RE Bigpond news server

[mark_ae86]

If you can't ping the server then it doesn't actually exist ?

This is just flat out wrong. Most servers will drop IGMP packets (PING
requests) its means nothing. And before you say it, trace route uses
IGMP and will also drop the packets despite recording the first few hops.

The only way to know if the server is alive is to telnet. Open command
prompt and type, "telnet news.bigpond.com 119" no quotes.

If the screen goes blank the server is listening to port 119 (news
default port). If you are on windows 7 you might see telnet is not a
recognised program/batch blah blah. In Control Panel, Programs and
Features, Turn Windows Features on or off. Select Telnet Client, ensure
it is ticked.

This will only work for Telstra customers as all traffic originating
outside of their network, aimed at the server, will automatically be
rejected.

 

[F Murtz]

This is just flat out wrong. Most servers will drop IGMP packets (PING
requests) its means nothing. And before you say it, trace route uses
IGMP and will also drop the packets despite recording the first few hops.

The only way to know if the server is alive is to telnet. Open command
prompt and type, "telnet news.bigpond.com 119" no quotes.

If the screen goes blank the server is listening to port 119 (news
default port). If you are on windows 7 you might see telnet is not a
recognised program/batch blah blah. In Control Panel, Programs and
Features, Turn Windows Features on or off. Select Telnet Client, ensure
it is ticked.

This will only work for Telstra customers as all traffic originating
outside of their network, aimed at the server, will automatically be
rejected.

It says could not open connection to the host on port 119
Presumably this means it is not working but would it not also mean that
it exists but not working as I assumed when I pinged it

 

[Trevor]

I didn't miss OTC because; OTC weren't part of the P.M.G. Engineering
Division. They featured separately in the Gazette.

Read what I wrote again, after Telecom Australia and OTC were merged, *long*
after PMG was split.

Trevor.

 

[Trevor]

Rubbish.

Given that there was *no* competition in the PMG's day whatsoever, how do
you qualify such a ridiculous statement?

What has competition got to do with service? It can make it better
sometimes, or worse in many other cases. Especially when private profit is
the sole consideration.

Trevor.

 

[Trevor]

Also there were no mobiles or internet and a lot fewer landlines so its
possible service was better but there is no real comparison to now.
In the 50's my parents had the only phone in our immediate area so not
many phones to go wrong.

So what, not as much revenue either. As service demand increases, and
revenue increases, the support staff used to increase as necessary. Only now
they don't :-(

Trevor.

 

[Trevor]

?n 1983 PMG [or wot ever they were called then] took 5 weeks to

install a home-phone. They dug a trench diagonally across my front
yard. Failed to fill it properly, so I got bogged in my own frontyard

with the 1800

An when we had ours installed back then they did a great job, even put down
top soil and planted new lawn seed after they filled in the trench!
As always depends on the people.

Trevor.

 

[Trevor]

Without any competition to measure against you can't tell if the service
was good or not. It just *was*.

Until it's privatised and gets even worse. Then you can compare what *was*
with what is. Just like the banks, electricity, public transport etc.

Trevor.

 

[Trevor]

Right, how did I forget all the name changes. Here's one you missed
though,
Australian and Overseas Telecommunications Commission, when they
originally
merged with OTC. Most people don't remember it, didn't last long under
that
name.

I think that is wrong, Trevor, but I'm not sure. My recollection:- OTC
and Telecom Australia were never merged. OTC was merged with Aussat to
form AOTC,

I thought Aussat was taken over by Telecom before the OTC merger. It may
have been the same time.

and AOTC was privatised to become Optus.

I don't think there was any connection there?

Trevor.

 

[Trevor]

Why would they care?

Right, once the decision is made they'd switch it off regardless.

Trevor.

 

[Trevor]

I'm happy with my pre paid $49 phone because I only use it for occasional
calls,

That's a problem when you don't make many calls and still have to pay $49 a
month because that is the expiry time for credits. There are far cheaper
options for those making few calls, but as I said, nowhere near the same
coverage.

Trevor.

 

[Feral]

Read what I wrote again, after Telecom Australia and OTC were merged, *long*
after PMG was split.

And they were still known as Telecom Australia - NOT AOTC - geddit?


"The Australian and Overseas Telecommunications Corporation was
established in 1992 after a merger took place between the Overseas
Telecommunications Commission and the Australian Telecommunications
Corporation. The Corporation continued to be known as Telecom Australia.
In 1993 the Corporation changed its name, becoming the Telstra
Corporation Limited."



--
Take Care. ~~
Feral Al ( @..@)
(\-- Ü--/)
((.>__oo__<.))
^^^ % ^^^

 

[Noddy]

An when we had ours installed back then they did a great job, even put down
top soil and planted new lawn seed after they filled in the trench!
As always depends on the people.

Maybe you had an MP live in your suburb.

 

[Noddy]

Until it's privatised and gets even worse. Then you can compare what *was*
with what is. Just like the banks, electricity, public transport etc.

Well, kinda. Things are very different today but it's across the board.

 

[Noddy]

What has competition got to do with service?
Everything.

It can make it better sometimes, or worse in many other cases. Especially when private profit is
the sole consideration.

What would be a legitimate example of competition actually making
something worse?

 

[D Walford]

Everything.

Maybe but competition in a lot of areas is increasing and service is
getting worse, competition can cause downward pressure on prices so no
money left for good service which is certainly so in the cleaning industry.
Some companies under quote then do a crap job, they usually don't keep
their contracts long but they put pressure on other business's that
quote properly.

What would be a legitimate example of competition actually making
something worse?

See above, competition is usually good for consumers where price is the
main consideration but it doesn't always deliver the best service.


Daryl

 

[Noddy]

Maybe but competition in a lot of areas is increasing and service is
getting worse, competition can cause downward pressure on prices so no
money left for good service which is certainly so in the cleaning industry.
Some companies under quote then do a crap job, they usually don't keep
their contracts long but they put pressure on other business's that
quote properly.

Yeah but that's bad for the business. We're talking about what's good
for the customer.

See above, competition is usually good for consumers where price is the
main consideration but it doesn't always deliver the best service.

It doesn't, but then these days service doesn't seem to be related to
price like it used to be.

 

[F Murtz]

That's a problem when you don't make many calls and still have to pay $49 a
month because that is the expiry time for credits. There are far cheaper
options for those making few calls, but as I said, nowhere near the same
coverage.

Trevor.

I have a second phone with a vodaphone sim which cost $2 and $20
recharge for 12 months the whole lot discounted 10% (although you have
to put up with vodaphone coverage)

 

[D Walford]

Yeah but that's bad for the business. We're talking about what's good
for the customer.

Its also bad for the customer because they get poor service because the
business that under quoted can't afford to do the job properly.

It doesn't, but then these days service doesn't seem to be related to
price like it used to be.

I suppose it depends on what sort of service is most important, IMO
Telstra's mobile phone service shits on all the others because it has
far better coverage, the fact they are a pita to deal with is a
secondary issue.
None of the telcos provide good service but at least my Telstra phone
works in locations outside a major city long after all the others have
given up.


Daryl

 

[Noddy]

I suppose it depends on what sort of service is most important, IMO
Telstra's mobile phone service shits on all the others because it has
far better coverage, the fact they are a pita to deal with is a
secondary issue.

It is, but it's by design I think. I think they'd be better to deal with
if they didn't have such a captive audience.

None of the telcos provide good service but at least my Telstra phone
works in locations outside a major city long after all the others have
given up.

Which is why most people have to put up with bullshit from Telstra, as
they've got them by the short and curlies. Around here *nothing* but
Telstra works. If you have anything else you have to drive to a
different area to get a signal.

 

[Blue Heeler]

I have a second phone with a vodaphone sim which cost $2 and $20
recharge for 12 months the whole lot discounted 10% (although you
have to put up with vodaphone coverage)

And their constant bombarding you with TXT messages advertising other
services.

I used to have Vodaphone 12 month expiry on the spare phones in the
cars. As they have been expiring I;'ve been switching to Amaysim -
Optus network and you only pay for what you use - no use, no bill. In
fact if your use is under $15 they just roll it into the following
month. And, unlike vodaphone, data works.
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