mark@stargate.UUCP (Mark Horton) (01/08/88)
TO: USENET and STARGATE Subscribers
FROM: The STARGATE Team
SUBJECT: STATUS OF THE STARGATE SATELLITE/CABLE-TV EXPERIMENT
Happy new year!
The STARGATE Team has been rather quiet publicly of late, so it is
appropriate at the beginning of this new year to relate the current
status of the experiment.
START-UP
--------
The STARGATE satellite/cable-TV service currently has seven experimental
subscribers (this number is within the range we thought appropriate for
experimental operations). They represent a mix of cable-TV and direct
satellite reception subscribers. Five subscribers had no significant problems
in starting up service. There were delays associated with two other
subscribers. One initially received a defective decoder, which was replaced
and is now operating satisfactorily. Another subscriber experienced
paperwork delays within their organization and also unfortunately had their
initial decoder lost by the package shipping service.
EXTENSION
---------
The Experimental Period was originally scheduled to last only until
December 1, 1987. However, the decision was made to extend this period
temporarily at no extra charge for current subscribers. This decision was
prompted by the above delays (because we wanted all the subscribers to
receive maximal value in return for their support) and by a desire of the
STARGATE Team to identify and evaluate all the variables involved in this
type of undertaking.
Unfortunately, even though we consider the Experimental Period as
continuing, the satellite carrier has begun regular billing for
our satellite usage. We can (and are) absorbing these charges
for a time, but fairly soon will have to discuss continued support
with the subscribers if the project is to proceed.
WHAT VARIABLES?
---------------
As was suspected at the beginning of this experimental period, the actual
"receiving information by satellite/cable" concept is sound and does work.
The variables that this enterprise faces are topics ranging
from the best way to avoid hardware shipping problems to the long-term
nature of the cable-TV industry. The value of various sorts of information
to the subscribers is also an important topic.
One purpose of this experiment has been to learn as much as possible
about the environmental factors of operating such equipment in real-world
applications. For example, we have found that decoders function better
if they are not installed in electrically "noisy" environments (such
as crowded computer machine rooms). When possible, the decoders should
be in a somewhat less noisy area (or at least not sitting next to
big racks of computers) and allow a simple RS232 line to connect the decoder
to the mainframe computer. We are still adding to our knowledge of what
works best in the range of user situations--which is why we felt that more
evaluation time was a good idea.
EVALUATION
----------
A questionnaire is being formulated and will be distributed to the
subscribers in order to determine their particular situations in more
detail and solicit their overall impressions and suggestions regarding
the experiment and the various possible future directions.
Using this and other feedback from these users we will be able to
evaluate our progress and determine areas for further discussion and
consideration. While we have no firm timetable for this procedure,
we will attempt to complete the primary steps and solicit this
information during the first quarter of 1988. We of course welcome
suggestions and opinions at any time.
We should add that the service is continuing to operate along the
same parameters that were originally laid out. We are not limiting
the redistribution of material being transmitted, and none of us
is receiving any money for our work on this project (other than
reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses). We continue to have just
enough money, with a very small buffer, to cover ongoing expenses and
charges associated with the satellite/cable project itself.
After we have evaluated the various items discussed above, we will
be in a better position to consider the issues involved with the
addition of new subscribers. We appreciate the various inquiries we
have received in this regard! We just want to make sure that we
carefully evaluate the experiment before bringing any new sites onto
the project.
Due to logistics involving the timing of the upcoming (February) Dallas
Usenix conference, we possibly may not have an official presence at this
particular event. If this should occur, please do not construe it to
be a lack of interest on our part of the conference--this is not the case.
But the timing of this particular conference presents some travel conflicts
which may prevent our attendance. There should be no problem with the
conferences that follow (S.F. and San Diego). We of course invite
your questions and comments regarding any aspects of the project
to the addresses below.
Thanks very much for your support. And once again,
a very happy new year to all!
The STARGATE Team
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Mark Horton
Steve Morenberg
Mel Pleasant
Einar Stefferud
Lauren Weinstein
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STARGATE INFORMATION SERVICES
Suite 252
4067 Hardwick Street
Lakewood, CA. 90712
(818) 359-0964 [leave message]
stargate-query@stargate.com
cbosgd!stargate!stargate-query
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