JOBS & THE WORKPLACE
Telephone Workers on Strike Against US West (NYT)
Recess Called In Strike Talks With US West (WSJ)
US West Workers Strike (WP)
Strikes Raise Key Issues of How Bells Can Compete (NYT)
Area Tech Sector Deemed Fit, But Needs Workers (ChiTrib)
Adapting Technology for Diverse Workplaces (WP)
LONG DISTANCE
AT&T Sets Minimum of $3 for Monthly Long Distance (WSJ)
AT&T $3 Monthly Minimum Fuels Debate on LEC
Long Distance Entry (TelecomAM)
TELEVISION
Cable and Networks Clinch Over Wrestling Ad
Revenue (NYT)
Set Makers Support Blocking Option (B&C)
Television Looks to Radio for Fall Campaigns (B&C)
INTERNET
Search Sites' Shocking Secrets -- They Stink, They're Getting Worse.
And It's Deliberate (Jesse Berst's AnchorDesk)
Secrecy of Software Code Creates Security Risk (NYT)
As On-Line Payment Methods Grow, Credit Cards are Still Most Popular
(ChiTrib)
Small Devices Pick Up Email From Satellites (CyberTimes)
RealNetworks, Inktomi Go Cache Streaming (B&C)
WIRELESS
Finding Cellular Callers in an Emergency (NYT)
RADIO
Ness, Tristani Criticize FCC's Review of Radio Deals (B&C)
JOURNALISM
Furor Over Globe Columnist Exposes Fault Lines in
Boston (NYT)
=====================
JOBS & THE WORKPLACE
=====================
TELEPHONE WORKERS ON STRIKE AGAINST US WEST
Issue: Jobs
After two days of talks with a Federal mediator failed, 34,000 members of
the Communications of America walked off their job August 16. Workers are
protesting US West's attempt to move them to an incentive-based pay system,
changes in their health care benefits and mandatory overtime. One of five
regional Bell telephone companies -- or RBOCs -- US West is the second
company to face a strike in the last two weeks: Bell Atlantic settled with
workers after a two-day strike last week. Ameritech, Bell South and SBC
Communications negotiated new union contracts last spring. The striking
workers represent more than half of the companies 51,000 employees; 15,000
managers have been sent in to substitute for the strikers. Local and long
distance service will not be affected since they are automated. Delays are
expected in repairs, installation, and directory assistance calls.
[SOURCE: New York Times (A8)]
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/national/uswest-phone-strike.html/
RECESS CALLED IN STRIKE TALKS WITH US WEST (WSJ)
US WEST WORKERS STRIKE (WP)
Issue: Local Telephone/Labor
34,000 employees of US West, America's sixth largest phone company went on
strike Sunday after the breakdown of talks in a five-year contract
negotiation. Disputed issues include forced overtime, health benefits and a
performance-based wage plan. As with the Communications Workers of America's
(CWA) strike against Bell Atlantic last week, CWA members employed by US
West are concerned about the future of union employees in the fast-growth
high-tech areas of telecommunications. Talks between company and union
representative will resume under the auspice of a federal mediator.
[SOURCE: Washington Post (A10), AUTHOR: Bloomberg News]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal (A3), AUTHOR: Stephanie Mehta]
http://www.wsj.com
STRIKES RAISE KEY ISSUES OF HOW BELLS CAN COMPETE
Issue: Jobs
Wall Street seems to be concerned about the labor problems -- and legacy --
of the Baby Bells. Union membership at the five RBOCs is an average of
60.7%, but as these companies move to compete for other businesses --
especially installing and maintaining new data networks -- they may be
competing with non-union shops. "Short term, what's going to happen over the
next three years, I don't think labor's a major issue," an industry analyst
said. "But on a longer-term issue, and once the marketplace stabilizes and
everything evens out a bit, then we will get down to who has a low
operating-cost structure. The Bells are going to have some questions to answer."
[SOURCE: New York Times (C1), AUTHOR: Seth Schiesel]
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/financial/bells-assess.html
AREA TECH SECTOR DEEMED FIT, BUT NEEDS WORKERS
Issue: Jobs
"No matter what study you look at, Illinois is in the top five high
tech-states in the country. This is a technology hotbed," Candace Renwall,
recently appointed executive of the Chicago Software Association said. "We
may be in the Midwest and we may have cold, cruel winters, but we do have a
technology industry." The northen Illinois tech industry is ready for an
explosion -- if it can attract workers to fill vacant jobs. "All companies
are feeling the extreme difficulty finding and retaining qualified workers.
That shortage is going to get
worse before it gets better," Renwall said.
[SOURCE: Chicago Tribune (Sec 4, p.8), AUTHOR: Andrew Zajac]
http://chicagotribune.com/textversion/article/0,1492,SAV-9808170029,00.html
ADAPTING TECHNOLOGY FOR DIVERSE WORKPLACES
Issue: Technology/Disability
At the Unisys Corp.'s Assistive Devices Lab, six workers spend their days
developing and testing computer equipment to be used by people with special
needs. As part of a $280 million contract, the Lab was created to develop
"assistive technology" that would enable the recruitment of disabled
employees for the Social Security Administration. Computer hardware and
software that helps disabled people perform essential workplace tasks, like
voice-controlled systems and over-sized keyboards, are becoming more common
in offices across the country. As a result of last week's reauthorization of
the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Federal offices will be required to install
"assistive technology", such as that developed at Uyisys Corp's Assistive
Devices Lab.
[SOURCE: Washington Post (F5), AUTHOR: Sarah Schafer]
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/WPlate/1998-08/17/019l-081798-idx.html
=============
LONG DISTANCE
=============
AT&T SETS MINIMUM OF $3 FOR MONTHLY LONG DISTANCE
Issue: Long Distance
In a move to lower costs for serving low-usage long-distance customers, AT&T
Corp. announced that it will charge new residential telephone customers a
minimum of $3 a month. "The monthly minimum, which became effective
Saturday, will apply to all new customers who sign up for one of the
carrier's calling plans." For example, customers who may spend only $2
dollars a month in long distance be charged an extra dollar in order to
reach the required minimum. AT&T said it loses
$300 million a year due to costs associated with customers who spend under
$3 dollars a month on long distance calls.
[SOURCE: Wall Street Journal (B5), AUTHOR: WSJ Staff Reporter]
http://wsj.com/
AT&T $3 MONTHLY MINIMUM FUELS DEBATE ON LEC LONG DISTANCE ENTRY
Issue: Long Distance
New AT&T long distance customers will have to pay a minimum $3 fee in a move
to recoup up to $300 million in annual losses. And there's nothing to get
the telecom industry talking like a new fee schedule. LECs see the move as a
new reason to seek long distance approval, while consumer groups accused
AT&T of the "unconscionable abandonment" of its customers and worried
that MCI and Sprint would follow quickly. The Telecommunications Research &
Action Center (TRAC) in Washington accused AT&T of breaking faith with
residential consumers and warned that applying the fee to all long distance
customers would generate $873 million-$1.4 billion
annually "for not making long distance calls." [As a telcom consumer these
days, ya gotta start thinking that you have to spend money to save money]
[SOURCE: Telecom AM]
http://www.telecommunications.com/am/
==========
TELEVISION
==========
CABLE AND BROADCAST NETWORKS CLINCH OVER WRESTLING AD REVENUE
Issue: Television Economics
Ladies and gentlemen, let's get ready toooooo wrastle! Wrestling is becoming
a big hit for cable TV networks TNT, TBS, and USA. Broadcast network
executives try to convince premium advertisers that their ad dollars don't
belong there because 1) wrestling isn't *real* (they don't watch it enough
to know the truth) and 2) the stereotypical audience is lower-income and
under-educated. But cable execs argue back saying that wrestling shows reach
35 million viewers a week and more men between 18 and 49 than Law and Order,
NYPD Blue, Homicide, Third Rock From the Sun and Spin City (which surprises
us 'cause that Fox boy is kinda cute in that show).
[SOURCE: New York Times (C1), AUTHOR: Bill Carter]
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/financial/tv-wrestling-media.html
SET MAKERS SUPPORT BLOCKING OPTION
Issue: V-chip
Thomson Consumer Electronics, the largest seller of TV sets in the U.S., is
planning to go ahead with a plan to sell sets that allow parents to block
sports, news and advertising. "At a technical standards group meeting last
week in Chicago, Thomson's trade association, Consumer Electronics
Manufacturers Assoc. (CEMA), declined to actively support Thomson's
initiative." Instead, CEMA referred to the FCC's rules on the subject, rules
that specifically say that the V-chip can block unrated programming. "We
understand that this is an emotionally charged issue for some broadcasters,"
wrote CEMA President, Gary Shapiro to members of the group. "We also believe
that parents in the marketplace -- not broadcasters, manufacturers or the
government -- should determine what features sell and how they should be
used. "This whole debate should be about what the parent wants," says Dave
Arland, a Thomson spokesperson. "This is not about the end of television on
the planet Earth." Family advocacy groups say that they never intended the
TV ratings system to apply to sports and news, but do want parents to have
the option to block unrated programming. Other set makers, specifically
Panasonic and Sony have not yet announced whether they will offer parents
the blocking choice.
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable (p.19), AUTHOR: Paige Albiniak]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/
TELEVISION LOOKS TO RADIO FOR FALL CAMPAIGNS
Issue: Advertising
With the new fall-season right around the corner, TV programmers are already
promoting new shows. But according to Interep Research, programmers are
increasingly sending their messages via media other than television. Interep
reports that broadcasters and cable spent nearly $160 million on national
radio last year, with 57 percent of the annual total coming from spending in
September, October and November. "That figure places television at the top
of the list of national radio spenders, surpassed only by telcos and telco
services."
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable (p.65), AUTHOR: John Merli]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/
========
INTERNET
========
SEARCH SITES' SHOCKING SECRETS -- THEY STINK. THEY'RE
GETTING WORSE. AND IT'S DELIBERATE
Issue: Internet Content
"Maybe you've already realized big search sites are getting worse, not
better. But did you know they've planned it that way? That they let results
be manipulated by outsiders? That some sell the results to the highest
bidder? That others censor what you see to hurt their rivals? Here's the
ugly truth."
[SOURCE: Jesse Berst's AnchorDesk]
http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/story/story_2432.html
http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/story/story_2231.html
[Tell us what you think of this new source]
SECRECY OF SOFTWARE CODE CREATES SECURITY RISK
Issue: Security
Network security experts think that the structure of the Internet today --
the open, freely available Internet protocols, with overly bulky and/or
proprietary software running atop of them -- is fundamentally flawed and
impossible to secure. "The problem is these gigantic, 10-megabyte Web
browsers," said Mark Seiden, chief network consultant for Veriguard Inc., a
computer-security concern in Menlo Park, Calif. "Nobody knows what flaws are
in them. Nobody even knows, really, everything that they do." So, Seiden
says, there's always a possibility that hostile programs can get to
information on your hard drive -- bank accounts, password files, etc.
"Corporate espionage is the fastest-growing sector of the computer crime
business," said Thomas Noonan, chairman and chief executive of Internet
Security Systems. "Flaws in the infrastructure are inevitable, a fact of
life," Mr. Noonan said. "But if electronic commerce is about the ability to
trade ubiquitously in all corners of the globe, one of the huge challenges
for business is how to protect the security and integrity of my information,
which is now the basis of my competitive advantage."
[SOURCE: New York Times (C3), AUTHOR: Denise Caruso]
http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/yr/mo/biztech/digicom/17digicom.html
AS ON-LINE PAYMENT METHODS GROW, CREDIT CARDS ARE STILL MOST POPULAR
Issue: Electronic Commerce
Credit cards remain the primary way to make online purchases, but other
methods are emerging. Cybercash facilitates credit card purchases online,
but also offers Cybercoin, a system for the small purchases (25 cents to
$10) that are usually thought to be too small for economical credit card
use. Mondex is the leader in smart cards which encrypt digital cash on a
computer chip. DigiCash, a Netherlands-based firm formed by cryptographer
David Chaum, is developing eCash which allows users to make withdrawals from
accounts they set up with banks by downloading eCash coins that then reside
on the users hard drive. The advantage of eCash is that the identity of the
purchaser is protected -- it provides the same anonymity as real cash. The
question may become how to regulate digital cash since it is
indistinguishable from any other kind of electronic communication.
[SOURCE: Chicago Tribune (Sec 4,p.5), AUTHOR: Paul Bissex]
http://chicagotribune.com/textversion/article/0,1492,SAV-9808170138,00.html
SMALL DEVICES PICK UP EMAIL FROM SATELLITES
Issue: InfoTech
A new class of email devices that work anywhere in the world and are small
enough to be worn will be introduced this fall. If everything goes as
planned, the Iridium satellite-based telephone handset system will begin
operation on September 23. "A constellation of 66 satellites around the
earth will allow two-way, cellular-like telephone calls anywhere on the
planet." Born alongside this complex system launch will be a "space-based"
email system. Consumers will be able to receive email messages with global
coverage via the Iridium Pager, which is not much larger than a regular belt
pager. The pager will be sold internationally by national phone companies,
paging operators and industrial resellers once the system becomes operational.
[SOURCE: New York Times (CyberTimes), AUTHOR: Marty Katz]
http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/98/08/cyber/articles/16satellite-email.
html
REALNETWORKS, INKTOMI GO CACHE STREAMING
Issue: Technology
"RealNetworks and Inktomi Corp. will collaborate on the development of
caching technology for streaming media. RealNetworks will integrate its
latest-generation RealSystem G2 delivery system with a new traffic server
still under wraps at Inktomi to allow scalable delivery of video and audio
on the 'Net."
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable (p.76), AUTHOR: Richard Tedesco]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/
========
WIRELESS
========
FINDING CELLULAR CALLERS IN AN EMERGENCY
Issue: Wireless
Snaptrack Inc has begun a trial in the Denver area of software embedded into
cellular phones and global positioning (GPS) technology which can help
locate a phone's position within 100 yards. The Federal Communications
Commission has set October 2001 as the deadline for cell phones to be able
to provide location information that is accurate within 125 meters at least
67% of the time. Snaptrack is competing with other firms including True
Position, Grayson, and Sirf Technology (see 8/10 Headlines).
[SOURCE: New York Times (C5), AUTHOR: John Markoff]
http://www.nytimes.com/library/tech/yr/mo/biztech/articles/17cellular.html
=====
RADIO
=====
NESS, TRISTANI CRITICIZE FCC'S REVIEW OF RADIO DEALS
Issue: Regulation
Federal Communications Commissioners, Susan Ness and Gloria Tristani, "don't
like the way FCC officials are adding up radio stations for the purposes of
enforcing local ownership limits." Last week, the commissioners' charged
regulators with using inconsistent formulas to first determine market size
in the radio industry and then determine how many commonly owned stations
exist within a market. "Our current broadcast ownership rules stumble on one
of the critical steps in any meaningful competitive analysis: a clear
definition of the scope of the 'market' in question," the commissioners
said. "The end result is that there can be no meaningful assessment of
market concentration, because there is no consistent definition of the
relevant market."
[SOURCE: Broadcasting&Cable (p.14), AUTHOR: Chris McConnell]
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/
==========
JOURNALISM
==========
FUROR OVER GLOBE COLUMNIST EXPOSES FAULT LINES IN BOSTON
Issue: Journalism
Boston Globe columnist Mike Barnicle has apologized for his "sloppiness" and
"creating embarrassment for the paper" after allegations that he parroted
George Carlin jokes with attribution. But that Mr. Barnicle keep his job is
seen as a major victory after he was asked to resign. Barringer writes that
Barnicle "remains enough of a figure to have turned a painful exercise in
journalistic discipline into a personal referendum, one more swaggering
scene in the long-running Boston drama of Us vs. Them." The "Them" is seen
as intellectual and cultural elites. The Us is "the unrepentant,
unapologetic common man."
[SOURCE: New York Times (C1), AUTHOR: Felicity Barringer]
http://www.nytimes.com/yr/mo/day/news/financial/bostonglobe-media.html
*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*