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From the Editor's Desk...

 

At Last.... STReport will have it very own T1 connection to the 'Net.  What does this mean to you?  A number of things including faster ftp service and of course greater email service and the website will run much speedier.  Of course, it'll be much faster for us here, in the office.  Our setup is somewhat unique in as much as we are not using the typical router.  We are, instead, using a fabulous software router that has all the bells and whistles the $10,000.00 routers have.  That PRICE by the way is the HEART  of another series of article that are upcoming covering how these companies that are selling Routers have the GALL to charge such high dollars amounts for ten year old technology.  You'll enjoy learning all about the great CISCO, ASCEND and 3COM gouge practices when it comes to routers.

Check out the product review section.... I've provided a couple of flyers talking about the PCI PnP card we are using for the interfacing between the DSU/CSU and the Vicomosft SoftRouter Plus software router that'll be setup shortly.

Talking about ripoffs... The Phone Companies are bioggest and the worst in this nation.  Yet they seeming do it with impunity.  The story surrounding the T1 setup has been a comedy of errors.  Three years ago, we ordered 2 TWO ISDN lines from Bell South their representative assured us the systems we ordered, including the ISDN lines, would be installed on time.  Instead when we arrived it was not and they were only capable of giving us two analog residential lines.  Of course, this was woefully inadequate and they agreed.  So, to make a long drawn out story short; BellSouth had their southern regional Engineer get in touch with me to iron out the details of getting the service in that we ordered.  As it turned out, he had to install a 24 pair jelly filled underground cable that ran approximately 3/4 of a mile.  Mind you 24 pairs!  Ok two years later we decide its time for the T1.  The order is placed and the very first event that a talisman of pending disaster was find the Bellheads out in the street (incredibly) getting ready to bury another cable.  I told them I already had 24 pairs into the building.  They were skeptical and demanded I show them.  I did and they were dumbfounded.  I was told the blueprints of the area didn't show that cable being there.

That all took place at the end of April - beginning of May.  Now at the beginning of June, the T1 is almost operational.  The rest of the horror story next week.

Look for the full story of the router and goodies like the Adtran DSU/CSU setup and final testing in the coming weeks.  I am certain you'll learn a great deal about Digital hookups and the rituals one must go through to get them to work.

I don't think I'm wrong, I could be... what do think?  Let's hear from you!

As an aside, in case you haven't noticed, You can get a free EMail account through STReport! Sign-up on our website. Its FREE for life.  Enjoy!

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