June 1999

Letters

The following letters refer to articles in our March 1999 issue: Rich Tehrani's Publisher's Outlook, titled "Y2K Disaster Party: Will Anyone Be There?" and Marc Robins' and Chris Donner's article, "Y2K: Should It Be Bugging You?"

In response to your Y2K article in the March issue of CTI, I would like to comment on the relevance of the problem to what was actually written. I, as a writer, understand the attention demanded from such a bold cover story, as it certainly grasped my attention, but the Y2K problem stretches farther than the telephony industry. While the fact remains financial publications are cashing in on the fear factor associated with the possibility of total economic and nuclear chaos due to the Y2K dilemma is used in order to boost sales, the problems stretch farther than you may think. Already computer technology sales are skyrocketing as companies try to hold fast through the millenium, but only by those who can afford it. We must look past the stable U.S. economy to the countries with computers maintained financial or defense systems who have not the slightest chance of enforcing the Y2K compliance regulations that we have set for ourselves. I am not expecting the end of the world as we know it, but such a shortsighted boast of immunity to this impending problem reflects an opinion no farther researched than the financial publications you wish to prove wrong.

Brian Roberts C.S.E.

Rich Tehrani's column was one of the best articles I have read concerning Y2K. I'm glad to hear someone who is telling it like it is. I have also read the article co-authored by Marc Robins and Chris Donner, and found that article to be realistic, educational, and filled with more rationale and less hysteria than I have read on the Y2K topic so far. Kudos to you all.

Zack Durant

When do you believe that the traditional technology will be replaced by the new technology, VoIP? Over which timeframe are we speaking, and who would you prefer personally as company Cisco or Lucent ?

Ganic Ibo

Rich Tehrani responds:

I do believe that voice-over-IP will replace traditional telephony. The time frame depends on the application (corporate or service provider). I suggest you attend our trade shows, and ask the vendors themselves what they think about your applications and get the opinions from them. Lucent, Cisco, and other major players will be exhibiting at all of our events below. Please see www.tmcnet.com for more information.