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From: dave@pta.OZ (Dave Horsfall)
Newsgroups: net.news.adm
Subject: Re: Reading other people's mail
Message-ID: <153@pta.OZ>
Date: Wed, 14-May-86 21:20:11 EDT
Article-I.D.: pta.153
Posted: Wed May 14 21:20:11 1986
Date-Received: Fri, 16-May-86 04:27:13 EDT
References: <703@frog.UUCP> <12400018@uiucdcs> <2410@jhunix.UUCP> <1993@hammer.UUCP>
Organization: Lionel Singer Group, Sydney, AUSTRALIA
Lines: 28
Summary: Operators CAN listen in

In article <1993@hammer.UUCP>, hutch@hammer.UUCP (Stephen Hutchison) writes:
>>In article <117@comp.lancs.ac.uk>jam@comp.lancs.ac.uk(John A. Mariani) writes:
>>>There may well be good reasons for the operator/telephone engineer to
>>>overhear (part of) a telephone conversation (although I can't think of
>>>one now!). They may have to listen in to ensure the correct functioning of
>>>the telephone system (no?).
> 
> The test consoles which were once widely used by telco operators who
> were running tests on the integrity of the phone lines, all incorporated
> a randomizing filter which reduced speech to a pattern of buzzing and
> clicking.  It was recognizable as speech if you knew what it sounded like
> but wasn't understandable at all.

I don't know about US, but here in OZ if you report a phone number
as permanently engaged, the operator will tell you whether it really
is engaged, or faulty.  How do you suppose the operator detects this?

This discussion has also been spread over several groups - how bout
picking one and merging?  Or (heaven forbid!) a new group?

cat << '--'
Dave Horsfall VK2KFU	 ISD: +61 2 438-1266   VTL: 248181000
Lionel Singer Group	 STD:  (02) 438-1266
20 Waltham St		ARPA: munnari!pta.oz!dave@SEISMO
Artarmon  NSW  2064	UUCP: seismo!munnari!pta.oz!dave
AUSTRALIA		 ACS: dave@pta, dave@elecvax, dave@runx
	"Have you hugged your tree today?"
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