ú Subject: Usenet Intro File to TELECOM Digest Below is a file which normally is only sent to the comp.dcom.telecom newsgroup about once a month or so ... I am sending it to the mailing list this time as well since many of you have probably never seen it. PAT Path: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu From: TELECOM Moderator Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: What is TELECOM Digest? Message-ID: <01.01.93.2@eecs.nwu.edu> Date: January 1, 1993 (Fri) 01:20:00 CST Sender: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Reply-To: TELECOM Moderator Organization: TELECOM Digest Lines: 97 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu What is TELECOM Digest? ======================= TELECOM Digest is a internet mailing list dedicated to several aspects of telephone communications. While the emphasis is toward voice telephony, we touch on all aspects of telephones and telephone services. The Digest is not intended as only a place for 'hi-tech' commentaries. As Moderator, I welcome questions and comments from 'techies' and regular users alike. Questions about telephone equipment are also very welcome. The mailing list is distributed all over the world. In addition to copies sent to individual readers, copies are posted on numerous BBSs and similar services. The Digest is distributed by mail to readers on various commercial services such as MCI Mail, SprintMail, and AT&T Mail. Copies also go to PC Pursuit where they are available on the "Net Exchange", a BBS for PCP subscribers. Several readers receive copies via email at Compuserve as well as Germany's Telebox Mail System. Another distribution point is Usenet, where the Digest is distributed to readers via the newsgroup 'comp.dcom.telecom' -- the place where you are reading this message now. In most instances, the Digest is distributed as a single mailing -- that is, the many articles which make up each issue are sent as one in a digest, or newsletter format. In the case of Usenet and comp.dcom.telecom, the messages are sent on a one-by-one basis, with a reference in each message to the place where the message was located in the mailing list version. This single style message format seems to be preferred by many Usenet readers. Usenet readers who prefer the single message, newsletter style format are invited to subscribe to the mailing list. Details will follow. TELECOM Digest is a moderated publication. What that means is that messages for the list are submitted to the Moderator who edits them for clarity, sorts them in a logical order and distributes them. Many times a "Moderator's Note" will be appended to clarify or correct some item, or to ask further questions, soliciting a group response. All articles for the Digest must be submitted to: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu All subscription requests or other correspondence should be addressed: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu Unlike an unmoderated group, direct posting of articles to comp.dcom. telecom is not possible. Usually the news software at your site will accept your item, but forward it by mail to the Moderator rather than posting it. To be certain it arrives, it is best to email it to the addresses shown above. Personal replies are difficult because of the volume of mail received. Each day typically brings 100+ articles for publication, of which only a fraction can be used, and even fewer can have personal answers. In most cases, you will receive an 'autoreply' message -- a computer generated response advising you that your article was received and is being considered for publication. The autoreply program sometimes will fail for lack of an address to which it can respond, so if you do not receive an answer, do not be unduly concerned ... watch the Digest for a few days and see if your article was selected. Please use a modicum of editing: No excessive quotes are allowed, and signatures are pared to a minimum. Have a relevant subject title, and when REplying to a previous article, match the earlier subject header for ease in sorting here. Before REplying, read what others have written. Do not needlessly duplicate the comments of other readers. Avoid cross-posting, especially to other telecom-related newsgroups. It is discourteous to expect the same readers to have to see your article in two or three different forums. The TELECOM ARCHIVES provides a wealth of information including a full set of the back issues of TELECOM Digest (eleven year's worth) and dozens of other files, including a "Frequently Asked Questions" file. Please review the archives if possible for answers to questions you may have, but do not hesitate to write to the Digest if necessary. The archives are available using anonymous ftp: lcs.mit.edu. Users at non-Internet sites (ie UUCP, Bitnet, MCI Mail, etc) will need to use an email/ftp server. TELECOM Digest began publication in August, 1981. It is prepared and distributed using the computation and network facilities at the Electrical Engineering and Computer Science Laboratory of Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, USA with whom I have no affiliation other than as a guest of the University and the EECS Department. I appreciate their continued generosity, along with that of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for providing space and ftp privileges for the Telecom Archives. Patrick Townson TELECOM Digest Moderator