Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.telcom From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: telcom Wed, Mar 18 1992 Date: Wed, 18 Mar 92 05:44:27 EST Message-ID: 03-18 0000 DECISIONLINE: Telecommunications USA TODAY Update March 18, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network CABLE REGULATIONS CALLED FOR: James Robbins, President of Cox Cable called for a meeting of telecommunications and cable industry leaders Tuesday to head off mounting problems in mutual technological advances. Robbins said tighter regulations are needed to promote a healthier environment for growth in both industries. (For more, see special Cable package below) VOICE MAIL TARGETED BY HACKERS: Voice mail systems are often overlooked in company security procedures, Network World reports. Hackers easily seize the systems in order to make long-distance phone calls and disrupt business. A study by Robins Press found that only 38% of net managers have taken adequate precautions against voice processing system misuse. DOLCH IMPROVES COMPUTER LINE: Dolch Computer Systems said Tuesday it now has fully symmetrical compression on its video computers. The feature is offered as an option in its portable computer line. Dolch becomes the first manufacturer to offer full real-time compression in a portable platform. HARRIS OFFERS FASTER COMPUTERS: Harris Corp.'s Computer Systems Division has expanded its networking product offerings to include fiber distributed data interface - an industry standard 100 megabit:second fiber optic and a new high performance Ethernet controller. Both products are being introduced in response to the growing network performance requirements in real-time applications, the firm said. SALT RIVER PROJECT SAVES TREES: By recycling its old US WEST telephone books, the Salt River Project of Phoenix, Arizona will save about 288 trees and prevent 17 tons of paper from clogging landfills, SRP General Manager Dr. C. M. Perkins said Tuesday. The project joins US West and Safeway Stores in the recycling drive that last year recycled more than eight million pounds of materials. VIDEO LOTTERY SPURS INTEREST: Loto-Quebec of Montreal will debut "Dollars en direct" on April 1. The new television program allows participants to subscribe by mail and play at home via their television set. Instead of buying a ticket, subscribing players phone in their intention to play. FOUNDER TO SPEAK ON PRIVACY: Allen H. Neuharth, chairman of The Freedom Forum and founder of USA TODAY, will speak on First Amendment and privacy issues Wednesday, March 18 at the Second Conference on Computers in Washington, D.C. Neuharth's speech focuses on how these issues are at stake as newspapers, broadcasters, computer networks and telephone service providers compete in the information marketplace. HOSPITAL TELECARE AIDS STAFF: Twenty-six hospitals across the nation use TeleCare, a telephone answering system that provides customized information for most frequently asked questions, says InfoText's March issue. Staffs are freed to answer more complex questions. A service of Brite Voice Systems, Inc., of Wichita-TeleCare offers nine audio program packages in more than 600 different information categories. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON CABLE: FUTURE CABLE TARGETS HOMES: Industry leaders meeting in Atlanta Tuesday said cable television technology has become so sophisticated that customers in the near future will be able to receive advertising specifically targeted to their homes. Instead of going to a video rental store, consumers will be able to call up motion pictures from a remote video "juke box" for private screenings in their homes. ROBBINS ACCUSES OPERATORS: Cox Cable President, James Robbins said Tuesday that attempts to place more stringent controls on the cable television industry are the result of some operators' using deregulations to increase profits through unwarranted price increases to their customers. The legislation was enacted in 1984. PROGRAMMING SPURS CABLE GROWTH: Future growth of Cable depends on expanded programming, said James Robbins, President of Cox Cable. Only six out of 10 homes now have cable, Robbins said, but the number of subscribers will grow as new technology allows cable to expand programming. Robbins believes there are many opportunities for program expansion. HIGH DEFINITION TV DUE IN 90`s: Cable industry executives said high-definition TV, the emerging standard for greatly improved quality of video, should begin making inroads in the USA later this decade. The sharper image is created by increased lines in the picture and will require new equipment for transmission and reception. (End of package.) Telecommunications Editor: Lon Groendes. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM