Not so fast: E-mail sometimes slows to a crawl
Article Abstract:
An informal test reveals that E-mail can take seconds or days to reach its destination and that it sometimes does not arrive at all. E-mail is slowed by sorting and routing delays after it leaves the sender's computer. To reach its destination, the mail passes through a series of computers, and each of these may slow the process by inspecting the mail or by seeking instructions on how to handle it. The computers in the series also have their own capacity limitations, and an overload may cause complete failure. Users of on-line services occasionally suffer from overload, with the system unable to send E-mail for hours. Users of the Compuserve network must log on to the service again before a delayed E-mail will be sent. Firewalls, designed to protect a computer system and to prevent company secrets from being sent out, are especially culpable in delaying mail as they examine it electronically or route it for human inspection.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1996
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The fine print in Cyberspace
Article Abstract:
Users of popular online services such as America Online and CompuServe are forced to sign agreements that limit their freedom to express themselves online. AT & T Worldnet goes so far as to place a ban upon the revelation of 'personal matters,' while AOL warns against the expression of 'objectionable' and other kinds of content. Compuserve forbids subscribers from expressing content that would be deemed 'offensive to an average person.' Despite its admonitions, AT & T claims it does not screen content for compliance. However, it does reserve the right to do so and to remove material deemed inappropriate. Such control contrasts sharply with the company's permissive attitude toward its voice network telephone service. Smaller companies such as The Little Garden market the uncensored nature of their services.
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1996
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Phone deal in Afghanistan catches many by surprise
Article Abstract:
Telephone Systems International (Parsippany, NJ) has signed a $240 million contract to build a cellular telephone system in Afghanistan. The contract order originates from the Islamic fundamentalists who control most of Afghanistan who are accused of harboring Osama bin Laden, the suspected mastermind of the Kenya embassy bombings. Telephone Systems Intnl will set up at least one million telephones within two years in 15 cities in Afghanistan. Currently, only around 26,000 telephone lines remain in Afghanistan, after two decades of war. There are currently no restrictions on U.S. companies doing business with the Taliban, the Islamic fundamentalists in Afghanistan.
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Has received a $240 mil contract to build cellular telephone service in Afghanistan
Publication Name: The New York Times
Subject: Business, general
ISSN: 0362-4331
Year: 1998
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