<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Date: Thu, 18 Mar 2004 11:05:22 -0500
From: "T. Andrew Finn" <afinn@gmu.edu>
Subject: tele730: Yahoo! Groups, bonus info
To: tele730 class
Hi folks,
1) New Topics are up on Yahoo!
Did you see the article in the WP Bus section on 3/17 re: HOT lanes for I-95?
(pay more to avoid traffic jams) This week we'll discuss and compare highway
traffic with digital traffic. So be fruitful and multiply messages.
2) Info about Using Yahoo! Groups
A couple people have had difficulty using Yahoo! Groups. Let me run down the
issues.
Problem #1 - my invite expired. Most of you have e-mailed me and I've reissued the invitation.
Problem #2 - I can't seem to gain access, even after I've created a Yahoo! ID. Not sure about this one. If you are (still) having this problem, call me.
Problem #3 - I (though I) posted a message, but it isn't there. (Please note this one - this could happen to any of you! ) I suspect what has happened is that after you typed your message, you clicked on the "post" command in the left side menu - which erases what you typed and re-opens the new message window. To post your message, you must scroll down and click on "Send."
This brings me to a general suggestion for ALL discussion board posts: you should first create every message in another editor (e.g., Word). Not only can you then spell check it more easily, but you won't 'lose' the message before you post it.
3) Bonus info - Cleaning up your PC
This info has nothing to do with the requirements for tele730 - but you may
find it useful.
Packages every PC should have:
a) Anti-virus software. (You are entitled to GMU's site licence version of Norton
Corporate A-V, with automatic virus definitions updates. Go to: http://itusupport.gmu.edu/downloads/index.asp
to get your free copy.)
b) A software firewall. (I use Norton Internet Security, very cheap if you find
it bundled with other useful Norton products, such as Systemworks, which I love.
Or, download ZoneAlarm for free at http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp
). Ignore their offer for (a paid version of) PestPatrol - there's a free package
to remove adware, spyware, and malware.
c) Anti-adware package. Have you had problems with weird programs on your PC
after surfing, or using Kaaza or another music download package? Then download
Adaware 6.0 at: http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10045910.html?part=69274&subj=dlpage&tag=button
. Simple to install and use, you can trust it - anything it finds, you should
highlight/check and delete it.
3) Bonus info - Buying Your Own URL
This info has nothing to do with the requirements for tele730 - but you may
find it useful.
If you or anyone you know wants to put up a web site outside of GMU, it's sometimes hard to know how to get started. Here's some info that may help you.
If you're willing to pay for web hosting, and you'd like your own URL (e.g., I own "andyfinn.us," "andyfinn.org," and others), which also allows you to use your name in your e-mail ID (I use andy@andyfinn.us - and I can create 100s others if I like), then there are two basic steps:
Step 1 - find out if the URL you want is available. You can do this at lots
of sites, but try this one:
http://www.whois-register.com/
b/c you can also BUY that URL there as well - for only $8.45 per year (2 years
required).
If the URL you want is taken, you can look up who has it and when it expires
at:
http://www.whois.sc/
Step 2 - select a web hosting company.
You want a stable company that will be around for the length of your contract,
so shop carefully.
Here's a clearinghouse for (selected) web hosting companies:
http://www.allcheaphosting.com/
I went with:
http://www.powweb.com/
They charge $7.77 per month for 1000 Mb of storage, and allow 5 Gb of downloading
bandwidth per day (that's a LOT, and a great deal!).
Hope all this helps.
Dr Finn
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Date: Sun, 14 Mar 2004 09:38:41 -0500
From: "T. Andrew Finn" <afinn@gmu.edu>
Subject: tele730: this is your wake-up call . . .
To: tele730 class
Hi folks,
Like a stay at a hotel, spring break requires a wake up call, so you are "on time" for class, with assignments, and upcoming deliverables. This is your wake-up call, courtesy of Finn's Wake-up service.
I hope you've had a great spring break. I also hope you've kept up with your courses some - esp. this one! There is a lot to do to hit the ground running for the second half of the semester.
I won't go through all the deliverables, but there is new reading AND written assignments due very soon.
Re: online participation -
- some folks are making great comments and helping to build an interesting discussion
- but it works better when everyone participates
- keep in mind, for future weeks, that participation just before class is actually
worth less to the class (and therefore in your point total), b/c few people
will benefit from it at that point
See you in class!
Dr Finn
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Date: Thu, 26 Feb 2004 23:52:43 -0500
From: "T. Andrew Finn" <afinn@gmu.edu>
Subject: tele730: lecture notes
To: tele730 class
Hi all,
attached are the lecture notes.
Dr Finn
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Date: Wed, 25 Feb 2004 21:56:20 -0500
From: "T. Andrew Finn" <afinn@gmu.edu>
Subject: tele730: study guide
To: tele730 class
Hi folks,
Great time last night!
the study guide is attached. The lecture notes will follow tomorrow (the latest version is at the office).
Check out WebCT too - new postings for this week.
Dr Finn
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Date: Tue, 24 Feb 2004 08:47:09 -0500
From: "T. Andrew Finn" <afinn@gmu.edu>
Subject: tele730 - class reminder
To: tele730 class
Hi folks,
just to remind you - class is in Washington DC tonight! See you there at 7:20
- tour starts at 7:30.
Will meet the students riding with me at the entrance to Thompson Hall near the parking lot (or if you're early, check my office).
Dr Finn
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Date: Thu, 19 Feb 2004 09:07:50 -0500
From: "T. Andrew Finn" <afinn@gmu.edu>
Subject: tele 730: WebCT, Verizon CO visit
X-Sender: afinn@mail.gmu.edu
To: tele730 class
Hi all,
1) Verizon CO Visit on Tu., Feb. 24
Next week we will be meeting in downtown DC:
- Verizon DC Metro Central Office at 1200 H Street, NW (intersection of 12th)
- 7:15-7:25 pm; tour starts at 7:30 (please be on time)
- attached is a mapquest map indicating the location
- this is one block south of the Metro Center Metro stop
- meet at the H Street entrance, directly across from the Marriott Hotel
- take my cell phone number with you and call
- our Verizon contact person is: Ann Berkowitz (Associate Director, Federal
Regulatory Affairs)
The following people are riding with me - and meeting me at the Thompson Hall
entrance nearest my office (111a) at 6:25 pm (my car leaves the parking lot
at 6:30 sharp):
John An
Patti Nordby
Anu Singh
Mike Stafford
See you there!
2) WebCT Participation
I've posted new discussion items on WebCT. Check out my posts, but plan to summarize
your Field Report for posting (do not post the whole thing).
Dr Finn
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Date: Mon, 09 Feb 2004 20:53:36 -0500
From: "T. Andrew Finn" <afinn@gmu.edu>
Subject: tele 730 - IMPORTANT Class CHANGE for Tuesday
To: tele730 class
Hi all,
As you may know, John Kerry will appear in the JC Atrium Tuesday evening at
the close of the VA primary.
First half of class:
- at 7:20 pm, TELE 730 will meet in the Atrium, on the second floor, in the
center section facing the bookstore (the stage will be in front of the bookstore)
- actually, recommend you get there earlier if possible
Second half of class:
- at 8:45, we will resume class in our NEW room - 108 Thompson Hall (if you
object to democracy in action, feel free to come at 8:45 only :)
Actually, this rally is voluntary - but strongly encouraged - for TELE 730 students. And normally, I would hold class even during the Superbowl. But it seems to me that this is close to a 'once in a lifetime' event on campus - a major party candidate - the presumptive nominee - appearing at GMU, during our class time!
Please come early -
- the event starts at 7:00
- the polls close at 7:00
- no telling when Kerry will appear, but I bet it's before 8
- I'll get there about 7:00
- to avoid the crowds, consider entering from the WGMU, or "Braddock end"
of the JC, and going up the stairs at that end - avoid the bookstore end
- I will be attempting to stake out a place on the second floor, in the center
section near the stairs
- it will be packed by 7:30! Good luck!
If you're not a Dem -
- those of you who already know you would NEVER vote for Kerry - or even a Dem
- please come also
- this is not about supporting Kerry
- it's about witnessing the event of the year at GMU
- it's about witnessing the great political process we are privledged to have
in the USA
- I was at a Nixon rally in 68, and a Carter rally in 76
- if this was a Republican rally, I'd also give up class time for it
- think of it as a chance to witness the democratic process in action!
See you at 7 (or 7:20), or see you in Thompson at 8:45.
Please RSVP and let me know your plans.
USA! USA! USA!
Dr Finn
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Date: Mon, 09 Feb 2004 11:25:52 -0500
From: "T. Andrew Finn" <afinn@gmu.edu>
Subject: tele730: Drop/Add extended; online participation
To: tele730 class
Hi all,
I hope the listserv messages weren't too overwhelming last week. I've found
that it's best to send those by e-mail (too much graphics to cut and paste into
a text editor, like WebCT).
2 things -
1) Drop/Add extended to Tuesday, Feb. 10
As a final move because of the snow disruptions, students may still "add"
or "drop" courses without financial penalty up to the end of the business
day, Tuesday, February 10, 2004.
Peter N. Stearns, Provost
2) Online participation
Remember to contribute - each week's participation runs from class time to class
time.
See you at class time!
Dr Finn
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Date: Tue, 03 Feb 2004 09:14:32 -0500
From: "T. Andrew Finn" <afinn@gmu.edu>
Subject: tele 730 - forgot to tell you - no office hours today
To: TELE 730 Class List
I forgot one thing -
I'll be reachable by phone 12-2 today, but will not be in the office (ITU is
fixing a problem with my computer, and since I can't use it I'm working from
home until about 3 pm).
Dr Finn
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Date: Tue, 03 Feb 2004 08:31:17 -0500
From: "T. Andrew Finn" <afinn@gmu.edu>
Subject: tele730: update
To: TELE 730 Class List
Hi folks,
Several things -
1) GMU Classes on Tuesday, Feb. 3
As you may know, all GMU classes and offices open at 12 noon today. We WILL
have class tonight, as scheduled (unless GMU closes again - in which case we
will meet on WebCT at our regular class time)
2) WebCT
After tonight's class we'll begin weekly online discussions related to 730 course
materials, and telecom in general. Please be sure you can log in to WebCT so
you're ready to go.
3) Telecom Manager to Interview
Please come to class tonight with your telecom manager issue 'settled.' If you
know you wish to interview the GMU Telecom team, be prepared to compare notes
with a couple other students on the break tonight - these will be group interviews.
See you at 7:20 (if the Good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise :).
Dr Finn
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2004 13:54:42 -0500
From: "T. Andrew Finn" <afinn@gmu.edu>
Subject: tele730: GMU closing at 4 pm today; ALL Tuesday evening classes
cancelled. However . . . :)
To: TELE 730 Class List
Hi all,
GMU is closing at 4 pm today; ALL Tuesday evening classes are cancelled, including
ours.
However, we start our online discussions for week 2 as of TONIGHT. This means:
- everyone should log in to WebCT and participate soon and a couple times this
week - particularly since we don't get to meet (since you have 3 free hours
you should consider the WebCT commitment to be double a normal week for this
week).
- e.g., if you have a good online resource for telecom info, feel free to post
that (I will send you several listservs you can sign up for - they are a good
source of info and announcements that YOU can post to our discussion later in
the semester)
I'll post comments online soon - call if you have problems.
Stay safe. See you in cyberspace!
Dr Finn
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2004 12:34:52 -0500
From: "T. Andrew Finn" <afinn@gmu.edu>
Subject: tele730: Interview Protocols 1-4
To: TELE 730 Class List
Hi folks,
It was great meeting you all last night. I'm looking forward to a great semester
- there's a lot of knowledgeable people in the class, which will help us learn
from each other.
Attached are:
- the syllabus I handed out last night
- the 4 Interview Protocols (IPs) needed for the 4 voice telecom manager interviews
Hopefully, you'll each be able to report next week that you succeeded in finding the right person and have their agreement to be interviewed. Keep in mind that the Call Center/ACD interview: 1) probably requires a different person even if your company does have a Call Center, and 2) if your company does not, you'll write your Field Report for that interview based on our visit to Kaiser's Call center.
Also, I've added you to the WebCT database, so please attempt to log in (see Syllabus) and make sure your ID is working before next class. Also, post a 'practice' message on the 'practice' discussion I have started, just so you see how the post and the reply function works.
See you next Tuesday.
taf
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>