TELECOM Digest     Sat, 5 Nov 2005 02:40:00 EST    Volume 24 : Issue 503

Inside This Issue:                            Editor: Patrick A. Townson

    Porncasts Appear on Video Playing iPod (Ron Harris)
    Consumers Sing Copy Protection Blues (Todd Martens)
    Microsoft Patches Break Some Sites (Jeremy Kirk)
    Verizon POTS (Joe)
    EFFector 18.35: A Trio of Victories at WIPO (Monty Solomon)
    EFFector 18.37: Court Issues Surveillance Smack-Down to Justice (M Solomon)
    AT&T Answering System 1309 - Need Help With Instructions (browny)
    Looking for 1A2 Phone System Parts [Amphenol to Amphenol Splitters] (mdhes)
    Re: Recorded Call From Law Office? (DevilsPGD)
    Re: Replacement for Siemens Gigaset (Michael D. Sullivan)

Telecom and VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) Digest for the
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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: Ron Harris <ap@telecom-digest.org> 
Subject: Porncasts Appear on Video Playing iPod
Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2005 00:27:14 -0600


Porncasts Appear on Video-Playing iPod
By RON HARRIS, Associated Press Writer

Purveyors of porn and entrepreneurs who spied a niche when Apple
Computer Inc. unveiled its video-playing iPod are proving that sex
even sells in tiny packages -- especially when it is portable.

One online social network of amateur pinup girls said it logged
500,000 downloads of the sexy "featurettes" -- three- to five-minute
video clips -- in the first 24 hours targeting the new iPod-toting
crowd. Most of these had been downloaded at one time or another from
Usenet. 

It's a no-brainer: pornography to go.

The naughtiness is already finding its way into video handhelds
through business models tried-and-true -- along with some new ones --
as the adult entertainment industry works to untether video content.

Soon enough, skin flicks whose viewing has been largely restricted to
the privacy of homes and theaters could be on view in the open public
of parks and mass transit, for all ages to see.

Porn is no doubt a very big business on the Internet.

Two in five Internet users visited an adult site in August, according
to tracking by comScore Media Metrix. The company said 3 percent of
all Web traffic and 2 percent of all surfing time involved an adult
site.

The Internet accounted for $2.5 billion of the adult industry's $14
billion in U.S. revenues last year, about the same as revenues from
cable and satellite pay-per-view showings, according to Adult Video
News, a trade magazine.

Vivid Entertainment Group, a major adult video producer that already
offers high-resolution still images, video clips and footage from
"voyeur cams" through its Web site, now plans to shoot shorter films
specifically for the iPod and other portables.

"It could be a huge percentage of our business," says the company's
chief executive, Steven Hirsch. "People love watching adult movies and
to be able to carry an adult movie in your pocket is a powerful tool."

Sin City, based in Chatsworth, Calif., already offers trailers of
full-length adult films for the Sony PlayStation Portable, a handheld
video game player. It now plans full-length adult films for the video
iPod.

Apple wasn't first on the scene with a small digital device capable of
playing good-quality video.

Creative Technology and iRiver are among companies with pocket-sized
devices already on the market; they use Windows Mobile software to
display video, audio and still images.

In addition, one early entrant, Archos, has a Jukebox that can store
and play a whopping 400 hours of video in the MPEG-4 standard.

Yet the very marketing and deal-making finesse that helped Apple rise
to dominate the portable music market make its new video-playing iPod
a likely vessel for adult movies' expansion to portable porn.

The Apple's iTunes online story already features several hot and heavy
podcasts, audio downloads geared to portability. The company isn't
offering much in the way of sex on videos, though some of the music
videos it sells for $1.99 each can tend toward titillation. Apple
officials refused requests for interviews on whether they might offer
adult content on iTunes for iPod owners.

For many high-profile companies, sex remains a tough sell.

Although wireless phone companies support devices that play video,
they are reluctant to expose themselves to complaints from a large and
valuable customer base.

One company that knows firsthand is Digital Orchid, which manages the
delivery of streaming video to cell phones for top brands, including
MLB.com, NASCAR.com, ESPN and the National Hockey League.

It also handles Hawaiian Tropic, the suntan oil company perhaps better
known for its comely bikini models. That sort of content is about as
racy as wireless carriers want to get, says Robert Betros, Digital
Orchid's co-founder and chief technology officer.

"We won't cross that line because the carriers won't distribute it,
and that's a majority of the revenue opportunity for us," Betros
said. "Now they may change their tune, and in some places in Europe
carriers are distributing this kind of content."

In the wireless industry, carrier-approved content exists within
something referred to as a walled garden. In the United States, at
least, that garden is generally safe for children.

Once users stroll outside garden walls and inside a Web browser,
however, all bets are off.

A company called Xobile sells pornographic video clips for cell
phones. No special operating system or other software is necessary:
Just a Web browser, which is commonplace now for phones with access to
digital data networks.

That it's now easier than ever for minors to view X-rated content on
portable devices concerns media watch groups that seek to protect
children.

The problem is that children are often quicker to grasp the technology
than their parents, says Jack Samad, a senior vice president with the
National Coalition for the Protection of Children & Families.

"The arena is wide open, unfiltered, unrestricted, for adult content,"
Samad said. "Children are very aware of where it is and how to
download it."

Associated Press Writer Gary Gentile in Los Angeles contributed to this
report.

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 Associated Press news stories and headlines, please go to:
http://telecom-digest.org/td-extra/newstoday.html

------------------------------

From: Todd Martens <reuters@telecom-digest.org>
Subject: Consumers Sing Copy Proection Blues
Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2005 00:25:21 -0600


By Todd Martens and Brian Garrity

Complaints continue to mount regarding a controversial CD
copy-protection initiative by Sony BMG Music Entertainment.

Artists and consumers' initial concern was that the digital rights
management technology does not work with iPods. Now a growing number
of music fans charge that the security software behaves like spyware
and may create security vulnerabilities in users' computers.

The matter drew increased attention in technology circles October 31,
when software developer/computer security expert Mark Russinovich
began blogging the details of problems he experienced after using his
computer to play the copy-protected CD of "Get Right With the Man" by
Van Zant, a Southern rock act signed to Columbia Records.

Russinovich posted that Sony BMG's DRM drained resources from his
computer processor, even when the CD was not being played, and was
extraordinarily difficult to locate and uninstall. When he finally
deleted the software, his computer's CD player stopped working. "This
is a clear case of Sony taking DRM too far," he wrote.

Within 24 hours, online tech-news sites including SlashDot and CNet
had posted news about Russinovich's account. And by November 2, Sony
BMG had posted instructions on its own site (cp.sonybmg/xcp) for
removing the DRM.

IN SEARCH OF TRANSPARENCY

Copy-protection software is not actually spyware, of course. And
industry executives have long pointed to piracy rates in defense of
DRM measures.  Consumers on average acquire almost 30 percent of their
music annually by burning and ripping CDs, according to the NPD Group.

But Russinovich and others complain that Sony BMG's latest DRM lacks
transparency -- and a simple uninstall option.

"The disclosure is totally inadequate," says Fred Von Lohmann, a
senior staff attorney with the Electronic Frontier Foundation. "I read
the (end-user license agreement), and it does not say they will
install software that hides itself and is difficult to uninstall. When
I read that someone is going to install software, I don't think it's
going to behave like spyware and try to evade me."

Sony BMG representatives declined to comment, but sources in the
company and the label's technology partners -- which include First 4
Internet and SunnComm -- say hiding software on computers is standard.

"Cloaking technology is reasonably commonplace," says Mathew Gilliat
Smith, CEO of First 4 Internet, a developer of copy-protection
technology. "This is a protection software, and the object is to make
it more difficult to circumvent."

But Russinovich says Sony's software may create a weakness for others
to exploit. "All it takes is one malware (malicious software) author
to get one of these CDs and see how it works and recognize it's on
millions of people's machines," Russinovich says. "The whole malware
industry is financially driven, and there are tons of smart people
paid to find those opportunities."

PATCHING THINGS UP

As part of their November 2 online update, Sony BMG and First 4
Internet released a patch to make the files visible and ensure that
malware writers cannot hide their own files behind the DRM
technology. The patch is also being distributed to manufacturers of
anti-virus software.

Gilliat Smith says First 4 Internet is looking for new installation
methods for its software, but did not provide specifics. SunnComm
executives say they have not had any problems with their technology.

In the meantime, a growing number of consumers and consumer advocates
are expressing frustration with the technology.

"I know this is the last copy-protected CD I will buy," Russinovich says.

"It strikes me as particularly pernicious," Von Lohmann adds, "to
single out paying customers for this kind of treatment."

Reuters/Billboard

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.

------------------------------

From: Jeremy Kirk <idg@telecom-digest.org>
Subject: Microsoft Patches Break Some Sites
Date: Sat, 5 Nov 2005 00:28:38 -0600


Jeremy Kirk, IDG News Service

Two patches released by Microsoft earlier this year for its Internet
Explorer browser may cause some Web sites not to load properly.

The bulletins, MS05-038 and MS05-052, removed "unsafe functionality"
and change how the browser handles ActiveX controls for security
reasons, Stephen Toulouse, a program manager in Microsoft's security
unit, wrote on Thursday on the Microsoft Security Center Response
Blog.

After installing MS05-038, which was published August 9 on the
Microsoft Download Center, Web pages containing Component Object Model
(COM) objects called monikers may not work as expected.

Patch Particulars

MS05-052, which was published October 11, added an additional check
for a specific interface for ActiveX controls before allowing a COM
object to run in Internet Explorer. But it also blocks some Web pages
containing ActiveX controls, Microsoft said. Users who are missing
certain registry subkeys may also experience problems with this patch,
Microsoft said.

Microsoft has published instructions on how to resolve the MS05-038
issues.

Also available is additional information on the two possible problems
with MS05-052.

Copyright 2005 PC World Communications, Inc.

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.

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------------------------------

From: Joe <Joe@NOSPAM.SPAM>
Subject: Verizon POTS
Organization: SBC http://yahoo.sbc.com
Date: Fri, 04 Nov 2005 21:39:39 GMT


How long does it take for Verizon to install POTS?

I have moved my mother to an apartment. The complex is not new, been
there for 10+years.  The previous tenent had Verizon POTS.  I called
Verizon for new service on 10/27. Got a tracking number.  But it has
been 5 business days and no telephone service.  Checked online using
tracking number but it shows "in progress", no date.  Called customer
support, on hold for 45min. then gave up.

Any idea how long it takes? 

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2005 17:11:04 -0500
From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com>
Subject: EFFector 18.35: A Trio of Victories at WIPO


A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation
ISSN 1062-9424

In the 351st Issue of EFFector:

 * A Trio of Victories at WIPO
 * Adult Website Lawsuit Threatens Google Image Search
 * New Government Excuses for Cell Phone Surveillance
 * First Annual P2P Litigation Summit, November 3
 * miniLinks (9): Your Right to Bare Arms
 * Staff Calendar: 10.15.05 - Kurt Opsahl, Fred von Lohmann
   and Kevin Bankston speak at California First Amendment
   Coalition Assembly, Fullerton, CA.
 * Administrivia

http://www.eff.org/effector/18/35.php 

------------------------------

Date: Fri, 4 Nov 2005 17:07:47 -0500
From: Monty Solomon <monty@roscom.com>
Subject: EFFector 18.37: Court Issues Surveillance Smack-Down to Justice


A Publication of the Electronic Frontier Foundation
ISSN 1062-9424

In the 353rd Issue of EFFector:

 * Court Issues Surveillance Smack-Down to Justice Department
 * Plan for Internet "Backdoors" Draws Coordinated Attack
 * Want to Take a Bite Out of the DMCA? Now's the Time
 * First Annual P2P Litigation Summit, November 3
 * The Patent System of the Future?
 * Spring Legal Internships at EFF
 * Stanford Center for Internet and Society Mailing List
 * miniLinks (10): Open Letter to Yahoo's Jerry Yang
 * Staff Calendar: 10.30.05 - Fred von Lohmann at Eastern 
 * Administrivia

http://www.eff.org/effector/18/37.php 

------------------------------

From: browny <njbraun@sirisonline.com>
Subject: AT&T Answering System 1309 - Need Help With Instructions
Date: 4 Nov 2005 14:43:16 -0800
Organization: http://groups.google.com


I have misplaced my instructions for this unit (telephone answering
machine).  Would like to use the REMOTE ACCESS feature and don't
recall how.  Can anyone help me?

------------------------------

From: m3deshmukh@verizon.net
Subject: Looking for 1A2 Phone System Parts [Amphenol to Amphenol Splitters]
Date: Fri, 04 Nov 2005 19:27:55 GMT


Hello,

Item: Splitting device that takes in Amphenol and puts out 6 or more
Amphenols

My company is looking to find a [or several] bridging adapters,
bunching blocks, splitters for a 1A2 telephone system that would take
in one Amphenol jack and Output 6 or more Amphenol Sockets.

My boss likes having the 1A2 phone system in place, but we're trying
to find an alternative to daisy-chaining the feed with 2 and 3 way
splitters right in-front of each phone/fax.  We'd like to find a piece
of equipment that would allow us to localize all the splitting, right
after the KSU.

I found some real helpful phone wizards on another site who told me
about the Suttle company and gave me some parts numbers:

Suttle #SE-825L6-1P49 (gray) or 1P50 (beige) has one input and six
outputs on through
Suttle #SE-825l12-1P49 or 1P50 with one input and 12 outputs

I will be continuing to search for these parts with warehouses I find
online [right now eBay doesn't have what I'm looking for], but I
wanted to put word out in this group, so if anyone is holding
something like this [the more amphenol outs the merrier!] and looking
to get rid of it, they might let me know.

Thanks.  Easy on.

Mayur Deshmukh
Interpage Network Services, Inc.
mayurXYZZTOP@interpage.net
[to email me, remove the CAPS]
http://www.interpage.net 

------------------------------

From: DevilsPGD <spamsucks@crazyhat.net>
Subject: Re: Recorded Call From Law Office?
Date: Fri, 04 Nov 2005 16:15:58 -0700
Organization: Disorganized


In message <telecom24.502.12@telecom-digest.org> Clark W. Griswold, Jr.
<spamtrap100@comcast.net> wrote:

> Anyway, about ten or twelve years ago, the McDonalds in Skokie, IL
> (which is known not only as the second or third McDonalds in
> existence, having been started orginally as a 'company location' when
> it started in 1958) is one of the most ill-managed in the chain, wound
> up being the defendant in a class action suit based on their poorly
> programmed cash registers. (Walmart has the same situation; a cash
> register used today in Illinois may be used next week [following its
> repair, etc in Kansas or Oklahoma]; proper sales tax rate is of no
> concern to those folks.) Plaintiff's class action lawyers said they
> were frequently overcharged on taxes, and it is true that if you as a
> shopkeeper make a claim that 'X amount of money is for taxes' when in
> fact the tax is either (1) incorrectly stated or (2) does not exist
> at all, a crime has been committed. The class action lawsuit went on
> a couple years, the attornies raked in piles of money; it was finally
> settled by McDonalds putting a newspaper ad in several Chicago-area
> publications with a coupon to clip out, offering a free small size
> drink to the holder of the coupon, to cure the problem of being
> charged a couple pennies too much on tax.   PAT] 

They're still billing incorrectly though, or they were as of last July
when I visited their location.

I didn't look at the tax, just the rest of the meal.


[TELECOM Digest Editor's Note: If you are referring to the McDonalds
at 5000 or 5100 West Dempster (Niles Center Road and Dempster, about a
block east of the Skokie Swift station) that does not surprise me at
all.  They got the notion once to lock down the inside eating area at
9 PM but keep the drive up window open until 11 PM, so at 9:10 PM I
came walking along on foot past the drive in window to get an order. 
The woman refused to sell to me since I was 'not in a car'.  We 
exchanged a few words; I wound up getting an empty bag out of the
trash can nearby and calling the McDonalds customer service  number. 
The woman just about flipped out when she got a call from customer 
service a couple minutes later asking her what was going on. Her
excuse was a 'man on a bike a couple weeks earlier had robbed her and
she was not going to take any more chances with pedestrians when the
main dining area had been closed for the night.  Another time I was
told they considered it 'more effecient' to be 'blackmailed' out of
drinks rather than change their way of doing business. By comparison,
the McDonalds here in Independence is so pleasant, even for a
Mcdonalds place.  I am watching to see if walmart gets sued the same
way, for using incorrectly (tax) programmed cash registers here.  PAT]

------------------------------

From: Michael D. Sullivan <userid@camsul.example.invalid>
Subject: Re: Replacement for Siemens Gigaset
Date: Sat, 05 Nov 2005 05:05:18 GMT


rlittle@thetasoft.com wrote:

> The Siemens Gigaset is great as far as features go, operating like a
> little PBX (the extensions dial each other, the base unit does the
> actual telecom work of dialing while the handsets just act like
> recievers).

> Unfortunately, the Siemens quality sucks.  It works for about a year
> before it starts flaking out -- we've already gone through 2 base
> units, and Siemens customer support is worse than their reliability.

> So, I'm in the market for a new system.  I got the Panasonic 2 line
> 6502, but feature-wise its horrible.  (I'm so tired of seeing "24
> missed calls" on the handset that was lost under the couch).

> Is there a good system out there?  Cost is really no issue -- I'm
> desperate for feature parity with the Siemens -- cordless handsets (6
> or more), base unit does all the dialing, multiple lines (2),
> answering machine, transfer & conference between handsets... Surely
> there must be something out there!

Rob, I went through the same problems with the Siemens Gigaset.  I
replaced it with an AT&T-branded multi-set system (actually made by
Vtech, I think).  It's a great improvement, but not perfect.  I looked
at the Panasonic multi-set systems, but the handsets were too gadgety.
The AT&T 2-line system handles up to 8 or 9 handsets and has a corded
base station; both the base station and the cordless handsets can be
used as speakerphones.


Michael D. Sullivan
Bethesda, MD (USA)
(Replace "example.invalid" with "com" in my address.)

------------------------------


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******************************