--------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 102 CONSUMER REPORTS Ref: F4200001Date: 03/28/98 From: WALT YOUNG Time: 04:25am \/To: BILL REYNA (Read 3 times) Subj: Re: costs Hi Bill... BR> If you re-read the last part of my message you've seen that I already BR> pay for "line maintenance" from the local telco and that's what I BR> suspect they're double billing me for. Excluding any LD equipment as BR> their postcard mentiones, its for a "local" access fee, so basically BR> as I see it, I'm paying twice. As I see it, it's not just to recover BR> costs, but to generate more revenue. OK, Having followed this thread a bit, I see your problem, you are mixing "apples and oranges". The LD access fee is what the local telcos charge for accessing LD such as to AT&T, MCI, Sprint, whoever. The Line Maintenance Fee, is an optional charge, and covers the line that runs from the box outside your house to all your outlines inside the house. Let's say you have one wire that runs from that box, around the side of your house, to only one room, most likely the living room. Now, do YOU want to be responsible for that wire, or do you want the phone co to be responsible for it? Some people like to "do it themselves", so they run their own wire, or replace it if it goes bad. Thus no Line Maintenance charge. Some people prefer to let the phone co do it. Many houses being built today have lines running thru the attic, and into the walls before the house is finished, and thus may have outlets in every room of the house. Now wouldn't that be fun to fix a bad line!! Remember, these lines can go bad, and many times are the cause of the static on your phone that can foul up normal conversation, or even worse, give you all kinds of garbage on the puter. So the question is...who do you want to be responsible for the line, or lines, from the box outside your house to inside your house? You want the phone co responsible...you pay the Line Maint Fee. You don't want to pay it, then you assume responsibility. Here is the cavat to that. Lets say you do NOT pay the Line Maint Fee, you agree to do it yourself. Then one day you have line noise, lots of static, and you call the phone co. They come out, they check the line from the pole to the box on your house...it is static free. Turns out the static is in the lines from the box to inside your house. They wasted their time so the telco sends you a bill for $25.00 for service call. if the problem was on their side of the box, there would be no charge. That is why they generally ask you to check your side out first, especially if you have extensions. You take one phone you know is in good working order and plug it into each extension and check for the line noise. It may be on only one line rather than all of them. Then possibly could be on all lines, so then go out to the box outside and if it has the plugs you can plug the phone in there and see if any static. Yes I know, the older lines have wires that go around a nut that tightens down so you can't plug into it. But you can check the nuts to be sure they are good and tight. I had a caller here that had that problem...the nuts were loose, soon as he tightened them down...the problem went away. Anyway, If the problem is on your side, then you don't need to call the phone co, you fix it yourself. If you are not a "do it yourselfer" then pay the Line Maintence Fee and let the phone co worry about it. I hope this clarifies it for you. But have you heard the latest scam they (Southern Bell) pull? If you have a second separate line going to your house, say for computer, faxes, teenager, or whatever...they now charge you $5.00/mo for the privilege, even though you are paying a separate phone basic charge for that line. Even worse, I have two separate phone numbers coming in that second line so I can run two nodes of a BBS...so I pay $5. for each number, thus I am now charged $10/mo extra. I suspect they did this because they got shot down on charging ISP's a higher fee for computer usage of their lines. But who knows, the fact is they are getting away with it. The bottom line is...you want service...you pay for it. You don't want to pay for it...then you do without the service. About all one can do to keep from paying all these "fees", is to have one line come into one room of your house, hope the line doesn't go bad, and never make any LD calls. Then you can get away with only the basic phone charge. Walt * SFEMB 0.53. [TS80095] | Whatever hits the fan won't be evenly distributed * Beautiful Eau Gallie Beach, FL, USA --- Alexi/Mail 2.00 (#10000) * Origin: Space Coast REACT, Melbourne FL <407> 255-9069 (1:374/710) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 102 CONSUMER REPORTS Ref: F4200002Date: 03/30/98 From: DAVE GARLAND Time: 11:10pm \/To: SCOTT SCHEIBE (Read 3 times) Subj: Re: costs SS> It is a tax to pay for Clinton's grand plan to provide Internet SS> access to schools, as is the tax on multi-line phone service. Every tax SS> gets passed on to the end user in increased prices. SS> Anytime the government SS> provides a service we each pay for it one way or another, either directly SS> or indirectly. Very rarely more efficiently than private enterprise could. Just out of curiousity, how would public schools and libraries pay for the access without a tax of some sort? I don't recall private enterprise offering free T-1's and ISP service to them. My objection is more to the subterfuge involved, and to the regressive nature of that particular tax. I'd rather see that stuff paid for with income taxes, so upper-income individuals could pay their fair share. But we digress. Scumsucking though most of the LDCs are, this particular gimmick wasn't their idea. -Dave --- Maximus 3.01 * Origin: Best Buy! WizInfo CBCS Minneapolis 612.721.8859 (1:282/2022) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 102 CONSUMER REPORTS Ref: F4200003Date: 03/29/98 From: DARRIN THALER Time: 01:56pm \/To: ADAM ZIVITZ (Read 3 times) Subj: PHONE SCAM -> -=> Quoting Darrin Thaler to Max Chamberlain <=- -> -> DT> Heh! Not if one has the new NYNEX/BELL ATLANTIC plan which offers -> DT> unlimited local and regional calling. e.g. I can make over $500 i -> DT> regional calling and wind up with a flat rate bill of $80. Long -> DT> distance is an entirely different story!heh -> -> New York must have some expensive phone service! -> -> I'm with Bell Atlantic PA and with unlimited local calling my basic -> phone bill -> is around $15.00 a month. That extra $65.00 pays for a lot of -> regional calling. -> I have Bell's "sound minutes" regional calling plan which is free -> and they gave me free regional calling all day Saturday and Sunday -> until January of 1999. -> ___ Blue Wave/DOS v2.30 [NR] -> --- Platinum Xpress/Win/Wildcat5! v2.0 -> * Origin: SPUN-CRYSTAL WEB (602)644-4460 1:114/468 Wildcat! 5 -> (1:114/468) You forget that each PLAN varies, depending on your monthly average!! --- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 * Origin: Electronic Village BBS, NY (516) 471-8431 (1:2619/226.0) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 102 CONSUMER REPORTS Ref: F4200004Date: 03/30/98 From: DONNA RANSDELL Time: 07:58pm \/To: ALL (Read 3 times) Subj: mail program? We are searching for a new shareware email program for my husband. He is currently using Microsoft Internet Explorer for his browser, as that was what came with his ISP software. They didn't send him a mail program with it. I know it comes with an email program, but there aren't many features to it. What is out there? I use Netscape with another ISP, and Eudora Lite. We've had conflicts with two copies of the same program on the computer before, so having a 2nd copy of Eudora Lite isn't an option. I don't know if Lite can be configured for more than 1 ISP or more than 1 email address. Ideas, here? -donna dransdel@sdcoe.k12.ca.us wransdell@access1.net --- GEcho 1.00 * Origin: The Education Station, Poway, CA - Mail Only (1:202/1411) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 102 CONSUMER REPORTS Ref: F4200005Date: 03/29/98 From: WES LEATHEROCK Time: 07:12pm \/To: WALT YOUNG (Read 3 times) Subj: Re: costs -=> Quoting Walt Young to Bill Reyna <=- WY> About all one can do to keep from paying all these "fees", is to WY> have one line come into one room of your house, hope the line WY> doesn't go bad, and never make any LD calls. Then you can get WY> away with only the basic phone charge. You are required to select a Primary Interexchange Carrier. If this carrier has one of the new monthly fees (do you know any who don't?) the fee applies even if you don't make any LD calls. --- Blue Wave/Max v2.20 [NR] * Origin: King Family BBS (1:147/102) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 102 CONSUMER REPORTS Ref: F4200006Date: 03/31/98 From: TOM WALKER Time: 09:36am \/To: DONNA RANSDELL (Read 3 times) Subj: mail program? -> I use Netscape with another ISP, and Eudora Lite. We've had -> conflicts with two copies of the same program on the computer -> before, so having a 2nd copy of Eudora Lite isn't an option. I don't -> know if Lite can be configured for more than 1 ISP or more than 1 -> email address. -> Ideas, here? I just checked my copy of Eudora Pro and it allows "Alternate Personalities"("E" Mail Accounts). Does Lite have anything like "Personalites Options" in the Menu system? Or in the Documentation does it mention "Putting Multiple Users on one PC"? --- Platinum Xpress/386/Wildcat! v1.3e * Origin: FidoNet International Coordinator Emeritus, for life (1:202/746) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 102 CONSUMER REPORTS Ref: F4200007Date: 03/31/98 From: TOM WALKER Time: 09:37am \/To: DONNA RANSDELL (Read 3 times) Subj: mail program? -> We are searching for a new shareware email program for my husband. He -> currently using Microsoft Internet Explorer for his browser, as that -> came with his ISP software. They didn't send him a mail program with -> it. I know it comes with an email program, but there aren't many -> features to it. What is out there? -> -> I use Netscape with another ISP, and Eudora Lite. We've had -> conflicts with two copies of the same program on the computer -> before, so having a 2nd copy of Eudora Lite isn't an option. I don't -> know if Lite can be configured for more than 1 ISP or more than 1 -> email address. -> Ideas, here? You might try Free Agent. It is a Free Newsgroup reader similar to what Eudora Lite is fro "E" mail. It also has some "E" mail functions. It is a Carlsbad company called "Forte" I got it from their Web site, www.forteinc.com The Price is Right and it might do the Job. --- Platinum Xpress/386/Wildcat! v1.3e * Origin: FidoNet International Coordinator Emeritus, for life (1:202/746) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 102 CONSUMER REPORTS Ref: F4200008Date: 03/31/98 From: DONNA RANSDELL Time: 03:21pm \/To: ALL (Read 3 times) Subj: pickup storage boxes We are in the market for some storage boxes for our F350 pickup truck. My husband likes the ones that sit behind the wheel wells, on the sides of the bed of the truck, and don't stick up over the bed of the truck. He likes those because they will be out of the way of our 5th wheel hitch, and won't take up a lot of front space the way the ones that hang over the front of the bed do. We are toying between WeatherGuard (awfully pricey for our pocket books, tho VERY nice looking), Delta (more in line with the pockets), and Continental. In all brands we are looking at the metal ones, not the ones in Polyetheline (plastic) for durability and relative security. Any commentary from owners of said boxes? -donna --- GEcho 1.00 * Origin: The Education Station, Poway, CA - Mail Only (1:202/1411) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 102 CONSUMER REPORTS Ref: F4200009Date: 03/31/98 From: RONALD CONRAD Time: 09:22pm \/To: ALL (Read 3 times) Subj: BBS USAGE IN GENERAL A few days ago I posted a message to warn all about Skylink services and never recieved a reply but the moderator was kind enough to post the conference rules. Well in general it concerned him an also all the users of FIDONET whether it's this conference or another. As you read the message like you received it it will give you a ideal as to whats happen to conference mail includeing this one. Planet Connect has dropped from over 1,000 sysop subscribers to a mer 100 according to one of these messages. This explains the drop in user perticipation in all of Fidonet. Whats this got to do with the consumer ?? Whether you are a sysop, or a user, it effects eveyone because of the bare traffic. With this message it explains the enourmous decline in FIDONET and other News Groups. How much more can the BBS Community take??? :) Ronald............. ******************************************************************** .....IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.............IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT.. ..................IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT................. ............................. TO: All Skylink Subscribers ....... SUBJECT: TV Listings ............................. We regret to inform you that Skylink is no longer providing daily TV Listings data as a part of the Satellite data service. The cost of providing the service has exceeded the income from this part of our Skylink service. This ending of TV Listings will not affect the other services provided by Skylink. The annual cost of the Skylink subscription will decrease to $66 from $96. A half year will be $39 instead of $54. We will give you credit for the lack of TV Listings from now until you subscription is renewed. The credit will be deducted from your next renewal. If you prefer a cash refund for the unused TV Listing portion of your subscription, pleased contact the Skylink office at 423-623-8300, or write to Skylink, 1065 Cosby Hwy. Newport, Tennessee, 37821 *********************************************************** - ----- Do not assume I'm smart enough to know when to quit! :-) -------- However, unless we collect $1000 soon, this is the last distributed TVLIST. TVLIST01.ARC is a fake made by doctoring the listings for 3/11/98. I've made a few corrections and added a few wildfeeds, but it is basically 3 week old data. This final announcement is being saved in your \TV directory as the file named NEWS0325.TXT . That copy is PGP signed, and I'm including my public key LEEBONNI.ASC . I don't know what Planet Connect does with refund requests. Joe never sent me text to include here. Your current TVAGENT.EXE will keep working until it expires. But when April 2 comes, all your listings will have scrolled away. Some of you have wondered what it would take to keep TV Agent running. You'll be surprised at how expensive TV Data listings are and how few TV Agent subscribers there are. Basically, we need an unpaid marketing wizard to increase the number of subscribers (from around 100?) to around 1000. I don't know anybody willing to subsidize our C-band habit like Planet Connect has been doing. To give you specifics, I begged TV Data for the cheapest deal on the shortest possible contract, and worked out some dismal numbers. I can get the listings turned back on for a month if I collect $1000. I'm hoping Planet Connect will continue to deliver TVLISTs like they used to -- via Skylink, Planet Connect, FTP, and email (PC is my ISP) rather than dealing with your requests for refunds. FTP is the cheapest delivery method. TV Agent file output will be left on, and wildfeeds will be included, but you have to suggest more of them. After your current TV Agent subscription expires, you would renew with ME, not Planet Connect, at $10/month. If your current Planet Connect subscription expires within a couple of weeks, uhoh, I'm not ready to fulfill renewals. But if you have a few months left I will be able to replace your TVAGENT.EXE when it expires. But all subscriptions will be non-refundable, for a minimum of 1 month, at $10/month -- more, if there are fewer than 100 subscribers. Distribution won't start unless I collect the $1000 to pay TV Data in advance, and we'll get cut off again if $1000/month doesn't keep coming in. You can make conditional pledges if you don't want to risk your on-refundable $10 1-month subscription. You can call (or better, email) me if you want to know how much has been collected and pledged. You can get the listings turned back on within a few days! Send $1000 ! If you send more than $10, you increase the chances the listings will start again, and (if enough is collected from others to keep the listings coming after the first month) your new subscription with me will last until your initial payment is used up. Or state your terms, if you might want to invest more than $10. If new subscribers identify you when they pay me I will pay you $1 for each new subscription-month you enlist. So, ONE of you TV Agent fanatics can buy 100 gift subscriptions, get the listings started again, and I'll pay YOU $100 ! Those better be FTP subscribers, I'm not sure I could handle 100 TVBYMAIL subscriptions tomorrow. It's not a pretty picture, is it? But I hope I've answered some of your questions, and it's better to let you know how bad it is. Writing and administering TV Agent has been fun, if not rewarding. I'm happy to know there are still computer users willing to put up with a clunky DOS program that doesn't even have an icon. :-) You may win TVLISTs for a month! The odds of winning are... unknown. Take a chance! Send $10 to me now! Please. This is your FINAL REMINDER. If you've requested it, I will email you regarding further news, if any. Lee Bonnifield 1137 N. Hwy 107 Greeneville, TN 37743 lee@planetc.com (423) 623-5234 leebonnifield@compuserve.com the old addresses on your TV Agent Main Menu still work, too: Fido netmail 1:3615/50.1 Compuserve email 71267,3101 Internet email 71267.3101@compuserve.com but the area code and the street have been renumbered. - ------- end of announcement 3/25/98 ------------- --- WILDMAIL!/WC v4.12 * Origin: Tune Your Ports To PC-MOTORSPORTS*(910-595-8073) (1:3661/610.0) --------------- FIDO MESSAGE AREA==> TOPIC: 102 CONSUMER REPORTS Ref: F4200010Date: 03/31/98 From: WES LEATHEROCK Time: 07:21pm \/To: DAVE GARLAND (Read 3 times) Subj: Re: costs -=> Quoting Dave Garland to Scott Scheibe <=- SS> It is a tax to pay for Clinton's grand plan to provide Internet SS> access to schools, as is the tax on multi-line phone service. Every tax SS> gets passed on to the end user in increased prices. SS> Anytime the government provides a service we each pay for it one way SS> or another, either directly or indirectly. Very rarely more efficiently SS> than private enterprise could. DG> Just out of curiousity, how would public schools and libraries pay for DG> the access without a tax of some sort? I don't recall private DG> enterprise offering free T-1's and ISP service to them. Generally politics is not a matter for discussion in this echo, but since you have brought it up it should be noted that private enterprise does not build buildings for the schools or libraries at no charge, provide electrical and natural gas service for them at no charge, or (usually) buy books for the schools and libraries. All of these are considered proper charges to the school district or the library district, and paid for from the general funding provided for those entities (by the generality of taxpayers, through whatever type of taxes are provided in the laws of that state). Why should Internet services be funded differently? (It should be noted that some school districts have found it necessary to turn down grants for Internet connections because they cannot fund the cost of the number of computers necessary). --- Blue Wave/Max v2.20 [NR] * Origin: King Family BBS (1:147/102)