are free. Accord- ing to Telephia's Mobile Game Report, Puzzle/Strategy mobile games have the highe... SRI LANKA BUSINESS BRIEFS:CDMA For Lanka Internet, Tritel http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14197.php Sri Lanka communication companies Lanka Internet and Tritel have obtained licenses to sell fixed-line telephones using CDMA technology, a Telecommunications Ministry official said. The ministry had earlier given licenses... Nokia In Push To Talk Deal With Etisalat http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14198.php Finnish mobile communications company Nokia Oyj (NOK) said Monday it has signed a contract with Emirates Telecommunications Corp. (ETISALAT.AD), or Etisalat. ... Nokia Introduces XpressMusic Mobile Music Feature Brand http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14199.php Finland's Nokia Oyj (NOK) said Monday it is introducing Nokia XpressMusic, a feature brand that makes it easy for consumers to identify Nokia's growing portfolio of music-optimized mobile devices. ... Australia's Telstra Plans To Revamp New Zealand Operations, Cut Jobs http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14200.php Australia's Telstra Corp. (TLS) unveiled Monday plans to revamp the structure of its telecommunications business in New Zealand to bolster profits from the operation, but remains noncommittal on building its own mobile p... Nokia To Supply WCDMA Radio Acces Network To TDC Mobile http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14201.php Finnish telecommunications equipment maker Nokia Oyj (NOK) Monday said it has signed a framework agreement to supply a WCDMA 3G radio access network to Danish operator TDC Mobile, part of TDC A/S (TLD). ... KPN To Bring Mobile Brand Simyo To Dutch Market http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14202.php Dutch telecommunications company Royal KPN NV (KPN) Monday said it will launch mobile-phone brand Simyo in the Dutch market. ... O2 Launches i-mode In UK From Oct 1 http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14203.php O2 PLC Monday announced the U.K. launch of i-mode(R), a mobile Internet service with more than 50 million users in 22 countries. ... Deutsche Telekom: Not In Talks With Anyone On O2 http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14204.php Germany's Deutsche Telekom (DT) Monday denied it is in talks to buy U.K. mobile phone operator O2 PLC (OOM.LN). ... Portugal Telecom Enters Bid For Tunisie Telecom http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14205.php Portugal Telecom SA (PT) has presented a proposal to participate in Tunisia's privatization of Tunisie Telecom, a PT spokesman said Monday. ... Microsoft And Palm Launch New Treo Mobile Phone http://www.cellular-news.com/story/14206.php SAN FRANCISCO (Dow Jones) -- Microsoft Corp. and Palm Inc. took the wraps off of a long-expected partnership Monday to develop a new so-called smart phone aimed at challenging the dominance of Research In Motio... ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 12:20:04 EDT From: USTelecom dailyLead <ustelecom@dailylead.com> Subject: Verizon Inks Franchise Deal With Virginia USTelecom dailyLead September 27, 2005 http://www.dailylead.com/latestIssue.jsp?i=24924&l=2017006 TODAY'S HEADLINES NEWS OF THE DAY * Verizon inks franchise deal with Virginia county BUSINESS & INDUSTRY WATCH * Analysis: Microsoft-Palm alliance could challenge RIM * Carriers say Rita damage minimal * News Corp. takes aim at mobile content market * Rumor mill: Tellabs eyeing Redback * Motorola wins contract to sell inexpensive phones * Google goes primetime with UPN comedy USTELECOM SPOTLIGHT * TELECOM '05 Security Conference to explore communications challenges * Telecom Bookstore: Everything for the Telecom Professional TECHNOLOGY TRENDS * Next-generation phones may use multiple networks * Riverstone unveils two low-cost Ethernet routers REGULATORY & LEGISLATIVE * FCC set to enforce VoIP cutoff deadline Follow the link below to read quick summaries of these stories and others. http://www.dailylead.com/latestIssue.jsp?i=24924&l=2017006 Legal and Privacy information at http://www.dailylead.com/about/privacy_legal.jsp SmartBrief, Inc. 1100 H ST NW, Suite 1000 Washington, DC 20005 ------------------------------ From: hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com Subject: Oakland Calif Conversion From 6 to 7 Digit Dialing? Date: 27 Sep 2005 09:40:30 -0700 Organization: http://groups.google.com In reading a book about the Key System railway, older schedules had a six-digit phone number (2L-4N) while newer ones had seven-digits (2L-5N). Would anyone know when Oakland converted? Also, was six digit dialing (2L-4N) common in a lot of places? I though most city dial offices were 5 digit for smaller cities and 7 digit (3L-4N) for larger cities. The seven digits were used as part of the panel installation for cities expecting growth and to provide for automatic integrated dialing to/from suburban areas as well. ------------------------------ From: hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com Subject: Don Adams Passing; "Maxwell Smart, Secret Agent 86" Date: 27 Sep 2005 07:22:18 -0700 Organization: http://groups.google.com Actor Don Adams passed away at age 82. He was most famous for his role of a bungling secret agent on the TV show "Get Smart". The show's basic premise was a satire of the many secret agent movies and TV shows popular at the time. It was a very funny, well made show, poking fun at lots of aspects of everyday life, not just the spy business. For example, they had a scene where the spies from opposing sides went on strike and were comparing fringe benefits. Max had a bevy of lines that became part of the national lexicon, just as Seinfeld's did more recently. These included "Sorry about that chief", "Would you believe...", "facing constant danger...and loving it!". As readers of this newsgroup know, the show was heavy into telephone and telephone company satire. Max had his famous shoe phone. We take our tiny cell phones for granted these days, but in the 1960s it was pretty impressive. Max once refused to give his shoephone to the enemy because "I still have 13 message units left!". He often argued with telephone operators: "Operator, I'm going to give you a top secret number, you are to forget the minute you connect me! \ Oh, you mean Control". Max's lab always came up with imaginative secret agent devices, which Max always managed to set off at the wrong time. Bernie Koppel, who played his enemy Siegfried, later played the doctor on Love Boat. When greeting Smart, he always clicked his heels together in the German style salute. Smart responded in kind, and always you heard jangle of him hurting his shoe phone. TV Land used to run reruns of the show, perhaps in honor of Adams' memory it will do so again. I realize some of the humor and certainly the technology will be dated for our younger readers, but it is certainly worth a look. ------------------------------ From: John <jbradshaw777@yahoo.com> Subject: Why is VOIP Getting Hot Now? Date: 27 Sep 2005 10:53:32 -0700 Organization: http://groups.google.com Hi, I am looking for some insight on this VOIP thing. Why is it, seems to me, getting hot now? This thing has been around for many years (I remember using Internet Telephony application almost a decade ago), why is it getting hot now? why does it take so long for it to get some tracking? Is there anything different now that makes it more appealing than a decade ago? John ------------------------------ From: Barry Margolin <barmar@alum.mit.edu> Subject: Re: Getting Rid of "Legal" Spam? Organization: Symantec Date: Mon, 26 Sep 2005 23:35:01 -0400 In article <telecom24.436.5@telecom-digest.org>, nospam4me@mytrashmail.com wrote: > As for the promoters of PC-EXPO, perhaps a cease and desist letter > from your attorney is the next step. They'd have to be spamming you a hell of a lot! Who's going to pay those attorney fees? Barry Margolin, barmar@alum.mit.edu Arlington, MA *** PLEASE post questions in newsgroups, not directly to me *** ------------------------------ From: Dave Garland <dave.garland@wizinfo.com> Subject: Re: Getting Rid of "Legal" Spam? Date: Tue, 27 Sep 2005 03:09:19 -0500 Organization: Wizard Information It was a dark and stormy night when hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com wrote: > I do not have the resources to get multiple email addresses. http://www.sneakemail.com Free service, generates (multiple) email addresses @ sneakemail.com, mail sent to those addresses is forwarded to your real address. But you can kill the temporary address. Spam avoidance is one of the purposes it was designed for. ------------------------------ From: hancock4@bbs.cpcn.com Subject: Re: Bell System Phone Label Code? Date: 27 Sep 2005 09:36:30 -0700 Organization: http://groups.google.com Allen Newman wrote: > On the number cards/labels affixed to latter-decades' Bell System > phones, there was a letter M stamped like this: Could it have meant "modular" since that number card was intended for modular phones installed by the customer? They used to give them out at Phone Center stores. I didn't care for them since it was a sticker, not a card. Admittedly, for most people that what was best. However, since I knew how to open a dial, I wanted a card to mount behind it and didn't want some sticker fouling my dial. Also, they used a stamper that was in relatively small type size compared to the bigger size used by traditional installers. Of course all they had was all-number, no letters. In our area, we were still using letters in a limited manner. To this day, the official internal identifier for telephone districts in our area was the old exchange name from way back. ------------------------------ TELECOM Digest is an electronic journal devoted mostly to telecomm- unications 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'. TELECOM Digest is a not-for-profit, mostly non-commercial educational service offered to the Internet by Patrick Townson. All the contents of the Digest are compilation-copyrighted. You may reprint articles in some other media on an occasional basis, but please attribute my work and that of the original author. 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Any organizations listed are for identification purposes only and messages should not be considered any official expression by the organization. End of TELECOM Digest V24 #439 ****************************** | |