Raison d'être, a French phrase meaning “reason for existence.”
Noun “The most important reason or purpose for someone or something's existence.”
e.g., This newsletter's raison d'être is to inform members of the Wireless Messaging, and Paging industries about related news, and to provide a public forum for them to express their ideas, and opinions.
Support For The Newsletter?
This is not asking for a “handout” like alms for the poor! I work very hard every week to find news important to the Wireless Messaging and Paging industries — and Emergency Communications — by radio, television, and other related technologies.
I spend my whole week searching the Internet for news that I think may be of interest to you. This newsletter is an aggregator — “a service that aggregates news from other news sources” mostly on the Internet. Many people in our wireless community also help out by sharing interesting news that they may become aware of.
Frequently major news about wireless service providers or equipment manufacturers will “break” here first. Sometimes anonymously — like a leaked memo — and sometimes signed by well-known industry professionals.
I try to publish all comments, opinions, and suggestions. This is not always popular. One large carrier blocked their e-mail servers so that none of their employees could receive the newsletter. However, lots of them just used a different e-mail address so they could read it from home or on their mobile device. This is a free country, and we all have the right to express our opinions — and this is place to do it when it's about Wireless Messaging. The same carrier, mentioned above, once sent me a scary letter from their lawyer trying to intimidate me. I guess they hadn't read the following:
The First Amendment (Amendment I) to the United States Constitution prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances. It was adopted on December 15, 1791, as one of the ten amendments that constitute the Bill of Rights.
[source]
I have received threats to burn down my house, been called every name in the book and a few names that aren't in the book yet. Advertisers have canceled their ads when I questioned their business ethics or wouldn't “knuckle under” and reveal my sources of reader comments. Real journalists have gone to jail for refusing to so this — I just lose support.
A couple of years ago a former colleague, who I respected, and thought the feeling was mutual, went to all the trouble of setting up a new anonymous e-mail account that he thought couldn't be traced and sent me the most insulting e-mail that I have ever received. I was able to trace it back to him and called him on the telephone. At first he emphatically denied sending it, but then he wanted to know how I found him. I just said, “Have you forgotten that I was V.P. of International Networks at WebLink Wireless? Don't you think I know how to trace an e-mail?” (I did learn a few things while I had that job.) This was certainly a “bitter-sweet” experience, but he did eventually apologize at the end of the phone call.
My technical library has many whitepapers written by leading experts on all aspects of Wireless Messaging. Several friends and readers continue to contribute PDF files of instruction manuals, and schematics for Motorola, Glenayre, and other brands of Wireless Messaging (Paging) equipment. Lots of good information on over-the-air paging protocols too.
New business relationships have been formed between readers of the newsletter, and lots of products and services have been sold here.
A few advertisers have pulled their ads after just six months because they didn't see a flood of responses. Well . . . from what I know about sales and marketing, brand recognition takes some time to establish.
This newsletter is about the only remaining place where you can stay up-to-date on related business trends, and technology — some companies are conspicuous by their absence. So if you want someone who will send you the news, and not bow down to pressure from associations, advertisers, or readers, you have it. I tell it like I see it, and allow my readers to do the same.
Rest assured that my integrity, and honesty are very important to me — always have been, and always will be.
I worked in sales for many years, in an area of the world where kickbacks and bribes are very common. I chose not to participate. Sort of reminds me of the following dinner-party joke.
A man was seated next to an attractive woman at a dinner party, and during their conversation he asked her if she would go to bed with him for one million dollars. She immediately replied, “Yes, of course I would.” So then he asked her if she would do it for twenty dollars. She responded, in anger, “What do you think I am, a wh.re?” He replied, “We have already established what you are, now we are just haggling over the price!”
I think that just about sums up my position on business ethics.
CAN YOU HELP?
Only one support donation received last week.
Can You Help The Newsletter?
You can help support the Wireless Messaging News by clicking on the PayPal Donate button above. It is not necessary to be a member of PayPal to use this service.
Reader Support
Newspapers generally cost 75¢ $1.50 a copy and they hardly ever mention paging or wireless messaging, unless in a negative way. If you receive some benefit from this publication maybe you would like to help support it financially?
A donation of $50.00 would certainly help cover a one-year period. If you are wiling and able, please click on the PayPal Donate button above.
A new issue of the Wireless Messaging Newsletter is posted on the web each week. A notification goes out by e-mail to subscribers on most Fridays around noon central US time. The notification message has a link to the actual newsletter on the web. That way it doesn't fill up your incoming e-mail account.
There is no charge for subscription and there are no membership restrictions. Readers are a very select group of wireless industry professionals, and include the senior managers of many of the world's major Paging and Wireless Messaging companies. There is an even mix of operations managers, marketing people, and engineers — so I try to include items of interest to all three groups. It's all about staying up-to-date with business trends and technology.
I regularly get readers' comments, so this newsletter has become a community forum for the Paging, and Wireless Messaging communities. You are welcome to contribute your ideas and opinions. Unless otherwise requested, all correspondence addressed to me is subject to publication in the newsletter and on my web site. I am very careful to protect the anonymity of those who request it.
I spend the whole week searching the Internet for news that I think may be of interest to you — so you won't have to. This newsletter is an aggregator — a service that aggregates news from other news sources. You can help our community by sharing any interesting news that you find.
Editorial Policy
Editorial Opinion pieces present only the opinions of the author. They do not necessarily reflect the views of any of advertisers or supporters. This newsletter is independent of any trade association.
Back To Paging
Still The Most Reliable Protocol For Wireless Messaging!
Subscriptions
* required field
If you would like to subscribe to the newsletter just fill in the blanks in the form above, and then click on the “Subscribe” bar.
There is no charge for subscription and there are no membership restrictions. It's all about staying up-to-date with business trends and technology.
Newsletter Advertising
If you are reading this, your potential customers are probably reading it as well.
TAP, COMP2, Scope, WaveWare SNPP, COMP2, & PET Protocols
2W, 5W Option
DMG Protocol Converter
Linux Based Embedded System
Up to 4 Serial Port Connections
Ethernet Connections
Browser Configuration
Protocol Conversion
TAP, XMPP, SMS, HTTP, UDP
Additional Protocols Available Soon
WaveWare Technologies
Easy Solutions
Easy Solutions provides cost effective computer and wireless solutions at affordable prices. We can help in most any situation with your communications systems. We have many years of experience and a vast network of resources to support the industry, your system and an ever changing completive landscape.
We treat our customers like family. We don't just fix problems . . . We recommend and implement better cost effective solutions.
We are not just another vendor . . . We are a part of your team. All the advantages of high priced full time employment without the cost.
We are not in the Technical Services business . . . We are in the Customer Satisfaction business.
Experts in Paging Infrastructure
Glenayre, Motorola, Unipage, etc.
Excellent Service Contracts
Full Service—Beyond Factory Support
Contracts for Glenayre and other Systems starting at $100
Making systems More Reliable and MORE PROFITABLE for over 30 years.
Please see our web site for exciting solutions designed specifically for the Wireless Industry. We also maintain a diagnostic lab and provide important repair and replacement parts services for Motorola and Glenayre equipment. Call or e-mail us for more information.
Windows 9 unveiling set for September 30, report says
Microsoft has been rumored to be working on the launch of a new preview version of Windows 9 toward the end of September or early October.
by Don Reisinger @donreisinger August 21, 2014 10:34 AM PDT
Microsoft's Windows 9, the successor to the widely panned Windows 8, could be shown off at the end of next month, according to a new report.
Microsoft is planning to hold a special press event on September 30 to show off Windows 9, The Verge is reporting, citing people who claim to have knowledge of the company's plans. The date is currently "tentative," according to the report.
It's not yet clear whether Windows 9 will actually be known as Windows 9. The operating system is currently code-named Windows Threshold, though it's highly likely that Microsoft will keep its numbering scheme with the next platform.
Last week, CNET sister site ZDNet reported that Microsoft is planning to launch a "technology preview" of Threshold at the end of September or early October. The report from Mary Jo Foley indicated that users would be able to try out the operating system, but would need to have software updates automatically downloaded to the platform each month.
Whenever Threshold makes an appearance, it's expected to come with a wide range of improvements, including a "mini" Smart Menu, separate windows for Metro-style applications running on the desktop, and support for virtual desktops.
According to The Verge's sources, Microsoft will be showcasing some of those improvements and new features at the event on September 30. The operating system should launch as a beta preview soon thereafter.
In a statement to CNET, Microsoft was succinct in its response to the news, saying only that it has "nothing to share" at this point.
State-of-the-art paging network infrastructure, fully supported at an affordable price – and it integrates with your other gear, include most makes of transmitters
Whether you are replacing or upgrading your existing network or building out new infrastructure, Infostream has the new equipment and systems that you need.
POCSAG & FLEX
Optimised for mission critical and public safety networks
Highly integrated base station controller
GPS
3G modem
HTML User Interface
Ethernet switch, IP and router
Optional integrated radio modems
Dual channel capable
Integrated off-air (self monitoring) receiver
Ultra high reliability configuration (99.999%)
Message encryption plug-in
Fully featured central site VOIP, CAD, HTML, TAP, TNPP, SMPP access
NMS integration including Nagios, SNMP and syslog
Comprehensive diagnostics including adjacent site monitoring
Deployed internationally in mission critical applications
21 years of industry experience in design, build and integration
Infostream is a world leading supplier of paging and messaging infrastructure, specialized paging receivers and consultancy services. The company was founded in 1993 and has engineered and supplied equipment for some of the largest public safety networks and private paging customers around the world.
Medical • Fire • Police • Security • Mining • Petrochemicals • Financial Markets • Telemetry • Custom Applications
The Internet of Things Will Drive Wireless Connected Devices to 40.9 Billion in 2020
London, United Kingdom — 20 Aug 2014
According to an updated market forecast from ABI Research, the installed base of active wireless connected devices will exceed 16 billion in 2014, about 20% more than in 2013. The number of devices will more than double from the current level, with 40.9 billion forecasted for 2020.
Principal analyst Aapo Markkanen comments, “The driving force behind the surge in connections is that usual buzzword suspect, the Internet of Things (IoT). If we look at this year’s installed base, smartphones, PCs, and other ‘hub’ devices represent still 44% of the active total, but by end-2020 their share is set to drop to 32%. In other words, 75% of the growth between today and the end of the decade will come from non-hub devices: sensor nodes and accessories.”
From every technology supplier’s strategic point of view, the critical question is how this plethora of IoT devices will ultimately be connected. Until recently, the choices that product OEMs have faced have been fairly straightforward, with cellular, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and others all generally addressing their relative comfort zones. Going forward, they will be in an increasing competition with each other, so for the suppliers the strategic stakes are getting much higher.
Practice director Dan Shey adds, “The recently introduced Thread protocol, spearheaded by Nest Labs, is the clearest example of this convergence. It is not only setting the bar higher for ZigBee in the 802.15.4 space, but also piling up pressure on Bluetooth suppliers to enable mesh networking. In the meantime, the LTE-MTC and LTE-M initiatives may well expand the market for cellular M2M, while startups like Electric Imp and Spark could do the same for Wi-Fi. And finally, we also shouldn’t ignore what’s going on with passive, proximity-based connectivity offered by RFID and NFC. For example, Thinfilm’s plans with printed electronics warrant attention.”
ABI Research provides in-depth analysis and quantitative forecasting of trends in global connectivity and other emerging technologies. From offices in North America, Europe and Asia, ABI Research’s worldwide team of experts advises thousands of decision makers through 70+ research and advisory services. Est. 1990. For more information visit www.abiresearch.com, or call +1-516-624-2500.
Our patented technology notifies clinical personnel immediately, while tracking who receives and responds to each alarm. Users confirm or defer each event with a single button press, and analytic dashboards display response statistics in real time, as well as historically broken down by time, unit, room, and individual.
Our systems not only notify your personnel quickly and reliably, but also provide actionable feedback to fine-tune your procedures, reduce unnecessary alarms, and improve patient outcomes.
Microsoft Dropping Internet Explorer From Some Phones
AUGUST 21, 2014 BY GREG MORRIS
Microsoft clearly has a bug to bear with Internet Explorer. After millions spent on adverts convincing us IE is the best browser. They appear to be giving up and not only renaming the browser. Also dropping its use from mobile phones, albeit only a few of them.
Now that the Nokia deal is complete and Microsoft will be producing the popular phones from now on they are making changes aplenty. Opera and Microsoft have inked a deal for the ‘Opera Mini’ browser to be the default internet app on large ranges of phones.
Microsoft Mobile
Microsoft’s current Asha handsets as well as the new Series 30+ and Series 40 handsets will all have Opera installed as default form now on. With current users that have the Xpress browser being encouraged to upgrade to Opera with new terms of agreement.
Opera Mini is no slouch when it comes to usage, featuring data compression options long before Google Chrome. It has in excess of 250 million users at the moment with more than 100 million preferring to use it on their Android handsets. A major plus given the deluge of browsers available on Android, not least Google's own Chrome.
Opera Opening Scene
The price point of the phones they have inked this deal with are aimed squarely at low budget and emerging markets. Given operas excellent data compression this may be a big hit with those less affluent or without big data allowances. With a much higher ability than the current Xpress browser users are given at the moment.
We are lead to believe the agreement will not extend to Windows Phone handsets, all of which use a mobile optimised version of Internet Explorer. Could Microsoft give up on Internet Explorer completely? Doubtful but they are evidently going through some major changes. Stay tuned for more on the Internet Explorer adventure!
PSSI is the industry leader in reverse logistics, our services include depot repair, product returns management, RMA and RTV management, product audit, test, refurbishment, re-kitting and value recovery.
Leavitt Communications
It's still here — the tried and true Motorola Alphamate 250. Now owned, supported, and available from Leavitt Communications. Call us for new or reconditioned units, parts, manuals, and repairs.
We also offer refurbished Alphamate 250's, Alphamate IIs, the original Alphamate and new and refurbished pagers, pager repairs, pager parts and accessories. We are FULL SERVICE in Paging!
E-mail Phil Leavitt ( pcleavitt@leavittcom.com ) for pricing and delivery information or for a list of other available paging and two-way related equipment.
Chasqui-1 Team Members Persing Cardenas and Rolando Adriano.
A team of Russian cosmonauts has deployed the Peruvian Chasqui-1 Amateur Radio CubeSat into orbit during a spacewalk from the International Space Station (ISS). Expedition 40 Flight Engineers Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Artemyev released the tiny, 1 kg spacecraft at 1423 UTC on August 18. Chasqui-1 is a project of the Peruvian National University of Engineering (Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería or UNI), in collaboration with the Southwestern State University in Kursk, Russia. According to AMSAT-UK , the CubeSat's batteries were charged last week. It traveled to the ISS in February 2014 on board a Progress cargo craft.
As Peru's first satellite, its main goal is improving UNI's satellite technology, its builders said. The satellite is intended to take pictures of Earth and relay them to the ground station. It carries two cameras, one operating in the visible light spectrum and the other in the infrared spectrum. Amateur Radio is a secondary payload.
Chasqui-1's beacon on 437.025 MHz (±10 kHz Doppler shift) can transmit either 1200 bps AFSK AX.25 or 9600 bps GMSK. As of August 19, the beacon had not been heard.
Coincidentally, this is an article I published
on March, 22, 2012
Chaski
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Chasquis (also Chaskis) were agile and highly-trained runners that delivered messages, royal delicacies such as fish and other objects throughout the Inca Empire, principally in the service of the Sapa Inca.
Chasquis were dispatched along thousands of miles, taking advantage of the vast Inca system of purpose-built roads and rope bridges in the Andes of Peru and Ecuador. On the coast of what is now Peru their route ran from Nazca to Tumbes. Chasqui routes also extended into further reaches of the empire into parts of what are now Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile.
Each chasqui carried a pututu (a trumpet made of a conch shell), a quipu in which information was stored, and a quipu [qipi] on his back to hold objects to be delivered. Chasquis worked using a relay system which allowed them to convey messages over very long distances within a short period of time. Tambos, or relay stations, were constructed at key points along the road system, often consisting of a small shelter with food and water. Chasquis would start at one tambo and run to the next tambo where a rested chasqui was waiting to carry the message to the next tambo.
Through the chasqui system a message could be delivered from Cusco t o Quito within a week.
A caricature of the Chasqui was used as the mascot for the Copa América in 2004, which was hosted by Peru that year.
This was the South American Pager, or equivalent to a “Wireless Messenger” during the Inca Empire (1438 to 1533 AD).
(From the editor's private collection.)
Consulting Alliance
Brad Dye, Ron Mercer, Allan Angus, Vic Jackson, and Ira Wiesenfeld are friends and colleagues who work both together and independently, on wireline and wireless communications projects.
Click here for a summary of their qualifications and experience. Each one has unique abilities. We would be happy to help you with a project, and maybe save you some time and money.
Rick McMichael Preferred Wireless, Inc. 10658 St. Charles Rock Rd. St. Louis, MO 63074 888-429-4171 or 314-429-3000 rickm@preferredwireless.com
Preferred Wireless
CA Partner’s Program
Providing better communications solutions to hospitals across the country — together!
For CAS, strong partnerships remain key to providing our software-based communications solutions to our customers. These solutions include:
nurse call systems
critical messaging solutions
mobile health applications
We provide the communication, training and resources required to become a CA partner. In turn, our partners provide customers with the highest levels of local service & support. CA Partners may come from any number of business sectors, including:
Service Providers
System Integrators
Value Added Resellers and Distributors
Expert Contractors
If you would like to hear more about our CA Partners program, we’d love to hear from you. criticalalert.com
Selected portions of the BloostonLaw Telecom Update, and/or the BloostonLaw Private Users Update —newsletters from the Law Offices of Blooston, Mordkofsky, Dickens, Duffy & Prendergast, LLP are reproduced in this section with the firm's permission.
BloostonLaw Telecom Update
Vol. 17, No. 31
August 6, 2014
The BloostonLaw Telecom Update newsletter will be on our traditional August recess, in light of the usual slowdown in the news cycle. We will resume publication on September 3. Meanwhile, we will keep clients apprised of significant developments via memos and special supplements.
Special Issue
Interstate Telecom Provider and CMRS Regulatory Fee Data Available, Revisions Due Sept. 10
In anticipation of the FY2014 regulatory fees, the FCC has announced that regulatory fee data is available for viewing in the FCC’s Fee Filer system for Interstate Telecommunications Service Providers (ITSPs) and Commercial Mobile Radio Service (CMRS) Providers. CMRS carriers are permitted to make revisions to the subscriber data by Wednesday, September 10, 2014. The FCC will then either approve or reject the revisions.
In order to view this data and verify its accuracy, it will be necessary to log into the FCC’s Fee Filer system, using the Company’s appropriate FCC Registration Number (FRN) and password. Once logged into the system, you should click on the link to view the appropriate revenue data (for ITSPs) or subscriber data (for CMRS providers). The FCC has indicated that revenue data for ITSPs cannot be revised since it is based upon 2013 ITSP revenue data that was reported on the Form 499.
It is important to note that the FCC has not yet released its Regulatory Fee Order for FY2014. This order and the FCC’s associated public notices that follow will contain the specific requirements for this year’s regulatory fee program. We anticipate that there could be significant changes from prior years in fee calculations and allocations for responsibilities for payment between the different classes of FCC regulates. Likewise, until the FCC releases its order, we will not know the due date for this year’s regulatory fee payments. At this late date, it appears that the fees will be due sometime after the September 10, 2014 deadline for CMRS providers to request corrections to their CMRS fee data.
This newsletter is not intended to provide legal advice. Those interested in more information should contact the firm. For additional information, please contact Hal Mordkofsky at 202-828-5520 or halmor@bloostonlaw.com .
Voluntary Newsletter Supporters By Donation
Kansas City
Premium Newsletter Supporter
Premium Newsletter Supporter
Canyon Ridge Communications
Premium Newsletter Supporter
(Above and beyond the call of duty.)
ProPage Inc.
Newsletter Supporter
Metropolitan Communications
Newsletter Supporter
Le Réseau Mobilité Plus Montreal, Quebec
Newsletter Supporter
Communication Specialists
Newsletter Supporter
Cook Paging
Premium Newsletter Supporter
MethodLink
Premium Newsletter Supporter
Citipage Ltd. Edmonton, Alberta
Newsletter Supporter
Friends & Colleagues
Ira Wiesenfeld, P.E.
Complete Technical Services For The Communications and Electronics Industries Design • Installation • Maintenance • Training • Engineering • Licensing • Technical Assistance
Ira Wiesenfeld, P.E. Consulting Engineer Registered Professional Engineer
Back To Paging Still The Most Reliable Wireless Protocol For Emergencies!
Wireless Messaging
THOUGHTS FOR THE WEEK
raison d'être
In my personal life, my raison d'être is to help others to recover from various serious, and life-threatening addictions. (Mainly alcohol, but also from drug, and other substance abuse.) I try to be guided by this 12-step prayer [from step 11]:
“. . . praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.”
My other guiding principles come from the Bible:
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”
“Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.” [Or make my belief stronger.]
[Source: King James Version]
—Brad Dye, August 22, 2014
PHOTOS OF THE WEEK
No Matter Who Is Guilty And Who Is Innocent — This Is A Tragedy
Lesley McSpadden drops rose petals on the blood-stained street where her 18-year-old son Michael Brown was shot and killed by a policeman in Ferguson, Missouri, near St. Louis on August 9th. [source]
The Chasquis (also Chaskis) were agile and highly-trained runners that delivered messages, royal delicacies such as fish and other objects throughout the Inca Empire, principally in the service of the Sapa Inca.
David George and Bill Noyes
