Stories about: Pacific Bell

We at Computerworld would be the last to say that science and technology aren't creative pursuits. Still, when most people say, "Oh, she's very creative," they're probably not talking about the subject's ability to perform higher math or engineer a network. Such people might be amazed to learn of the remarkable number of actors, directors, musicians and other celebrities who nurture an inner geek.

AT&T Corp. President Betsy Bernard is leaving the company to pursue other career options and will be replaced, effective immediately, with William Hannigan, who had been serving as chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) of travel industry services company Sabre Holdings Corp., AT&T announced Tuesday.

So, what's an enterprise-enriched guy like Bill Krause doing running a carrier-focused "superrouter" company like Caspian Networks Inc.? Attempting to meld the genius of an Internet pioneer with highly energized people developing a product that Krause says may "change the rules of the game."

Customer relationship management and security are inseparable. That is, unless you're Pacific Bell or MCI WorldCom Inc. To illustrate, allow me to tell you a little story. It all started when I noticed that someone was using my MCI calling card to make calls to Germany. I canceled the calling card and, just to be on the safe side, switched my long-distance carrier to Sprint Corp.

High-speed cable Internet access was supposed to be the reliable broadband choice. But that's not the case for 850,000 AT&T Broadband customers who were abruptly disconnected December 1 when network provider Excite@Home Inc. unplugged their access.

Signaling that sending SMS (Short Message Service) messages via the Internet might soon cost money, two Dutch mobile phone operators have blocked incoming SMS text messages sent via several Web sites and ICQ instant messaging software.

A groundswell of dissent has emerged from the wireless community over the use of the term "parasitic grid," that otherwise refers to a movement involving users installing free wireless Internet access points.

Companies that want to adopt IP voice, but are shy about spending a lot on new IP PBX hardware and software may soon have a slew of outsourced options to choose from instead.

What a week. I've run into some interesting challenges setting up a new combination Weblog/magazine site called VarLinux.org, a nonprofit portal dedicated to serving the VAR and channel communities. (For those of you who are unfamiliar with the term, a Weblog is a site where a community gathers to share news links and other information.) I've also decided to host my own mail server, petreley.com, which means I've been out of touch with most of the world while I've been busy getting everything working.

With all the talk about wireless communications here at the CTIA (Cellular Telecommunications & Internet Association) Wireless 2001 conference, many companies have decided to take it to the next level, with voice-enabled functionality for everything from mobile phone handsets to electronic commerce applications.

VeriSign Inc., the 800-pound gorilla in the Internet's Domain Name System, has announced a new service for companies that want to outsource their DNS server management. However, VeriSign faces several upstart competitors that already offer top-notch performance guarantees at lower rates.